I’m just finishing RT Kendall’s book on his 25 years at Westminster Chapel. He reflects several times on the low numbers he had at the chapel. It seems that in a church that would hold 2000, his congregation was typically 150-300. The only time the place was full was for his farewell. He wrote candidly of his discouragement due to low numbers.
I preach in a variety of settings to crowds of all different sizes. Since people are not attending due to my presence, it tends not to bother me at all. However, to be pastor of a famous church, in a large building, but never to see numbers increase as you would desire, that has to be disheartening.
I remember reading of one man who preached with his eyes shut so that he would not be discouraged. I wouldn’t encourage that for several reasons relating to the nature of expository preaching and also pulpit safety. But what should you do? If the circumstances conspire to make numbers an issue, then how should one respond?
I would be interested in any experiences of discouragement by numbers, or anecdotes from other preachers.
Biblical Preaching 
Perhaps the problem is the preacher. Sorry to be blunt, but that’s a possibility. Many men are doing what they have always done in the past, but are taking no notice that life is changing around them.
On the other hand, it is quite likely that the problem is that the rest of the saints are not using their gift. If you are expecting one man to do all the preaching, all the evangelism, etc., it is a wonder that a church manages to stay at 200-300 people. If all are using their gifts, then the church will likely grow.
But finally, when the numbers are small, I tend to think that the Lord has placed every one of them there for a specific reason. I’ve preached at some very small churches, but it doesn’t discourage me; I just try to give them the very best teaching I can.
I am approaching my 24th year as pastor of this church. We are in a suburb of a major US city. It is a suburb that is changing. Attendance has been up and down through the years. The last few years have been especially discouraging. Attendance is probably down 75% from what it was when I first came. It can be very discouraging.
From Ray Ortlund Jr’s. blog
‘Living Well’
“Isaac Hann was a little-known Baptist pastor who served a small church in Loughwood, England, in the mid-18th century. At the close of his ministry the membership of his church numbered twenty-six women and seven men. Underneath the list of members for that year this poignant note appears: ‘These are the men that remain at present, though not above four of these do in any shape keep their places [attend].’
Rev. Hann would be unnoticed today, one of those pastors who never quite ‘made’ it. But when he died at the age of 88, his parishioners placed a commemorative plaque in his honor of the wall of their little meeting house. It reads in part:
Wit sparkled in his pleasing face,
with zeal his heart was fired;
few ministers so humble were,
yet few so much admired.
Ripened for heaven by grace divine,
like autumn fruit he fell;
reader, think not to live so long,
but seek to live as well.”
http://christisdeeperstill.blogspot.com/2008/05/living-well.html
I preach to REALLY small numbers–like 30 on a good week. It used to discourage me like crazy. It no longer does, because I’ve redefined success. Success is found in life transformation. I preach to either pre-Christians or brand new Christians (and several long time Christians), and to see God use what I say to get people thinking and changing is really cool, and serves to offset those times of discouragement when the numbers aren’t what I dream they should be.
I am pastor at a church with a sanctuary that was built to hold 500-600 people back when it had 350 on Sundays. After a split it now only has about 130 attending. After a year and a half it does seem to be a struggle to look out and feel like it is empty when in reality the attendance is the best it has been in 10 years. I do all I can to promote the idea of inviting friends and then I do all I can to preach faithful to the Word. You have to define success, not based on the number of people present but on the number of sermons that are true to God’s word and for God’s glory. That is the only thing you truly have ultimate control over.
Thanks Peter for your blog. I go to it everyday and deeply enjoy it. I am a Pastor in Maine and the congregation can range anywhere from 50-90 on a Sunday morning. I can’t remember who said it, but a quote that I use very often to strengthen my soul is this, “Content to fill a little space, if Thou be glorified.” Also, the book, “Liberating Minsitry rom the Success Syndrome” by R. Kent Hughes and Barbara Hughes was a great blessing to me.
Thanks for this post Low numbers can crush the soul and embitter a pastor’s heart. That has happened to me. I heard John MacArthur say the main thing is to be faithful to the Word. Preach it in season and out of season, whether it’s popular or not. Number worship is idolatry. Christ had an inner group of 12. john the Batpist’s ministry lasted not more than a year or two.
As far as Pastor Kendall is concerned, I ‘ve heard him preach several times and he is a great preacher. Not every pastor is easy to listen to, but these days God’s Word is very offensive to people, even to Christians.
Many pastors want to be liked and crave affirmation; when they see low numbers it is interpreted as rejection; personal rejection. For such there needs to be inner healing which is not easy because the values of this world say that bigger is better. I have found some solace in the wisdom of Eugene Peterson’s books, and the teachings of Leonard Ravenhill who says that revival always starts small, with one, two, three people praying and it grows from there. Small beginnings are necessary.