"THE BENEFITS OF A "THE BENEFITS OF A SMALL CHURCH"SMALL CHURCH"Just because we are not large Just because we are not large

does not mean we are does not mean we are worthless or unimportant.worthless or unimportant.

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION Churches come in all sizes... Churches come in all sizes... Some are large, numbering in the thousands, Some are large, numbering in the thousands,

even tens of thousands even tens of thousands Some are small, with as few as two or more Some are small, with as few as two or more

people meeting in a home people meeting in a home The definition of church sizes is rather arbitrary. The definition of church sizes is rather arbitrary. Each size has its advantages... Each size has its advantages... There are things a larger church can do with its There are things a larger church can do with its

increased resources increased resources But there are benefits of small churches often lost But there are benefits of small churches often lost

in larger churchesin larger churches

BENEFITS OF A SMALL BENEFITS OF A SMALL CHURCHCHURCH

A STRONGER SENSE OF FAMILY...A STRONGER SENSE OF FAMILY... A small church is one where almost A small church is one where almost

everyone knows each another everyone knows each another Face-to-face interaction is much easier Face-to-face interaction is much easier Even when we don't remember their Even when we don't remember their

names, we remember their "face" names, we remember their "face" A small church is one where it is easier to A small church is one where it is easier to

develop familial relationships develop familial relationships

BENEFITS OF A SMALL BENEFITS OF A SMALL CHURCHCHURCH

A sense of A sense of "family","family", which is proper – which is proper – 1 Timothy 5:1-21 Timothy 5:1-2 An opportunity to cross generational lines An opportunity to cross generational lines Where children learn to relate to others Where children learn to relate to others

besides their peers besides their peers Where young and old benefit from each Where young and old benefit from each

other's strengths other's strengths The family of God is a wonderful The family of God is a wonderful

blessing (Mark 10:28-30) blessing (Mark 10:28-30) A blessing most often experienced in A blessing most often experienced in

small churchessmall churches

GREATER OPPORTUNITIES TO GREATER OPPORTUNITIES TO GROWGROW

The roles to fulfill are not that much different The roles to fulfill are not that much different between large and small churches between large and small churches

Roles such as serving in public worship, Bible Roles such as serving in public worship, Bible classes, etc. classes, etc.

Whether large or small, the number of Whether large or small, the number of teachers, preachers, song leaders, etc., that teachers, preachers, song leaders, etc., that are needed is about the same are needed is about the same

The ratio of roles to members is usually much The ratio of roles to members is usually much greater in small churches greater in small churches

Simply because we do not have a large pool of Simply because we do not have a large pool of members to choose from members to choose from

Therefore there is often a greater need in Therefore there is often a greater need in small churchessmall churches

GREATER OPPORTUNITIES TO GREATER OPPORTUNITIES TO GROWGROW

Larger churches often require a large rotation Larger churches often require a large rotation in its use of members in its use of members

Opportunities to preach, teach classes, serve Opportunities to preach, teach classes, serve in the public worship may be rare in the public worship may be rare

One may have the opportunity to be used One may have the opportunity to be used only once in a long while only once in a long while

Smaller churches use those willing to serve Smaller churches use those willing to serve much more frequently much more frequently

Out of necessity at times, but can also be by Out of necessity at times, but can also be by design design

Small churches are often the training ground Small churches are often the training ground where leaders for large churches developed where leaders for large churches developed their skills.their skills.

GREATER OPPORTUNITIES TO GREATER OPPORTUNITIES TO GROWGROW

One's absence is more keenly felt in a small church One's absence is more keenly felt in a small church Especially when needed to fulfill a certain role (e.g., Especially when needed to fulfill a certain role (e.g.,

Bible class teacher) Bible class teacher) One's absence can be overlooked for several weeks One's absence can be overlooked for several weeks

in a larger church in a larger church For those needing encouragement, this is important For those needing encouragement, this is important It is too easy to get lost in a crowd It is too easy to get lost in a crowd We need brethren who will take notice when we We need brethren who will take notice when we

begin to show signs of weakness begin to show signs of weakness Galatians 6:1-2Galatians 6:1-2 Proportionally speaking, more preachers, Proportionally speaking, more preachers,

teachers, elders, and average members have teachers, elders, and average members have been developed by small churches than large been developed by small churches than large churcheschurches

THE OBLIGATIONS OF A SMALL THE OBLIGATIONS OF A SMALL CHURCHCHURCH

NURTURE SENSE OF FAMILY...NURTURE SENSE OF FAMILY... CongregationallyCongregationally, by providing opportunities for , by providing opportunities for

spiritual fellowship spiritual fellowship Do this by Bible classes, gospel meetings, etc. Do this by Bible classes, gospel meetings, etc. visitation programs, to encourage the weak, minister visitation programs, to encourage the weak, minister

to the sick to the sick IndividuallyIndividually, by providing opportunities for , by providing opportunities for

hospitality hospitality inviting others into our homes, going out together inviting others into our homes, going out together getting together for social occasions, such as getting together for social occasions, such as

potlucks potlucks As we seek to nurture our sense of family, we As we seek to nurture our sense of family, we

must be careful not to limit our efforts to must be careful not to limit our efforts to those in our physical families!those in our physical families!! !

THE OBLIGATIONS OF A SMALL THE OBLIGATIONS OF A SMALL CHURCHCHURCH

PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH...PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH... Training those willing to learn and serve Training those willing to learn and serve men's classes on serving in public worship, men's classes on serving in public worship,

preaching, teaching preaching, teaching ladies' classes on teaching ladies, children ladies' classes on teaching ladies, children Utilizing those willing to develop their abilities Utilizing those willing to develop their abilities

and talentsand talents providing opportunities for men willing to preach, providing opportunities for men willing to preach,

lead singing, etc. lead singing, etc. likewise for women willing to teach children, likewise for women willing to teach children,

other women, etc. other women, etc.

THE OBLIGATIONS OF A SMALL THE OBLIGATIONS OF A SMALL CHURCHCHURCH

WATCH FOR STAGNATION...WATCH FOR STAGNATION... It is tempting to want to remain small It is tempting to want to remain small Because of the advantages of a small Because of the advantages of a small

congregation congregation Its warmth, friendliness, etc. Its warmth, friendliness, etc. The Lord expects us to grow – The Lord expects us to grow – Matthew 13:31-32 and John 15:1-2Matthew 13:31-32 and John 15:1-2 We should not be content to remain small We should not be content to remain small We should be seeking to grow both as individuals We should be seeking to grow both as individuals

and as a congregation and as a congregation If we are not on an upward spiral of growth, If we are not on an upward spiral of growth,

we are likely heading downwardwe are likely heading downward

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION Again, there are advantages to different sizes in Again, there are advantages to different sizes in

congregations... congregations... My point has not been to suggest one size is My point has not been to suggest one size is

superior to another superior to another My purpose has been to ensure we do not let My purpose has been to ensure we do not let

smallness become a hindrance smallness become a hindrance As a small congregation... As a small congregation... We need to focus on our strengths, which should We need to focus on our strengths, which should

lead to growth lead to growth If we do not, we will likely stagnate, if not die If we do not, we will likely stagnate, if not die

altogether.altogether. Focus on our strengths as a small congregation, Focus on our strengths as a small congregation,

and it is more likely we will remain healthy when and it is more likely we will remain healthy when we become a larger congregationwe become a larger congregation