When you look at cell phone location data—which is far more reliable than self-reporting—over 35 million Americans attend church on a typical weekend. That’s six times more than the number of people who attend all college and NFL games combined on the same weekend. So the problem with the church in America isn’t attendance—it’s mission.

American Christianity has become very good at attracting crowds, but Jesus was never impressed by crowds. In fact, He often seemed frustrated by them. He didn’t want admirers; He wanted disciples—people who would take up His mission and follow Him to the cross.

Look at how Jesus interacts with the crowds in the Gospels:

• He retreats from them — “When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.” (Matthew 8:18)
• He increases the demands of discipleship — “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. But the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
• He chastises them for their consumerism — “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.” (John 6:26)

Check out John 6:22–7:1.

The crowds had just experienced His miracles. Momentum was on His side. The ministry was booming—overflow parking, packed houses, and a buzz because everyone was talking about Jesus. So what does He do? Launch a building campaign? Open another campus? Hand out T-shirts and donuts?

No. He raises the bar.

After feeding the five thousand, Jesus refuses to keep meeting people’s demands. His ministry shifts from provision to participation—from “Come and see” to “Go and be.”

When He speaks of eating His flesh and drinking His blood, He’s pointing to a deeper discipleship: not comfort or consumerism, but communion with Him—a union that involves suffering and sacrifice.

Then come some of the most sobering words in Scripture:

“After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.” John 6:66

The crowd finds His teaching too demanding, and many walk away. But Jesus doesn’t soften His message. He turns to the Twelve and asks, “Do you also want to go away?” And Peter answers, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

At that moment, the few followers left become true disciples—the crowd becomes the Church. They stay not because it’s easy, but because it’s the source of their true identity. Real faith moves from consuming to carrying the cross, from seeking comfort to embracing costly obedience.

The challenge for us is the same: Do we want to be part of the crowd, or part of His mission?

Jesus doesn’t need more spectators. He calls for disciples—people who will follow Him even when it costs them everything.