Pastor John Wagner graduated from Honolulu University with a master of arts in theology. In leading the congregation of Turning Point Community Church in Lubbock, Texas, Pastor John Wagner applies skills he has learned, such as teaching effective communication and helping to grow congregations.

1. How to Minister to
Congregations of Varying Sizes
By Pastor John Wagner

2. Introduction
• Pastor John Wagner graduated from Honolulu University with a
master of arts in theology. In leading the congregation of Turning
Point Community Church in Lubbock, Texas, Pastor John Wagner
applies skills he has learned, such as teaching effective
communication and helping to grow congregations.
Ministering is not a one-size-fits-all calling. A church consisting of
60 to 100 members requires different forms of leadership than a
congregation of more than 500 members. In fact, churches can be
categorized according to their size. The family church has 50 or
fewer members and functions like an extended family. Pastors are
expected to know most if not all members personally and provide
pastoral care accordingly. Church functions such as potluck dinners
are community oriented, where every member or family contributes
something.

3. Congregations of Varying Sizes
• The pastoral church counts 50 to 100 members. A pastor should
assemble a leadership circle made up of active individuals to help
coordinate worship events and provide care. The program church
usually has 150 to 300 active members and needs several layers of
leadership. Ministers must spend time training other leaders to take
on responsibilities such as teaching classes, directing choir and
youth programs, and leading phases of worship.
Finally, the corporate church overflows with members, usually more
than 350 on any given Sunday. Minsters at this level may command
an abundance of resources and should consider investing in
enriching the worship experience with excellent sound and visual
reinforcement, for example, as well as delegating large-scale
projects, such as planning mission trips, to other leaders.