Myth of the 200 Barrier

by Martin, Kevin E.

• ISBN13: 9780687343249
• ISBN10: 0687343240
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-10-30
• Publisher: Abingdon Pr

Summary

"Contrary to the conventional wisdom, 200 members is not a magic number, beyond which lies guaranteed congregational growth and effectiveness. The truth, says Kevin Martin, is that churches with under 150 members are often organized around the personality of the pastor, while churches of over 200 members organize around their programs. In between lies the transitional church, a hybrid of these two cultures, and this dual nature produces stress and tension where the idea of a 200 Barrier often becomes a self-fulfilling expectation. Martin helps pastors and other congregational leaders understand this tricky transition, plan for the move to a larger church culture that becomes self-supporting, and avoid mistakes in their effort to grow "beyond the barrier.""--BOOK JACKET.

Author Biography

Kevin E. Martin is the Executive Director of Vital Church Ministries whose mission is to encourage and equip church leaders to fulfill the Great Commission.

Table of Contents

Introduction	7	(4)
Part 1: Understanding Congregational Culture
Large or Small?	11	(8)
Hitting the 200 Barrier?	19	(6)
The Myth of the 200 Barrier	25	(14)
The Rule of 150	39	(6)
Part 2: Three Types of Congregations
The Pastoral Size Congregation	45	(8)
The Program Size Congregation	53	(10)
Congregations in Transition	63	(8)
Part 3: Types of Leaders
Living with the Realities	71	(8)
Living with the Transition	79	(8)
Leading through the Transition	87	(6)
Resistance	93	(12)
Part 4: Making the Transition
Transformation	105	(12)
Hunching Your Way to the Promised Land	117	(4)
What the Large Church Knows	121	(10)
What Is Your Next Step?	131	(2)
Suggested Reading List	133