Beth Ann Gaede
is the editor of this invaluable resource. It features an introduction by Arlin
Rothauge, the guru of congregational size varieties, and articles by a who's
who in this very important area: Theodore Johnson, Roy Oswald, Alice Mann, Douglas
Walrath, and the list goes on.
This is a "must own" book for anyone who is wondering why their congregation is not growing, or who wants their congregation to grow. It is a key book for anyone who wants to understand the dynamics of a family pastoral, program, or corporate sized congregation.
The majority of congregations today have less than 150 persons at worship, generally with an outgoing pastor who relates in a personal way with everyone in his or her care. It is also a size that is in trouble as costs of staffing and building maintenance mount. The kicker is that 150 persons is a glass ceiling that leaves many congregations plateaued, many clergy frustrated that their best efforts at outreach are not producing growth. There is a reason.
To move from pastoral size to program means changing the way of being church. Theodore Johnson describes it very well in his article "Current Thinking on Size Transitions:"
When a pastoral church seeks to accomplish the transition to a program church, it must give up being a single cell in which almost every member is in active relationship with each other and become a multiple cell in which the members are distributed among the building blocks of small groups, family groups, and fellowship groups in a complex configuration. (25)
His analysis of those building blocks is worth the whole price of the book.
Roy Oswald has excellent advice in his article, "How to Minister Effectively in Family, Pastoral, Program and Corporate Sized Churches." He says:
Key skills for effective ministry in a program-size church begin with an ability to pull together the diverse elements of the parish into a mission statement. Helping the parish arrive at a consensus about its direction is essential. (41)
Bill Joiner tells us the growing pains associated with welcoming new people are worth it. Alice Mann gives experienced advice about moving through size transitions.
This is a book in the Alban Institute's "Harvesting the Learnings" series. It has done just that, and we are the beneficiaries.
Beth Ann Gaede, editor, Size Transitions in Congregations. The Alban
Institute, 2001. Available at Revelations Book and Gift Cooperative, 780 485-8744.
Congregational Life Newsletter Vol. 10 No. 2 January 2004