More Scalable Models that Actually Fit Your Ministry
In Stop Copying Megachurches (Part 1), we dove into some megachurch models that would burn out most ministry teams. We also shared some dos and don’ts that clarify how you can scale these models to actually fit your ministry. This time around, we want to get down to business.
The difference between a thriving church and a tired one comes down to one word: systems. Without systems that make sense, you create an environment where growth is stifled, wins can’t be repeated, and people get lost. Most megachurches have systems and processes that make sense for their scale: huge staff roster, niche ministries/roles, annual campus launches. If the local church tries to emulate these practices, it risks creating more confusion surrounding its purpose than clarity in its mission and vision.
Here are a few more megachurch-model dos and don’ts to avoid operational turbulence.
Don’t: Host Dozens of Niche Ministries; Do: Focus on Building Your Micro-Communities (Small Groups)
When trying to address all the needs of your city, you may feel tempted to create ministries to support them all: men, women, youth, college students, singles, married couples, widows, single parents, business-owners. The list goes on. The truth is, these are valuable ministries to have…if you have the infrastructure to support it. Trying to organize church-wide ministries to support all these areas and more is likely unsustainable and can actually harm your community development. Interestingly enough, this is why small groups (which your church probably already has) are your secret weapon to overcoming this challenge.
Small groups are a multipurpose engine for meeting the needs of your community without having to bear the weight of managing it on your own. You can disciple others, call them to action, or even just allow them to gather as mutual support for one another. You simply have to develop small group leaders and give them the tools to facilitate these groups. Whenever a new need for community arises, you can encourage those who are on the bench and looking for connection to partner with each other and build it.
Don’t: Create Too Many Layers of Directors and Departments; Do: Develop a Simple, Flexible Leadership Structure
As the saying goes, “less is more”. While a heavily multilayered organizational structure might appear to be the secret to church growth, it could actually impair your ministry’s effectiveness. The more complex your leadership structure, the harder it becomes to mobilize and adapt. When nothing seems to be working as it should, you’ll need to take the engine apart.
If you’re unsure of where to start, look at everything you need to operate on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis. Outline the core details for every arm of the ministry. Narrow it all down to key directorial roles. Consider that at this stage, you may need more quarterbacks than coaches. You need people who can lead AND serve. You need lean teams who can get the job done quickly and effectively. Don’t prioritize layers of bureaucracy; prioritize clarity in process and a simple chain-of-command. Only scale up when the need grows, and the systems you’ve built can support it.
Don’t: Attempt Unstructured Multi-Site Launches; Do: Start Documenting and Refining Your Process
Imagine a restaurant with multiple chefs, but only the head chef knows all the recipes and techniques. Chances are, when the head chef isn’t there, the flavor and quality of the food will not be the same.
Now, imagine the restaurant is so successful that people start telling the head chef to franchise the restaurant. They send one of the other chefs on the team to the brand-new franchise location. Their only instruction: do exactly what we do at the main restaurant. How successful will that second restaurant be? I’m sure you’ve already guessed the answer.
Launching a new church campus without documenting and refining your process can be just as disastrous as franchising a restaurant with no recipe book or training manual. Furthermore, not equipping the new campus pastor with clear culture and direction is a recipe for failure. Even if you’re not thinking multi-site yet, document as much as you can. Write down your processes with short manuals and handbooks you can expand on later. Give your staff and volunteers clearly written roles and responsibilities. Working to develop, build, refine, and clarify all of what you do can help avoid future attempts at multiplication that end in division.
None of these practices has to be done in a day (and they shouldn’t be). Growth is a process. A tree could not support its own weight without first growing deep roots. Despite what you may feel about megachurches, they develop because of a clear mission, vision, and systems. While you’re working to spread your branches out, also work on consistently building sustainable processes that your ministry can support now. Don’t just build systems that can get you through the week. Build ones that carry you through your next season of growth.
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