By: Mike Nalley
Recently I read an article written by the pastor of Boston Christian Church, Bro. Mike Bradford, “Finding Treasure in Small Churches.” While I might not agree with him on everything theologically; I found myself nodding in agreement as I read his article. He made a statement in this article that I absolutely love:
“In the small churches you are needed. You are needed now more than ever.”
There is gold to be found in our small churches:
- A small church is a place of love, where new people are quickly invited into the fold and welcomed as family.
- A small church is a house of prayer. We all come together to pray for one another and to pray for our friends and our family members who are in desperate need.
- A small church is family oriented, a place where you can bring your family and not be embarrassed.
- A small church is a place to plant your roots. You can raise a family in a small church and teach your children the core values of the Christian faith. Maybe your family roots grow deep in a small church. It is a place where you came to church with your parents or grandparents and now you desire to raise children in the same environment.
Bradford says in his article,
“I love the warmth of fellowship. I love knowing that everyone there knows me and cares about me. I love how newcomers are soon part of the family.”
I love the fact that when someone is absent from Sunday service, we immediately take notice and wonder if anything is wrong. I love having fellowship meals and I look around and see everyone having a good time. I love being taught in Sunday school by our elders and I being led in worship by the music director. I love when we take the time between hymns to shake one another’s hand. There is treasure in small churches and I wish everyone could experience it at least once.
There is so much in the small rural church setting that we can take joy in. But we have to be careful in where we find our joy. Churches everywhere take joy in many things; their large membership roll or attendance, the size of their campus, the design of their buildings, their wealth, the social status of their members, the prominence of their pastor, their influence in the community, or their zeal for a certain mission or theological cause. Although these things may be good to a certain extent, let’s be careful in what we boast about and what we glory in.
I believe it is right and good to boast about the fellowship, the children, the love, and the concern through prayer that characterizes our churches as long as we keep all of it Gospel centered. Paul told the Galatian church, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14 KJV). I love that, in Mt Carmel, we have a cross right up front where everyone who walks in our doors can see it. Paul desired to keep everything focused on Jesus. He wanted everything to center on Him who died for us. This is where we find our joy.
Paul, writhing to the church in Thessalonica, wanted the Thessalonians to have a church they found joy in. But the Thessalonian church didn’t have any buildings, they met in an individual’s home. The church there didn’t have any programs, performers, or publications. It was not a large or wealthy church; the congregation lacked social and political influence; nor did they have a famous pastor. They could not offer prospective converts a comfortable, entertaining environment. In fact, this church suffered from persecutions and tribulations according to chapter 1 verse 4.
It was a small church that offered the world nothing but the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Does that sound familiar? Yet despite what they lacked, the apostle Paul could still write, “We always thank God for all of you, remembering you constantly in our prayers. We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work of faith, labor of love, and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, knowing your election, brothers loved by God.” (2 Thessalonians 1:2-4 HCSB). Paul is telling them that he speaks proudly of them in all the churches.
Many people do not share my affection for small churches. In reality, they are leaving the small churches. This is the greatest challenge that ministers will run into in small rural churches. People have left the small churches around America by the thousands. Now there are numerous reasons why people are leaving small churches. Many have left to benefit from the superior programs, offerings for youth, and larger evangelistic outreach in a bigger, better church. Some have left because the “Old Guard” in their small church was stuck in their old ways, refusing to listen to any new ideas that came along. Some left so they could hide in the big church, so they wouldn’t be volunteered for every job that came along. Which unfortunately, comes from being a part of a small church. Therefore, some find the crowed auditorium of a bigger church to be a great hiding place. And, yes, some left because they were discouraged by the near-empty pews of the little church. Let’s face it, some left because they grew tired of the scraps, squabbles, and disagreements that sometimes take the place in smaller churches. The list goes on.
How do we revitalize our small rural churches before their doors close? I’m sure there have been numerous books written on the subject by greater minds than mine. I can only speak from experience of what worked in my own ministry. Show the people love. More importantly, show them the love of Jesus Christ! Too often, small rural churches are the victims of ministers who are just passing through, gaining the experience they need, to get the bigger inner-city church with the bigger budget. People are left in the wake of the storm that hits a church after the pastor moves on. Why don’t we try something new? Let’s try staying and investing ourselves in our small rural churches before it is too late. Yes, it is going to be hard work. The people are going to want you to be there for them during every season of life. Some of them you will have the privilege of joining together in the covenant of marriage. You will need to be there after new children are born to your congregation members and you will lead the new parents, as well as the church, in dedicating this child to the Lord. Many of your members will suffer from heart disease, cancer, broken marriages, rebellious children, the passing of family members, and even natural disasters. You will suffer heartbreak when you bury some of your people. Be there for them in every hospital, correctional facility, nursing home, funeral home and love them. Paul said in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” They will become your extended family. Love them like your family!
Also, they are going to be examining your life to see if there is any evidence that you possess a deep and unshakable confidence in Jesus Christ. Yet, many today lack confidence in the Gospel, arguing that we should speak less about our faith so that the world will be less offended. Some look to new marketing techniques, changes in worship style, and modern management strategies, claiming that the Gospel is no longer enough to reach the new and upcoming generation. In our rural churches we have to get back to the Gospel, “because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16 HCSB). The Gospel is enough defeat all of the challenges that small rural churches face. Jesus Christ has the power to totally transform lives, change hard hearts, open blinded eyes, and reveal the glory of God. Our small churches need the Gospel now, more than ever. We must boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And there is no Gospel except that of Jesus’s death whereby He bore our sins and our judgment. His glorious resurrection whereby we are justified by His grace so that now we are those who have been forgiven, accepted, and adopted as God’s children.
Yes, there are challenges that come with small rural churches. But there is also astonishing joy that awaits those who are lead to pastor these remarkable churches!
Mike Nalley has served as pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church for the past 5 years. He is married to Amanda and has two beautiful daughters, Christiana Rose (age 2), and Arabella Grace (age 4 months).