This is why small churches matter and we must help them revitalize!
This is why we need to plant new churches.
And it’s NOT COVID19. (I’ll explain at the end!)
I know. I get it, church planting is not a popular topic of conversation right now, but I’m going to argue it should be. As I’ve watched and been part of local churches seeking to adapt and carry on mission in this crisis, something I thought I knew has become something I know that I know that I know: Small churches must revitalize and new churches must be planted.
If you serve in leadership at a small church or large church, please hear me out!
A large church can be a beautiful thing. Drawing people from cities and neighborhoods miles away is exciting and much has been and is being done through mega-churches. I’m not critical of the church growth movement. I praise God for the work of so many who led millions to Christ over the last thirty years or more, but it’s a different day. Large churches we really need you to give birth! Small churches, you are where you are by Divine appointment, don’t give up!
I pastor a church more than one thousand people call home. (I’d love it if they’d all show up at the same time!) They come from more than fifty neighborhoods and towns. Some drive quite a distance to get here and I am grateful they do, but as a leadership team we have known for several years if we were going to be faithful to our calling, we had to get closer to the people God’s called us to reach. The truth is we are spread pretty thin when trying to respond to fifty different neighborhoods and towns. We’re just too far away! There are many churches like ours across the country who need to reverse the flow of growth and multiply. Small church we need you!
Every community needs a vibrant church. Every neighborhood needs a Body of Believers shining lights in dark times. Every local mayor needs a pastor to call when they need volunteers or help. Every local school administrator needs the support of Christ followers who have their backs during difficult times. Every hospital… you get the idea. And…here’s the thing, every community CAN have a vibrant church! What would happen if large and small churches were networked in such a way as to help every church reach its full redemptive potential?
Our vision is to leverage the resources of a large church with the personality and proximity of a small church to develop the church where it’s needed most…right down the block. Banks do it. Why can’t the church?
When God dropped that thought on me in 2008, I wasn’t sure what it meant. I do now. Our vision must be greater. Our egos need to die.
Since you’ve read this far, allow me to make one additional proposition before I wrap up. I believe every town or neighborhood needs a Church of the Nazarene (COTN). (Hang with me if you’re not part of the COTN.)
The COTN is a small part of the Body of Christ. We are called to play a role, tell the story from our perspective, and teach what we’ve learned and believe.
We are not better nor worse than other churches or church movements. We don’t have more figured out than others do. We’re just US, but US matters.
The COTN has a job to do and God has uniquely formed us, just like He has everyone else, to do what we’re all called to do.
We will reach and disciple people others won’t, and others will reach and disciple people we won’t.
We aren’t competing with other churches.
If you think there are too many churches in America, check the data. Not true. We were born to take our place in the Body and stand beside our brothers and sisters in Christ who have a different name on the door, but serve the same Jesus. None of us are perfect, but all of us are important. Just like our brothers and sisters in Christ all around us, what we do, our perspective, matters. If you’re reading this from a non-denom or different tribe than the COTN I hope you hear me, we need you!
And it’s NOT COVID19.
The “this” I’m talking about isn’t COVID 19, but COVID 19 has helped me see it better.
I pray COVID 19 will eventually pass or we’ll adjust to it as a new member of our virus family. Our hospitals will adapt, our scientists will find medicines, our bodies will develop antibodies and we’ll likely survive. I pray for and am thankful for all of those fighting the battle on the front line and we stand ready to grieve with those who grieve. However, the “this” I’m speaking of isn’t the pandemic we’re facing today. It’s the pandemic people are facing every day when they face life without Christ.
Aside from this pandemic, people die every day alone and without hope. There are families being broken, young people sticking needles in their arm, children are being abused, babies are being aborted, and senior citizens living alone and believing they are unloved every day. Somewhere a single mom or dad is about to give up. Someone commits suicide in the USA just under every 12 minutes. Far too many people live their entire lives without stepping into the Kingdom already here. God help us.
So, here’s the “this” I’m talking about: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:10)
The fact lives are being stolen is not alright with Jesus.
Large church leaders, have your church take a pregnancy test! God wants to multiply your work!
Small church leaders, stay the course if you’re healthy and commit to revitalization (whatever the cost) if you’re not! We need you.
Peace.
