A free webinar focused on large churches (121+ people) will be held on November 20 at 11 am ET. This article explains the value of the Simplified Accountable Structure (SAS) for churches of that size.
REV. RON BROOKS
SAS Coordinator, Michigan Conference
Editor’s note: The last of three webinars on the SAS / single-board model of church governance, geared toward large churches (with 121 or more people), is scheduled for November 20. Register now.
Leading a large church is both a privilege and a unique challenge. With size comes opportunity — greater reach, deeper ministry, expanded impact. But with size also comes complexity. Multiple campuses, layers of staff, diverse ministries, and varied constituencies all create an environment where governance can either accelerate effectiveness or stall momentum.
In many large churches, governance has grown organically over decades like layers of sedimentary rocks. Boards, councils, and committees were added to meet immediate needs, and policies were developed to address specific challenges. Over time, this patchwork approach can leave leaders navigating overlapping responsibilities, decision-making bottlenecks, and unclear lines of authority. The result? Leaders spend too much time in meetings managing structure and too little time advancing mission.
A Biblical Case for Healthy Structure
The early church faced a similar challenge in Acts 6. As the number of disciples increased, complaints arose because widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The apostles realized that if they tried to manage both preaching and administration, the mission would suffer. So, they appointed qualified leaders to oversee practical needs, freeing the apostles to focus on “prayer and the ministry of the word” (v. 4, NIV).
The principle still applies today. When the structure is clear and responsibilities are aligned, leaders can focus on their God-given calling. Poorly defined governance, however, can distract even the most gifted leaders from their primary mission. Paul echoed this in 1 Corinthians 14:40: “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” Order is not about control — it is about releasing the body of Christ to function at its best.
Common Pain Points in Large-Church Governance
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- Decision Fatigue: With so many groups weighing in, even routine decisions can become drawn-out and exhausting.
- Slow Response: Opportunities for ministry often require timely action, but complex approval processes hinder agility.
- Role Confusion: Staff, boards, and committees sometimes duplicate work or, worse, work at cross-purposes. Alignment is a great advantage that comes from a single-board model like SAS.
- Mission Drift: When governance consumes energy, vision and discipleship can be sidelined.
These challenges are not failures of leadership — they are natural outcomes of growth. As churches expand, their governance structures must also mature to support the mission.
The Promise of a Single-Board Model
More and more, large churches are exploring the SAS single-board model to simplify governance while strengthening oversight. Instead of multiple boards and committees with competing authorities, a single board assumes full governance responsibility, freeing staff to focus on ministry execution.
Here is what the single-board model can bring to a large-church context:
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- Clarity of Authority: With one unified board, there is no question about who makes final decisions.
- Strategic Focus: A single board concentrates on mission, vision, and accountability rather than micromanaging ministry details.
- Greater Agility: Decisions can be made in real time, enabling the church to respond quickly to opportunities.
- Freed Leadership: Pastors and staff spend less time preparing for multiple committee meetings and more time leading and discipling.
- Unity of Direction: One board fosters alignment among ministries, campuses, and leaders, ensuring everyone pulls in the same direction.
In short, structure should serve the mission — not the other way around.
Join the Conversation
We are hosting the upcoming SAS webinar on Thursday, November 20, at 11 am ET for large churches to learn more and ask questions.
This free webinar will:
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- include an interview with the pastor of a large church who will share their experiences with the SAS model;
- explain how the single-board model addresses complexity without sacrificing accountability;
- share the process of moving from a traditional model to a single-board model, and
- allow time for your personal questions about SAS.
If your church leadership feels weighed down by structure instead of propelled by it, this is a conversation you cannot afford to miss.
Register now for the November 20 SAS webinar and discover how biblical, streamlined governance can release greater clarity, unity, and effectiveness in your large-church ministry.
Last Updated on October 29, 2025