Does your church take attendance (names, not just numbers)?

[Blondy876]

Yes our church takes attendence by name. In fact it is my SIL, MIL or myself that takes it every week. Since we only have about 40 consistant members we would be noticed if we went missing. (And I would get a phone call from my MIL asking if we are OK )

 

[arminnie]

I guess I was surprised to hear that there are churches who don't take attendance. Every church I've ever attended (mostly Methodist) has a little form or pad that you fill out.

I'm not sure that they ever did anything with them except look for people who checked that they were new or wanted to join the church.

 

[Mercy]

We attend a small Assembly of God church, about 150 most Sundays. We take a head count each Sunday, but not by name.

Since my DH is the worship leader, I think we would be missed if we didn't show up.

 

[minniecarousel]

I have never heard of taking attendance at Church! (I'm Catholic - none of the Churches I've ever gone to did.) I use the Offering Envelope & when my kids went to CCD (religion class) it was noted when they weren't there, but otherwise - no. I don't think I'd like to be "checked up on" like that!

 

[tiggerlover]

At our church each pew has a registration booklet. You write your name and whether you are a member or a visitor. We are a large congregation, not sure how many, we have a smaller early service in the chapel (which we attend) and a larger service in the main church at 11. I don't think they track the "attendance" per se, but they do collect the forms with the offering each Sunday. We sit in the balcony with the same folks pretty much every Sunday and we are definitely noticed if we don't attend.

 

[pogopossum]

in the church i grew up in, the offering envelopes had spaces to check for giving ss attendance, worship attendance, etc.

but our church now only takes attendance for bible fellowships.

my fil attended a christian church, and they had the binders on each pew to put your name in when you attended. i understand that the christian church stresses attendance more than the churches i have gone to. we were on vacation once to aruba and an older couple from our group made sure to find a christian church and rented a car for half the week to make sure that they attended wednesday services, actually they also left the airport sunday morning when the flight was delayed and went to church, while most of us hung out and waited. i know that it is good to go to church but i think that that is a little too legalistic for me.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

No, my church is large, we don't take attendance, and nobody would notice if we were gone.

 

[mom2boys]

We have 3 Masses on the weekends. We do frequent the 5:00 Vigil but will sometimes attend 11:00. We only attend 9:00 if there is a reason - as in something going on at Mass - like Scout Sunday.
We do use collection envelopes & our contributions are tracked but only for tax reporting purposes.

 

[Aidensmom]

I've never gone to a church that takes attendance. The churches I have gone to are/were Catholic or non-denominational.

 

[disykat]

We sign a "friendship pad". I've never considered it taking attendance and know for a fact that we don't do anything with the names other than check to see if someone requested a visit, prayers, etc. and to note if someone put an address to get on the mailing list. I know because in the past I've been on the committee that goes through them. We sent postcards to people that checked they were first time visitors if they left their address. It is also the way people indicate they are interested in officially "joining" the church. I would guess only about 1/2 the people remember to sign - the ushers take the official numbers head count. When (if) the pad gets passed down the pew, people generally peek at the names of the people who signed in ahead of them, giving them the opportunity to seek out visitors etc. (at least that's what I do). It's meant to be a communication tool, not an attendance sheet.

My church is fairly large and has more than one service so I think it would be pretty easy to not be missed if you haven't plugged in somewhere by participating in small group ministries or making friends. I'd be noticed missing immediately if I didn't show up to teach Sunday School or sing in the choir! Before I got involved - not so much.

 

[T1130]

We have the envelope system in my church.