What game are you playing? Larry Osborne of North Coast Church asks that question in relationship to the local church. As the size of a church changes the game also changes. A church of 500 isn’t just a church that has doubled in size from a church of 250. It has become more complex and it has become a different organization.
The leadership of EverGreen after reading the book on church structure entitled One Size Doesn’t fit All recognized this more than a decade ago. In response we decided to become a staff run, council led church. In this system the staff makes the day-to-day decisions while the council is responsible for setting vision and for setting the policies within which the vision and the work of the staff is carried out.
As we are continuing to grow it can be helpful for all of us to see that the decision to be staff run, council led is not simply a different way of carrying out the work of ministry, but one that becomes necessary if the church is going to function well. Larry Osborne sets out a good picture of all of this in his book Sticky Teams. Here is a bit of what he writes using a picture from the world of sports. (I’ll publish this in three parts over the next few days. If you’d like another longer version Tim Keller’s article Leadership and Church Size Dynamics is excellent.)
Track star pastor Small Church about 0-150 in worship
The solo pastor can be compared to a track and field star. That’s where most of us start out, and many choose to stay. On the up side, the single-staff pastorate offers tremendous freedom. On the down side, it can be overwhelming and lonely. Like the sprinter, the solo pastor may work out with others, but he performs alone—often without fanfare and usually before a small crowd peppered with family and friends.
Clubhouse buddies about 150-400 in worship
With growth comes the inevitable addition of a team member or two. Key leaders may be paid staff or lay members. Either way, the small leadership team of two to four resembles players on the golf course. Golf is a highly relational game. So are these teams. Golf is most enjoyable when played with friends. And while it’s preferable that players have similar skills, a stroke a hole is no big deal among pals. The leisurely pace allows for extended conversation and camaraderie. It’s a major part of the game. Afterward, everyone is expected to hang around for a snack and a drink while debriefing that round and planning the next one. For the highly relational pastor, a golf-size leadership team is the most enjoyable stage. The relationships are often deep, the sharing genuine, and the concern for one another goes far beyond the course. Doing what you like with people you like is hard to beat. Next
Time: Basketball teams and Football teams
