Understanding the Small Church (Part Two)

http://pastors.crossmap.com/article/understanding-the-small-church-part-two/item270.htm

[The Pastor's Tool Box] 10 Jul 2006--After he had been serving as the pastor for several years, David began to realize that the small church functioned with a unique set of characteristics. At first he tried to change them. Following the recommendations of the latest writings on the seeker-sensitive model of ministry, he tried to bring the church up to the 21st century (at least in his estimation). After several frustrating years, he stepped back and decided that perhaps he first needed to understand his people and what they wanted the church to be and do. After several months of careful listening, he began to realize that they had the same heart for evangelism, discipleship and worship that he possessed, only that they expressed it differently. Rather than try to change them, he decided that he would change his own attitudes and actions. For the first time since his arrival, he accepted them for who they were and how they expressed their faith in Christ. After a time he not only learned to accept their ideas, but he began to value their way of doing things. While it would not work in the larger church from which he came, he found that it was effective in this setting. It was not long until he discovered the people were genuinely expressing their appreciation for his pastoral leadership. Where his ideas were once quickly rejected, they were now starting to listen. New ideas were implemented while the church remained committed to many of its core values. The people not only became excited about what was happening in the church, they saw a new vision for what God could do in them and through them. Being effective in the small church comes when the leadership first accepts the people for who they are and learns to value the way they express their faith. Too often new pastors come in with the idea that they must drastically alter the people and drag them kicking and screaming into the modern church movement. This not only results in frustration in both the leadership and the people, but it involves a rejection of many of the key values that bind the small church together. While change is at times necessary, It should always be built upon love and acceptance of the people. Accepting the small church begins by understanding the characteristics that under gird its ministry. The leadership needs to carefully consider the unique values, beliefs, customs, traditions and attitudes of the congregation. Before a pastor has earned the right change them, he must first show that he values and accepts the people for who they are, how they worship and serve, and how they live out their faith in the context of a congregational community. Within the small church movement there fifteen characteristics that often mark the congregation (the first seven where discussed in part 1). Not every one will be present in every church, but there often be several which characterize a specific congregation.