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The Commentary

The God of small things

While we can rejoice in all that God is doing through big churches — and we have an article about large Anglican congregations in this [December] issue — many Christians involved in smaller churches need encouragement.

In a world dominated by the idea that only what is big is worthy of attention, we often need to remind ourselves that we have a God who delights to choose the weak, the lowly and the despised things to shame the huge and glamorous (1 Corinthians 1.27, 28). Where would you start if you planned to begin a way of salvation which would span all of history and reach a fallen world? God decided to begin with one old man and one old woman — Abraham and Sarah. God’s strategy often takes us by surprise. It has lots to do with faith and the Holy Spirit, and little to do with numbers and state of the art equipment. So the truth is that God can and does use small churches, small services and small evangelistic events.

Evangelism

Perhaps you need to bear that in mind in the run up to Christmas. Is there a small church that is thinking to itself, ‘We are too insignificant to make any real impact for Christ. We are no good at evangelism. There is not much point in inviting anyone to our Christmas Carol service or whatever’? Do not be so hasty in running yourself down. How was C.H. Spurgeon saved? The answer is, on a snowy day in Colchester in a chapel with an inexperienced preacher and just ‘a dozen or 15 people’ in the congregation. ‘Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few’ (1 Samuel 14.6).

Perseverance

And, small church, don’t give up too quickly if things don’t go well immediately. I know of a church which last summer put on Christianity Explored in reaching out to its local area. The church had worked very hard in previous months to build up contacts. But on the opening night, with all the meal cooked and the leader all fired up for his first talk, just one non-Christian turned up. It seemed like a disaster. Later there was discussion, ‘Is it really worth carrying on?’ The decision was to trust the Lord and keep going. Then a small miracle began to happen. The following week there were two non-Christians. The week after that, there were four. The group did not grow much bigger than that, but, by the end of the summer, three of those four had clearly come through for Christ! OK, it wasn’t revival. But it was new birth and a tremendous encouragement to the church. So don’t be put off. Persevere. God does not despise what is small.

Quality people

This may upset some people, but I mean it as a loving challenge. Often you get a better quality of Christian in small churches. Sadly, many Christians do join larger churches in order to be associated with something ‘successful’ or to be passengers rather than workers. Peter Brayne’s helpful book for pastors, Going the Distance (The Good Book Company, page 224) tells us that, though the United States boasts some very large congregations, nevertheless 75% of US churches have less than 80 members. But the surprising statistic is that more than 80% of missionary and ministry candidates in the US come from these smaller churches. Surely that says something.

John Benton

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