Begin with identity, calling and relationships
Part 1 of 2
By Grady D. King
If you are part of a small church in a rural community, you matter! I owe the roots of my faith to growing up in two small churches in Oklahoma. In the second church of less than 100, the leadership consisted of one part-time preacher who drove thirty miles one way, no elders and men’s business meetings. It may surprise you, but 59 percent of all churches professing Christ in the United States are under 100, with average attendance of 65.
Small churches are not irrelevant. Yes, there are often challenges of leadership, budget, and workers for ministry projects. The greatest resource, however, is people who show up and care. Consider the blessings of a small church— intergenerational experiences, shared life, awareness of needs, capacity to respond to crisis, and living one another life. My single-parent mom worked long hours 42 miles from home. As a young teen when I was sick and had to stay home from school, other church mom’s and grandmas brought me chicken noodle soup and showed up. When I needed a “Dad” for father-son stuff, a friend’s dad from church was there. Of course, I learned the Bible, helped with VBS, enjoyed potlucks, and even helped my mom in cleaning the church as a part of member rotation. The church invested in me going to a singing school and I led singing a lot through my high school years and the preacher helped me conduct a service at a 15-member American Indian church (sing, pray, communion and a lesson). I began to see myself as not only part of the church, but helpful and valued. This formed me in profound ways as a young Christian. It was about identity and the seeds of ministry sown in my soul. I am eternally grateful.
What story are you telling?
We live the stories we tell. All churches, no matter the size, can fall into ruts. The deepest rut is how the church sees itself. In a word, identity. We always act consistent with how we see ourselves. I know the ruts of a small church focused on small thinking, diminished ministry imagination, and limitations. What is the story you tell about your church? If it is the language of surviving, not thriving, punctuated by, “I wish… if we only had…or worse, it’s just a matter of time until…” then it is time for the identity conversation rooted in prayer, the faithfulness of God, identity in Christ and the call of God for your church in your community.
What is God calling your church to, from and for?
This three-part question is for a congregational conversation that matters for renewal, vision, and ministry. Your church exists for God’s purposes. Luke begins Acts with the phrase, “of all Jesus began to do and teach” (Act 1.1). Doing and teaching is the model of Jesus for any faith community. Simply holding services and holding on till Jesus comes, hoping people will walk in the door is like a farmer ploughing the field and never sowing seed and watering.
Relationships, Character, Reputation
In small churches and rural communities, relationships are everything. Character and reputation are known. What is the reputation of your church? Why not ask people in the community whom you respect? If people do not trust who we are, they will not listen to what we teach. Here is the question for engaging others.
What DO I need to know about our church that you NEED to tell me?
This is a beginning point for congregational conversations. They are about identity, calling and community relationships as God’s people striving to follow Jesus in all he did and taught.
Need help in moving forward?
HOPENETWORKMINSTRIES.ORG
grady@hopenetworkministries.org
214-287-7287 (cell)
Dr. Grady D. King serves as President of HOPE Network (HN). His ministry life spans fifty years with forty years in congregational ministry in Churches of Christ in Oklahoma and Texas. While with HN he served six years as director of church resources at Oklahoma Christian. His formal education includes degrees from Oklahoma Christian University (Bachelor of Science in Education); Abilene Christian University (Master of Science and Doctor of Ministry). His ministry passion is healthy leaders, healthy churches rooted in the gospel and missional life. He and his wife, Karen live in Irving, TX, and are members of the Mansfield Church of Christ. They have two grown children and three grandchildren.