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Only 31 percent of all churches growing at a rate above average use numerical goals. Seven out of ten of fast-growing churches do without them. Having
quantitative goals is not a universal church growth principle.
Concrete goals are motivating. Churches need precise, challenging, time-bound, and measurable goals to progress in their development. Creating numeric
goals does not motivate individuals to take concrete steps toward church growth. Goals can only motivate people when the goals touch on areas which they can personally influence.
To become more loving towards other home group members; to cordially welcome guests at our worship services; to invite unchurched acquaintances over for coffee; to
commit oneself to pray at a certain time each day–these are all attainable goals which members can personally influence. Isn’t it interesting that a concentration on these qualitative areas
demonstrably has a stronger relationship to a church’s growth than the supposedly important attendance goals?
It is not wrong, but rather very useful to track worship attendance and to analyze trends. It all depends on the value assigned to attendance
statistics. Increased worship attendance is not the ultimate “goal,” with everything else being a means to that end; it is a natural by-product of
improved quality.
(Emphasis added)
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