About Us
Welcome to Average Church
“Average” is not a term most people like to be identified with but it accurately describes most of the churches in America. The “average” church in the U.S. has fewer than 1,000 people attending and is led by a solo pastor or a small staff of pastors. These churches are almost never called on to host presidential debates and their web page is hosted and directed by a capable high school student. Out of necessity, the average church deals with people one by one, they aren’t a religious factory with a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Average churches are on the front line of gospel ministry and receive no press. In fact, it is often insinuated that there is something wrong with the “average” church because it is not a “mega” church.
My name is Steve Kalb and I am the founder, CEO and president of averagechurch.org and I love the “average” church. I’m 50 years old and I’ve been a pastor since Easter Sunday of 1986. Every church that I have served in 23 years falls into the category of “average.” According to George Barna’s research in 2003 only 2% of churches in America experience an average attendance of over 1000 people each weekend, “…the statistics show that about four out of ten church-going adults (41%) go to churches with 100 or fewer adults while about one out of eight church-going adults (12%) can be found in churches of 1000 or more adults.” [The Barna Update, September 2, 2003]
For most of my years as a pastor I have strongly desired to lead my church from “average” to “mega.” At the conferences I have attended “mega” church pastors are the key note speakers. Most books in the Christian book stores are not written by “average” church pastors. The Christian environment in most circles leads pastors to believe that “nickels and noses” is the gauge of success. I’ve had a tough time hanging in as a pastor, at times questioning my continuing in ministry.
God has used the “average” church in America to change my life and to grow my faith. Without a large staff I have learned to walk with Jesus. Without numerical and financial “success” I have been drawn to the study of theology. Because my sermons are not published in books I cherish the discipline and joy of declaring God’s truth each Sunday morning, knowing that each Sunday is a unique time in my life and the lives of the people I serve. We will never pass this way again.
My hope and prayer is that averagechurch.org will be an encouragement and a help to average churches and average pastors. I’ve found a group of “average” pastors and we plan on putting some articles on this site and then we would like to have blogging conversations. If God uses this to help average churches we will continue for as long as possible. If nobody responds or is helped I’ll be out my investment in this venture [$20]. As far as I can see it is a win/win situation.
May averagechurch.org be used for the Glory of God alone.
Steve Kalb
January 8th, 2009
