Governance in "The Very Large Church"

The Very Large Church by Lyle Schaller is a classic in understanding the dynamics of larger congregations. Schaller defines "the very large church" as a congregation with an average weekend worship attendance between 750 and 1,800.

Among many other important insights, Schaller says,

"A crucial barrier to becoming a very large congregation often is in the system of governance." (p. 113)

He goes on to describe those congregations that have broken through this "crucial barrier." It's one of the best summaries I've found about why many of us have embraced PBG in our congregations.

Schaller writes,

"...most very large congregations, in some cases counter to their own constitution or denominational polity, operate on the assumption that:

1. Leaders are called to lead;

2. not every opinion deserves the same weight as other opinions;

3. informed opinions are more valuable than uninformed opinions;

4. most people naturally will prefer efforts to perpetuate yesterday over challenges to create a new tomorrow;

5. congregations are worshiping communities of people called to follow Christ, not political democracies;

6. the number one criterion in making decisions in ministry is not, 'What do our people here prefer?' but rather "What would Jesus advocate if he were speaking to us in this room today?";

7. the larger the number of people actively involved in making a particular decision, the more likely that process will result in a watered-down compromise rather than a bold step into the unknown; and

8. God's call to the vast majority of the members of that very large church is to be engaged in doing ministry, not in attending committee meetings." ( p. 114-115).

How do Schaller's words challenge you and your church?