"It is Better to Bring One Man to Salvation Than to Bring One Hundred to a Church Service"

I have read recently expressions of modified rapture, that "we," (variously Christians, Episcopalians, members of non-denominational megas, Catholics, small "o" orthodox, ) are increasing in number, or not shrinking as fast as, or.... and of hand wringing that "we" are losing ground.

Well guess what, "ground" isn't the goal!

Anyway, the Episcopal Church has the most recent official-ish such expression. (One hopes the presiding bishop will refrain from explaining away any losses in numbers with the opinion that of course the flock decreases in number, well-educated people don't reproduce!)

If I belonged to the ECUSA I would be put off by, if not the report, then at least the way it is reported.

[The Episcopal Church’s] membership and Sunday attendance continued to decline in 2008...
he church’s program officer for congregational research, told the council that congregations grow when they are in growing communities; have a clear mission and purpose; follow up with visitors; have strong leadership; and are involved in outreach and evangelism.

Congregations decline, he said, when their membership is older and predominantly female; are in conflict, particularly over leadership and where worship is “rote, predictable and uninspiring.”

Say what? He has a statistical way to determine whether or not worship is inspiring?

(And I am not Episcopalian, but personally, am much drawn to worship that is liturgical, and therefore has, oh I dunno, AN ORDER, and therefore much of which can be learned BY HEART. And am utterly repelled by the "how can we make the liturgy different THIS week?" LitCom mindset.)
And I suppose the statistician cannot be blamed for how the reporter framed his (pretty obvious) findings: "Congregations decline, he said, when their membership is older and predominantly female."

Such diction and phrasing implies a causal relationship, post hoc, propter hoc. I should think any cause and effect transaction might go the other way:
The membership's median age increases, and only women keep the faith when a congregation declines.

Anyway, a GREAT comment on this blog post on the matter:

Paul in his letters did not think church growth and pew-count to be worth his effort discussing. He focused on something else – something that mattered much more – that those in the church held fast to sound doctrine. Surely it is better to bring one man to salvation than to bring one hundred to a church service?