Pastoral Care in a Growing Church: Bigger Boat or Better Boat?

In this article, Andy Farmer argues that a rapidly growing church brings blessings and challenges. Adding new church members reflects God at work. But Farmer maintains that biblical accountability on the part of the pastor and members caring for these new members strains time, budget, methods, and sometimes faith. Is a bigger church building the answer? Are more staff members needed? Farmer argues that pastoral ministry requires interpersonal action, but not all of this work should be done by the pastors and leaders. Church leaders must equip the whole body of the church to help care for the struggling believers. Farmer’s Growth and Ministry Model presented in this article shows how to prepare church members to assist in the critical task of caring for struggling believers more effectively in a growing church.