Dear siblings in Christ,

One of the questions I get asked frequently goes something like, “What are the ‘successful’ churches doing that we can do here in our congregation?” It’s asked with genuine eagerness and openness to try something new for the sake of the gospel. And my answer is usually terribly unsatisfying, because I always explain that there’s no one program or model out there that works to grow a church. However, I do recognize that sometimes congregations just need some fodder for their own imaginations to get unstuck from “the way we’ve always done it before.” So, here are some initial thoughts on things I’ve seen “work.”

Some churches have embraced the model of the cathedral church of the middle ages. Not so much the grand structure (though certainly we have some beautiful buildings in our diocese), but the sense that it is a central location for the community for all manner of gathering, not just worship. The building houses not only worship and faith opportunities, but 12-step programs, arts collectives, farmers markets, concerts, schools, and social service agencies. While nearly all of our parishes have a handful of small groups that meet, some have really embraced the idea that our space can best serve the gospel when it becomes a broad meeting place for the community.

Some caveats: Some steady tenants can generally help support budgets, but they are generally not a massive income generator (and significant income can have tax implications). And some people hopefully will develop a comfort level with the church and show up on a Sunday, but it’s not a magic answer to grow Sunday attendance. And it works best in churches located centrally in a town that has a sense of community already but where there isn’t a good gathering space already serving that purpose. The key is shifting the whole parish’s attitude toward one of open and radical hospitality rather than doing it as an attempt to generate people and money.

Other churches have embraced the ancient model of house churches. While the primary worship of the community is still held around Eucharist at the church, small groups form that gather regularly for prayer, song, study, and fellowship. This is a model that our evangelical siblings have been especially known for in recent decades, but I know of Episcopal and Lutheran congregations that have groups like this. And I’ve seen it deepen the spiritual engagement of the congregation and raise up new leaders for ministry in the world.

It’s rare that you can just assign everyone a group and implement it programmatically. These typically work when there is some organic development around shared interest and passion. But if this is something you think your congregation would want to lean into, it’s worth some investment in providing some opportunities and encouragement for that to form. Again, this isn’t usually a magic answer to Sunday attendance, but the growth in the congregation can go deep and does help generate more engagement.

Other churches have lived more deeply into partnership with the understanding that all of us are part of one body. You’ve heard us talk about this one a lot. But it’s something that, when done with a purpose and a focus on mission, can be really fruitful. We have churches that partner with local agencies in really significant ways, churches that partner across denominations, churches that partner with other Episcopalians – and sometimes all three. There’s no one way to do it. But doing it usually brings some new energy.

I know this still isn’t that satisfying because it isn’t a clear program. It’s not a cool new thing you can implement now and see results in the coming weeks. And it is far from an exhaustive list of models. But I encourage you to ask the question not just of me, or the bishop, or your priest or deacon, but ask it out in the world. Perhaps one of the best ways to begin answering the question is to go and see.

Go visit another congregation just to check out what someone else is doing. Go to one of our veteran’s lunches with Building Bridges or join our folks who do Laundry Love. Visit one of our ecumenical ministries that worship mostly outside – Cathedral of the Beloved, Pittsfield or Cathedral in the Night, Northampton. Explore digitally; you can start with this link from Episcopal Church Foundation that has all kinds of case studies of congregations doing interesting and innovative things: https://www.ecfvp.org/case-studies.

Get out and explore. Just remember to go beyond the surface. If you visit a congregation that is full of life and energy, don’t just bring the worship bulletin back and hand it to your priest or liturgy committee and tell them you should do what the other church does so you can grow big like they are (Yes, that happens. No, it’s usually not super helpful.) Ask yourself, “What touched you? What excited you? What about that context made what they’re doing work and what might bring the same kind of excitement and energy in your context?” And share it in conversation, not at first as a suggestion of what your church should do, but as an experience of something that moved you. And see what happens as you talk to others about it.

Peace,