TL;DR:
Statistical data, while not the whole story, can offer valuable insights into a congregation’s spiritual and organizational health. Long-term graphs of attendance and membership (at least 10 years) reveal trends, growth, and decline patterns. Church leaders should analyze these numbers alongside qualitative factors. They should ask what events, ministries, or community changes might be related in some way to peaks or valleys. Used wisely and humbly, statistics can inform decisions and deepen understanding of a church.
Numbers cannot tell the whole story about an organization such as a church congregation. However, numbers are one piece of information that can help evaluate a church's health. It is not the only piece of needed information. Still, statistical data can be easily measured and analyzed and may help form a realistic picture. So, don't ignore available statistical data in trying to understand the health of a local church.
Construct a graph of at least 10 years of your church's attendance and membership statistics. Why ten years? Well, that will help you see long-term patterns. With the graphs in hand, ask questions. Lots of questions. As you look at numbers, look for answers to the following:
Sample graph analysis
-- Howard Culbertson, hculbert@snu.edu
Statistical data can be a helpful tool for church leaders. The proper use of data will give leaders insights into their congregations. It can help us identify areas for improvement and guide in decision-making. A word of caution: We must approach data analysis with humility and sensitivity.
