In this blog post, we explore key insights from a Horizons Stewardship survey that involved 349 churches of different sizes and ministry contexts. We highlight the strategies contributing to growth and success while identifying common challenges congregations face. Whether it’s adapting to change, engaging households, or navigating hybrid worship models, this post will provide actionable takeaways to help your church thrive in 2024 and beyond.
The percentage of churches experiencing growth in giving remained the same at 56% compared with 2023, and the number seeing decreases fell slightly from 21% to 20%.
The news about worship attendance was not as promising. The percentage of churches reporting growth in worship attendance decreased from 62% in 2023 to 56% in 2024, while the proportion of declining churches increased from 15% to 17%.
The big news is found in comparing trends by church size.
Understanding these trends allows church leaders to adapt strategically. Whether your congregation is small or large, located in the Midwest or Southwest, these insights are a solid foundation for creating an effective financial and attendance strategy.
The gap between large and small churches in giving and attendance continues to widen. Indeed, larger churches typically have more resources to innovate and implement growth-promoting strategies. However, many larger churches are failing to prosper, and many smaller churches are thriving, which suggests that something other than size is a significant factor in sustained vitality.
Horizons’ experience with thousands of churches of various sizes has shown that thriving churches are willing to change strategies and practices that no longer serve their objectives. This readiness to adapt does not suddenly emerge when a church grows; rather, it is a crucial factor in a small church’s transition into a larger one. Conversely, a reluctance to change is often an early warning sign of potential decline, regardless of size.
Solution: One of the most effective strategies for overcoming the fear of change is to engage in visioning and creating a strategic ministry plan. In this process, leaders are encouraged to prayerfully discern a clear, inspired, and measurable vision—a picture of their preferred future at a specific point in time. Once united around this vision, the next step is to establish measurable, time-bound goals and strategies to achieve the desired future—a Strategic Ministry Plan.
A Strategic Ministry Plan transforms a God-inspired vision into concrete ministry outcomes, ensuring that every step aligns with God’s purpose. Having a plan helps alleviate the fear of change by providing clarity and focus, which diminishes the anxiety caused by ambiguity and a lack of direction.
A Strategic Ministry Plan also minimizes resource allocation conflicts by prioritizing missional outcomes and assessing the effectiveness of each strategy in achieving the agreed-upon goals.
Here is a helpful, free resource for creating a Strategic Ministry Plan for your church organization.
Data from 2024 reveals a strong connection between growth in giving and attendance, but this only begins to tell the complete story. Horizons' work in tens of thousands of churches has shown that households committed to a small group, Sunday school, or a serving ministry give over 40% more than households that regularly attend worship (more than twice a month) but are not involved in a group or serving ministry. This finding has significant implications for budgeting and allocating resources to the areas that significantly impact your vision.
Practical Next Step: To enhance funding for your ministry, you must provide compelling answers to two questions: Why be generous? And why be generous through your church? The answer to the first question comes through the effectiveness of your discipleship strategies, while the second comes from the impact of your serving ministries. In other words, a key to increasing contributions is how well you disciple and inspire service among your members.
Horizons’ Giving365.com is a free resource library that offers actionable tools to promote generosity and can benefit churches of all sizes.
Larger churches tend to prioritize using technology to attract and engage people. Smaller churches often fall behind in adopting digital tools, not because of cost barriers (as low-cost options are readily available) but mainly because they fail to see the need or value in them. Ultimately, this mindset becomes self-fulfilling, as those who appreciate the practical benefits of technology may avoid or drift away from churches that do not employ these tools.
Actionable Tip: Start small. Transitioning to a more digital approach doesn’t require completely overhauling all your practices. Technology serves merely as a tool for a greater ministry purpose. Begin by clarifying the ministry outcome you wish to achieve and seek technology-supported practices to help you accomplish it. You may find that you don’t need to invest in upgraded technology but can instead use what you already have more effectively. A great starting point for exploring the blend of in-person and digital strategies is to download the free resource Phygital Engagement Made Easy and consider what you can achieve with your current technology.
Churches experiencing sustained growth—regardless of size—share certain behaviors and mindsets:
The data underscores that adaptability and intentionality are essential factors driving growth in attendance and giving.
It’s easy to look at the statistics and feel disheartened if your church is struggling. Smaller-budget churches appear to be disproportionately affected by declines, but it’s important to note that many have turned things around through strategic changes and innovative ministry practices. The difference lies not in size but in the willingness to take action.
Regardless of budget, every church has the growth potential when it actively steers its ministry toward relevance and engagement. The first step is understanding your unique challenges and opportunities.
Church leaders often ask, “But where do we even begin?” Start by asking yourself some foundational questions:
From there, focus on creating initiatives that align with your goals while addressing the critical needs of your church and community. Growth—in giving and attendance—doesn’t happen overnight, but it starts with small, decisive actions.
The future of the church is in our hands—yours and mine. Whether you oversee a thriving megachurch that reaches thousands each week or lead a smaller community church that is deeply rooted in personal connections, your decisions today will shape tomorrow's ministry. From fostering deeper engagement with your congregation to addressing the challenges that accompany growth or limited resources, your leadership plays a crucial role in building a stronger, more vibrant church.
At Horizons, we are dedicated to providing church leaders like you with the tools, insights, and strategies necessary to develop a thriving ministry. Our resources are tailored to meet the unique needs of churches of all sizes, assisting you in adapting to ever-changing circumstances while remaining true to your mission. Download the complete report to discover actionable insights, learn best practices, and see how your church measures up to others of similar size and region. Together, we can create a brighter future for our churches and communities.