The Economic Potential of the Small Church
Bigger Is Not Always Better
An earlier post included a bold and interesting claim.
There is more economic potential in an open church than in a closed church.
Fact: The mainline church, which includes the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is economically challenged. Decline is the norm whether a congregation is large or small.
The most fragile element in the mainline church is the upper rung—the hierarchy. (Lutherans don’t believe in hierarchy, but sometimes we forget what we believe.)
Hierarchy is totally dependent on congregations. Congregations constitutionally control the land and monetary assets. They also drive mission.
This isn’t sitting well with leaders who like the idea that they are in control.
Nevertheless, this is is the way Lutherans like it. Predecessor constitutions actually forbade the synod level from owning property. Our ancestors sensed the temptation!
The ELCA’s founding documents and constitutions were originally presented to congregations protecting the congregations and empowering them with the control of their own ministry. As long as congregations are not violating the tenets of the faith, how they minister is their business. Lutheran congregations are not even required to support the hierarchy!
Today, the endangered hierarchy is making a big mistake. Their solution to riding out the economic crisis faced by every level of the church is to gain control of land and property for their own preservation. Their founding documents forbid this but most people—clergy and laity are unaware.
Hierarchies designed to shepherd and serve suddenly seek control. Power is discussed at the water cooler — not mission.
Attention and services become directed to churches of larger size with bigger offering plates. Smaller churches are neglected or ignored.
There is always a temptation of management-oriented leadership to assume that they know best. The ELCA founding documents protect congregations from this thinking by assuring congregations that their consent is required when it comes to managing their property and ministry.
Well-intended constitutions have been ignored or amended to remove these safeguards. If a congregation does not cooperate with synod’s wishes or even if it is suspected that they might not cooperate —well, just get rid of the congregation.
These policies, arguably illegal under Lutheran polity, squander the denomination’s strength—the community church—which sometimes is large but most often is small.
We will examine the economic potential of the small church from at least eleven vantage points:
- Legacy
- Voice
- Reputation
- Motivation
- Integrity
- Opportunity
- Immediacy
- Intimacy
- Mission
- Assets
- Promise