By Pastor Bruce K. Oyen
Email: bk_oyen@hotmail.com
Should preachers and churches count converts to Jesus Christ, and baptisms? Should we be, as some call it, "numbers-conscious"? Or, should we quit counting converts and baptisms? And, should we quit being "numbers-conscious"?
If we have read the Bible carefully, we have learned from the Book Of Acts that the first-century Christians did count converts. The Book Of Acts gives several examples of how many became Christians and of how many got baptized. And sometimes, a general statement is made of these things. For example, Acts 18 tells us that Paul and his missionary companions went to Corinth and preached the Gospel to whoever would listen. Acts 18:8 says this: "Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized." (New King James Version) So, from one verse we learn that counting was done. How did they know that "many of the Corinthians" had done those things, if they had not somehow learned about it? And how did they learn about it? Perhaps by counting how many persons got baptized as a profession of their faith in Jesus Christ. This was done in Acts 2, so it could easily have been done in Acts 18.
Counting converts and being numbers-conscious is not a problem, if the matter is kept in perspective. It is not a problem, if we do it for the right reason, which is to see if we are making any outward progress in our efforts to win others to Christ. It is not a problem, if we are keeping track of baptisms to determine if our converts are obeying Christ by getting baptized.
Counting converts and being numbers-conscious is a problem, if we do it because we are competing with someone else or with some other church. It is a problem, if we do it to get our churches listed as the fastest growing churches in our town, county, state, region, or what-have-you. To be thus motivated is not pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ, to put it plain and simple. This kind of motivation needs to be acknowledged as wrong, confessed to the Lord, and turned from at once.
C. H. Spurgeon, the well-known English Baptist preacher from the 1800's, had something to say about this subject. Here (in red) is a quote from chapter one of his book called "The Soulwinner."
"The fact is, you can reckon very correctly if the figures are honest, and if all circumstances are taken into consideration if there is no increase, you may calculate with considerable accuracy that there is not much being done; and if there is a clear decrease among a growing population, you may reckon that the prayers of the people and the preaching of the minister are not of the most powerful kind.
But, still, all hurry to get members into the church is most mischievous, both to the church and to the supposed converts. I remember very well several young men, who were of good moral character, and religiously hopeful; but instead of searching their hearts, and aiming at their real conversion, the pastor never gave them any rest till he had persuaded them to make a profession. He thought that they would be under more bonds to holy things if they professed religion, and he felt quite safe in pressing them, for "they were so hopeful." He imagined that to discourage them by vigilant examination might drive them away, and so, to secure them, he made them hypocrites. These young men are, at the present time, much further off from the Church of God than they would have been if they had been affronted by being kept in their proper places, and warned that they were not converted to God. It is a serious injury to a person to receive him into the number of the faithful unless there is good reason to believe that he is really regenerate. I am sure it is so, for I speak after careful observation. Some of the most glaring sinners known to me were once members of a church; and were, as I believe, led to make a profession by undue pressure, well-meant but ill-judged. Do not, therefore, consider that soul-winning is or can be secured by the multiplication of baptisms, and the swelling of the size of your church. What mean these despatches from the battle-field? "Last night, fourteen souls were under conviction, fifteen were justified, and eight received full sanctification." I am weary of this public bragging, this counting of unhatched chickens, this exhibition of doubtful spoils. Lay aside such numberings of the people, such idle pretence of certifying in half a minute that which will need the testing of a lifetime. Hope for the best, but in your highest excitements be reasonable. Enquiry-rooms are all very well; but if they lead to idle boastings, they will grieve the Holy Spirit, and work abounding evil."
But, still, all hurry to get members into the church is most mischievous, both to the church and to the supposed converts. I remember very well several young men, who were of good moral character, and religiously hopeful; but instead of searching their hearts, and aiming at their real conversion, the pastor never gave them any rest till he had persuaded them to make a profession. He thought that they would be under more bonds to holy things if they professed religion, and he felt quite safe in pressing them, for "they were so hopeful." He imagined that to discourage them by vigilant examination might drive them away, and so, to secure them, he made them hypocrites. These young men are, at the present time, much further off from the Church of God than they would have been if they had been affronted by being kept in their proper places, and warned that they were not converted to God. It is a serious injury to a person to receive him into the number of the faithful unless there is good reason to believe that he is really regenerate. I am sure it is so, for I speak after careful observation. Some of the most glaring sinners known to me were once members of a church; and were, as I believe, led to make a profession by undue pressure, well-meant but ill-judged. Do not, therefore, consider that soul-winning is or can be secured by the multiplication of baptisms, and the swelling of the size of your church. What mean these despatches from the battle-field? "Last night, fourteen souls were under conviction, fifteen were justified, and eight received full sanctification." I am weary of this public bragging, this counting of unhatched chickens, this exhibition of doubtful spoils. Lay aside such numberings of the people, such idle pretence of certifying in half a minute that which will need the testing of a lifetime. Hope for the best, but in your highest excitements be reasonable. Enquiry-rooms are all very well; but if they lead to idle boastings, they will grieve the Holy Spirit, and work abounding evil."
I have Spurgeon's book, and have read it carefully. But the quote was obtained from this website: http://www.spurgeon.org/spwrtngs.htm
