SOME STARTLING STATISTICS

This past week I received a copy of our attendance statistics from the time I began my work with you late 2001 until the present day. At the beginning of 2002, we had an average of 283 for Bible school, 374 for Sunday morning worship, 237 for Sunday evening worship, and 205 for
Wednesday night study.

As of May 13, 2008 we had the following averages: 277 for Bible school, 388 for Sunday morning worship, 199 for Sunday evening worship, and 200 for Wednesday night study. In comparing these sets of figures we are from six years ago averaging 6 less for Bible school, 14
more for Sunday morning worship, 38 less for Sunday evening worship, and 5 less for Wednesday night study.

Some might think that things are fine and that we are basically holding our own. This might be true if the rest of the story was not made known. According to some other statistics, we should be well above our current attendance averages. In the past six years we have had 40 children born into our congregation and 158 new members (those baptized or transferred in) added to our number. If you were to take away from that number the 42 that have transferred out, the 35 that have gone to be with their Lord, the dozen or so who are now shut-in, and the number we have who are sick at any one time, we still have a gain of well over 100 members in the past six years!

With that stated, we need to ask ourselves the question, “Why is our attendance lagging?” The answer to this question is one that most don’t want to hear. The truth is, some have become lazy in their faith. Their priorities have changed. Other things have become more important
than God. What this church needs is revival! We need to wake up, come alive, and be the people that God has called us to be! I challenge every member to give God the glory in his or her life! Be at church every time the doors are opened and give your life to the Lord in sacrificial service! We need you, but more importantly, you need God! Let us rise to the challenge of
absolutely faithfulness!