In praise of the smaller church

Small churches are the future and are needed today than ever. They are essential in a world that has grown too big, too impatient, too complex, and too impersonal. By contrast, the small church tends to be unhurried, intimate, modest, and rooted in the faith of our fathers. In a world of superstores and on-line shopping, the small church is the mom-and-pop shop that offers personal service in a low stress environment.

Churches with fewer than one hundred in worship attendance represent fifty-nine percent of all churches in America and forty-one percent of total attendance. At the other end of the range, churches with one thousand or more in worship attendance represent two percent of all churches in America and twelve percent of total attendance. Nevertheless, they garner the lion’s share of media attention. This may be why some small churches have an inferiority complex.

However, that does not need to be the case. God champions the small. He chose the timid Gideon and a small portion of his army to rout the much larger Midianite forces. The city of Sodom would have been spared destruction if ten righteous people were found. It was the young David who defeated the giant Goliath. God chooses the things that the world considers foolish, weak, and insignificant that all glory may go to Him.

Although small churches lack the glitz and glamour of the megachurch, they do have some advantages. They are the right size for forming and maintaining strong communal ties. One another ministry is a vital function of the church. In the parable of the lost sheep Jesus teaches us to minister to the level of one percent. That means everyone. This is easier to do in a small church.

Worship is more participatory in a small church. Performance skills are not as important and, since the worship leader comes from the congregation, people are more forgiving of the occasional error. It is likely that they will be enthusiastically supportive.

Organizations of one hundred or less are easier to manage than larger ones and require fewer resources. They maximize the use of church members’ skills and often have a significant presence in the community. People from diverse generations work together in all aspects of church life, creating natural opportunities for mentoring.

The key to success for the small church is to embrace who you are and whose you are. In the New Testament letters of Paul, we find great support for the small church. The focus is on faithfulness to God and the church community rather than to growth. Growth for the sake of is self-serving and the strategy of cancer cells.

Faithfulness will attract people seeking Jesus. You will attract the hurting. You will attract people seeking community. You will be able to receive the ones God sends.

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Fellowship, Wisdom, and Power

Ephesians 1:15-23

Paul praised the church in Ephesus for their faith in Jesus, demonstrated by their love for all God’s people. The Book of Acts describes the early church as a close community: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47.)”

We need that level of “one another” commitment today!

Paul goes from praise to praying for wisdom, knowledge, and revelation (Eph 1:17-18.) Knowing God, allows us to stand up in this fallen world. A world that celebrates sin. A world that mocks God's Word.

But, it’s not enough just to know the facts about God. Wisdom is based on how we use facts. We must, therefore, continually seek out Godly wisdom.

To this end, Paul prays that God open the eyes of our hearts (Eph 1:18) so we can see ourselves in the light of our special relationship to Him. In doing so we will understand the “incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him (Eph 1:19-20.)”

This is no ordinary power. It is the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in heaven. It is so powerful that the grave cannot hold it. It is so powerful that death cannot end it. It is so powerful that time cannot diminish it.

We need to understand and tap into the power of God. His power is greater than our needs. His power is greater than our worries. His power is greater than our pain.

Three reasons for Christian community

“Let us not give up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing,
but let us encourage one another –
and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:25 NIV

 Spiritually successful Christians understand that fellowship is essential for spiritual growth. The word usually translated “fellowship” in the New Testament is the Greek word koinonia (koy-nohn-ee'-ah.) It carries the idea of partnership, sharing and community. Here are three reasons why Christians should need community.
 
 COMMUNITY PROVIDES ENCOURAGEMENT 

"And let us consider how we may

spur one another on

toward love and good deeds." 

Hebrews 10:24 NIV 

 
The early church met daily in the temple courts and ate together in their homes experiencing the energy of public worship and the intimacy of small gathering. The second chapter of Acts begins with the believers gathered together in one place. The Holy Spirit comes upon them and the chapter ends with multiple gatherings of Christians.

