OPENING THOUGHTS
#1 This is not a research project. George Barna, Ed Stetzer and others do a fine job at providing this information. The categories that follow were created from an intuitive synthesis as a result of personal engagements over the past 10 years with over 300 churches. The experiences range from one-day onsite deep dives with church staffs to one-year relationships of monthly onsite work. The only exception to my onsite work is the co::Lab coaching network which has enabled me to develop relationships and track strategically with scores of church planters and small churches in a virtual context.
#2 While the list may categorize most churches it is not designed to be comprehensive. As a blog post ,this list is a subjective, personal reflection. I do hope it provides insight for any pastor.
#3 My language is not creative to be novel, but to provoke thoughtfulness and to set-up application from the point of view of clarity and vision. As I train ministry leaders to create worlds with words, so I hope to open new perspectives with new language.
#4 The growth dynamics of any church body are related to size, life-stage and inherent characteristics stemming from denominational association. While some of these attributes are more prominent for a few of these categories, most of these designations transcend size, life stage and denomination.
4 KINDS OF GROWING CHURCHES
- Neo-transcendance attractionals: Big crowds are coming this Sunday.
- Micromentums: Lots of variety, seed vision and redemptive passion.
- Faithfully-focused: Faithful to the gospel, the saints & the surrounding community.
- New-world traditionals: Historic patterns for a new generation.
4 KINDS OF PLATEAUED CHURCHES
- Mega-mores: We built it and they didn't come.
- Over-competents: Smart leaders with all-things-to-all-people approaches.
- Succession stalls: Who's our leader?
- Strategic multipliers: Great influence but its not in the numbers.
4 KINDS OF DECLINING CHURCHES
- Die-visions: More differences of opinion and less people.
- Havens of care: It's all about us!
- Target transplants: Someone moved but our address is the same.
- Denominational allegiants: If 1950 rolls around again, we'll be ready.
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