Church Growth Models

Why do some churches grow large and others stay tiny or small? Because the leaders want it that way. I drive a PT Cruiser. It is a small car with retro styling, hard seats, room for my golf clubs and a short wheel base for parking. It also has a stick shift. It cost only $15,000.00

I could drive a big car with a big engine and soft seats, a long wheel base and fancy interior. At times I want a nice stereo system, automatic shifting, plush seats and a German V8 engine with 300 horses under the hood. But I do not want to spend the $40,000.00 necessary to buy one.

Many people want a small, comfortable family church where everyone is known and the pastor is close to everyone and all the people are comfortable with each other. The routine is fixed and few people join who are different from the core group.

Many of the smaller churches could grow but they prefer to stay small. The may talk about evangelism but the only people who are acceptable are those already like the members and leaders. People may visit for awhile but they leave after failing to fit in.

This might be called a "boutique church". Some small stores stock only hats or special shoes or flowers. They specialize in one thing and are not going to change. They are small and want to stay that way. They will stay at a membership smaller than 100.

Other churches are like a store that and sells various products but will not be a full service center. They are similar to a United Dairy Farmer store and stick with 125 to 150 people in attendance.

Krogers, however, is a traditional grocery that has expanded into a Super Center and sells flowers, has a bank, a deli, bakes bread and serves Starbucks. The super church will have several special programs for children, youth, men, women, choirs, etc and top out at 350 people.

The new approach to retail can be seen in a modified strip mall with large anchor stores, specialty shops, restaurants, big box stores and a variety of services. Churches of 600 plus can fit into this model for they have many services for the varied groups. Not only are youth and children served but charismatics, Hispanics, seniors, rock and roll or unplugged music as well as all kinds of weekly activities. It is a 24 X 7 operation that never sleeps. There are many counseling, healing, 12 step groups and outreach services to the community.

Another option can be compared to a college that includes the retail services but that has a philosophy of equipping people for the wider community and not just its own growth. It has all the services noted above but also sponsors training events for other churches and parachurch groups. It will grow, offers a variety of worship styles and win people to Christ but does not desire to be the biggest church in town, preferring to maintain a mass large enough to provide the people and financial resources necessary to reach the world. In this model the pastoral staff is professorial in orientation not doing direct ministry except to mentor others. (1000 to 2000)

The Mega Mall Model attempts to serve the largest mass of consumers possible. Every conceivable type of store is present and people choose the type of service they prefer. The people prefer anonymity, options, quality music in a concert style. The leaders are extremely focused on their own mall and rarely deviate from the formula they have designed. They hope to serve over 2000 persons at the weekly services but rarely cooperate with other malls or serve others with a different philosophy.

Who do you want to be?