Why are some churches full and some empty?

This is not a full analysis of growing and shrinking churches. It's just something I've thought about as I've listened to people talk and listened to myself think about the size of churches.

I heard a Revivalist say the Spirit of God was clearly moving because the church was packed and the altar full. I listened to another when there were only a few that week at the church’s revival meetings say, “Well, we don’t have many, so God must be getting’ rid of the weeds so the wheat can grow. The real revival is just around the corner.”

A Reformed preacher said his church was growing because the elect were hungry for the true gospel, and the preaching of correct doctrine was bringing them. Another Reformer told me he didn’t care that his congregation had shrunk. He would rather pastor a small group of the regenerated rather than a church full of the unregenerate.

It seems that regardless of theological bent, we need to explain the numbers. A good shepherd will spend his days thinking about how to care for God’s people. He will know the numbers. Correct doctrine is essential to correct growth, but does it guarantee it? Is every large church large because it is preaching a false gospel? Is every small church small because it is preaching the true gospel? Why are some churches full and some empty?

Jesus fed thousands, but most of them turned away. The gospel was preached faithfully; over 3,000 believed in it and were baptized on Pentecost. One crowd was proof of people seeking food, not repentance. The other was proof of the power of the gospel. When your church is full, do you know which crowd it is?

Peter preached the gospel faithfully, and thousands were born again. Paul preached the gospel faithfully and ended up in prison, awaiting execution, with just a handful of believers still with him. If you are faithful, should your church be large or small?

We need to self-justify and often sanctify that need with our theological rationales. Numbers are so seductive and such risky measures of God’s favor.

Growth based on false teaching is fake, but remarkable growth does not mean your preaching is false. So, crowds are not a reliable measure of rightness. Most people will not tolerate sound doctrine, looking for someone to tell them what they want to hear. Others won't tolerate false teaching nor will they stick around for correct doctrine that is loveless and legalistic. So, small crowds don’t justify a “correct” ministry. Peter’s preaching was sound, Paul’s ministry was faithful, and there were two opposite results. I think there is a better way to evaluate our ministries than the size of the crowd.

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Jn. 13:34-35)

Suppose all those in the congregation love one another as Jesus loves us. Then Jesus says everyone will know the condition of the crowd, large or small.