For decades, many church leaders have operated under what might be called the myth of homogeneity. The assumption that congregations and neighborhoods are uniform entities that can be served through standardized approaches to ministry. This one-size-fits-all mentality has shaped everything from worship styles to discipleship programs to outreach initiatives.
In reality, this is not true, no matter where you are, or what church you’re in. Homogeneity is almost always a false construct, and it is frequently used to divide people into arbitrary groups that can be turned against one another, more so than for any purpose that aligns with the teachings of Christ. Homogeneity has never been a goal of the body of Christ. The global body is, and has always been, clearly and inarguably diverse. But if you take the time to get to know the members as individuals, you’ll find that the subsection of the global body (maybe the pinky toe?) that gathers in the little Lutheran church down the street also is. It’s just a different kind of diversity, a hidden one, one that will only be revealed, and its beauty understood, through attentive listening and shared spiritual practices.
This truth is at the core of what we here at Faith+Lead describe as one of the essential pivots that God is calling churches to make in the 21st century: the pivot in structure, from one-size-fits-all models of ministry to a mixed ecology.
Understanding the Mixed Ecology
The concept of a “mixed ecology” comes from environmental science, where it describes a healthy ecosystem containing diverse, interconnected life forms. Applied to the church, it suggests that spiritual vitality flourishes when we embrace multiple forms of Christian community existing side by side, each reaching different people in different contexts.
As Luther Seminary professor, Andy Root, argues in his book, Churches and the Crisis of Decline, the issue isn’t simply that church attendance is dropping – it’s that our imagination for what church can be has become too narrow. Root challenges us to move beyond merely trying to fix declining institutions and instead discern where God’s Spirit is already creating new possibilities.
Root’s goal is to show that it’s “the loss of a God who is God–not the loss of relevance and resources–that threatens the church.” It’s not that people have actually outgrown the need for faith, it’s just that what they’ve seen in and of churches isn’t all that different from what they can find elsewhere. People are hungry for transcendence, not just more things to do.
This perspective shifts our focus from simply trying to attract more people to our existing structures to discovering and supporting diverse expressions of Christian community that might reach people our current models miss.
Finding Pockets of Energy
One key to developing a mixed ecology is identifying the “pockets of energy” that already exist within a congregation and community. These are the spaces where people’s passions, gifts, and spiritual hunger naturally create momentum for new forms of gathering and ministry.
Congregations have discovered energy around micro-communities meeting in homes, workplace chaplaincy initiatives, outdoor worship gatherings, creative arts collectives, and digital ministry platforms. Each of these represents not just a program but a contextual expression of church that reaches people who might never connect with traditional structures.
From Standard Practices to Diverse Pathways
A mixed ecology approach also transforms how we think about spiritual formation. Rather than assuming everyone grows in faith through the same programs and practices, it recognizes the need for diverse pathways of formation.
We can’t continue to require all members to participate in the same discipleship program. It won’t work. People connect with God in different ways. Some grow through intellectual study, others through embodied practices like service or creativity, others through contemplative prayer, or relationship-based small groups.
Instead of a single pathway, we can offer multiple entry points and journeys for spiritual growth. It’s okay, and probably helpful, to root them all in our various traditions’ theological commitments, but we have to remain open to them being expressed through diverse practices and gathering styles so that these concepts and commitments speak to and meet people directly in their lives.
This diversity extends to leadership development as well. In a mixed ecology, leadership isn’t confined to those who fit a standard professional ministry model. Instead, it empowers people with varied gifts, backgrounds, and availability to lead in contexts where their particular calling can flourish.
Practical Steps Toward a Mixed Ecology
Moving toward a mixed ecology doesn’t happen overnight, but these practical steps can help congregations begin the journey:
- Listen deeply to your context. Before launching any new initiative, spend time listening to both your congregation and neighborhood. What spiritual hungers do you hear? Where do people already gather? What barriers prevent engagement with existing church structures?
- Identify and bless pockets of energy. Look for places where people are already gathering for meaningful connection, even if these don’t look like traditional church activities. How might these become intentional expressions of Christian community?
- Experiment with microexpressions. Start small by piloting alternative gatherings alongside your main worship service. These might include house churches, workplace faith groups, outdoor worship, or digital communities.
- Reimagine resources. Consider how your building, budget, and leadership resources might support a diverse ecosystem rather than just a central program. This often means distributing resources differently and measuring success through multiple lenses.
- Connect the ecosystem. While cultivating diversity, also create intentional connections between different expressions of your church community through shared celebrations, service projects, or learning opportunities.
From Fixation to Freedom
The pivot from one-size-fits-all to a mixed ecology ultimately represents a shift from fixation on institutional forms to freedom for contextual ministry. It acknowledges that God’s Spirit isn’t confined to our inherited structures, and invites us to discover where new life is already emerging.
As Faith+Lead’s framework reminds us, this pivot doesn’t stand alone. It connects deeply with the other essential pivots: from fixing to listening, from membership to discipleship, and from clergy-led to lay-equipped ministry. Together, these movements create space for the church to adapt faithfully to a changing world while remaining rooted in its fundamental calling to form disciples who participate in God’s mission.
By embracing a mixed ecology, congregations can move beyond simply trying to attract more people to existing structures and instead cultivate diverse expressions of Christian community that reach people where they already live, work, and play. In doing so, they may discover that the future of the church isn’t just about preserving what has been, but about participating in what God is already doing to make all things new.
