Church Growth Articles

REVIEW

The slogan, “Think Big – Act Small” is one that works for both the very large church and the very small church. Large churches naturally think big, which plays to their advantage. Small churches naturally act small, which plays to their greatest strength. The trick is for the large church to act small and the small church to think big. This is the single greatest common denominator for church growth, in any sized church.

Benjamin Button

The Oscar winning movie, Benjamin Button, had some disturbing elements. Benjamin, aka Brad Pitt, was born into an old body that grew ever younger. It is bizarre to see a body that looks like a wizened senior citizen with the mindset and naiveté of a young teen. It is just as disquieting to look into the eyes of a child and see the intellect and experience of an old man staring back at you. Significance does not consist of appearances. The soul within harbors mysteries and potential that escape the natural eye. The movie carries a message that is profound and impactful to our beauty-crazed and success oriented culture.

Putting aside the troubling oddities of the film, I see some prescriptive advice for the Kingdom of God. Benjamin thought and acted big when he was small. The image of him standing as a young child, holding his aging wife’s hand, is unforgettable. He also acted charmingly small when he was big. This is good prescriptive advice for the small and large church.

The Small Church

When you drive by a small church it may look insignificant but things of great eternal import may be happening inside. Furthermore, many small, insignificant-looking churches are destined to become big and have an even greater impact for Christ. God’s Word convinces me, that explosive Kingdom potential exists where just two or three people gather in Christ’s name. Why then, do not all small churches grow to their God-ordained potential? Small thinking is certainly a major contributing factor.

I began my first pastorate with a grand total of 17 people in attendance for our first Sunday morning worship service. One person attended our first Sunday night service. I prepared and delivered my weekend messages like I was speaking to a big church. I developed close fellowship with pastors of big churches so I could see how they thought and operated. I prayed big, thought big and planned big. Over time we grew, bought 20 acres and built out a beautiful campus. We became big.

There is a lot to be said for maturity of vision and perspective when a church is small. This is where leadership makes all the difference. One way to stay small is to always think and act small. Rarely will a congregation’s performance rise above the level of their pastor’s vision.

The Big Church

Big churches naturally act and think big. Some of them, as the old saying goes, have become “too big for their britches.” Pride can enter the picture in a growth-stifling way. The focus subtly shifts from the needs of the individual to the glory and size of the organization. This is death. The organization would not exist without the loyalty and support of many individuals.

The secret of big churches that keep on getting bigger is that they know how to act small. First, they appear to be “charmingly small” in the eyes of the visitor and newcomer. Quality connections ministries are in place, that make them feel important and cared for, with welcoming arms and smiling faces. Second, for the same reasons, the large church cannot afford to take their eyes off intentional and quality member care. Loyalty is maintained and built when people feel that their needs have been considered and that they are being valued. How is this vital focus on the individual sustained? There must be an ongoing passionate commitment to the building of bridges that effectively connect congregants, at every stage, to need-meeting ministries. It is essential to have a well-executed plan in place that reflects this commitment to the engagement and maturation of every individual who comes to or attends the church.

May God help pastors and church leaders to think big and act small! The eternal welfare of every needy individual who stumbles through the doors of a church depends upon that kind of leadership.

EPILOGUE

ConnectionPower has worked with thousands of churches over the past 20 years to help churches connect visitors and integrate newcomers into the church. Our church software systems are unique in that they have been built on the lessons learned and best practices from this vast experience and knowledge base. Request a demo and see what 21st century church management software can do to help grow your church.

Read "Thing Big Act Small - Part 2"