Ask any youth worker about numbers, and you’ll probably get one of a few looks. Maybe it is the “oh man, I’m getting killed right by the numbers right now” or the classic “they matter way too much in my church” or every once in a while the noble-if-probably-not-true “nah, in my church, numbers don’t matter.”
They matter in every church – I’m convinced of it. Working in a couple churches myself and talking to enough youth workers over the past dozen years have told me that over and over again they matter. Here’s what I’ve learned from playing the game for so long:
When numbers are flat – when you’re about the same as last year, in my experience you’re not going to be bothered too much. While there maybe some early rumblings of angst from the leadership – at the end of the day, at least you’re not driving students away. While they might secretly regret the hire they made, the elders will stay out of your way and hope things take an upward turn soon. Remember: when numbers are flat, the clock is ticking before they’ve got to be headed in the right direction. Also look for plenty of suggestions of well-meaning people looking to help you get unstuck.
When numbers are up – these are when numbers really matter to you as the leader of the youth ministry, but others don’t seem to revel in the glory. Honestly? It might be good if you don’t expect people to notice too much. I know it might be odd to think that if numbers matter so much, when they’re going up there should be partying in the streets! But when things are good, it is quite possible leadership will be happy in silence and spend their time and attention on what is hurting in the rest of the ministry.
When numbers are down - this is when numbers matter the most. Like it or lump it, numbers are a measure that people will use, right or wrong, to measure health. When people say that numbers matter in their church, it means that numbers matter when they’re down.
Now, if the above is true, then it makes me sad. My prayer is that God’s church is smarter than this. That changed lives should be the measure that matters most, and numbers, while important, are by no means the most important definition of success.
To youth pastors: If your youth ministry is flat, slowing or growing – take heart. God is at work changing lives in your church. Should you make some changes? Perhaps. Should you look at changing up some programs? Sure. Know that the ups and downs of youth ministry are normal, and you should be listening to God’s voice on leading or leaving regardless of the graph.
To elders: Take time to notice the condition of the youth ministry. Realize that the numbers game isn’t one that churches play well and your youth worker is killing herself trying to live up to the perceived reassures and expectations of leadership. Celebrate when the youth ministry is doing well, cheer him on when things are flat or down, and above all – look for ways to measure health without playing this little game.
JG
Josh Griffin has been in youth ministry for 15+ years and serves as the High School Pastor at Saddleback Church. [
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Geoff Stewart serves the Jr / Sr High School Pastor at Peace Portal Alliance Church in Surrey B.C.
At the last couple of churches the attendance on Sunday Nights has not happen an impact. They care more if Im putting effort into the community and making my face known in their lives.
I get more number questions from other youth pastors especially with former school mates. I never answer with a specifics, I always give general conversation mostly to annoy them.
An who’s to say that your gain isn’t someone else’s loss?
What I’ve found to be true in my small town is that many students will church hop. I know this happens everywhere, but it’s especially apparent in a small town where the youth pastors all hang out together and can say, “Johnny hopped churches again. Let’s hope he finds what he needs there so that that kingdom can grow.”
So the youth leaders in my town are thinking a lot more about our aggregate attendance than just one or two of us. It’s been freeing for me because I don’t feel like we’re comparing number with each other anymore.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this subject; considering it’s one of the factors that is driving my wife and I away from our current ministry. I do take heart that most youth workers these days are not numbers driven, but I’m disappointed that many churches have not caught onto this yet. Flux in growth has way to many variables to be a reliable source for evaluation.
I’m not numbers driven, but I do look at the numbers when evaluating my own ministry. If there is a sudden drop in attendance, looking at the numbers will help me to see the trend.
I am careful to tell those in church leadership when things like the sports season is affecting our numbers so they don’t think it is our ministry that is causing it. But I am equally careful to let them know when those seasons are over.
What I focus on more, numbers wise, is how many kids are deepening in their faith as a result of our ministry. That group of core kids is my measuring stick.
I am very thankful that I am a part of a church that doesn’t really focus on numbers “that much”, although we do to a point, it is not a strong stresser. When I first started at our church – youth attnd. exploded. Our Youth attnd. has been the lowest it has been in three years over the last year (which is can be disheartening), BUT the number of students involved in leadership areas and small groups is higher than it has ever been (very encouraging). Growth happens in different ways in different season.
I appreciate Joshua’s insight to this particular aspect of youth ministry. I just wish he were not right in his assessment, but unfortunate he is absolutely correct. I have been apart of youth ministry, part time or full time since 1991. I am now 45 years old. This alone is by far the primary measuring tool for most pastors, deacons, and the congregation; The “Numbers Game” is what most of the church sees. They don’t consider the personal discipleship, the school visits at lunch, your attendance at a football game or school play, nor the late evening visits to a troubled youth after a parent has called you, and ask that you come over to speak with him. They don’t see the personal encouragement or prayer time, the in-depth Bible studies, the change the Holy spirit has brought in the heart of a teen at camp, or on a mission trip. They don’t see you standing around the flag pole as teenagers pray. They never consider the hospital visits. I could go on and on….I feel for Jonas and his wife, I too have been under extreme pressure to perform for the last year and a half, and about to lose my ministry position. My conviction is, God sees our heart and effort. We are to glorify Him.
Let me first say that I agree in the sense that the “Numbers game” is normally used and abused in Youth Ministry. That being said, I have to go against the status quo and say it is all about the numbers, but maybe we need to focus on the right numbers.
Shouldn’t we be concerned how many kids are coming to Christ? How many of the teens in our ministries are sharing their faith on a regular basis? How many of the teens in our ministries are growing?
If we say we don’t care about the numbers isn’t that dangerously close to saying we aren’t concerned with how many kids are coming to Christ, we aren’t concerned how many of our teens are sharing their faith, we aren’t concerned how many are growing?
I believe the vast majority of Youth Leaders are in ministry because they love God and they love teenagers. That being said, don’t we want to see as many as possible come to know the Lord Jesus Christ? Numbers matter, but maybe we need to help the church and its leadership understand what numbers matter.
I would just simply say that after 10 years in Youth Ministry I agree totally. Its a roller coaster ride for sure.