Stages of Development for Congregations

Source: George Bullard

Life Stage Diagnostics

At what life stage is your congregation?

On chart, caps represent major influence on VIPM (Vision, Inclusion, Program, Management), small letters as present but not major

At plateaus, churches have opportunity to re-cast vision, redevelop, and grow

The Progression

Mega moves: Growth/Prime/Redevelopment/Aging

5 Major Phases: Early growth Late growth Prime/plateau Early aging Late aging

VIPM

Vision, Inclusion, Program, Management

The four basic organizing principles of the MidSize congregation

Dominance or recession of these 4 traits helps to identify church placement

“V” -- Vision

MissionDreamEnergyPurposeLeadership

“I” -- Inclusion

EvangelismOutreachAssimilationDiscipleship

“P” -- Programs

MinistriesServicesActivitiesTraining

“M” -- Management

AdministrationPolicyStructureResources

The Life Cycle

From birth to death of the congregation

80% of North American Protestant congregations are somewhere on the

“maturity --> death” side of the curve

1. Birth

VipmVision dominantWill take anybody who gives an offeringFirst 3-5 yearsA sense of euphoria in fellowship and worship

2. Infancy

VIpm“Inclusion” joins Vision and flavors the church’s identityNext 3-5 yearsDraw invisible circle of who’s in/out

Tend to do doctrinal studies

3. Childhood

ViPmPrograms replace Inclusion dominanceBegin to build programmatic framework that will tend to last first generation of churchLasts till congregation is 10-12 years old

4. Adolescence

VIPmAge 12-18Program structures are working to the point that they are inclusionary structures Though management is underdeveloped Awkward with size/resources for consistent

and smooth application High emotional vacillation Multiple visions begin to emerge (next staff?)

Sidebar: The first building?

When did you join the church?People who joined during birth-infancy want the first building project to be a worship center (worship/fellowship)Those who joined during childhood want first building to be education or recreation space (to develop programs)

Sidebar: First new staff?

Multiple visions begin to emergeThose who joined during birth-infancy tend to want staff person to increase pastoral careThose who joined during childhood tend to want staff to do 2-3 things needed to develop the program of the church

5. Adulthood

18-22 years, lasts 5-7 years, VIPMRewrite constitution, decision-making, policy manuals (formalize management)Often symbolized in new worship center that embodies the early vision/dream Yet a “not-quite-it” feel

Entry into “Prime” time

6. Maturity

vIPMTime of excellence, quality, efficiency in churchSome signs of malaise Members can’t articulate vision anymore

Money doing great – masks stage!The best time for congregation to redevelop But churches often don’t want to rock the

boat and renovate

7. Empty Nest

vIpMIdentifiable disintegration of program quantity and qualityChurch first gets nostalgic, then disappointed, then angry Redoubled efforts—”Avis”

Church tries harder but not necessarily smarter Finding “demon” (usually pastor), blaming,

going for quick fix

Sidebar: Who’s your focus?

Church in maturity focusing on wanting teenagers are longing for yesterday

Church in maturity who wants seniors is dealing with today

Church wanting young adults with families is looking to the future

8. Retirement

viPMFolk are at least 60 years old, have been Christians for 40, and members of this congregation for 20Outward appeal to prospective pastor to lead in new era may not be congruent with what they really want: To bring the crowd into the church w/o

changing the nature of who we really are (power structure)

9. Old age

vipMCarrying out the habit or pattern of being “church” Chaplaincy outposts and preaching

stations Can do so 30-50 years in holding pattern

Only management exists as organizing principle, and it’s wavering

10. Death

m (no VIP at all)

Desire is gone

What to do with the body?

Leadership Tasks

After diagnosing stage of church, there are appropriate leadership tasks to be matched that replenish what a congregation has lost in V, I, P, or M

On the “growing” side of the curve, church growth happens through emphasizing the characteristics of the next stage i.e. teach infants to act like children

Stages of Development for Congregations Copyright John P. Chandler, 2000