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Playing the numbers game

By the Rt Rev Garry Marquand

Mark died last year. We celebrated a life lived well, a Christian character that was inspirational, and gifts shared with us over many years in music. He was a valued person in our congregation. Mark was number 94 on our membership roll. With his death our total roll number became one fewer.

Numbers are all around us, and they are important. Why else check the bank statement, departure time, or anniversary date? Numbers are also important in local congregations, for in that setting numbers mean people; people who are named, cared for, and who offer resources for the work of Jesus Christ. And embracing the value and gifts of 67 is a blessing beyond 53.

Wait - did someone say that we shouldn’t play the numbers game? Well some games are serious – not the here-today-gone-tomorrow variety. Congregations engage in serious games and there are several options for games we can play: for example, the declining numbers game, or the only-oneage- group numbers game, or the growing numbers game. These are games that all involve people.

As we face the opportunities of 2006, as we embrace the mission imperative of Jesus Christ in our various settings, it is important that we have a game plan that seeks to grow the number of people who are part of our local fellowship. Growing numbers of people – would we dare? Yes we dare, for the grace of God compels us. Haven’t our lives been transformed by grace? Do we not look back and trace the touch of grace on the ups and downs of life? Is grace not amazing, surprising, beautiful and bountiful? And does not receiving grace lead us to being gracious? More than that – we long that others may also experience grace: one by one, more, many. Dare for growing numbers of people?

Yes, for the mission of Jesus Christ compels us. The whole world is his concern; every generation and culture his vision, and every family and person loved. So we dare not become satisfied with the numbers currently in our congregation, or content with slowly becoming fewer. We long that others may see the Gospel, and hear it, and experience it. Further we know that each person offers time and energy and gifts for the ongoing work of mission; the work of serving the needy, of worship, of social justice, of evangelism, of pastoral care, of caring for creation.

There is a reality check here: if many of our congregations do not grow in numbers of people, then many of the significant ministries they offer will have a short life indeed. Mission requires resources and resources are found primarily in people, who will only offer them for mission out of a faith relationship with our God of grace.

So, growth is not so much about survival, but about having a long-term view and of being faithful to the mission of Jesus Christ. This is where the missionary Spirit of Christ would drive us – to grow the number of people embraced in the life and ministry of the Church. Trace the story of the Spirit in Acts: prodding, urging, driving the followers of Christ to cross new barriers, to deal with their prejudices, to try new approaches, to accept change, to work strategically, to communicate the good news of their Lord and see more people come to faith in Him.

One thing we do have is multiple and significant connections with the people of our communities. Local congregations have built bridges of compassion and service and respect. One of the challenges of today’s context is to learn how to take the Gospel across those bridges in a way that enables people to come to faith and into the Fellowship of the Church. Growing numbers of people – people like Mark.

Leaders and people – all of us – we are called to grow numbers of people, for God’s sake. We won’t talk of a numbers game, it’s a people game – and people count.