The church assembled, whether it is a megachurch of thousands or a house church of a dozen, is the place where we grow in our faith. It is where our faith moves from the theoretical to the practical. Our burdens are divided and our joys are multiplied.
 

COMMUNITY PROVIDES FOR MUTUAL CARE

"There were no needy persons among them.

For from time to time those who owned land or houses

 sold them,  brought the money from the sales

   and put it at the apostles’ feet,

and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”  

Acts 4:33-34 NIV  

When the primary bread winner of a family losses their job, disaster looms over the horizon. In a short time the family can find themselves homeless. One Sunday school class took quick action when a member lost his job. Their department, which was made up of three classes, conducted a garage sale and raised thousands of dollars. A powerful bond was created between those who participated & the couple that benefited and they had a good time. 

There are no lone ranger Christians. There are at least 58 different teachings in the New Testament that cannot be followed unless you are a part of a group of believers. Jesus said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)

THERE IS POWER IN COMMUNITY 

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth

agree about anything you ask for 

it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.”  

Matthew 18:49 NIV 

When Peter and John were arrested for preaching the gospel (Acts 4), the believers gathered for mutual support and to pray . Once again, God's power was displayed. The house shook, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke the word of God boldly under the threat of arrest.

One of my colleagues learned that his downtown Chicago church was to be the target of a disruptive protest by a coalition of left-wing groups. He decided to continue with Wednesday night prayer meeting as the hostile crowd gathered and chanted across the street.

Suddenly, busloads of Christians from other downtown churches started arriving. They lined the sidewalk between the church and the protesters and began to sing songs of faith. They choir continued to grow and soon the sound of praise drowned out the voices of hate. The discouraged protesters quietly exited.

View a video of “Fellowship Is Essential for Spiritual Growth.”  

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MasterLife: Developing a Rich Personal Relationship with the Master

This is part of the sermon series “How To Be Spiritually Successful.” It is based on the Masterlife study “The Disciple's Cross.”

God expects us to do ministry to the level of one percent.

Jesus told a story about a shepherd who had 100 sheep (Luke 15:4-7.) When he noticed that one was missing, he left the 99 as he went to search for the one lost sheep. We can pick up two quick applications for ministry in the church.

1. Usually, only a small part of the flock is suffering at one time. The 99 were fine and did not need close attention.
2. Although only one out of 100 was lost, the shepherd focused his attention on that one sheep. God expects us to do ministry to the level of one percent.

That level of ministry is impossible for one person to carry out alone. Moses tried to do that. Exodus 18 describes a long line of people waiting all day to see Moses. The people's needs were not being met and Moses was wearing himself out. Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, had a better way. He suggested that trustworthy leaders be selected for every 10 families, along with higher level leaders for groups of 50, 100, and 1000.

Centuries later the early church would face a dispute over the distribution of food. The Apostles were called in to rule on the matter. They decided on a shared ministry plan. They would focus on the ministry of prayer and the Word and seven spiritually mature leaders would take care of the ministry to widows (Acts 6.)

These three stories teach us about the community of God's people. Churches usually use Sunday school and other small group meetings to maintain community. Other methods include service and social groups. These groups help folks minister to one another in good times and bad.

Another level of care comes through deacon ministry. Each deacon has a number of families for which to provide pastoral care. Some of these folks are no longer able to attend church but are still part of our spiritual family. Some are not yet strongly connected to the church but they, too, are part of our flock. This ministry of community is an important part of church life. It is the thread that ties the worship, teaching, serving and giving together. We cannot neglect it.

What kind of Christian are you?

This morning's message from Dr. John Perkins at the Christian Community Development Conference emphasized the need to be known as Christians by our love. Too many American Christians are known by denominations, political agenda, race or nationality.

Why do Christians feel the need to be identified by other standards? Especially when these standards are limiting. It is a matter of saying I'm a Christian but...

Too few Christians are known by our love. How can that be when Christ said that we would be known by this factor (John 13:35)?

Our love must be demonstrated, otherwise it is hardly love at all. Acts of love, both within and outside our churches, will draw people to Christ.

How are you known? What type of Christian are you?

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35