CHURCH LANDSCAPE REVIEW: A LETTER TO THE READER

Dear Reader,

Welcome to this 2024 report on the experiences and insights of pastors in the Boston area. We carefully designed this study with you in mind—whether you are leading a church, supporting church planters, or simply passionate about the future of the church in your community.

The challenges and opportunities facing churches today, particularly in the unique context of Boston, are significant. The shifting cultural landscape, the pressures of leadership, and the evolving needs of congregations require deep discernment and strategic leadership. This study sought to capture the lived experiences of 21 pastors who have navigated these very dynamics over time, offering a pre-post view into growth, leadership development, and long-term sustainability.

In this report, we offer a glimpse into a select group of newer (under 15 years of ministry) churches to explore if any changes we perceive reveal shifting realities for the church in the Boston area. Those shifting realities will play out differently in churches of different longevity, culture, configuration, and size. We present these findings as prompts for reflection and fruitful conversation among church leaders, not as a representative sample of churches or pastors across Boston.

We know that pastoral leadership is not only about preaching, teaching, or managing a congregation. It is about building communities of faith, fostering discipleship, and sustaining the life of the church in the midst of complex and often unpredictable circumstances. We also recognize that the work can sometimes feel isolating and overwhelming. That is why we are hopeful that this report will serve as a companion and resource for you as you continue in your own journey.

In the reports on this site, you will find demographic insights, pre-post trends, and thematic reflections on church growth, leadership, and sustainability. The reports also include reflection questions, designed to help you connect the findings of this study to your own ministry context. We encourage you to use these questions as a tool for prayerful consideration and strategic reflection.

We want to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation for the work you are doing. Pastoring is a labor of love, much of which often goes unseen, but its impact is profound. Your commitment to shepherding your congregation and leading them toward deeper faith and community impact is vital to the mission of the Church. As you read through this report, we hope you will be encouraged, inspired, and equipped with new insights that will bless your ministry and the broader church community.

May the findings of the Church Landscape Review project give you space to reflect on your unique challenges and opportunities and encourage you to think creatively about the future. You are not alone in this work, and together, we can continue to build vibrant, sustainable communities of faith.

Blessings on your journey ahead,

Jessica Mason, M.A., M.Div.
Senior Researcher, Church Landscape Review Project Lead
Emmanuel Gospel Center