Successful Business Models that Promote the Growth of Churches Through Music: A Qualitative Exploratory Case Study

The purpose of this qualitative multiple-case exploratory study was to explore best practice approaches of successful church music programs and try to understand what those church leaders did to increase congregational membership size through music. The study focused on the shared engagement of successful worship teams, pastors, church board members, worship leaders, key congregation members, and key volunteers, as it pertained to the music programs of three churches in the Southern California Inland Empire area. The study supported the premise that quality contemporary music industry standards increase church membership. The literature review consisted of approximately 136 references. The references included subject matter such as the landscape of modern church worship, characteristics of the modern growing church, demographics of growing churches, church growth, and congregational membership. The sample size consisted of 31 interviewed participants. Interviews were semi-structured with the intention to provoke in-depth thought by each participant. Findings from the study showed the implementation of a best practice music program does influence church membership. Four themes were identified to support the findings. Identified themes were 1) church is a place where people can hear music to help them worship and think, 2) all facets of ministry must be done with quality to make an impact, 3) outreach starting with music impacts the growth of a church, and 4) diversity is critical to understand how to communicate with people from different backgrounds. The recommendation from this research concluded churches with multicultural congregations should consider embracing a Five-Circle Integration model. The objective of the Five-Circle Integration Theory is to focus on the commonality of gender, ethnicity, age-generation, and culture.