“Things just aren’t the same around here.”
I have heard statements like this throughout my ministry, often in response to church growth. People rarely critique church growth directly, so their concerns usually stem from its perceived consequences—whether real or not. Comments such as “I don’t have as much access to the senior pastor as I once did” or “We must be watering down the message” are all too common.
In a growing church, each member of the church may have less access to the senior pastor. Typically, that comes along with more pastors who often compliment the pastor’s strengths with other gifts being hired. The assumption of “watering down the message” also can be very frustrating and can come from a kind of church culture skeptical of growth, one that assumes if the church is growing, we must be doing something wrong.
While these concerns can be difficult for pastors to navigate, a few key principles can be helpful in guiding people through the changes that come with church growth.
Don’t moralize church size
One of the most unhelpful tendencies in modern church culture is to be overly critical and moralize church size. The large church should never say to the small church, “I have no need of you,” nor should the small church say to the large church, “I am better than you.” Throughout history, God has worked powerfully through churches of all sizes in unique ways, and we should not despise that.
Of course, if a large church truly waters down the gospel into secular moralism, that deserves critique. Likewise, if a small church fosters a hyperlegalistic or judgmental culture, that needs to be addressed. However, there is no biblical basis for critiquing a church simply because of its size. The Bible does not command that a church must remain small or grow beyond a certain number before it should split into multiple congregations.
Similarly, it does not prescribe that churches must grow by 10 percent each year to be faithful. Many faithful churches care deeply about evangelism but do not experience rapid growth.
We get into trouble when we turn church size or service count into moral issues. These are practical considerations, and each size brings distinct advantages.
A small church nurtures deeper personal connections among members, allowing the senior pastor to know and shepherd each person individually, shaping his preaching to specific needs.
A large church, on the other hand, can offer specialized ministries and broader missional reach. Multiple services create more opportunities for people to serve, often fostering a robust discipleship culture—particularly beneficial for children and student ministries.
These differences, while significant, aren’t moral distinctions. A large church isn’t wrong for being large, nor is a small church wrong for being small. The kingdom of Christ is served by churches of all sizes, each playing its unique role in God’s mission.
Church growth dynamics as a discipleship issue
While many churches celebrate numerical growth, they often overlook the critical need to disciple their members through the emotional and spiritual adjustments that accompany such growth. The pastor who focuses solely on numbers misses these vital pastoral opportunities. However, the wise pastor anticipates members’ feelings about change and proactively addresses them.
While openly discussing these dynamics may initially unsettle some members, it ultimately builds trust between church leadership and the congregation, creating space for honest conversations about growth and change.
Growth dynamics
Smaller churches thrive on lay leadership, with members taking key roles in ministry and decision making. Larger churches, by necessity, become more dependent on staff to coordinate their broader scope of ministries.
Communication styles shift as well. Smaller churches can share information effectively through pulpit announcements and weekly bulletins. Larger churches need more sophisticated strategies—often involving multiple channels—to keep their congregations informed and connected.
Perhaps the most noticeable difference involves pastoral access. In smaller churches, members typically enjoy direct interaction with the senior pastor. Larger churches, however, provide pastoral care through a network of ministers, each serving specific segments of the congregations.
Tim Keller’s widely read article “Leadership and Church Size Dynamics” is essential reading for understanding these transitions. He maps out how churches function differently across various size categories:
- House churches (0–40 attendance)
- Small churches (40–200 attendance)
- Medium churches (200–450 attendance)
- Large churches (400–800 attendance)
- Very large churches (800+ attendance)
His insights illuminate the natural shifts that occur as churches grow through these stages. Each category brings unique challenges and opportunities, requiring different approaches to leadership, ministry, and community life. I strongly recommend his article for a deeper understanding of these dynamics.
Place dynamics
A church’s location and history can also profoundly shape the dynamics of its ministry approach.
For example, when I served at First Baptist Church of Covington, Georgia (which averaged around 650 in attendance), it felt like a larger presence in the community than Christ Covenant in Atlanta (which averages over 2,500). In Covington, First Baptist had a prominent role in the town, while in Atlanta, Christ Covenant is one of many large, influential churches, often perceived as small and intimate by city standards.
Legacy shapes perception too. Older, well-established churches tend to view themselves as significant, even if their influence or attendance has declined over time. The wise pastor recognizes these perceptions and is sympathetic to the feelings of church members in different contexts.
Cultural differences also play a role. In larger cities, church members are often more flexible and open to progressive changes. In smaller towns, people tend to be more servant-hearted and willing to take on practical service roles. For instance, at First Baptist Covington, a deacon was responsible for locking up the building each week—a task that required an entire facilities team at a larger suburban church I later pastored. These aren’t just operational differences; they reflect each community’s unique values and expectations.
Successfully shepherding a congregation requires understanding these contextual nuances and honoring the church’s place in its community.
Member dynamics
When joining a church, a person often identifies with a specific role or ministry. You might hear statements such as “I am in charge of hospitality” or “I lead the middle school youth program.” These roles give members a sense of belonging and purpose within the congregation.
But as churches grow, these roles naturally evolve. A lay volunteer might be replaced by a staff member, a more gifted volunteer might step into leadership, or a ministry might shift direction entirely. Much of the resistance to church growth stems from these changing relationships and responsibilities. Members struggle not just with losing familiar roles but with shifts in how they connect to the broader church community.
This is where pastors must be especially attentive, helping members navigate what I call “the second call.”
A church member’s calling to serve rarely remains static. In a healthy church, members who have been serving faithfully may find their roles disrupted—whether through church growth, ministry changes, or life transitions such as having children or entering new seasons of life.
When this happens, I have seen dedicated church members interpret this disruption as a sign to leave. But often, what they truly need is a renewed call to serve in a new way. This transition can take courage and energy, but those who embrace it often discover deeper fulfillment in church life.
This “second call” may eventually become a third or fourth call as members continue to grow and adapt. Helping members understand these shifts and clarifying their frustrations are essential parts of pastoral leadership.
Lead with wisdom and grace
Church growth brings both challenges and incredible opportunities for discipleship and ministry. By avoiding the trap to moralize church size, proactively addressing growth dynamics, and shepherding members through the changes they experience, we can help our congregations navigate these transitions with wisdom and grace.
Consider a few practical ways you can begin engaging your congregation in this vital area of discipleship:
- Address these dynamics openly in church membership meetings, creating space for real questions and honest dialogue.
- Use a regular congregational email to tackle concerns directly, inviting members to share their thoughts and questions.
- When preaching through a text outlining a particular church challenge, seize the opportunity to address growth and size dynamics in your local church.
Remember, when someone says, “Things just aren’t the same around here,” the tension created isn’t a problem to solve—it’s an opportunity to shepherd.
May God grant us wisdom as we embrace both the joys and the challenges of leading his church through these seasons of change.
Jason Edwin Dees is the senior pastor of Christ Covenant Church (Buckhead) in Atlanta.
