No doubt, there are many false teachers who could give accounts of how their ministries swelled and filled auditoriums with leaders who would like to replicate such ‘success’. As a young minister, I struggled greatly with this. I have come to realize several things. First, too many churches worship success (that they can count) and end up perverting God’s church in the process. Second, church size may rise and fall, but a true church remains faithful in all circumstances. Third, too many churches, in their euphoria for success and in their knowledge that American churchgoers often judge by signs of numerical success, have emphasized emotional appeals and experiences and deemphasized the teaching of the truths of God’s Word and the requiring of disciplined adherence to those teachings. Nowadays, I would argue that biblical teachings on sin, hell, repentance, and God’s wrath have too often been given little mention (if any).

Unfortunately, many churches still judge their ministers and ministries by their numerical success. With this worldly perspective that focuses on mere appearance, the minister typically finds himself being judged by the results as if God’s purpose and timing has nothing to do with it. Curiously, these same churches who focus overwhelming on the efforts of the minister in making their assessments fail to even consider their own efforts (or lack thereof).

This tendency to judge by numerical success is frankly unbiblical. First, the Bible is clear that any results from our ministry are directly related to God’s divine initiative. Therefore, we cannot evaluate our faithfulness or even God’s gracious activity through our efforts based on results. If our efforts were the necessary means for spiritual/numerical results, then we would get the credit. This would quickly lead to idolatry. Second, how can one know if numerical results are actually valid? I mean, Matt 7:21 teaches that many will falsely suppose themselves to be saved. With this in view, emphasizing numerical results can lead a church to include such as these and then be partially guilty in aiding in their deception. Third, exactly how do we quantify the inward working of the Spirit of God in the soul of a person. While I could recount some stories and testimonies of some who I have ministered to, I must say that that work was the Lord’s.

Finally, one practical concern must be mentioned. Churches that focus on the numbers usually end up delivering a shallow gospel to large gatherings of people who have been attracted to the church for the sake of entertainment and felt needs. As these churches continue in their never ending march to deliver the number and rejoice in the euphoria of their simulated success, they almost always fail miserably in the task of discipleship. Perhaps this is because numbering spiritual growth within a believers is an impossible endeavor.