10 Reasons why the Small Church is and always will be BIG!

10 Reasons why the Small Church is and always will be BIG!

I have heard enough bad news and I just can’t take it anymore. I want to share some good news for a change about the church. And this time it is to bring attention to a little known fact about small churches. They get a bum rap for being small and they are picked on for being outdated or passé. But in reality denominations should be looking at the small church and learning from them. These churches will surprise many because they will still be there when the megachurches have faded away. What is so special about small churches and why are they still around today? Here are ten reasons why the small church is and always will be BIG.

The small church is:

1.      Personal

The old TV show cliché is true-the small church is a place to go where everyone knows your name. Perhaps that’s uncomfortable for some who want to slide into a pew unnoticed, do their worship thing with God and then go home. It is impossible for that kind of church experience to happen in the small church. You will be noticed and people will know your name. And what greater Biblical blessing could there be than to walk into worship and know that the people, just like God, know you and love you. We have a God who through the incarnation is very real and very present with us. The small church is an example of the social nature of God-truly one on one, and in the midst of community. The people in the small church know your hang ups and your greatness. And they love you know matter what. (The redemptive work of Jesus at work). You are needed. You are wanted. You are valued. In the small church it is very personal and that makes all the difference.

In the small church:

2.     Patterns are important

Small church members are committed to showing up. They are the faithful that realize their faith in God grows from week to week as they are present in the pew and present with one another. Small church people know that when they are not there it makes a difference and it is noticed.

They are people of patterns.

Small church people believe God has a job to do and so they fulfill their part of the job by being consistent, giving of themselves and their gifts (talents & financial) regularly. They know that they are a small part of the puzzle of Christ’s Kingdom. Therefore when it looks like small churches are insignificant to the big picture, small churches know they are making a difference day after day, little by little, one step at a time, consistently generation after generation, and in the long run this IS significant.

3.     Stories count

The small church knows how to use God language and Jesus language and it’s not afraid to do so. Because of the personal relationships and the intimacy of the group, people openly share testimonies of how God has moved in their lives. They remember the people who made a difference from generation to generation. In other words, the saints of the church who have gone before them are still present in the life of the church through the stories told about them. The stories told about growing up in the church and how Aunt Martha made a difference in the life of the children through her one on one Sunday school lessons. Or, how a teen’s life was changed because everyone in the church knew his name and they were present when he went through a tough time in school. The stories bind the Body of Christ closer together than any megachurch relationship could ever hope to do.

4.     Linked to the community

Small churches are often in small towns. And the small towns rely on the missions of the small churches to help those in need. The soup kitchens, afterschool activities, clothing and food pantries, assistance to the homeless could not be done in these small towns without the diligent work of the volunteers of the small churches. The mayor, police chief, the judge, and the fire chief fully support the actions of the small churches to build up the community. There is a positive and strong relationship between the church and the community and its officials.

5.     Resilient OR in other words they have Spiritual vitality-

Small churches have seen plenty of tough times. Most of them will recite a time when they almost had to close. But, they held strong in faith and gave every last ounce of what they had to either, ‘go out with every last effort’ or to ‘bounce back stronger than before’. They will openly describe how prayer made a difference in the resurrection of new life in the congregation. They will talk about how God wanted them to stay open and how through some miracle activity it happened. They will openly talk about other tough times that caused them to draw together and rely on each other more than ever before. They will talk about how these connections created stronger ties to one another. These times helped them become fully reliant on God and therefore they trust God in all circumstances. Being part of a congregation with this kind of spiritual vitality is BIG.

6.     Intergenerational

Small churches take Baptismal vows seriously. When the congregation vows to raise up children in the Lord, they are there every step of the way. The children grow up looking to each member as a parent, cousin, aunt, uncle, and grandparent. The whole church is involved with each other. The covenant vow is a perpetual commitment to all God’s people. Children who grew up in the church will continue to worship there with their own children even if they have to drive 30 miles or more. The connections among the members last a lifetime. Church fellowship activities involve the whole church. There aren’t singles groups or young married couple groups. There aren’t senior groups either. Small churches have fellowship activities that involve the whole church and the elderly get to know the little ones. The young adults know the retired folks and they can relate well to each other. The intergenerational church grows up as well rounded and versatile people. And in a world today where people are so isolated because of their electronics and jobs this is refreshing news. Be part of a small church and be enriched by these diverse relationships.

7.     Size counts

In the small church size counts a lot. You may wonder what I mean by that. People matter more than numbers, so in that respect size counts. Also, the attitude that bigger is not always better goes a long way in the small church. A lot of creativity happens in the small church. For a few dollars a Christmas pageant is put together even with just three children! Tears flow as the little ones sing in front of a congregation of twenty people. The event, the moment, is marked and etched in the forever story of the church.

A parishioner can stand up in church on a Sunday to say there is a need (a neighbor’s fence blew over in a storm) and before worship is ended a crew is ready to go and help.

Size counts and often more is done in less time than in a large church setting. I remember a small church hearing about the need of shoes for children in an orphanage. This congregation took to mission like ducks take to water. Within three weeks this tiny congregation came forth bearing 500 pairs of shoes!! Size counts because powerful things happen in and through small churches.

8.    Flexible

Small churches have learned how to be flexible, adaptable and risk takers in all circumstances. Because of the small size flexibility is possible to work with individual needs. An elderly member unable to climb the stairs to the sanctuary goes through the back door where the ramp is. Sometimes he is unable to be on time for the service to start. The congregation leaders alert the pastor that he is on his way in and the pastor waits a few extra minutes to start the service. How powerful it is as this member senses God’s love surrounding him as he is included because the congregation has adapted to his needs.

Small churches also take risks, sometimes big ones that large churches would never dare to do. Their stewardship is of the Kingdom and often they are more willing to let go of funds and empty their pockets for a spontaneous need or mission. They have amazing trust in God in these things because they have witnessed first-hand how God has brought them through troubled times and troubled waters.

9.     Know how to have fun

Small churches know how to be spontaneous and go out together for lunch. They know how to call people together for a last minute game night or a BBQ. It doesn’t take a lot of planning to put together a hayride or a bowling afternoon. Small churches take their fellowship coffee hour seriously and use it as a chance to catch up on the news of those they haven’t seen during the week. The simple things are the moments that make lasting memories.

Announcements in church about the birth of a new grandbaby are big news and a moment of rejoicing for all. Anyone can stand up at prayer time and ask for prayers. People willingly and openly weep and laugh with each other. The joy of the Lord is fully present and the overtone of the people is happiness.

10. Small is BIG in every way.

In summary, the small church is BIG in every way! “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body though many, are one body, so it is with Christ” The small church lives this out every day! Paul was clear about the need to rely on one another for the ministry of Jesus to continue, and the small church ‘gets it’! They are fully aware that the Church of Jesus Christ and their corner of the world of His Church is dependent on them to do their part as the hands and feet of Jesus.

So, take a look around you. Take a second look and remember if you are looking for a church home, the small church might be the very place you will find your true home.