Bigger and better. Bigger is better. Bigger is bigger, and that must be better! That’s the reason it’s bigger.
This is a problem. Ironically, it’s a “big” problem.
Small churches can make a big impact! In fact, they are often more effective in several areas of ministry than large churches.
Here are some key quotes and concepts from the book, “The Strategically Small Church,” by Brandon J. O’Brien. I highly recommend it!
NOTE: This book defines “small” as less than 200 people in regular attendance. There are more than 200,000 pastors in America who shepherd “small” churches.
- Strategically refers to a way of viewing your congregation from the perspective of abundance rather than scarcity. It suggests that a pastor and congregation have identified the unique advantages of being small and of being themselves.
- Instead of being reluctantly small or apologetically small, they are strategically small.
- Instead of ministering from a sense of deficiency, they minister confidently from their strengths.
- Many people see small churches as stuck in the past with no vision for the future, unwilling to grow, and lacking resources to do real ministry – dead, dull, and boring. “I hope after reading this book you will see the smaller congregation in more positive terms – as intimate, authentic, nimble, empowering, vibrant, and effective.”
- “Pentecost may have been the first mass revival in history, but it did not create the first megachurch. Instead, Acts 2 records the birth of many small – even micro – congregations.”
- The growth of the early church occurred through the combined efforts of small churches scattered abroad.
- “God used the combined faithfulness and strength of dozens of under-resourced, poorly staffed, badly programmed, and unprofessional small churches to change the world forever. All they had was the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.”
- “The smaller church is uniquely equipped to meet the particular ministry challenges of the twenty-first century.”
- “In Christ, the foolish things of the world confound the wise; in Christ, the powerless supplant the powerful; in Christ eternal life is made available through the death of the Messiah. We shouldn’t be surprised if, in Christ, small churches play an outsized role in the growth of God’s kingdom.”
- “The parable of the mustard seed should convince us that we can be part of a mighty work of God even when the results of our labor are not readily measurable and impressive. God is not limited by our resources or qualifications.”
I hope and pray this is enough to wet your appetite, especially if you are a small church pastor. You will have to read the book to discover the significant advantages of a small church and how they can be leveraged to multiply disciples, leaders, and churches for God’s glory.
