Pastoring a Small Church by Becky Dietz

My husband is the pastor of First Baptist Church, Groom, TX.  Groom's population is around 600 and our sweet church has around 100 members.  We never dreamed we'd be in a church this size.  We started out in a medium-sized church and went to a mega church and then back to a medium-sized church where we stayed for 26 years.  And we've learned so much along the way.

We were members of our first church before Andy went on staff as a youth minister there, so when we left, it was a very emotional experience because it was like leaving family.  A family to whom we were very attached. When we went to the mega church, they probably had 300 youth...and it grew to around 600.  Andy didn't have a youth intern, so it was a big undertaking.  This is where we began to learn how to organize ministry...because we had to.  It was a little overwhelming at times.  And it was certainly hard to know everyone because we had so many services and a divided Sunday School.  It was almost a relief to go to a smaller church from there...an average-sized church.  Add to that, it was the church where Andy grew up, so we were home.  We loved our ministry there.  We grew spiritually.  God taught us so much and our friendships were deep.  And Andy impacted a lot of students...and a lot of adults.  Our own kids grew up in this church.

So we never dreamed we'd end up in a small church.  But I'm so glad we did!  Having experienced a church of every size, I have to wonder why pastors feel the desire to "move up."  Most pastors start out in a small church but aspire to go to a bigger...and then a bigger church.  I think they see it as success.  (I also think it's Satan's diabolical plot to make us feel discontented, disqualified, and disheartened.  He's such a liar!)  But after 36 years of ministering in a church of every size, if I had to choose a church size, I'd choose a small church.

Here's why I love a small church:

1. You get to really know the people.  Everyone.  
2. You know the state of your flock all the time.  
3. Every little step forward is huge in a small church.
4. Ministry is simpler.  
5. People love one another well.  Lots of people in small towns are related, so they know how to overlook faults.
6. People in small towns are hard workers.  
7. Small churches operate by volunteers.  And there are lots of them.  It takes everyone to make a small church run properly.
8. People minister to one another well.
9. When one person is discipled in a small church, it makes a huge difference!  Their excitement is contagious.
10. It's easy to impact an entire community.

If you're "stuck" pastoring a small church, be encouraged!!  God isn't concerned about the size of your church; He's looking at your heart.  Are you content?  Are you being faithful with what you have?  Are you looking for Him to work in your situation?  Are you expecting God to do big things where you are?  

The grass may appear greener in a bigger church, but that just means there's more mowing to do.