Red Herrings

When it comes to the church, I have discovered two red herrings that everyone loves to get distracted by:
1)  Membership Numbers
2)  Budget Numbers

Not that these two things aren't important, it's just that they aren't that important.  Actually, membership and the budget are of tertiary importance to what we're all about as the church.

Of primary importance is allowing the grace and love of Jesus Christ to transform lives.

Of secondary importance are a whole bunch of things that can be summed up in one word:  Discipleship.  Discipleship is how we encounter Jesus Christ and how we introduce others to Jesus Christ.  We should talk about how many people are worshiping with us regularly, engaging actively in the community of the church, and growing in their relationship with Christ. 

Back to the two stinky fish:  Membership and Budget Numbers.  
Why are they stinky fish?  Because they distract from what is really important.  Think about it:  If the church says "We're planning a $300,000 budget for next year.  That's a 5% increase over this year."  Guess how much people are going to be inclined to give?  Somewhere around 5% more.  The focus instead, needs to be on why we give (as an act of worship to honor God), and how we give (first, off the top).  Proper use of money is part of discipleship, not part of a budget.  If everyone gave as a faith offering rather than a tax write off, no church would ever hurt for money again.

Membership distracts because it focuses on getting names on a roll rather than engaging in relationships that will transform lives.

So are Member Numbers and Budget Numbers helpful for anything?  Absolutely!
Membership, when we stay on top of it, tells us who has publicly committed to supporting the mission of our church.  It's a declaration that "You can count on me!"

Sure, the budget is a really useful tool.  When used appropriately, it helps the Session to be good stewards of what God has given us to accomplish God's mission.  When used inappropriately, it becomes a secular imposition in the church and a hurdle to faith development.  The budget should support the work of the church, not the other way around.

"The Church is always and everywhere a living people, gathered together from the peoples of this world and journeying through the midst of time.  The church is essentially en route, on a journey, a pilgrimage.  The Church which pitches it's tents without looking out constantly for new horizons, which does not continually strike camp, is being untrue to its calling."  ~ Hans Küng