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The Myth of the 200 Barrier: How to Lead through Transitional Growth
"This is the best book I have ever read on congregational development! I wish I had written it." (Lyle E. Schaller, Parish Consultant)
The common experience of large congregations getting larger and small congregations getting smaller has given rise to the belief that growing congregations tend to hit a barrier at the 150-200 attendance mark. The dividing line in American Church attendance is 150 people on an average Sunday. Churches below this seem to have a harder time growing. Above this, churches seem to have an easier time growing. Trying to grow a smaller church can feel like trying to break through what Martin calls the “200 barrier.” Martin explains that there is no barrier; there are just two different ways of being a church―the “Pastoral Size” church and the “Program” church. The “Transitional Church” is really a hybrid of these two cultures, and this dual nature produces stress and tension where the idea of a 200 barrier often becomes a self-fulfilling expectation. How does the Pastor Size church culture really work? What are the key elements of the larger American Church? How does this create a large church culture that becomes self-supporting? Martin looks at these elements and shows how the Transitional Church can avoid mistakes in their effort to grow “beyond the barrier,” and why transformation and change is so difficult. Drawing on sociological and anthropological studies about the significance of numbers in human organizations, Martin proposes practical steps that leaders of Transitional Churches will want to take.
The common experience of large congregations getting larger and small congregations getting smaller has given rise to the belief that growing congregations tend to hit a barrier at the 150-200 attendance mark. The dividing line in American Church attendance is 150 people on an average Sunday. Churches below this seem to have a harder time growing. Above this, churches seem to have an easier time growing. Trying to grow a smaller church can feel like trying to break through what Martin calls the “200 barrier.” Martin explains that there is no barrier; there are just two different ways of being a church―the “Pastoral Size” church and the “Program” church. The “Transitional Church” is really a hybrid of these two cultures, and this dual nature produces stress and tension where the idea of a 200 barrier often becomes a self-fulfilling expectation. How does the Pastor Size church culture really work? What are the key elements of the larger American Church? How does this create a large church culture that becomes self-supporting? Martin looks at these elements and shows how the Transitional Church can avoid mistakes in their effort to grow “beyond the barrier,” and why transformation and change is so difficult. Drawing on sociological and anthropological studies about the significance of numbers in human organizations, Martin proposes practical steps that leaders of Transitional Churches will want to take.
- GenresLeadershipChurch
135 pages, Paperback
First published October 30, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 28, 2017
This is the book I wish I had read 20 years ago. Are you a pastor wondering why you are working so hard and feel like you are spinning wheels? Or are you at a program size church wondering why you never spend enough time with people? Kevin Martin helps us see the difference between the pastoral ministry for Pastoral size churches and program size churches. With the Rule of 150 for worship attendance he shows us how the church struggles to remain Pastoral size even as worship attendance is beginning to need a Program sized church. This runs from 140-225 Average Sunday Attendance (ASA). Martin gives some really good composite examples of pastors in these churches. We can see the burnout, we can see the frustration, we can see the church's frustration with us when they want Pastoral size pastors and we are Program size pastors and vise versa.
And for Program size and Corporate size the discussion on what a board and the Head of Staff do is revelatory for so many problems I have seen at those size churches. The book is out of print, but probably sitting on the shelves of a lot of pastors from the 1980s and 1990s. Find a copy.
And for Program size and Corporate size the discussion on what a board and the Head of Staff do is revelatory for so many problems I have seen at those size churches. The book is out of print, but probably sitting on the shelves of a lot of pastors from the 1980s and 1990s. Find a copy.
July 22, 2018
There was a lot of good information but the author writes like I do, which means I wanted more details. There are also points where Martin makes sweeping sociological statements that come across as tone-deaf. Still, there’s a lot to work with in this book and I look forward to finishing our discussion.
August 28, 2025
The content is worthwhile, but I’m giving it a 3 (instead of a 4) because it’s poorly written—multiple typos and jumps around. Just needs a good editor. But the concepts are good, points for measuring health are helpful, and ideas for change are motivating.
July 10, 2025
Found this during book sorting for the Great Hunger Book sale Interesting read.
April 14, 2014
Pretty thought-provoking little book about the relationship between congregational size/structure and congregational culture, with a focus on how to lead towards transformational growth. I do wonder how things might have changed in terms of how to think about church growth and change in the last decade since the book was written.
Very quick read with lots of practical ideas to consider. Would be a good book for study among congregational leaders.
Very quick read with lots of practical ideas to consider. Would be a good book for study among congregational leaders.
June 24, 2014
It was worth a look. Most of the concepts are not new for any student of leadership. However, the book affirmed many of the developmental steps we've been taking.
The fresh insight I gleaned was some greater understanding of the "tipping point" between smaller and larger churches.
Read this if you're pastoring a church of 200 or less and want grow.
The fresh insight I gleaned was some greater understanding of the "tipping point" between smaller and larger churches.
Read this if you're pastoring a church of 200 or less and want grow.
October 10, 2012
A good book for helping know who you are as a church, who you are not, and what your next step should look like.
May 6, 2015
Really strong. It would be nice if it had more theological reflection, but it's just so strong practically and conceptually that it makes up for it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews