Tag Archives: size theory

Three Major Hurdles to Growth: Family-Size to Pastoral-Size

If your family-size Society/Fellowship can answer these questions in the affirmative and there is a consensus among your active lay leaders that growth in membership and toward calling a full-time leader, then you may be ready for the transition. 1) Can the group trust that their professional leader is operating in the interest of the Society/Fellowship and accept that sometimes the leader will have information first and then pass it… Read More »

Sizing Up a Society

  FAMILY SOCIETY PASTORAL SOCIETY PROGRAM SOCIETY CORPORATE SOCIETY AVERAGE SUNDAY ATTENDANCE September – May 2-50 50-150 150-350 350+ STRUCTURE One-cell Unit Two/Three Cells Program Units Complex Layers PERCEPTION OF LEADER Chaplain Pastor/ Leader Enabler/ Administrator Head Pastor LEADER’S FUNCTION “Transitory Caring” Delegating Power / Pastoring the Community Training & Pastoring the Lay Pastors/ Leaders Planner Ambassador Symbol LAY LEADER’S ROLE Matriarchy Patriarch Leaders Circle Program Managers Multi-level Leadership ASSIMILATION… Read More »

Congregation Sizes

by Stephanie Dohner, former chair, AEU Membership Committee What size congregation is your society? Most people think of their societies as small, medium or large, but more than numbers are involved. All societies, of whatever size, contain one or more primary family units or small groups into which the new member gains acceptance. This acceptance is crucial tor integration of new members. Moreover, the way in which members share power… Read More »

11 Affiliating

Affiliating Question: How do newcomers know if they really belong here? Do they identify with Ethical Culture/Humanism? Answer: If Societies/Fellowships provide opportunities for building friendships and learning more about Ethical Culture/Humanism and this Society, if newcomers discover that they are compatible with the philosophy, way of life, people, organization, and values, they will feel comfortable affiliating with this Society. The most important process for newcomers at this stage is forming relationships with… Read More »

Size Theory

The size of the organization affects how it can function.  Groups of all kinds – not just Ethical Societies — have some predictable patterns for how size affects how they organize.  You may be familiar with the classic story of the small family business which, as it grows, is no longer able to function in the same way; not-for-profits and communities also have similar issues.  With growth, communication needs to… Read More »