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"THE BENEFITS OF A SMALL CHURCH"
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Churches come in all sizes...
 a. Some are large
numbering in the thousands
even tens of thousands
 b. Some are small
with as few as two or more people meeting in a
 home
 
2. The definition of church sizes is rather arbitrary
but here is
 one...
 a. A small church is less than 200 members (80% of churches)
 b. A medium church has 201-400 members (10% of churches)
 c. A large church as 401+ members (10% of churches)
 -- For some
even 200 members constitute a large church
 
3. Each size has its advantages...
 a. There are things a larger church can do with its increased
 resources
 b. But there are benefits of small churches often lost in larger
 churches
 
[My purpose is not to encourage stagnation in church growth
but to
remind us of the benefits (and obligations) of a small church lest we
become discouraged...]
 
I. BENEFITS OF A SMALL CHURCH
 
 A. STRONGER SENSE OF FAMILY...
 1. A small church is one where almost everyone knows each another
 a. Face-to-face interaction is much easier
 b. Even when we don't remember their names
we remember their
 "face"
 2. A small church is one where it is easier to develop familial
 relationships
 a. A sense of "family"
which is proper - cf. 1 Ti 5:1-2
 b. An opportunity to cross generational lines
 1) Where children learn to relate to others besides their
 peers
 2) Where young and old benefit from each other's strengths
 -- The family of God is a wonderful blessing (Mk 10:28-30); a
 blessing most often experienced in small churches
 
 B. GREATER OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW...
 1. More likely that we are needed
 a. The roles to fulfill are not that much different between
 large and small churches
 1) Roles such as serving in public worship
Bible classes

 etc.
 2) Whether large or small
the number of teachers

  preachers
song leaders
etc.

 that are needed is about the same
 b. The ratio of roles to members is usually much greater in
 small churches
 1) Simply because we do not have a large pool of members to
  choose from
 2) Therefore there is often a greater need in small churches
 2. More likely that we are used
 a. Larger churches often require a large rotation in its use of
 members
 1) Opportunities to preach
teach classes
serve in the
 public worship may be rare
 2) One may have the opportunity to be used only once in a
 long while
 b. Smaller churches use those willing to serve much more
 frequently
 1) Out of necessity at times
but can also be by design
 2) Small churches are often the training ground where
 leaders for large churches developed their skills
 3. More likely that we are missed
  a. One's absence is more keenly felt in a small church
 1) Especially when needed to fulfill a certain role (e.g.

 Bible class teacher)
 2) One's absence can be overlooked for several weeks in a
 larger church
 b. For those needing encouragement
this is important
 1) It is too easy to get lost in a crowd
 2) We need brethren who will take notice when we begin to
 show signs of weakness - cf. Ga 6:1-2
 -- Proportionally speaking
more preachers
teachers
elders
and
 average members have been developed by small churches than
 large churches
 
[Of course
there are many things a large church can do that a small
church cannot. But small churches have their benefits that we need to
appreciate. They also have their obligations...]
 
II. THE OBLIGATIONS OF A SMALL CHURCH
 
 A. NURTURE SENSE OF FAMILY...
 1. Congregationally
by providing opportunities for spiritual
 fellowship
  a. E.g.
Bible classes
gospel meetings
etc.
 b. E.g.
visitation programs
to encourage the weak
minister
 to the sick
 2. Individually
by providing opportunities for hospitality
 a. E.g.
inviting others into our homes
going out together
 b. E.g.
getting together for social occasions
such as
 potlucks
 -- As we seek to nurture our sense of family
we must be careful
 not to limit our efforts to those in our physical families!
 
 B. PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH...
 1. Training those willing to learn and serve
 a. E.g.
men's classes on serving in public worship
preaching

 teaching
 b. E.g.
ladies' classes on teaching ladies
children
 2. Utilizing those willing to develop their abilities and talents
 a. E.g.
providing opportunities for men willing to preach

 lead singing
etc.
 b. E.g.
likewise for women willing to teach children
other
 women
etc.
  -- We should not feel that a preacher is shirking his duties when
 he opens his pulpit or Bible classes so others can grow through
 such experiences - cf. 2 Ti 2:2
 
 C. WATCH FOR STAGNATION...
 1. It is tempting to want to remain small
 a. Because of the advantages of a small congregation
 b. Its warmth
friendliness
etc.
 2. The Lord expects us to grow - cf. Mt 13:31-32; Jn 15:1-2
 a. We should not be content to remain small
 b. We should be seeking to grow both as individuals and as a
 congregation
 -- If we are not on an upward spiral of growth
we are likely
 heading downward
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Again
there are advantages to different sizes in congregations...
 a. My point has not been to suggest one size is superior to another
 b. My purpose has been to ensure we do not let smallness become a
 hindrance
 
2. As a small congregation...
 a. We need to focus on our strengths
which should lead to growth
 b. If we do not
we will likely stagnate
if not die altogether
 
Focus on our strengths as a small congregation
and it is more likely we
will remain healthy when we become a larger congregation!

－－《Executable Outlines》