Right-Sizing Our Expectations

EDITORIAL

Leading Mission | Sean McDowell

In considering how to right-size our expectations, we must acknowledge that most churches operate far from megachurch norms. When we talk about a “normal” church, what comes to mind? It’s crucial to understand that for the vast majority of pastors and Christians across the nation, a typical church experience doesn’t involve the grandeur of large congregations. In fact, approximately 70% of U.S. churches have fewer than 100 attendees at their weekly services.

Yet, our expectations of church leadership and paradigms for effective ministry often stem from these outlier, atypical churches. We look to large congregations, often situated in affluent suburbs, and set our standards based on their models. While I am not being critical—as I currently pastor a congregation that has grown into a larger church—the reality remains that most leaders are left to figure out how to adapt and implement these best practices into their own unique contexts.

In essence, our expectations can be skewed. We too often start with the exceptional and try to retrofit those strategies to fit the norm. How we pastor, lead, evangelize, worship, and disciple are shaped at scales that overwhelm our reality. This leaves many pastors feeling isolated as they navigate challenges that, as it turns out, are more common than the industry standards suggest.

Shifting Our Understanding

In my current role as the director of the Church Evangelism Institute (CEI) at the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center I am privileged to coach pastors from various church sizes. I submit that we need to right-size our expectations. Only then can we begin to equip pastors for the realities they face and for the mission God calls them to. Let me offer three examples where a shift in our understanding of the normal can help right-size our expectations on how we serve and support one another.

Polarization is a challenge every church faces. But for normal, average-size churches, even small amounts of divisiveness can be devastating. As political or other tensions rise, which we have certainly seen in recent times, these churches must navigate threats which can derail God’s mission and fracture their congregations.

Mobilization is another common struggle. Every church needs to mobilize its members to care for both the congregation and the broader community. But for many normal-size churches the demands of internal care can be overwhelming, leaving less energy, but a strong desire for greater impact in the surrounding community.

Mission is at the heart of God’s purpose for every church. Yet, in normal-size churches the fruit of mission work may not be as flashy as it is in larger congregations. Instead of large-scale conversions, these churches often see smaller, incremental signs of growth, which should be rightly interpreted and rightly celebrated.

These are just a few examples. But by shifting our understanding and then right-sizing our expectations of the “normal” church, we not only ease the burden on pastors and leaders but also better equip ourselves to serve and support churches worldwide. When we start from a place of shared perspective and fervency, we can better refocus on our core mission: to show and share the good news of Jesus with a world in need.