Growing Plans

by Lyle E. Schaller

Five different strategies for increasing the size of the congregation are developed by Lyle E. Schaller - with applications to small, middle-sized, and larger churches. Schaller also includes comments on the formulation of a workable denominational strategy for church growth. No church exists in complete isolations from all other churches, notes Schaller, "although thousands of congregations appear not to believe it."Effectively using an informative case-history approach to outlining church-growth strategies, Schaller works from several basic assumptions. Visitation evangelism is the ideal method of obtaining new members, he says, but it is not always appropriate. He warns of the tendency of long-established congregations to attract "new" members from other churches..."the circulation of the saints."Schaller also assumes that every church's approach to growth will rest on a foundation of its values, goals, dreams, prejudices, assumptions, interpretations of reality, theological perspectives, and understanding of the biblical imperative. It is good, says Schaller, for Christians to be members of congregations; it is good for congregations to receive new members; and it is good for denominations to grow in numbers.

Paperback

First published September 1, 1982

Reviews

[James Hodsden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ever so often, a pastor retires and thins out his library. Not too long ago, one such pastor offered me a dozen books by Lyle Schaller from his library. Lyle Schaller is one of those church growth gurus who started writing a few decades ago. Generally, I am not too fond of those writers, but Lyle Schaller is probably the best of the bunch.

Besides a few articles, “Growing Plans” is the first book that I have read by Schaller. It’s not bad. Clearly, the author has experience dealing with churches, conflict, and the mechanics of running a church. He uses a case study approach to examine small, medium, and large congregations. He asks good questions concerning assimilation of new members, congregational staff, and even parking lots. He brings insights from management, psychology and sociology to bear on the work of the church.

Still, something is missing. There is very little theology. I can’t even recall a single verse of Scripture. Some of the biggest problems of the church are rooted in questions of identity. Who is God? Who is the Church? Frankly, the answers to those questions should dominate how we “do church.” We may even decide to ignore the best advice of the management consultants if it goes against our identity as Christians.

Schaller is writing for a wide audience and for a variety of denominations. Perhaps, that is why he ignores the theological subtleties. He acknowledges that a church’s approach to growth is based upon its own “values, goals, dreams, prejudices, assumptions, interpretations of reality, theological perspectives, and understanding of the biblical imperative.” However, he does not do much besides acknowledging it. Pastors who wrestle with evangelism and mission must do the hard work that Schaller just assumes.

Thankfully, Schaller welcomes critique. He is a happy writer. He is merely offering his extensive practical experience to others. If it provokes the reader to think for himself or herself, I sense that Schaller would be content.