Beyond Stats

Collecting data from churches is always an interesting project. Besides the normal challenges, there is a spiritual dimension as well. We recognize the dangers of publishing this kind of information—dangers related more than anything to unintended consequences.

These dangers include:

Equating growth with good. What churches do to grow is not always good. Growth that is the result of gimmicks, pressure, or worldly ambition is superficially indistinguishable from healthy growth. Use discernment.

Failing to appreciate planting churches. One of the most selfless things a church can do is start another church. In so doing, the planting church may actually suffer a membership loss.

Failing to appreciate leaders who let go. Several churches in our survey reported membership losses because one or more satellite groups (or regions, or sectors, depending on the church's terminology) reached a point of maturity that allowed it to become a separate congregation.

Using numbers to validate suspect methodology or false doctrine.

Using numbers competitively. Having lived in several countries and a dozen different cities, we know that some fields simply yield a slower harvest than others. Comparing two churches without taking context into consideration is folly.

Thinking faster is always better. Fast growth by God's blessing is always a cause for joy, but all fast growth is unsustainable. Sometimes it's unhealthy. Steady, healthy growth gets less attention, but if it's sustainable, will produce a greater harvest over time.

We recommend not only the measuring of church growth indicators (membership, attendance, baptisms) but also church health indicators.

One church provided, in addition to its membership report, the following surveys it used to measure members’ perceptions of their spiritual life and the effectiveness of the church’s small groups.

We share these surveys, and the results, as an example of a balanced approach to measuring growth and health.

Spiritual Reflection Survey and Report
Small Group Effectiveness and Dynamics Survey and Report