EDITORIAL
Leading Mission | Andy Cook
We are approaching a generational leadership shift, and it demands a renewed commitment to leadership rooted in evangelism.
Since Outreach began publishing the Outreach 100 Largest and Fastest-Growing Churches lists in 2003, a clear trend has emerged: Large churches have grown larger, while smaller churches have continued to decline. According to the Hartford Institute, just 10% of congregations now account for 60% of weekly church attendance. This reality highlights two pressing needs: leaders equipped to navigate the complexities of large churches, and many more leaders committed to revitalizing smaller ones. And both face a growing leadership gap.
Adding to this urgency is the rising median age of pastors, which is now 60 [Note: According to Barna, the median age of pastors in 1992 was 44.]. This opens the door for a new generation to step in. Many pastoral seats will become available, and the church needs every capable leader to respond.
A generation ago, church leaders typically gained experience and leadership skills as their churches grew. Many of today’s largest churches were planted in living rooms with years marked by hard work and lessons learned through trial and error.
Today’s leaders face a different challenge: They often are stepping into already-established churches, requiring them to lead at a large scale from Day 1. And one oft-overlooked skill they must bring to the table is evangelism.
In many cases, Outreach 100 churches were led by founding pastors who were passionate about evangelism. Reaching new people with the gospel wasn’t optional—it was essential. While some church growth came from transfers, the real expansion happened through reaching the unchurched. This focus must continue today. Leaders need to create cultures where every believer is equipped to share their faith.
I recall serving on the launch team of a new church. We prayed, invited everyone we knew, and when the room filled, we cried tears of joy. We knew every new believer’s name and story. Everyone in that community took ownership of the mission. Evangelism was everyone’s job, and we blurred the lines between “pastor” and “member.”
Another key leadership opportunity lies in pastoring small churches. These communities—especially rural ones—can have a deep impact. Historically, previous generations sent missionaries abroad or circuit riders to small towns. Today, we’re called to send missionaries into our own neighborhoods, restoring churches as trusted anchors in their communities.
Whether in large or small churches, leaders must continually grow in their skills in championing the gospel-advancing mission of the church. Evangelism is not just another leadership skill—it’s foundational to leading a local church.
It’s easy to focus leadership energy on those already in the congregation—after all, they are the ones who ask for your time and pay the bills. But those outside the church—the spiritually searching, the unchurched—don’t schedule appointments. They don’t ask to be reached. And yet, they matter deeply to God.
As we examine and celebrate growing churches and innovative strategies, we must also recognize the challenges facing larger churches and the thousands of opportunities in smaller churches where faithful leaders are advancing the gospel every day. A new generation must catch a vision for local church leadership rooted in evangelism. When they do, the mission of the church—the hope of the world—will advance with renewed strength.