Abstract

Communities worldwide have been dramatically and rapidly changing, with more of the world’s population expected to live in urban settings by 2030. Christian churches that failed to adapt to their communities’ mergent needs experienced stagnation and decline, while those that survived and thrived rethought their strategies for engaging with their respective communities. Research indicated that churches focusing on achieving and sustaining congregational health and vitality had the potential to defy the prevailing trends of church decline. However, there was a lack of research regarding best practices for doing so. Therefore, this study identified the practices used by ministers of Christian churches in the US to achieve and support congregational health and vitality. The study utilized a research interviewing method, where fifteen pastors from growing churches located in the US were recruited using a purposive sampling strategy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data related to the research questions. The data were aggregated across participants and subjected to content analysis to draw themes. The findings revealed that ministers faced significant challenges, including internal conflicts, financial constraints, and resistance to change. Successful ministers overcame these challenges by connecting deeply with members, equipping them for leadership, and engaging in community outreach. Adaptability and innovation were key to sustaining congregational vitality. The study also highlighted the importance of strong, visionary leadership that balances empathy with decisiveness. The implications of these findings suggest that churches must prioritize both internal cohesion and external engagement to maintain health and vitality. Ministers must be prepared to lead through complex challenges and foster a culture of adaptability within their congregations. These practices are crucial for ensuring that Christian churches remain relevant and impactful in rapidly changing urban environments.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Church renewal—United States; Church growth—Protestant churches; Christian leadership; City churches—United States

Date of Award

2025

School Affiliation

Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Department/Program

Education

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctorate

Faculty Advisor

Farzin Madjidi

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