Different types of small church 

The Small Church Connexion team is testing out different categories of small church, from a new plant to one that is choosing to close, and everything in between.  
These are imprecise categories which need to be fleshed out, but can help us strengthen the resource we offer, explains Jonathan Martin

 
 
Our Union is made up of small churches. Indeed, more than half have 40 members or less, which is our definition of a small church, and more than 100 have between 40 and 50 members.
 
Small is a big deal in the New Testament. Think mustard seeds, little flocks, children, and disciples. Big does not seem to get as good a press as small in the story of Jesus and the disciples (except when it comes to big meals and miracles).
 
The Small Church Connexion wants to come alongside small churches all across the Union. We are a core team of four who gift our time to the Union because we are passionate about helping small churches to see themselves as Jesus does and supporting them to live out what He is calling them to.
 
How does a small church enabler engage with a small church?
 
Resourcing a church that wants to die well will require a different response to a church plant. Within the Small Church Connexion we are testing out the following categories of church:
 

• A – Small and new/pioneering 
• B – Small and significant presence in the community (e.g. a 30-member church in a village or on a small housing estate)
• C – Small and maybe struggling, but growing
• D – Small and content, ticking over
• E – Small and struggling and at risk of not coping
• F – Small and choosing to close/die a good death
• G – Church with membership of 40-50, but experiencing steady decline.

 
We know these are imprecise categories which need to be fleshed out. Some churches may determine that they fall into more than one category. Who decides which category a church falls into? What happens when a minister, or regional minister has one perspective, the congregation another?
 
Given the valuing of small within the New Testament and given the significance of the small church within our Baptist family, testing out these categories practically and through research will help us strengthen the resource we can offer our churches.
 
We may well discover that often there is merit in being and staying small. Utilising the criteria may also help small churches get a sense of collective self-identity and feel confident within that; help churches relate to other churches (Baptist and beyond); enable our Union and others better relate to small churches, especially those without accredited ministers.
 
For example, as small church enablers we might think new churches are not a first priority for us, though we would always encourage their active involvement with the Connexion, as being enriching for us all. We believe they are being well supported by the pioneering network.
 
Does category B) immediately make a strong case for Home Mission or alternative funding? The church in this situation is big in the context of its community, but small through the eyes of the Union.
 
What do we mean in category D) when we use the term ‘content’? Might not a category B) church also be content because it knows it is a healthy church, significant, and by every measure excelling?
 
Might another view of a category D) church imply a church that is complacent? Perhaps it has significant reserves and likes things as they are. A bit like a tenant living in a four bed council house on their own can’t be required to move into a one bed flat, the church that is complacent can’t be required to get stuck into mission and release resources to others.
 
With research and practice it is likely to become necessary to tighten these definitions of small church, which should emerge primarily from the congregation.
 
This is particularly true with category F). We can view death positively within our faith. Exhaustion can overwhelm congregations, and perhaps even ministers, moderators, and regional ministers. Taking time over this process of closure so it is very well done, with successes celebrated, and farewells made well does require time.

The risk is that a congregation once closed is not there when renewal comes. Perhaps these decisions need more time, more options and resource.
 
We have seen the difference that an investment of time in serving alongside a small struggling church has made at Buckland Road Baptist Church in Poole. Incoming Regional Ministers have truly been helpful, as have a couple of supportive churches.
 
Of greater significance has been the influence and investment of Age with a Mission, a cohort of older, retiring or retired people who are on the edge of church life who can offer a church mutual support. They have brought their giftedness to the church, encouraging hospitality. The church now does the best cakes ever on a Sunday morning, is open as a Warm Space two days a week with free lunches, hosts scrumptious afternoon Teas and Praise, and is well known amongst Poole churches for its food, and within the Ukrainian community as a place of hospitality.
 
A category E) church has become a category C) church, alive and on occasions brimming with confidence in Christ and themselves. The church remains a small church, on occasion weighed down and at risk of submerging, but it has heeded Jesus’ call to carry its cross and to go and make disciples and is all the better for it.
 
The Small Church Connexion has designed various tools to help small churches walk alongside each other whichever category they fall into. Hubs, virtual and physical, have proved helpful as a way of listening and supporting each other.
 
Across all categories, we hear some similar concerns about how the energy of our small churches can be sapped by administration, record keeping, maintenance, book-keeping, safeguarding, and more besides. All of which have the potential to reduce mission and ministry effectiveness.
 
Sometimes it feels as if ‘organisation’ is putting a yoke on the back of local small churches, which are the heartbeat of our Baptist family, and may yet be the backbone of God’s plan for a revitalised church.
 
Small can be a big deal. It may also be God’s plan for renewal and revival if we can learn how to lift the load off the back of the majority of churches in our communion, understand where they are positioned, and then use our resources to support their development.
 
We may well see change as loads are lightened, and small churches are enabled to focus on worship, ministry and mission, and are encouraged to grow in resilience.
 
God will bless the work of their hands. Luke 12:32 is a verse we believe God has given us as we seek to be strong as the small is too often at risk of being overwhelmed by the large. Jesus said, ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom’.
 

Image | Kelly Sikkema | Unsplash

Jonathan Martin is part of the Small Church Connexion Team, and a member of Buckland Road Baptist Church in Poole

 

 

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