Ratios Everywhere....Except Church

When we send our children off to school to learn, do we have expectations concerning the quality of learning experience provided? Of course we do. Would you send your student off to a school where 100, 500 or even 1,000 students are in an auditorium with a single teacher? Probably not (especially if we had a choice). We have been advised for years that the optimal student/teacher ratio is approximately 18:1. This ratio varies based on the maturity level of the student body. High School and College level learners have the largest optimal class sizes of 15-20, whereas younger learners have much smaller optimal class sizes. Pre-School students should have a teacher for every 10 students and that number drops to 4 students at the infant level.

Why does that focus not carry over to our churches? Is not the Word of God and the eternal salvation of our brothers, sisters and children more important than mathematics and grammar? A lead pastor cannot be expected to shepherd a flock of 100s alone. It is a matter of simple logic. One leader cannot provide one-on-one pastoral care to dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of church members. Even with a modest staff of 3-5 leaders, the ratios are still not favorable in most modern churches. Jesus preached to many, but only mentored twelve (and only three most deeply). The early church, as depicted in Acts, was not gathering in groups of hundreds. They were gathering in homes for fellowship, teaching, prayer and the breaking of bread. It is no surprise that the number of the saved was growing by day.

In reviewing an extreme example, a world renowned megachurch advertises an average weekend attendance of 45,000 adults. This particular church has a staff of 368 people. This equates to a ratio of over 122 attendees per staff member. Be reminded, this staff count includes A/V techs, janitors, parking attendants, ushers and worship team. The actual hands-on pastoral count is far less than 368, likely pushing the ratio over 250:1. Do you think that those 45,000 attendees walk away feeling “known”? Does the “tickled ear” feeling last once they leave the crowded parking lot? Imagine how many new believers raise their hand and accept Christ on a weekly basis in a church of 45,000. Are these new Christians being welcomed, supported and discipled? Who is walking along side of these new members of the church as they face questions about their new found faith? It pains me to say that, as a church family, we may lose some of these new believers along the way if they are not being discipled. Again, this is an extreme example. However, it does highlight the challenges that exist as churches grow larger and larger.

How do we combat this issue? First, and foremost, we must encourage our members to volunteer and step-up as leaders. This can be leaders of small groups, service groups, study groups or community groups. This will only provide a certain number of leaders. So, secondly, we need to understand the maximum number of leaders we can hire or recruit as volunteers. From this number, we learn can understand when to grow, when to divide and when to plant new churches. The church above has taken on a ministry of small groups or life groups. However, they only have 43 groups available. And of these, 23 are virtual only or hybrid groups, leaving only 20 total in-person groups (5 of which are youth groups). Based on this number of in-person groups, this church is only serving approximately 400 members, IF every group is filled with unique members. This is simply not enough. It would be impossible to expect this church to have 2,250 small groups of 20 members. But 20 in-person groups is not even close.

The best solution to this 18:1 ratio dilemma is the community group. Nothing is required to lead or host a community group aside from love, hospitality and service. A community group does not provide an in-depth Bible study or a particular book study. It exists for discipleship. Members connect with one another, encourage one another, serve internally and externally, and pray.

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