Streams of Mercy

The current issue of Presbyterians Today has an encouraging article about the small church, and it’s important to share some of these thoughts with our small church community:

“The Small Church: A Gift to Its Community”

by Sue Washburn/Presbyterians Today

“When the God of the Universe decided to make a change in human history, it didn’t happen as a big, cosmic event, but rather as the birth of an infant, born to an ordinary family in the small town of Bethlehem.

God’s presence and power can call forth big changes in even the smallest churches that follow in Jesus’ footsteps. Those changes are not necessarily in numerical growth, but in the personal impact they have on the lives of the people around them. A big transformation can start small: a simple worship service, a ride home from work or a meal delivered after the birth of a baby.

The gifts of small churches often go unnoticed amid the novelty of online worship and other technical innovations. But small churches have been reaching their communities during the pandemic with communion by phone, as well as cards and notes, and even printed worship liturgies and Sunday school lessons that get stamped and mailed.

The gifts of partnerships – A small church may find that it just doesn’t have the people to undertake some projects by itself, so the team approach is an exciting model for small churches.

The gift of deep-rootedness and relationships – Thinking beyond numbers when pondering what it means to grow, many people in the area have deep roots and hope to encourage others to grow in faith where they are, and share loving relationships from day to day.

The gift of flexibility – Small churches need the flexibility of responding to the current situation and letting go of what is no longer needed. Resilient small churches are open to change and alternative forms of ministry, including a part-time or shared pastor with other churches or even other denominations. Many small churches are using commissioned ruling elders to lead as well.

Small churches are the future of the faith. While large churches have their place, small churches will continue to serve God’s people faithfully.

As the number of small congregations increases, the gifts that they offer need not decrease. Small communities of faith are what started the Jesus movement. A small church is as close as we can get to the way Jesus and his disciples approached their ministry together.”

Giving thanks for Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church, a small church that is a gift to its community, faithfully serving in this corner of God’s good creation for over 200 years!

Elizabeth