I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. –John 10:10, NRSV

Welcome to the congregational development site dedicated to the small-membership church, defined as a church with an average Sunday attendance of 70 or less. Nearly half (42.2%) of all Episcopal churches in the United States can be considered small membership, with twenty percent reporting an average Sunday attendance of less than 30 people.

In a world that values “big” there is an assumption that bigger is always better and that the small-membership church is somehow less because of its size. But for centuries, the small church has been the norm. In fact, the work of spreading the Christian faith during the early church was accomplished through house churches that rarely had more than 30 members.

The Office of Congregational Development is here to assist churches of all sizes to be the abundant, vital, quality places that God longs for them to be. Within the small-membership church category this includes churches that are small and stable (26.7%), those that are small and declining (46.8%), and those that are small and growing (26.5%). They may be located in an urban setting, suburban, or in rural and open county (17% of all Episcopal churches).

In this section of the Web site you will find information, resource suggestions, and listings for upcoming conferences particularly relevant to the different circumstances and settings of the small-membership church. There is also a section entitled Studying Your Congregation and Community, an excellent interactive tool that allows you to look at the statistics from your diocese, congregation, and community.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of further help, and may God continue to bless the mission and ministry of your community with great abundance and vitality.

Faithfully,

The Rev. Suzanne E. Watson

Staff Officer for Congregational Development--Small Membership Churches

swatson@episcopalchurch.org

(800)334-7626, x6185