This leads to growth. Healthy small churches grow. Growth can affect the relationship networks within the church, and because of that, some members may resist growth. They do not want new people taking the pastor's time away from them. They do not want new people taking ministry roles away from them.
Growth means change, and some people have a low tolerance for change.
Change means conflict. But a refusal to change means slow death. If we want our church to survive, we must be willing to change. In a big world, the small church has remained intimate. In a fast world, the small church has been steady.