For decades, pastoral success has often been measured by appointment to larger congregations. Many viewed a pastor’s ability to transition from a small church to a bigger one as a sign of ministerial effectiveness and divine favor. However, a shift is emerging—one that redefines pastoral excellence.
Gone are the days when climbing the church hierarchy determined a pastor’s influence. The new paradigm asserts that a better pastor is not one who moves to a bigger church but one who faithfully grows a small church. This shift challenges the traditional mindset and calls for a deeper commitment to local church leadership and long-term ministry impact.
Redefining Ministerial Success
Historically, church leadership has often been linked to expansion and upward mobility. Many have assumed that bigger congregations require stronger leadership, while smaller ones are stepping stones for less experienced pastors.[^1] However, biblical and historical evidence suggests otherwise. Jesus Himself modeled intimate, localized discipleship, investing deeply in a small group rather than seeking prominence through large gatherings.[^2]
Likewise, John Wesley emphasized faithful pastoral care in small communities, insisting that spiritual depth takes precedence over numerical growth.[^3] Modern church leadership must reclaim this ethos, recognizing that effective ministry is not about moving up but about growing deep.
What Does It Mean to Grow a Small Church?
- Spiritual Depth Over Numerical Growth
Church growth should not be reduced to attendance numbers. As Eugene Peterson argues, the goal of pastoral ministry is not “ecclesiastical success” but spiritual formation and faithfulness in shepherding.”[^4] A spiritually mature congregation naturally fosters sustainable growth. - Community-Centered Ministry
A small church has the unique ability to embed itself deeply within its local context. Studies indicate that congregations closely engaged in local outreach, social justice, and contextual mission work experience long-term growth regardless of size.[^5] Pastors who embrace their community’s needs create churches that are indispensable to the people they serve. - Sustainable Leadership Development
Effective pastors develop leaders within their congregation rather than relying solely on clergy leadership. The Apostle Paul modeled this by equipping leaders like Timothy and Titus to oversee churches, ensuring sustainable ministry beyond his personal presence.[^6] Lay leadership development strengthens small churches and prevents dependency on pastoral transition. - Faithful Stewardship of Resources
Many small churches struggle with limited resources, but wise pastors maximize what is available. As Henry Blackaby notes, “God’s provision always aligns with His calling; the problem is not a lack of resources but a lack of faith in stewardship.”[^7] Creative financial management, volunteer mobilization, and strategic planning enable small churches to thrive with what they have. - Long-Term Vision and Stability
One of the greatest obstacles to small church growth is frequent pastoral turnover. Studies on church health reveal that churches experiencing consistent leadership transitions struggle with long-term stability.[^8] Pastors who commit to staying and building create a legacy of faithfulness, fostering unity and shared vision.
Why This Paradigm Shift Matters
The obsession with upward mobility in ministry has contributed to church stagnation, burnout, and community disconnection. Many small congregations remain perpetually unstable because pastors treat them as temporary assignments. Research suggests that churches experiencing long-term pastoral leadership tend to grow both numerically and spiritually, while those with high turnover rates often decline.[^9]
A paradigm shift is needed—one that encourages pastors to see small churches not as stepping stones but as mission fields. Just as the early church thrived through localized, deeply committed leadership, today’s pastors must embrace faithful, long-term investment in their congregations.
Conclusion: The Best Pastors Stay and Build
A better pastor is not one who moves from church to church but one who cultivates lasting impact where they are. Small churches possess immense potential when led by pastors who see them as God’s mission field rather than a career transition.
As John Stott once said, “The hallmark of a great pastor is not ambition but faithfulness.”[^10] The new measure of pastoral success is not the size of the church one serves, but the depth of transformation one fosters. The challenge for today’s pastors is not to move to a bigger church but to make their current church stronger, healthier, and more mission-driven.
This is the future of pastoral leadership. The only question is—will you embrace it?
Footnotes
[^1]: Will Mancini, Church Unique: How Missional Leaders Cast Vision, Capture Culture, and Create Movement (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2008), 72.
[^2]: Robert Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism (Grand Rapids: Revell, 1963), 27.
[^3]: John Wesley, The Works of John Wesley, vol. 8 (London: Wesleyan Methodist Book Room, 1872), 238.
[^4]: Eugene H. Peterson, The Pastor: A Memoir (New York: HarperOne, 2011), 102.
[^5]: Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive (Nashville: B&H Publishing, 2014), 45.
[^6]: Paul’s leadership model is evident in 2 Timothy 2:2 and Titus 1:5.
[^7]: Henry T. Blackaby, Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God (Nashville: B&H Books, 1990), 94.
[^8]: Barna Research, State of the Church Report (Ventura, CA: Barna Group, 2020), 39.
[^9]: Lyle E. Schaller, The Small Church Is Different! (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1982), 58.
[^10]: John R.W. Stott, The Preacher’s Portrait (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1961), 21.
