As far back as there have been civilizations, there have been some variations of a church. While we can’t prove when and where the very first church was formed, archaeologists have found evidence that the first known Christian church was in Jordan.
RT World News explains that “Built in 230 AD, Saint Georgeous is believed to be the oldest “proper” church in the world. Archaeologists say they have evidence suggesting the church sheltered the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ.” This means that for as far back as any of us can remember, the church has been a part of our communities.
In earlier days, these churches were small (120 members or less), local to our neighborhoods; however, our current generations may attend huge mega-churches with congregations in the thousands and a global reach (via modern technology) extending far beyond that. As our society continues to embrace the concept that “bigger is better,” the small church is becoming a thing of the past.
Where do things currently stand with the small church, especially as we as a global community continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic and embrace social distancing as a way of life for the foreseeable future? What’s next?
The Advent of the Small Church
The same way things in nature grow from tiny origins to various sizes, churches (like an organization) tend to grow (in both size and numbers) as they thrive in carrying out God’s work and win new souls.. While there will always be exceptions to any rule, this holds true in most cases. Churches with strong outreach and the lasting ability to convert visitors to members tends to outgrow their buildings as new members join every week.
Ephesians 4:12 speaks to us about the purpose of the church, which is composed of the people in the congregation, not the building where they worship. In this verse we are told the church is “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
The physical Church is to Christians what the gym is to athletes – a place to gather and work on common goals. The Church building is a place where like-minded Christians can establish a sense of comradery as they learn from their pastors, study God’s Word, and model the behaviors set forth for us in the Bible.
Yes, these things can be accomplished without necessarily having to gather as a collective, but there is power in numbers – collective learning, encouragement, and other elements that can enhance the Christian experience.
This has been an aspect of the church experience since the inception of house churches that go back as far as the New Testament. Acts 2:46a tells us that before there were churches as we know them today, “Every day [Christians] devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes.” It may come as a surprise to many to learn that starting a church in one’s home is far from a modern trend!
Natural Growth of the Small Church
When executed properly, it’s only natural that even the tiniest church will grow. Dr. Gary Linton explains that this is by design.
One of the main purposes of the Body of Christ is to introduce Christianity to others and bring them into the family. “The Invitation” is a key element of most services and events, so church membership will grow consistently. Even if some members leave, current numbers can still increase as members have children that are born into the church. Like any organization that conducts business of any kind, having a good organizational
structure and sound practices in place can accommodate increases and keep things afloat.
The fact that you are doing God’s work does not guarantee that there won’t be challenges and complications. Being blessed with a church ministry that draws steady crowds and brings souls into the Christian fold does not guarantee you won’t be stressed.
As is the case with any organizational change, there will be challenges and sometimes pain.
Some of the common barriers churches in a growth pattern often encounter include lack of resources (e.g. facility space, staff, and other resources) to effectively cater to a larger congregation. Others include mental and emotional barriers such as resistance to change. new member retention, and maintaining attendance levels while continuing to grow. It’s also helpful to grow at a steady pace rather than rapid growth that may drain resources or disrupt operations
Not all growth is simple and straightforward, Some churches hit a plateau, some experience rapid growth, and others steadily grow until they reach mega-church status. You may think that rapid growth is the best, but in light of the challenges we have touched on earlier, that may not be sustainable.
Ideally, the church would grow at a rate that allows for making adjustments to operations and adding resources as the growth continues. Another consideration to remember is that too much focus on operations can detract from time spent focusing on the original goals that motivated the church during its formative stage – building relationships with God and fellow worshipers and learning about how to live a Christian lifestyle to name a few.
COVID-19 and the Small Church
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to forever change many aspects of the world as we know it, including small churches. The Washington Post reports that “Some experts think the coronavirus could reshape the country’s religious landscape and wipe out many small houses of worship. Inability to adapt to the unexpected changes that come with social distancing are cited as reasons for this. Those suffering the most include churches that fail to transition from live services to streaming and those facing financial challenges as donations and tithes demand digital payment options that some small churches simply aren’t equipped to offer.
People and organizations alike must embrace the idea of doing a “Pandemic Pivot” to survive, and sadly, small churches are becoming casualties of this battle against Coronavirus. Ready or not, unexpected times require new ways of doing old things. It’s truly a matter of “survival of the fittest.” Sadly, many small churches will not survive this pandemic.
What’s Next?
Now that COVID-19 has forced the church (along with the rest of the global community) to change how things are done, our world will never be the same again. Those who weather this storm will need to keep several elements of their “Pandemic Pivot” in place. This includes the use of streaming technology to offer remote worship and digital options for collecting tithes, offerings, and donations. Some of these new norms are long overdue already, so these can be refreshing changes that give the church new energy and heightened efficiency. Even as churches fight the good fight to win souls and gain members, not all will make it through the storm. Some will get right back on track to advance while others may prefer to keep sizes small and spin off new small churches as opposed to forming mega churches. If and how to grow is a critical leadership decision. Let’s all pray that small church leaders around the country have the clarity of vision and the discernment to make these decisions wisely. For more information on church growth, schedule your consultation: https://tionya.zohobookings.com/#/customer/kbc