Thank you for your prayers on behalf of our family as we traveled during past 3 weeks. We got as far west as Seattle and Vancouver, seen the beauty of the Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, and the Black Hills in South Dakota; visited with friends and family in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary, Lacombe, Spokane, Minneapolis, Chicago and worshipped in 5 different congregations.
Visiting different churches, and my friends who are pastoring them, I could not help but compare strategies, approaches, new methods. Large churches are impressive with the variety of services offered, and the quality of service on weekends. Yet, I found some large churches closed during summer month for mid-week service. I was glad my two small London churches stayed open, and even increased in numbers through the summer mid-week prayer meetings. Seeing how folks in larger churches have to wait their turn for months to participate in worship, or other ministries, I know our small churches offer greater opportunity for all to participate according to their giftedness. It’s easy to get lost and go unnoticed in a large congregation. Not a chance to slip by in our church.
Then in my reading I run across interesting statistics: small churches grow faster and have higher quality than mega structures. Do you remember kindergarten stories of David & Goliath? Goliath was huge, overloaded with equipment. Some people admire the size. Who was you’re hero? How did you react to those pictures in your Children’s Bible? Were you frightened by Goliath? Did you fear for David? David was my personal hero: small in size, less show, but he had all what was necessary. He fought with divine intelligence, knowing that God equips him with what he needs. Goliath was laughable: huge man, huge armor, huge fall.
As we are approaching our fall outreach programs remember that each Church is custom made by God, uniquely equipped to carry out His purpose, and there is no lack of any gift. (1 Corinthians 1:7) We have all that is necessary.
Consider the list of spiritual gifts outlined by apostle Paul in his letters to Romans (ch.12), 1 Corinthians (ch.12), Ephesians (ch.4): exhortation, giving, leadership, mercy, prophecy, service, teaching, administration, apostle, discernment, faith, healing, helps, knowledge, miracles, tongues, tongues interpretation, wisdom, evangelism, pastor. Pray that God will reveal to you how to use your gift and provide an opportunity to put the gift to work.
