What makes Small Churches unique?
OK, maybe not everything you know about Small Churches is wrong. But there’s probably no aspect of the body of Christ that is more misunderstood and under-utilized than Small Churches. Small Church myths have become so commonplace that most church leaders believe them, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. I know, because I believed them […]
Everything You Know About Small Churches Is Wrong Read More »
If we hope to overcome the perception that Successful Small Church is an oxymoron, we have to start answering the question in the title with another question. Namely, “what is a successful church?”
The answer to that question is not found in buildings, budgets or butts in the seats. It’s found in the simple, two-part formula for success laid out by Jesus himself. The Great Commandment and Great Commission. Are we loving God? Loving each other? Making disciples? Sharing our faith?
Any church that’s spending its time doing that instead of obsessing over budgets, building projects, making a name for the pastor, petty infighting and the like, is a successful church. No matter how big or small it is.
Is a Successful Small Church an Oxymoron? Read More »
What does quality look like in a Small Church? That may be one of the biggest challenges for Small Church pastors – especially for ministry to millennials. For decades, we’ve been taught a list of elements that need to be done well for a church to be great. But many of those elements can only be
The Very Active Ingredient of a Healthy & Vibrant Small Church (Podcast) Read More »
For decades (yes, decades!) I refused to acknowledge that my church was small or that I was a Small Church pastor. Not any more. Now, I’m not just OK with it, I celebrate it.
Some people don’t like using the term Small Church because, in their minds, that term equates with a church being sickly, settling or worse. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
8 Reasons Why It’s OK to Call Your Church a Small Church Read More »
It’s taken me a long time to hit “publish” on today’s post because, when I raise an issue, I like to provide solutions or alternatives. But I don’t have a solution to this one.
So today’s post is not about answers. It’s a recognition of our shared pain. With the hope that we can find some sort of solace by knowing we’re not alone in these feelings. Here are some painful truths many of us have felt when people leave our churches.
When People Leave: The Private Pain of the Small Church Pastor Read More »
One of the foundational beliefs of the church growth movement is that every church should desire to grow. And if you don’t want your church to grow, there’s something wrong. Probably something wrong with you. So let me get right to it and answer the question in today’s title.
Is it wrong if I don’t want my church to grow? YES. Always. Without reservation. No excuses allowed. No “buts” added. It is always wrong when a follower of Jesus, and especially a church leader, doesn’t want their church to grow.
Is It Wrong If I Don’t Want My Church to Grow? Read More »
“Why don’t small churches grow?” That’s one of the most common search terms that leads people to NewSmallChurch.com.
So today I ‘m going to take a stab at answering it. But before I offer my answer, I’m going to do something that may surprise you. I’m going to challenge the premise of the question.
The presumption that Small Churches don’t grow is false. Small Churches do grow. Some grow numerically. Most grow spiritually. Many grow in both ways.
Why Don’t Small Churches Grow? They Do. Then We Call Them Big Churches Read More »
For four decades, we’ve been told that if your church is not growing numerically, you’re failing. But that denies so much evidence. Evidence that very clearly indicates that growing a big congregation is not inevitable. It’s not common. And it’s not required by God to be a faithful pastor.
Growing a Bigger Congregation Is Hard, Rare and [Gasp!] NOT a Biblical Mandate Read More »
Friendliness, warmth and connection are not automatic in any church. Big churches know this. Small Churches tend to forget it. And when we forget it we can hurt people deeply.
An unfriendly Small Church can be a dangerous thing.
Big churches are aware of crowd dynamics, so most of them work really hard at overcoming the pull towards anonymity. Many of them succeed and are very friendly. It may even be one of the reasons they became big.
Small Churches need to work just as hard at friendliness, warmth and connection as our large church counterparts do. Maybe even harder, because friendliness is more expected and needed when the crowd is smaller.
Why Unfriendly Big Churches Are Bad – But Unfriendly Small Churches Can Be Dangerous Read More »
One of the ways I learned to be OK with – and now celebrate – the value of a healthy Small Church, was when I started seeing it through the eyes of people who visit Small Churches for the first time.
The front door of a Small Church is not the wardrobe to the magical land of Narnia. No one expects that a church which looked small from the outside will magically grow huge once they step inside.
People who come to a Small Church aren’t expecting a big church experience. But they have a right to expect a really good Small Church experience.
How I Stopped Feeling Embarrassed by My Small Church Read More »
