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pastor leaving

Is it Time to Leave?  Assessing Your Church’s Attendance

Orginally published on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 11:32 PM
by Todd Rhoades

This week, we’re continuing our series on "Is it time to leave?", based on John Cionca’s book "Before You Move: A Guide to Making Transitions in Ministry". This week we’ll talk about how your church’s attendance might help determine whether or not it is a good time to move on.  Church attendance as a factor in the health of your church may be highly over-rated. I say that because church size and growth many times is the first (and sometimes only) factor looked at as the tenure of your pastorate is reviewed. Translated into the political venacular, the question might go something like, "Are we larger now than we were four years ago? (or more specifically, when you came here?) While attendance is important, many other factors should be looked at when reviewing the success or failure of your pastorate; and when you are deciding whether it is a proper time to accept a new ministry position.

Having said this, it can also be said that church attendance is one indicator of ministry effectiveness. Even small churches can draw some new people into its ranks. John says, "Community demographics affect,but do not determine, the size of a congregation. Some churches are alive and well; others are dying. Some churches have a vibrancy that makes them attractive to visitors; others are bland, unable to draw newcomers. Some churches are growing, even in shrinking neighborhoods; others are in decline in expanding communities."

But how does church attendance help you determine whether it's time for you to go or stay in your present ministry? John suggests this simple test: "If your flock is experiencing vibrancy and growth in response to your leadership, you probably should stay. Thousands of pastors would love such an opportunity! On the other hand, if stagnation or decline has set in and you lack the ability or desire to take the church any futher, you probably are seeing a green light and are free to move elsewhere."

What are your thoughts? Have you ever 'bailed' when decline set in; or have you ever left when attendance was booming? How did you decide when it was time to go? Let us know your comments today... just click the comments link below... I'd love to hear what you have to say!

And for tons more on this subject, pick up a copy of John's book. It's worth every penny!


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 TRACKBACKS: (0) There are 11 Comments:

  • Posted by

    Where do you get this book.  The links in your post lead to a page that says none are available.  I checked Amazon.com and they don’t have it!  What’s the deal - where do we find a copy?

    Thanks for the help!

  • Posted by Bernie Dehler

    The question is asked:
    “What are your thoughts? Have you ever ‘bailed’ when decline set in”

    Isn’t this a sign of failure?  If God called you to do something, or you are doing a work for God.  If you bail because of difficulty, you are admitting a mistake.  God wants us to grow and mature through difficulty.  Is there actually an attitude that this should be easy? Why be surprised at diffulty, and think of “bailing” as an option?

    I had a task that I once choked on.  I gave it over to someone else.  This has been a learning moment for me.  Some good advice I found later was “stick in there for just 5 more minutes,” you’ll get through it.  In my situation, I was dealing with a difficult task and job burn-out simultaneously.  A major vacation was a vital medicine for me.

    ...Bernie
    http://www.FreeGoodNews.com

  • Posted by Todd Rhoades

    Hi Art,

    I’m sorry… I thought that both Amazon and ChurchStaffResources.com were already carrying the book.  You can order a copy at the publisher’s website (Kregel.com)… at least they say they have it in stock.  Amazon.com shows it as being released on Nov. 4, so I’m sure it will be available, in quantity then.

    (I’m using a pre-publication copy supplied by the publisher… so that explains how I got my hands on a copy!)

    Sorry for the confusion.  I’m sure you’ll agree after reading the book that the wait was worth it!

    Todd

  • Posted by Todd Rhoades

    Bernie,

    I understand your point, if only things were that easy.  Unless you hear the audible voice of God, it can be a very confusing process.  Unfortunately, there are some churches who are literally shut down because a pastor who should leave takes just five more minutes.  The same God who calls you to one location may very well call you to another location, even if you’re not thriving where you are.  Maybe you are where you are to learn valuable lesssons for the next place of ministry.  Or maybe you’re there for a particular season.  Maybe you don’t know why your there; or you even question whether you heard God right when he told you to go.  There could be a myriad of reasons.  Maybe the word “bail” wasn’t a good word to use.  smile

    Anyway… it seems as if you use the “just stick in there five more minutes”; then you could never move on.  (And that would be a very LONNNNNGGGGG five minutes!) How would you determine when it’s a proper time to leave?  When attendance is flourishing, when it is declining, or that attendance has absolutely no factor in a decision to leave whatsoever?  Just wondering… anybody please feel free to jump in.  I’m wearing my kevlar vest just in case.  smile

    Todd

  • Posted by

    As far as attendance is concerned, I too believe it is overrated and basically marked by the consumerism that plagues our culture.  To say, “if the numbers are up you stay and if they’re down, you leave” is just not sensible.  The same can be said for singling out any one continuim such as spiritual vitality.  I mean think about it: if discouragement, conflict, and decline are the indicators that necessitate a resignation, then that says that the pastor must be a fault.  If so, then the pastor must be ineffective. If that’s the case, then an effective pastor should never leave and the only pastors that search committees will ever be talking to are ineffective...I can’t buy that philosophy.  As stated earlier, the whole process is much more dynamic.  It’s not possible or wise to go by some checklist.

