The Very Large Church: New Rules for Leaders

by Lyle E. Schaller

One of the most crucial changes in North American life, Lyle E. Schaller explains, has been the shift from small to large institutions. Sixty years ago one-teacher, one-room schoolhouses still abounded, and the average number of students in all American schools was one hundred. Now new construction on elementary schools is often for facilities that will accommodate more than twelve hundred students, and average school size is over six hundred. Similar changes have happened in several other branches of American life. These changes, Schaller contends, mean that the rules have changed for everyone involved in organizational life.

Very large churches―megachurches―will increasingly come to embody the new rule-book for congregations. Extending their mission far beyond a single local neighborhood, they will draw large numbers of visitors, helping them move progressively from skeptics or seekers to believers to learners to disciples to apostles. The Very Large Church was written for those congregational leaders, both volunteer and paid staff, who recognize that their old rule-book is obsolete and who are eager to learn how to participate effectively in the very large church in a context that is defined by the culture, the societal context, clearly defined expectations, a theological belief system, a passion for evangelism, a high level of competence, creativity, innovation, and a new and different set of rules, rather than by local traditions, geographical boundaries, or yesterday’s stereotypes.

Key • Focuses on issues in organization life―Schaller’s strong suit • Addresses a tendency that is growing today

Key • Places the shift to large churches within the context of a cultural shift from small to large institutions • Demonstrates how and why the old rule-book for organizational structure must change • Helps church leaders understand how to make the transition to the megachurch culture while retaining Christian integrity

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Schaller shares helpful principles on leading and organizing the "very large church" with an attendance of 800+. The late 20th century saw a sharp rise in the large church and megachurch with a thirst for more. I wonder if perhaps that trend has cooled in the last 25 years. With moral and political changes in our society, lack of available land, costly overhead, online options, and bumpy succession plans, it seems to me there has been a drift away from the megachurch model. Smaller, more relational, more nimble churches are on the rise. But there may always be a place for some megachurches. And since their organizational culture is significantly different than a small church, this book can help a leader better understand how they operate and how to lead well.

[Robert McKeehan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Very Large Church focuses on the important and often overlooked niche of churches averaging 800 plus in worship attendance. This group is situated between small, large, and mega churches. The thesis of this book is that there is a greater need for more churches of this size and they have the potential to grow even more or to decline because of their fragile nature. While the focus of the book is excellent, it is already outdated and too repetitive in content. A fresh and streamlined revision is sorely needed.