Smart Scaling: How Churches Can Grow Without Breaking the Budget

The Unstuck Church Report (Q1 2025) confirms what many church leaders are experiencing firsthand: church attendance is climbing, but giving isn’t keeping pace. Average in-person weekly attendance rose by 15% over the past year, yet per capita giving declined 4%, now averaging $51 per adult. This widening gap raises an essential question: how can churches grow sustainably—without overextending financially?

For many churches, the instinctive response to growth is to hire more staff. But with rising costs—from health insurance to basic ministry supplies—and inflation pressuring every line item, hiring more people isn’t always the right answer.

As William Vanderbloemen put it: “The smartest churches are spending more on fewer people. They're hiring people who can recruit, train, and retain volunteers.” That approach resonates deeply with what this report reveals. Yet we believe there’s an even more strategic tweak: the best churches are hiring leaders who multiply leaders.

From Doers to Disciplers
Churches that scale effectively aren’t simply hiring more staff to get more done—they’re hiring leaders who can build and empower teams. According to the report, the average church now has one full-time staff member for every 53 attendees, a ratio that still reflects overstaffing compared to the recommended 1:75. Ironically, churches with more staff tend to have lower volunteer engagement, while leaner teams foster stronger volunteer cultures.

That’s the key shift: investing in multipliers—people who can recruit, equip, and release others to lead. This not only stretches the church's capacity but cultivates deeper discipleship and shared ownership among members.

Outsourcing as a Smart Stewardship Strategy
Another growing trend highlighted in the report is the strategic use of outsourced partnerships in areas like finance, HR, IT, and creative services. Churches that outsource well gain access to expert-level support without adding full-time salaries—often improving quality and reducing costs.

With 53% of church budgets currently allocated to staffing, and many churches holding as much as 7–10 months in cash reserves, there’s an opportunity to reallocate resources toward scalable, efficient solutions that drive mission—not overhead.

Outsourcing provides flexibility, accelerates innovation, and gives churches the benefit of partners who’ve seen what works across diverse ministry settings.

Health Over Hype
While growth is encouraging, it doesn’t always mean health. The report reveals that 41% of growing churches are still in the "maintenance" phase of the church lifecycle—highlighting outdated systems and underdeveloped discipleship pathways. Real impact comes not just from getting people through the door, but from clearly guiding them toward transformation.

A Better Question
So when your church grows, don’t just ask, “Who do we need to hire?” Ask, “Who can we empower?” Invest in leaders who multiply, not just employees who execute. Pair that with outsourced support where it makes sense, and you’ll be positioned to scale ministry without stretching your budget—or burning out your team. Because the churches that will thrive in this season aren’t just growing bigger—they’re getting wiser.

So what's next?
I’d love to unpack this with you and help you create your finance strategy on a discovery call. Schedule yours here!