The Power of Numbers: Each Soul Matters to God

I trust you all are doing great. It's such a shame that RCB failed to qualify for the finals this year. However, I trust and believe they will someday cross the finish line and lift the cup. The pain of a true RCB fan is real, but above all, we have hope.

Earlier this week, I attended our church’s Anchor Group meeting. The AG is a place where we come together as a family to pray and learn the Word of God in a small setting. Our house church model encourages church members to participate and receive opportunities to learn and grow in gatherings outside of our usual church services.

As we sat, worshipped, and engaged in conversation, I was deeply involved in the moment. When I opened my eyes, I was mesmerised by the sight of our small room filled to capacity. There were about 20-22 people gathered, all eager to be there. Seeing the hunger in their eyes, and their willingness to sacrifice time on a weekday to attend filled my heart with joy.

As we engaged in learning the Word, I couldn't help but think about the significance of the number of people in the room. It made me wonder, what if the church was all about numbers? What if Jesus was concerned with whether the crowd was small or large? Or, perhaps, did the number not matter to Him at all?

Trust me all the little time that I have been a pastor and even before that I have preached that it's not about numbers and it is all about how many souls are saved it doesn’t matter even if it is just one, while I believe the statement has no ill approach the very instruction that Jesus gave us in opens up a different dimensions have a look at Matthew Chapter 28:19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 

Numbers do matter. They provide a quantifiable way to track our progress and growth. Yet, many people mistakenly believe that large churches are preoccupied with numbers, viewing it as a sign of misplaced priorities. However, a different story emerges when we examine biblical principles and the practices of the New Testament church. The truth is, that every church should be "about the numbers" because each number represents a person, and every person matters deeply to God.

Consider this Instagram post—it offers a fresh perspective to challenge common misconceptions!

Have a look at the below key verse for the Book of Acts

• Acts 2:41: "So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls."
• Acts 4:4: "But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand."
• Acts 6:7: "And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem."

Can you see how our God was serious about numbers and emphasised the importance of the multiplication of those numbers?

Moreover, there's an entire book in the Bible called "Numbers," underscoring that counting and keeping track are not foreign concepts to the faith. (How can we miss that !)

Every Number Represents a Person

Each number in church statistics is not just a digit but a reflection of individual lives impacted by God's work through His people. Churches that focus on numbers are essentially emphasizing the significance of every individual. Here are some key areas where numbers matter:

• Meals Distributed: Keeping track of meals served reflects the church's commitment to feeding the hungry and addressing physical needs in the community.
• People Saved: Each person who comes to faith represents a transformed life and an eternal soul saved.
• Marriages Restored: Tracking restored marriages shows the church's dedication to healing and strengthening family bonds.
• Children Adopted: Every adoption facilitated by the church highlights its role in providing loving homes for orphans.
• Churches Planted: Counting new churches planted demonstrates the ongoing expansion of God's kingdom and the church's mission to spread the gospel.

The True Focus of Numbers

Numbers in the church context are not about boasting or competition; they are about accountability and impact. A church that isn't "about" these things might need to reassess its focus. Numbers help churches to:

• Measure effectiveness in fulfilling the Great Commission.
• Identify areas needing more attention or resources.
• Celebrate the tangible results of God's work among His people.

In reality, the criticism that big churches are overly focused on numbers misses the profound biblical truth that numbers represent people. People matter to God immensely, and thus, they should matter to the church. Embracing numbers in this light helps churches remain focused on their mission to serve, save, restore, and expand following God's will.

I want to encourage you, whether you are a Leader, Pastor, or Anchor Group Pastor, to work diligently towards bringing more people into your church. Remember, each soul matters immensely to God, and the more we can do, the better. Seek God's guidance for new strategies to extend our reach even further.

I am profoundly impressed by the dedication of our Anchor Group leaders in reaching out to both newcomers and existing members and inviting them to be a part of our meetings week after week. Their commitment is truly inspiring. I firmly believe that when we align our efforts with God's plan, He shows up in powerful ways. I pray that every Anchor Group meeting transforms into a vibrant gathering of people and that every small church grows into a thriving mega-church. Let’s continue to strive for growth and impact, knowing that every person we reach is a life touched by God’s grace. Please let me know your thoughts on this topic by writing an email to me at jo@jogonsalves.com, Bless you all!