About the Numbers

About the Numbers

I recently heard a pastor say something that I have heard numerous others say before. The statement in and of itself is rooted in what I truly believe to be great intentions and desires, but it carries with it a potential for disaster. The statement was made in reference to the kind of ministry in which this pastor was aiming to establish with the number of people who would attend. The statement was, “I’m not a numbers guy.”

While some may deem me extreme and irrational, maybe even a bit unfair, to have become taken aback by the seemingly small nature of this statement, especially with its proclamation being rooted in good intentions - the danger of such a statement, nevertheless, stands supreme in my estimation. As is the case with other well-intended statements, one must be cautious that one’s good intentions do not turn to biblically unjust justifications. 

For the sake of running the risk of seeming to be operating out of ignorance, I will quickly identify what I truly believe the pastor meant by saying that he was not a “numbers guy”. This statement here, even as it has traditionally been used in modern times aside from those who hold to a remnant theology (belief that God wants small numbers of dedicated followers), was meant to mean that this pastor is not into just filling a room for the sake of filling a room. What was meant was that this pastor was not going to sacrifice biblical depth and truth for palpable gimmicks even if this resulted in “numbers”. While others in the “ministry” may be gaining masses by pushing false theologies – such as the prosperity gospel – this pastor would not. He was not a “numbers guy”. This is what he meant, and I applaud him for this. However, caution must be heeded.

Throughout the Scriptures, God has certainly been a numbers guy. Promises of descendants as numerous as the stars (Ge 6:24), mass exodus’, language describing His saving work as being available for all in the world (Jn 3:16), specific quantified details being stated for mass feedings (Mt 14:13-21, 15:32-38; Mk 6:32-44, 8:1-10; Lk 9:10-17; Jn 6:1-13), intentional numerical descriptions of those turning to Christ in the days of the early church (Ac 2:41, 47, 4:4, 6:7)…God appears to be a “numbers guy”. And these examples are to just name a few! The Scriptures do specifically state that God desires all to be saved (1 Ti 2:4). Thus, numbers are of the utmost importance to God, and as such, they should be just as important to those within the Church.

My greatest fear with the statement, “I’m not a numbers guy,” is that a person can begin to settle. There are two possibilities in the realm of settling to which I am referring – and this takes place within a person’s individual responsibility or role in carrying out the Great Commission. The first is positive in a person’s day in and day out work with the utmost fervency and dedication to the expansion of the kingdom of God. In this first example, a person does not let mere numbers discredit the work that is being done for God and His kingdom. Perhaps there is not a large number of attendees in the ministry, and perhaps an unbeliever has not given his life to Christ in a while, but in this first example, the person has worked tirelessly and is in the midst of a season where growth is not occurring. This is in itself not a bad thing if the person has indeed passionately worked and strived for the expansion and continues to passionately work and strive for the expansion of the kingdom. In this example, a person has settled not in the amount of effort exuded but with the season in which he or she is operating.

The second possibility is negative and is the main fear that has prompted this article. In this example, a person may be in a season of non-growth, and in response, a person may settle with focusing his or her efforts on the maturation of those who are already within at the expense of reaching those without. If this person is not a “numbers guy” then it may be all too easy to settle when there is not numerical growth into the kingdom. Possibility the biggest caution in this is also that a person may be so content with the lack of numbers that he or she may never even get to experience whether they are truly operating within a possible season of growth or not. To reach this point is to fail in his or her commissioning as Christ followers.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. NIV, 28:19-20).

Jesus’ Great Commission is a proclamation to believers today as much as it was to those of the very first Christians. The commission is to the maturation of believers as well as to the reaching of the unbeliever. Let us not have a mindset of not being “numbers guys”. Let us not run the risk of settling our efforts, passions and resources on anything other than fully to what God has called us. Let us, however, desire to see the masses come to a love of Christ. Let us become consumed with the potential of droves and droves of people coming to rest in Jesus. Let us be about the numbers. Let us follow God’s example and let us yearn and work for the ever expansion of the greatest kingdom…the kingdom of God.