Measure of a Church

In a few instances I’ve had the opportunity to meet the pastors of the churches I visit and I’m starting to see a pattern of explanations when they tell me why the attendance is down on that particular Sunday — people out of town, holidays, illness, etc. Not that they are trying to spin the narrative, but it is surprising that attendance takes a hit on the Sunday that I visit. Maybe it’s a modern day phenomenon, but it’s interesting that in the letters to the seven churches in Revelation the measure of the church is never based on attendance. The Lord said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (Rev 2:7 NIV).