The Adventist Church is rejoicing that since October 1,1982, it has had an average of one thousand persons per day becoming members. What is not so well known is that 278 per day officially left our church during the same period. And the church has no way of knowing how many have "unofficially" removed themselves from the fellowship of believers. Should our church change its goals as it plans for 1990? If so, what kind of goals would be most meaningful?
The Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 lists baptism as only one step in the process. Jesus said, " 'Go and make disciples [matheteuo] of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching [didasko] them to obey everything I have commanded you' " (N.I.V.). The goal Jesus gave is not "to baptize" but "to make disciples." A disciple is not just someone who has been baptized but someone who practices Jesus' teachings.
While God is "not willing that any should perish," He does not accept quantity at the expense of quality. One conference has begun recording the weekly attendance at the worship services in its churches. The statistics show that only about 50 percent of the members attend church on a regular basis. They found that the traditional baptismal and membership records have little relevance to discipleship.
"God would be better pleased to have six thoroughly converted to the truth than to have sixty make a profession and yet not be truly converted."--Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1948), p. 370. "The real character of the church is measured, not by the high profession she makes, not by the names enrolled on her books, but by what she is actually doing for the Master, by the number of her persevering, faithful workers." --Ibid., p. 200.
Research reveals that the kind of goal set has a powerful influence on the type of programs developed to implement that goal. Our evangelists traditionally have been evaluated on the basis of how many baptisms they produce, not on how many of those baptized actually stay in the church. Is it possible that our church's historic emphasis on only part of the discipling process has contributed to this high apostasy rate and low church attendance? Is not the church more interested in having spiritually mature, productive members than just accessions to the records?
The goal of discipling the world for Christ can be accomplished by making each local church a center in which members are equipped for soul-winning activities according to their spiritual gifts. Our church can measure the results in two ways: by the traditional accessions approach and by taking attendance. Attendance as a percentage of member ship is a far more accurate barometer of the health of the church than either baptisms or book membership. Let's say the church sets a goal of doubling attendance at the worship service. This would mean a whole new approach to soul winning. The church then would have to become as interested in keeping its members as in winning them.
Another very positive benefit would result: the lessening of the antagonism many feel toward public evangelism. The whole church would become involved in strengthening the lives of its members. The concern to increase attendance would result in efforts to reclaim backslidden members and to invite nonmembers to church. It would, on a weekly basis, orient the worship service toward public evangelism. The church would have to address seriously the quality of its worship life. Too often new converts experience a tremendous letdown when they transfer from the dynamic and visual portrayals of the gospel they enjoyed in the evangelistic meetings to the often lethargic and nonvisual worship services. Public evangelistic crusades should still be con ducted, but they should be icing on the cake rather than the cake itself.
Setting a new type of goal will stir the church's creative mind and cause it to study issues rarely given much more than lip service in the past. Focusing on discipling and attendance will not negate evangelism but will enhance it. Every evangelist is concerned about the quality of life in the church into which he is bringing so many spiritual babes. The eager expectations of parenthood are dashed if the child becomes retarded and stunted. The church's goal should not be simply baptisms but discipled people ready for the coming of Christ.--J.D.N.
