Is it really just a numbers game???...some thoughts on Mark 6:6-13

It struck me recently that church life, Christian life, and even evangelism are becoming very much a numbers game. We talk about budgets, attendance and membership numbers, and ages. Or to put it another way...number of dollars...number of people on the lists...number of bums on pews...how young or old those people are. I have been reading, studying, teaching and preaching from Scripture for 30 years now and for the life of me cannot find those Bible passages that mention the importance of these numbers in the life of the church. What is most concerning is that this preoccupation with the numbers game takes attention, time and energy away from the real task...living our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ.

When Jesus sent out the disciples to witness into the communities around about, he instructed them to not "take anything with you on the trip" and then proceeded to mention a number of items like food, clothing etc that we would have considered necessities. He removed all their earthly props. They were going out totally dependent on God's provision. This fact of total dependence on God hasn't changed. In fact it is what we need to be.

Getting caught up in the numbers game enables us to avoid our role and responsibility as the people of God. We are not big enough, young enough or well-financed enough. We don't have time, programs, opportunities. If we just had the numbers then things would be different. But that is not true. For you see Jesus did give the disciples one thing. Authority. The authority that he had received from the Father.

That same authority is now ours through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who also brings us the gifts and abilities to fulfill the tasks God has given us to do...to live as his disciples and witnesses. Everyday you and I wake up to a new day as Jesus' disciples. Everyday you and I have another opportunity to witness to the life of Christ in us through our attitudes, words and actions. Everyday you and I are equipped through the Spirit to meet the life experiences, the temptations and the opportunities that come our way in the grace and power of God.

It's not about membership numbers or attendance numbers or budget bottom lines or age. The work of the church is the work of every Christian...to live each day in every way as a disciple of Jesus Christ.