Research has shown that, while many factors influence a church's
character and behaviour, no stronger single variable affects congregational
life as much as size. As social organizations, we find congregations of
similar sizes tend to act in similar ways -
even if their theology is different.
Probably the most widely used typology is Arlin Rothauge's. The numbers are that of the 'active membership' (generally about the size of the average number of people attending worship):
FAMILY CHURCH [or Matriarchal/Patriarchal] (1-50 active members)
• Strong patriarchs/matriarchs - strong individuals/families who have a great deal of influence
• Pastor is really outside the power of the congregation - functions like a chaplain.
• The church wants the functions of ministry, but not real leadership from pastor, especially they do not want the pastor to lead them into change
• Real joining these churches is by 'adoption' by strong individuals/families
• Growth is slow, generally only by family expansion
• Often a gatekeeper who opens doors or keeps them closed to newcomers
• This is the unit of the church most resistant to change
PASTOR CENTRED CHURCH [or Pastoral] (50-150)
• Pastor is centre of everything
• Like family church, this church also works based on relationships
• Pastor knows everyone by name, knows names of their children, too
• People enter through pastor
• Growth from Family to Pastor-centred relatively easy (depending on attitude of strong families), because it is going from relationship to relationship
• breaks down near 150 because Pastor can't know everyone.
PROGRAM CHURCH (150-350)
• Programs are key to this church, people come to church for the programs
• Ieadership now works administratively
• Pastor not expected to attend all meetings, know all names
• Often multiple staff, team ministers
• Change from Pastor-centred to Program is most difficult change for church
CORPORATE CHURCH [or Small Group Based Church] (350 up)
• Large staff e.g. Minister of Pastoral Care, Minister of Music, etc.
• May have cell structure (small group focus)
• Large dynamic worshipping congregation
• Like large Program Church