Seven Steps To Revitalizing The Small-Town Church

As a pastor of a small-town church, it seems that a common misconception of small rural

churches is that as things are now, they must always be. In other words, the small-town church is delegated to a sub-par role in ministry. It is an endless mission to bring new life and zeal to the small church in a small town. Paul Hazelton was a pastor of a small church in LaMoure, North Dakota, and he writes a book that gives some concepts to consider in bringing life to the small-town church.

Paul's seven tasks to implementing the task of revitalizing the small church:

1. Define The Roles Of Pastor and Laity. The role of the pastor's efforts in serving the congregation and community are presented; followed by the role of the congregation in supporting the pastor financially, prayerfully, and with respect. The author presents the application of the pastor being the quarterback; the success of the team may hinge upon the quarterback, but if the quarterback is the only player on the field, it will be devastating.

2. Examine Your Organizational Structure. In this chapter, the author depicts the need for having a purpose and living that purpose in the ministry. He also places tremendous responsibility on prayer.

3. Develop A Plan. The empahsis for the small church is to have goals - reachable goals - but goals nonetheless. How easy it is to become void of goals in the small church. A church needs to set goals and work towards those goals in order to maintain vitality in the ministry.

4. Get Ready For Company. It is essential that the church prepares for the fruit of its labors. Begin by having plans in place for receiving and greeting visitors, and as well, a follow-up to the visitors needs to be in place before those visitors even attend.

5. Create Community Visability. The small church in the small town must focus on being visible to the community. He presents several recommendations: listings in the paper and phone books, promotional articles in the newspaper, devotional ads in the paper, personal congratulations to graduations and new births. The author states that if something is happening in the church, let the entire community know!

6. Identify Ministries With Potential For Outreach. A simple demographics study of your community will present the necessary means for properly ministering the community. While reaching out to the community, never forget to emphasize the purpose of the church.

7. Keep Your Denominational Identity. While the author presents a strongly ecumenical philosophy, he does strongly urge that churches not blur the lines of the their theological differences.

While all of the points of this book may not be for every church, it was a tremendous reminder of the potential found in any church, regardless of size. May the small town church find revival and vitality for the Lord's work in the town that the Lord hasa planted them in.

The Bivocational Pastor

Since I am getting consistent rebukes about not updating this blog. I thought I would include some thoughts from the books that I have been reading. It will help me record the notable quotes, while also challenging you, the reader, to read more inspirational books.

The book begins with the definition of success; keeping a Heavenly perspective of the definition of true success will help when our view of success fail. The third chapter presented the difference between vision and dreams. "Dreamers are content to wish things were different; visionaries seek ways to partner with God to make a difference." (p.28). In the sixth chapter, the author encourages us to stay long enough in the small church in order to make a difference. Stating that many small churches remain in survival mode because of the rapid turnover of pastors in small churches. He has a powerful statement: "You will also have to win the battle against discouragement. Change and growth usually come slowly in the smaller church. There will be months and even years when it seems that nothing worthwhile is occurring. You may even doubt that God ever gave you a vision for the church. (p. 73). The tenth chapter is on "equipping the laity". Using one of my often quoted passages, the author expounds on Ephesians 4:11-12 with this statement: "Too often, Pastors are wearing themselves out trying to do the work of the ministry of the church while laypeople sit in the pews scoring their pastor'sefforts. Such ministry is not only seldom successful but also unbiblical." (p.115). Diving deeper into that thought, the author quotes John Maxwell as saying, "If we take people as they are, we make them worse. If we take them as they should be, we help them become what they can be." (p. 121).

I found this book extremely applicable to my current situation of "two jobs, and one ministry". While the author does seem to be repetitious in some instances, it was a great challenge and refocus...in the one thing needful!