The size of the church never limits the scope of God’s power. God does big things in small churches!
It’s not the size of your church as much as what God wants to do through your church.
Four important questions:
- Is your church culture healthy?
- Is the gospel being taught?
- Is there a vision for reaching people?
- Are lives being changed?
If yes, then keep doing what you are doing!
We all want our churches to grow larger, but ultimately the size of your church is up to God. He causes the growth. You do your part and God does His. Your job is to serve and lead well with all your heart and God adds His presence and power.
I love the saying “work like it’s up to you and pray like it’s up to God.” That sums it up well.
Five Fruitful Opportunities for Smaller Churches:
Leaders of smaller churches often get stuck in the struggles and difficulties of ministry. It is easy to get discouraged, but it’s vital to focus on what is good. I’m writing about five good opportunities to lean into.
You don’t need to work on all five at once. There are many possible approaches. For example, you could invest fifteen months working one at a time at three months each, or longer if needed. They are not in order, prioritize them according to the needs of your church. You can work on two at a time and always come back to others. Take the approach that is best for your church.
1) Take advantage of the uniqueness of your church
There is something unique about your church that makes it special, and you are wise to intentionally cultivate it. It’s part of your unique DNA. It’s your “secret sauce.”
It’s the main reason why those in your congregation have chosen to attend your church over the other churches in surrounding areas.
Your church may have a compassionate culture, or a creative gifting, or natural hospitality, perhaps a particular ministry that God is blessing in your community. You can’t make it up or force it. You can’t sit in a meeting and decide what you want it to be, but you can improve it.
There is something unique about your church that makes it special, leverage it as a force for good in your city.
2) Tap into the agility of your church
A big church is like an aircraft carrier. It is powerful and can do much good, but it can’t move or turn fast. It can get bogged down in the complexity of its own systems.
A small church is more like a speedboat. It is fast and can turn on a dime. That’s a powerful feature in a local church. You can make decisions faster and respond to the needs of people and your community quickly.
You can sense what God is up to and jump in. It’s easier to experiment with a new ministry for a short time. If it gains traction, you keep going, if not, shut it down and ask God for the next endeavor. Don’t be afraid to experiment but do keep your list of ministries short.
It’s important to stay lean in the ministries you offer. It’s much better for a church to be really good in a few ministries rather than average in many. Which ministries does God want in your church?
3) Embrace the power of relational warmth
Relational warmth is one of the most endearing traits that people love about smaller churches.
The sense of community is warm and inviting. It helps people feel at home and cared for in your church. Embrace this relational warmth and all it brings to reach and connect with people.
Smaller churches naturally carry a sense of being at home, being known, and being at ease. Human nature is always drawn in this direction.
However, this can become a two-edged sword so keep a keen leadership eye toward balance between intimacy and inviting new people.
As long as you genuinely welcome new people, this sense of closeness is one of the best things you have going! Encourage your congregation to make friends in the community and invite them to church. Don’t make inviting a program for a special “big day,” encourage it as a lifestyle.
4) Seek after God’s favor
God’s favor is not reserved only for big and powerful churches. He’s looking for humble and available churches of any size that want to reach spiritually unresolved people for Jesus.
God’s favor is a gift. We can’t buy it or get it upon demand, but we know God wants to bless His Church, so we walk in obedience and pray with great faith.
Sometimes it’s no more complicated than asking God for His favor on your church and other times it’s about patient waiting and continuing to be faithful about doing the right things one day at a time.
God’s favor isn’t a magic bullet for church growth. It’s a divine touch that brings the supernatural into the natural. It provides life change and momentum.
Favor is as much about grace as it is Kingdom power. Favor is The Holy Presence that enables faithful work to become fruitful results.
5) Sow seeds that make a difference.
It’s important to sow seeds today for the harvest that is to come.
I [Paul] planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
I Corinthians 3:6-7
This scripture is a beautiful picture of the partnership we are invited into with God. We are not much compared to God, but with God we accomplish much.
The seeds we plant and water today return great Kingdom fruit in season.
Seeds of kindness – Anyone can be kind, but it takes an intentional moment, a decision to treat someone in a special way that speaks to their heart and their need. Most often we need to be looking for that person, that moment, and the Holy Spirit nudges you. Seeds of kindness planted in the hearts of others can change lives.
Seeds of generosity – We all have much to give and generosity stems from wanting more for people than from them. We become a more giving person or church by practicing giving. It’s not just about money, but also your time, ideas, energy and love. Generous people make generous churches who can deeply bless a community.
Seeds of encouragement – It’s impossible to encourage people too much. Try it sometime. As long as its sincere and from the heart, encouragement speaks to the heart. Encouragement is the emotional fuel that enables people to hold longer, reach farther and dig deeper, than previously believed possible.
Seeds of hope – Hope is one of the greatest gifts a church can give. Hope of a better life, hope of eternal life. Hope changes the perspective of how we live. Hope allows people to dream and imagine a life of purpose and meaning. What greater gift can your church give?
Keep planting these seeds and as they receive water the results are life changing.
I pray that your heart is renewed and encouraged for the unique ministry positioning that smaller churches play in the Kingdom of God.
