One size does not fit all – changing congregational culture

Abstract

Congregational culture is a complex phenomenon that evolves in response to shifts in its context. The focus is on the interaction between congregational culture and size to unlock the congregational imagination. Congregational size, as a typology, is used as a theoretical framework. Congregations are described as either family, pastoral, programme or macro congregations. Congregational surveys (CS), as an empirical lens, are used to analyse the relationship between congregational culture and size. Four CSs of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) congregations from 2010 to 2022 are used as a case study to provide a quantitative empirical lens to explain the relationship between congregational size and congregational culture. A missional orientation and strategic leadership play a significant role as variables in relation to changes in congregational size. One size does not fit all, and a single approach or model is not advisable for transforming congregational culture or unlocking the congregational imagination.