Last month I began talking about how “Church Size Impacts the Structure of Deacon Ministry” in smaller congregations. Today I will continue that thought with how deacon ministry can help break the 3-400 barrier to church growth.’
I often hear “why are so many churches so small when there are so many unchurched people in our world?” Great question!! There are many answers to this question I think but a common thread seems to be that the church’s structures very often keeps them stuck!
If a church is to grow numerically the structures, decision making process and leadership models must grow forward before the congregation or group can increase in number.
Deacon ministry is about servanthood and modeling behaviors that will keep the church focused on her mission. Deacon’s can do several practical things to help move the church through its 300-400 growth barriers. Some suggestions are:
- Understand that past expectations of pastoral care being performed by just the pastor/staff is no longer realistic if the church is to grow. Pastoral care duties now must be shared by the deacons, Bible study teachers/care group leaders and/or small groups.
- Maximize the paid and volunteer’s staff strengths. That is, build a structure to allow the pastor and staff to do what they do best and create other leadership venues to complement them to streamline decision-making.
- Help insure the proper staff ratio for the church. Beyond 200 you generally add one staff position for every 150 persons added if the church wants to be in a growth posture.
- Work to shift from a small/medium size church mindset and value system to that of a growing/larger church mindset. The mindset is best determined by the expectations of the congregation and key leaders. For instance, if they expect and demand that the pastor do all of the pastoral care they are positioning the church to stay small.
- Help insure a quality program and facilities that will attract the age group(s) the church is targeting in their outreach.
- Mobilize at least 50% of the membership in service/mission and ministry.
- Encourage and affirm publically the shift in the way ministry and pastoral care is being done. Explain to your family assignments, bible study and mission groups what is happening and why.
- Be an advocate for the pastor and staff as shifts occur in programming, facilities, pastoral care, decision-making etc. Pastor and staff need your advocacy and prayers. This is really tough on them because many in the congregation will not understand the reason for change and will likely blame the pastor/staff.
- Pray daily for the congregation to have a growing understanding and a willingness to make needed adjustments.
Coaching Questions:
• What insights do you have after reading this newsletter?
• How long has your church been basically the same size?
• How long has it been since you did an audit of your structures, programming and leadership style?
• What is needed now?
• How can we make it happen? Who can help us?
Ideas to Consider Now…..
➢ For additional help consider what printed and online resources can help you better understand what is needed now.
➢ Consider an outside consultant to help you evaluate and do an audit of current structures. Contact Church Health Team of the Baptist State Convention of NC EHammett@ncbaptist.org or NEller@ncbaptist.org
➢ Provide resources for your pastor and staff to hire a professional leadership coach to help them discern and take next steps www.valwoodcoaching.com
Resources to Consider
Comeback Churches: How 300 Churches Turned Around and Your Can Too by Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson. Broadman Holman, 2007
Essential Church: Reclaiming a Generation of Dropouts by Thom S. Rainer. Lifeway, 2008
The Shape of Faith To Come: Spiritual Formation and the Future of Discipleship by Brad Waggoner, Broadman Holman, 2008
So Beautiful: Divine Design for Life and Church by Leonard Sweet, David Cook, April ’09 release date.
The Relationship Principles of Jesus by Tom Holladay, www.saddlebackResources.com/40daysoflove
By: Eddie Hammett
www.transformingsolutions.org or
www.ncbaptist.org
