I was reading an article this week by Carey Nieuwhof, he made a statement that really got me thinking. If you’re a small church get really good at being small… and personal. I had to chew on that a bit, because every small church wants to be big. Look big. Act big. The books and blogs are all focus on being big; Doing what the mega churches are doing. Of course, we read that, get discouraged and give up, or just as bad, try poorly to look like a mega church.
Small churches rarely have the resources and giftedness to do big church, so don’t try! I’m not saying give up, I’m saying be you. What CAN your church do and do well? You can’t do it all, so what can you focus on that will show Christ to your community in a meaningful way?
All small churches have the ability to showcase Christian family and warmth. The ability is there; the question is, is the willingness there? Small churches are small for a couple of reasons, circumstances or attitudes. Which one defines you?
We can’t always fix the circumstances; but we can do a lot about the attitudes.
Many years ago, I was visiting a church that was dominated by a family clan. Most of them were good people and wanted the church to grow, but a couple of them didn’t want to cede leadership to “outsiders” and even remarked as their church was growing. “I hate these new people coming in. The family is losing control.” ….That church no longer exists. Surprised? Didn’t think so.
Focus on being warm and welcoming.
One of the things that I hear over and over from our newer members is the fact that our church, not just me, acted like they wanted them here. Guest weren’t an inconvenience; they were an opportunity to show love. Recently one of our newest members wrote this, “Thankyou for taking me in and being such a sweet and loving church. Thank you for many friendships made.” That new member now wants to be involved and help wherever she can. Other families and expressed the same and done the same. One family who just started worshipping with us, considered a move because of discouragement in current job. After being a part of our church family for nearly a year, they don’t want to leave and are trying to figure out how to stay here and deal with the job issue. That’s a huge complement to our congregation!
Minister in an intimate way that bigger churches struggle to accomplish.
One thing I have read and read is that people are lonelier than ever. Digital connection isn’t enough after all. It’s so important to understand how we can show “family” to people who are desperately looking for connections today. We are like “Cheers” where everyone knows your name. We care about each other and learn to give the benefit of the doubt when we get angry because there is a relationship already established. When one hurts, we all hurt.
Be more than Sunday only friends.
Because we get to know each other better on Sunday, we can go deeper in relationship outside of Sunday. Many churches have life groups or small groups and have learned how beneficial they can be. Small churches by our very nature are a life group. We still break down into smaller groups to connect, but most everyone in our church knows each other well enough to stop and talk at the store, restaurant, or wherever we bump into each other. It allows us to love, encourage and pray for each other and that in turns helps us draw closer to each other. In bigger churches, members can sit side by side or see each other on the street and have no clue they just spent time worshipping God together.
Big churches have a lot to offer, but so do small churches. Work your advantages, embrace what you can offer. Studies are saying that Millennials actually prefer small church because of the authenticity. Focus on growing spiritually, and you may even find you’ll grow numerically. Focus on just growing numerically, and you may find yourselves dying because you’ve lost sight of God’s mission for YOU.