Small churches are here and they’re not going away.
We must stop treating them like a problem that needs to be fixed, or ignoring them as if they don’t exist.
If you write or speak on church leadership issues, I implore you to take note of this huge oversight and start tapping into Christianity’s most under-utilized and unappreciated resource.
Small Churches Exist – And We’re Normal
Up to 90 percent of congregations are considered small. But those stats are not something to worry about. Because the number of small congregations tells us nothing about the health of the overall church.
Christianity can be in revival or collapse, strong or weak, increasing or decreasing as a percentage of the population, but the stats are always the same.
When the church is growing, small congregations are being planted, and when the church is dying, the size of congregations is shrinking. Either way, there’s a whole lot of small going on.
Why Aren’t We Dealing With Small Churches Better?
Instead of acknowledging, supporting, and resourcing small churches as the most typical way that Christians gather, we often marginalize them, causing further hurt to those churches, their leaders and their members, while undermining their contributions to the body of Christ.
If the church is going to be healthy, strong, and united, our attitude toward small churches must change, starting with these seven acknowledgements:
1. Acknowledge that Small Churches Exist
If you go to the average church leadership conference, you’re unlikely to hear anything for small churches.
I don’t even know if we’re ignoring them. Ignoring implies intentionality. You have to acknowledge them to ignore them. Small churches are often just invisible.
I don’t expect everything to be aimed at the small church. But we need to keep them in mind when we teach and write about church leadership.
For a great idea of how to do that, check out this fun video I was invited to do with Ed Stetzer.
2. Acknowledge that Small Churches are Normal
On the few occasions when small churches get a mention, it’s usually to bemoan the sad lack of church growth. Statements like “90 percent of churches are under 200 people – we need to fix this” and “here are the eight mistakes your small church must be making,” are meant to encourage, but they send a message that small churches are a problem.
As I wrote in this article, small churches aren’t a problem. They also aren’t a virtue or an excuse. But they are the normal way most Christians choose to worship, learn, grow, and minister.
3. Acknowledge That Small Churches Have Value
Big churches are great, but they’re not for everyone. The intimacy of a small congregation is still where most people receive their greatest spiritual nourishment and find a place of mission and ministry.
While big churches can do things small churches can only dream of, small churches do great things, too. They multiply faster, baptize more people, and send more believers into ministry per capita than big churches do. All while fighting constant feelings of inferiority.
Imagine what small churches could do if we acknowledged their contributions instead of wringing our hands over their supposed inadequacies.
4. Acknowledge The Feelings Of Those Who Lead And Attend Small Churches
Stop talking down to us. Stop feeling sorry for us. Stop assuming we’re doing everything wrong.
Celebrate churches that are growing without demeaning those that aren’t.
Think about your next article or conference talk. Will it encourage or discourage the small church pastor who’s struggling to do ministry in fresh, innovative ways under the burden of minimal budget, negative history, and other challenging circumstances?
If you don’t know, find out. Stop talking at us and start walking (or driving) with us for a while.
5. Acknowledge The Unique Needs Of Small Churches
Big churches and small churches have different needs, and they require different resources. There’s a huuuuuge market out there for books, blogs, curriculum, and other resources to help small churches do great ministry. But it remains mostly untapped.
6. Acknowledge Our Massive Numbers
Over one billion Christians worship Jesus in small churches. Approximately 90 percent of the world’s churches are under 200 in attendance. Around 80 percent are under 100.
That’s a massive army of believers that are being discipled, energized, and sent out in Christ-honoring ministry to our communities and around the world. But those numbers are seldom acknowledged in a positive light.
Small churches need to know they’re not alone. They, along with our big brothers and sisters, are an essential part of the most massive movement for hope, peace, holiness, and salvation that the world has ever known.
7. Acknowledge The Contributions Small Churches Make
When was the last time you went to a conference in which a small church was celebrated for the great work they’re doing? Most of us have never seen it. This is a massive oversight that must change.
If you pastor a large church, or write and teach church leadership principles, reach out to the small churches around you. Take a small church pastor to lunch. Ask them how you can help. Listen to what they can teach you.
Small churches are a powerful force for good in this world. So are big ones. If we worked together instead of ignoring or belittling each other, the Holy Spirit could do some amazing things through us.
(Photo by Mike Fritcher | Flickr)