  • Posted by Bernie Dehler

    Yes, Todd, the problem is over the word “bail.” Now, I think we both agree that it is never a good reason to leave, simply because of difficulties.  Just because of hardship?  The hardship is what matures us!  There are many verses about this, such as:

    James 5
    10Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

    It’s today’s false gospel that sets the believer up for thinking things will get easier (health & wealth).  Jesus promised us persecution.

    ...Bernie
    http://www.FreeGoodNews.com

  • Posted by

    It comes down to discernment and calling. If you’re spending the time in prayer to know His will, then you’ll know what He wants you to do.

    I read a survey one time that said the average pastor spent five minutes a day in personal devotions. It’s just not enough time to develop that relationship to get the complex answers.

  • Posted by Anonymous

    A church my wife and I have attended for two-and-a-half years received a large sum of money and asked me to consider leaving my position as newspaper editor to join the two person ministerial staff as director of discipleship at a cut in pay and loss of all benefits.
    Because I had felt God’s call to re-enter full-time vocational ministry after leaving it several years previously following a divorce (an abusive situation) and I wanted to help the church as it appeared to be on an upward swing, I told them I was interested.
    I was so willing to follow God’s direction that, on the same day I told them I would consider the job, I turned down an offer to become city administrator...a position that would have meant a $10,000 increase in salary and incredible benefits.
    Several weeks later, the pastor who made the offer was moved to another church and was replaced by his former college roommate.
    It soon became evident the new pastor was a different sort of fellow. He kept putting off my hiring...despite the unanimous support of church leadership for bringing me onboard.
    It took almost exactly ONE YEAR for the job to become a reality.
    Since beginning my work at the church last May, I’ve found the pastor to be both irresponsible in performing his duties and incommunicative with the church staff and membership.
    He has made it clear he doesn’t want to see our church grow (too much work) and has also been quite open about his disbelief in much of the Bible (ie: salvation, intercessory prayer, hell, etc.)
    Meanwhile, I’ve been working day and night...performing many of the duties of the pastor as well as mine. Most days I find myself alone in the church office...the pastor just doesn’t show up.
    This summer I oversaw a major renovation of the education facilities (another result of the financial gift given the church), reorganized the children’s ministry, formed a team that redesigned the church’s website, newsletter and bulletin, started a revived ministry to students, began a small group ministry and led the church in having the largest attendance it has had in 40 years (325 in worship).
    Since that day (Aug. 22), things have gone steadily downhill. A support staffer can only do so much when his senior pastor is not only offering no assistance but is actively making his job as difficult as possible.
    There are a large number of church members who are fed up with the situation. They are registering their dissatisfaction with the pastor by simply dropping out. The church leadership is aware of the problem but refuses to deal with it.
    I’ve hit a wall. I can’t accomplish much more when the pastor is literally afraid to see the church grow.
    Some in the congregation are actively encouraging me to start a new church in town...others to lead a group to speak to our district superintendent about the problem.
    I won’t do that.
    I want to serve God more than anything else. Am I wrong to feel the urge to move? Should I stay and trust God will change the situation?
    I’m praying!!

  • Posted by Bernie Dehler

    Anonymous wrote:
    “Some in the congregation are actively encouraging me to start a new church in town...others to lead a group to speak to our district superintendent about the problem.  I won’t do that.”

    I think you should definitely and immediately talk to others, such as the district superintendent.  Why not?  Does it hurt your ego? Do you think you’re “telling on someone?” It sounds like you are being an “enabler” for the senior Pastor.  Do you “cover” for him?  Isn’t this the business of the district superintendent (sounds like it should be a high priority for them)?  It sounds like you are taking this too much upon yourself.  Use the other members of the body for help-- don’t think you have to be a superman and bear it all yourself, with a victim attitude.

    You are doing a great job under the cicumstances.  Sounds like the senior Pastor is scared of you-- knows that you may take his job.  He’s probably crippled in depression.  It’s easy to close your eyes and hope it all gets resolved, but it’s better to work towards resolving it in a Christ-like way (in truth and love).  This is a leanring moment for you-- how to stand-up and address a serious issue.  Get thru this, and you’ll be a better, more mature, Christian.

    ...Bernie
    http://www.FreeGoodNews.com

  • Posted by

    I “bailed” when it was clear that the church was more interested in maintaining membership benefits rather than promote the gospel at all costs.

    It had nothing to do with numbers

  • Posted by

    I have realized about 3 years ago that I am at the “Church of Sardis” (Rev. 3:1ff). This church is at the end of 30 years of decline and is now in dissolution of the corporation. There has been “discovered sin”, numerous marriages in crisis, lack of submission to the Board’s leadership, lack of biblically qualified leaders,lack of prayer (weeks and weeks of NO attendance for prayer meeting), no desire nor effort for outreach or Bible study, visitors who stay don’t remain for long, audible disparaging of “foreigners” in the congregation and in evangelistic response, etc...etc...etc…

    Our decline in attendance has truly been a purging and it is not done yet. I never anticipated that my ministry would be the “ministry of a prophet” but that is what was needed at this church.

    Remaining is no help to my resume and a challenge for future placement. But I have a responsibilty to “strengthen the things that remain.”

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