What is The Grasshopper Myth?
The false impression that our Small Church ministry is less than what God says it is because we compare ourselves with others.
All the people we saw there are of great size. …We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them. – Numbers 13:32-33
Three undeniable realities of pastoral ministry:
- Reality #1: 80-90% of pastors will never pastor a church larger than 250 people
- Reality #2: 99.9% of pastors will pastor a Small Church for at least some time in our ministry
- Reality #3: You can pastor a Small Church well, without settling for less
Bigger Fixes Nothing
Don’t fall for IKEA Envy
Over 1 billion people choose to worship Jesus in Small Churches
We need to do small church well before trying to become a big church
Small is not a problem, a virtue or an excuse
Bigger is not a plan, a goal or a solution
Big changes come from small places
Thinking Like a Great Small Church
Many big church principles don’t translate well to a Small Church context
Many Small Church principles are specific to each congregation
People will come to Small Churches, but they won’t give up quality to do so
Big church principles center on process, systems & curriculum
Small Church principles center on relationships, culture & history
Discover what your church does well, then do it on purpose
Front-load the value: feature what you do well
Move out of a destination mindset and into a process orientation
Becoming a Great Small Church
Turn Your Church Around By Listening to God Together
- The Sweet Spot: God, the Church & the Pastor’s Hearts Meet
- The Default: God & the Pastor, but not the Church
- The Listening Place: God & the Church, but not the Pastor
- The Danger Zone: The Church & the Pastor, but not God
Innovation happens with methods, not style or theology
Use the “closet rule” for ministries: Don’t add a new one until you’ve dropped an old one
- What do you do well, that you would like to do more of?
- What do you do poorly, that you would like to do less of?
The Cornerstone Story: Don’t just do ministry in the church, do ministry from the church
- Hauling rocks in a Volkswagen – be willing to sacrifice the building for the people, not vice versa
Have too much building? Invite ministries into the church
Don’t put a mission statement into words until you’re already putting it into action
There will always be a place for great Small Churches
Karl Vaters • CornerstoneFV.com