Five Ways to Avoid Lying about Church Attendance

I have used these lines many times in speaking venues. I ask the audience if they know how Baptists count weekly worship attendance. The knowing smiles break forth on most faces. I then began counting each person in the conference by saying 2, 4, 6, 8 . . . As the audience waits for the punch line, I say that every believer is indwelled by the Holy Spirit, so each person counts as two.

Laughter. But it’s laughter because there is some parcel of truth behind my attempt at humor.

Let’s say it clearly without equivocation: Sometimes church leaders lie about the weekly church attendance.

Sometimes the lies are the result of an inflated ego where a leader gets his self-worth by leading a bigger church. Sometimes it’s the result of the sin of comparison with other leaders and other churches. Sometimes we rationalize it because our denominations or publications make such a big deal about it.

In all cases it’s wrong. Inflating attendance numbers is committing the sin of lying. Read more