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July 1, 2025 8 mins

In a post-pandemic world, what does it really mean to be a “small,” “mid-sized,” or even “very large” church? Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger explore Thom Rainer’s recommendations to recategorize church size, reflect on the unique strengths and challenges of congregations of all sizes, and examine why church health and faithfulness matter more than impressive attendance numbers. Whether you’re a pastor, church leader, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of church leadership, this episode challenges us to rethink our assumptions—and reminds us that fruitful ministry comes in every size.

Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this article by Thom Rainer: "The New Very Large Church."


THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

  • Church leaders reframe success by focusing on fruitfulness rather than congregation size.
  • Pastors adapt their leadership style to match the unique needs of different-sized churches.
  • Post-pandemic, churches redefine size categories to reflect new attendance realities.
  • Faithful, missionally active congregations thrive regardless of their numerical growth.
  • Discernment and subtraction become vital leadership skills when resources decrease.

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