Church Turnover

Is it good to have a stable congregation? Yes and no. I remember an elder from a neighbouring Church, saying to me gravely: "I hear that [someone] has left your Church." Yes, I said, but the Church was fuller, younger, wealthier, and more diverse. Turnover, obviously, may in some situations indicate that a lot of people are unhappy -- but mostly this is not the case. At the same time, a lack of turnover may have downsides which often get overlooked. It may indicate that a Church is focused more on social bonds than it is on Biblical priorities, or that it is not responding to social patterns round about -- or in fact that it is dying. Here are some personal statistics I have on turnover of thriving Churches, each at a particular time in their history:

• Winning Souls Ministries Sea Point: 80% turnover in one year
• My own city Church: 84% turnover in 14 years
• Life Church Three Anchor Bay: 50% turnover in 1½ years
• My own suburban Church: 50% turnover in 10 years

OBSERVATION: A different turnover may come as a great shock to ministers, particularly when they are moving to city ministry, where turnover can be high. One needs to see it with the eye of faith. (Incidentally that particular member who left had moved away).