Occasional Leadership thoughts from Brian Bauknight, Coordinator of Leadership Development, Western PA Conference, United Methodist Church

Attendance?

A few years ago, one “vital sign” measurement of a church changed from membership to worship attendance.  The change was probably a wise one.  However, other factors were quietly creeping into the picture.  The whole notion of church attendance was undergoing transformation in thought and practice.  That which constitutes “regular worship attendance” was changing dramatically.

In my early Christian life, regular church attendance meant at least 48 Sundays per year in my home church and 4 (or 5) other Sundays in a church wherever my family travelled.  Much of this seemed fairly consistent into the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.

In more recent decades, the times have been “a’changin.”  Today, “regular worship” may mean 1 or 2 or maybe 3 times per month.  The irony is that believers and members remain convinced they are “regular” in worship.  A pollster knocked on the door of a home during one survey:

Hello.  Are you a church member in the area?

Yes, I am.

Are you regular in your attendance?

Yes, I am.

Were you in worship last Sunday?

No, but I meant to be.  So put me down as a “yes!”

Many good folks are not aware of the changed patterns they are living.

What are the implications in this changing scene?

First, it means that the preacher cannot deliver a sermon that requires remembering the message from last week or looks forward to next week.  Similarly, Sunday School curriculum must present a self-contained message or learning each week.

Secondly, it means that even if membership measurably grows in your church, average attendance may remain stagnant or even shrink a bit.  Even the best preaching, the latest technology, the most spirited leadership, or the best musical offerings may not measurably affect the worship attendance.

Make no mistake.  I remain a strong advocate of regular, weekly worship for the Christian journey and discipleship.  I believe John Wesley’s dictum still speaks: “Worship weekly unless prevented.”  Regular worship keeps us in touch with our faith tradition—a vital part of the Christian journey. I read somewhere recently, “Religion is unsustainable without spiritual exercises.”  Worship hones our contact with God and fine tunes our souls.

Somehow, we must adjust and adapt to the new reality in our midst.  I believe we can still outwit the secular encroachments which prevail in our time.

Brian Bauknight: http://www.docbauk.com/