Traditionally, church growth has been measured by an increase in membership. Platt Woods Church’s membership:
2007 -- 2,596 members
2008 -- 2,633 members
Before coming to Platte Woods Church, part of my job as Treasurer of The Missouri Conference was gathering statistical information for all of Missouri’s United Methodist congregations. I would then try to analyze the information. Over the 19 years I performed this task, I came to the conclusion that growing churches can be identified by several measures. Certainly membership is one of the measures. More importantly, I came to the conclusion that participation was as important a measurement as membership. Consider the following average attendance statistics:
2007
Sunday School average attendance.................309
Ongoing classes and learning groups................28
Short term classes and learning groups.............12
Youth (7 – 12th grade) in all other groups.......214
Worship average attendance...........................797
2008
Sunday School average attendance..................386
Ongoing classes and learning groups.................50
Short term classes and learning groups..............61
Youth (7 – 12th grade) in all other groups........225
Worship average attendance............................818
So far in 2009, we are averaging 878 persons in worship.
Financial support is perhaps another measure of the vitality of a congregation. Through this past Sunday (18 weeks) we are $53,518 ahead of last year’s (2008) giving. This support does not include giving for kitchen and dining hall remodeling or other capital gifts.
Are we a growing church? The statistics would indicate we are. However, perhaps the real question has to do with how we as a church and as individuals are reaching out in our community to share the love of God in Jesus Christ. Perhaps the real question has to do with how each of us is growing in our faith development. If we are growing as individuals and if we are sharing God’s love in our sphere of influence, we will be a growing community of faith.
Thanks to the Seekers Class for asking the question.
2007
Sunday School average attendance.................309
Ongoing classes and learning groups................28
Short term classes and learning groups.............12
Youth (7 – 12th grade) in all other groups.......214
Worship average attendance...........................797
2008
Sunday School average attendance..................386
Ongoing classes and learning groups.................50
Short term classes and learning groups..............61
Youth (7 – 12th grade) in all other groups........225
Worship average attendance............................818
So far in 2009, we are averaging 878 persons in worship.
Financial support is perhaps another measure of the vitality of a congregation. Through this past Sunday (18 weeks) we are $53,518 ahead of last year’s (2008) giving. This support does not include giving for kitchen and dining hall remodeling or other capital gifts.
Are we a growing church? The statistics would indicate we are. However, perhaps the real question has to do with how we as a church and as individuals are reaching out in our community to share the love of God in Jesus Christ. Perhaps the real question has to do with how each of us is growing in our faith development. If we are growing as individuals and if we are sharing God’s love in our sphere of influence, we will be a growing community of faith.
Thanks to the Seekers Class for asking the question.
