I’m still hoping to mobilize the unchruched folks in the area, though. That may require growth first, because I still believe that unchurched people are far more likely to attend a program-size church (or larger) — there is so much you have to put up with in a small church, I can’t imagine many unchurched people willing to wade their way through the volunteer burnout and financial instability of a small church, just in order to get to the theological message that might be hidden there.

If YOU were going to be our speaker at the district annual meeting this coming weekend, I’d go.

The mega Church, which I visit somethimes, is huge and gets a far wider range… My wife is in a choir with some leaders of the Church of the Brethen. Their world HQ is here in Elgin Illinois. They study these Mega Churches in detail. Very effective in recruiting the unchurched.

http://www.alban.org/pdf/chapters/Chap_AL197.pdf

Adam — Yep, it’s impractical in some areas. But here’s my rule of thumb: We could attract at least 1% of the population within a 30 minute drive of any of our congregations (45 minutes in the Midwest and the Far West, probably less in Europe). Having spent many years in the Boston area, I would say we still have lots of room for growth even if you factor in the density of congregations (because of the density of population). I believe the real issue is that most of our congregations don’t grow because of the difficulty of size transitions, esp. pastoral to program-size church — and that we could help congregations see why it’s to their advantage to grow by showing the benefits of having a mid-size church. For an online resource, see page 8 of the following:

http://www.alban.org/pdf/chapters/Chap_AL237.pdf

Carol — Church size is best defined by the year-round average of adults and children who attend church each Sunday (the number of people who have signed the membership book is typically far less useful a number). As to your comment, demographic research by the Unitarian Unviersalist Association indicates that while there are only about 250,000 actual Unitarian Universalists in the United States, another 250,000 people consistently report themselves as being Unitarian Universalists on independent polls, and another 4-5 million people look very much like existing Unitarian Universalists demographically speaking.

Bill and Carol — I do not believe that we are particularly good at attracting the “spiritual but not religious.” I believe we are good at attracting people who are “cultural creatives,” who are engaged in creating their own cultural norms. According to demographers, I’m actually a cultural creative so maybe I’m biased.

First, how is “mid-sized” defined? Over 200? I belong to a UU congregation with just about 300 members….it seems like just the right size to demonstrate all of the advantages you outlined in your post. Even as a new member I still feel like it is small enough to get to know people.

Second, regarding BB’s comment: “UUism isn’t going to grow recruiting the unchurched. It’s only conservatives who for one reason or another can’t remain in their Church homes, who will come to UU Churches.” My guess is that I am one of these so-called “unchurched”…I have a mainstream Protestant background, but broke away from organized religion as a young adult. 25 years later, I finally stumbled upon UUism. I’m quite certain there are a lot of liberal, “unchurched” folks out there that have no idea of what Unitarian-Universalism is, and how closely it aligns with their beliefs.

I’ve heard a few interesting statistics during the last week (I don’t have sources…please correct me if they are not accurate). First, only 1.5% of the general population has an awareness of UUism and what it is. Second, my minister mentioned a poll in which 40% of people consider themselves “spiritual but not religious.” I think these figures suggest that there are a lot of individuals out there to reach out to besides “conservative church goers.”

Interesting post…