505

No, the title of this blog isn't describing a type of Levi jeans.  It is the number of people we had in worship at New Hope yesterday.  Over 500?!  Crazy.  Of course, I know we didn't have exactly 505 people there.  Counting with great accuracy has long since become too difficult.  I'm sure there were people counted twice.  A few may have even been counted three times.  There are also a few who don't get counted.

What I do know is that we set a record attendance on Baby Dedication Sunday last year as well.  Only then the record was 419.  From one year to the next, that's nearly a 20% increase by the same counting method (in fact, I think it was the exact same guy).  500 people at little old New Hope?  Surreal.  Yet, I can't help but wonder . . . does God care about this?

One thing culture and I tend to agree about is that bigger is usually better.  Preacher people measure one another's success numerically with alarming frequency.  Of course I know in my heart that having more people doesn't make you better in God's eyes.  But I've never been able to shake the belief that if a church is healthy, it ought to grow.  My Dad's always told me that you can tell churches that don't talk about numbers, because they're the ones that aren't growing.  Apparently it mattered to someone how many people Jesus fed with a few loaves of bread and some fish.  Someone believed it was worth counting decisions at Pentecost.

But the real test of numbers isn't when you're having big events and great moments.  Yes, they are exciting and there probably should be moments like that.  The real test is when discipleship happens and people need to make a personal investment and commitment.  You know how many people are really there when persecution comes and the bulk of the disciples scatter in all directions.  When soldiers come knocking at the door, you find out who's really serious about being counted.

Am I excited about having a record Sunday at New Hope?  Absolutely!  But I never want our faithfulness as a congregation measured by how many people we can stuff into that tiny room three times on Sunday morning.  May we be the Body of Christ, a place where no matter how many people come, they can find healing and hope, heart and heaven.