Book Notes

Effective Small Churches
by Carl S. Dudley
Abingdon Press

Much of what I've learned about small church ministering was built upon the foundation of this book. I first came across this book while in seminary. I used it as a basis for a summer pastorate in central Illinois and for theme papers which I hoped to share with our senior year church administration colloquium. Unfortunately I didn't use the correct reporting forms for my reports to the colloquium. I had to do another ministry project with correct reporting forms. I have to laugh at the irony of the whole situation now as it displayed perfectly the difference between the small church world and the academic universe of seminary education. My summer pastorate would have been a valuable study for many of my fellow students who would themselves go on to ministry in small congregations. In the small church the goal would have been more important than the form used for achievement. Such was the problem I often encountered in seminary education. While I am grateful for the academic education the goals of theological education to often did not meet the needs of ministering in a small congregation. Carl Dudley's work goes a long way towards helping us understand the how and why of small church life

What follows in note content is some of the information from Effective Small Churches. I would recommend you guy the book now in it's second edition. The italics comments are my own addition.

Please not this is an ongoing project that may take some time to complete in full. If you can't wait get the book.

• Monty Keeling

INTRODUCTION

In the introduction to his book Carl makes several points which I share here.

1. The first is that while seminaries have always programmed their training more to the benefit of larger than smaller congregations, because of their decline most denominations are now made up largely by small churches. Independent churches now make up the number of largest congregations in America.

2. Organizationally as denominations continue to decline small churches seem remarkably positioned and prepared to deal creatively with cultural change.

3. Small churches are turning more to sources outside their denominations for help with their ministry programs.

4. The strength of small churches remains in the strength of personal relationships members share with each other.

CHAPTER ONE

Perspectives On The Small Church

1. The attitudes of the leadership and membership determine the attitude for a particular church. “When our perception of reality falls below what really is...we will tend to make modest plans..The lower our self-esteem, the more likely it is that we will concentrate on 'our problems' and on institutional survival rather than on the potentialities for ministry.” (page 24)

During my summer pastorate I was called to a small rural congregation which averaged about 20 for Sunday services. The church was one of the oldest in our denomination and still met in the original building first opened in the 1860s. The church was surrounded by a grave yard which told the history of the congregation. Like many churches their size this one had a very poor self image. During my 3 months there I attempted to do three things to raise that image. First, I began a weekly study on Christian worship. Second, I helped the congregation lobby the district exec to find a pastor. (At my arriving the church had been trying to find a placement for a while. And finally, I organized a Love Feast and Communion service in the church, and invited the surrounding Brethren churches. Celebrating the most historically important service for Brethren in one of our denomination's, not only energized the congregation, but brought positive responses from the other congregations that attended. Later that fall I learned the church finally had called a pastor. Often getting small church folks together and involved in something improves a congregation's self image.

2. Small churches will continue to be the quite majority of Protestant congregations marching to a different drummer. As Dudley notes history is on the side of the small church. Large churches are the new kid on the block. Small churches make up around 80 percent of all congregations in the United States. Christianity began as a movement of small churches. The different groups of Christians mentioned by Paul at the beginning of 1 Corinthians may have been small church congregations.

3. The average small church is not an organization. It is an association that generates and lives by its social capital. Carl later expands that small churches are about relationships not programs. Decisions are often made as the need arises. Activities are those that have been done for years. Advance planning is seldom if ever attempted.

CHAPTER TWO
The Caring Cell

Summary (pp 48-49)

1. Human relationships are primary. These relationships may become attached to events and to objects in a much more specific way than in other, larger congregations... While pastoring my second congregation we decided to host a church open house to familiarize the neighbors with who we were.I was surprised by a larger turnout than we expected. But they weren't neighbors but folks who someone had been part of the church family years ago. They weren't interested in coming back, but did want to get in touch with the place of important memories again.

2. Human relationships form a caring cell in which everyone has a place. Since the absence of a member hurts the sense of belonging, the energies of the congregation can more easily be directed towards the concern of the physical and mental health...

3. The rhythm of the right people in the right place satisfies a human need for order in the ministry of the small church.

4. Churches develop character from their unique experiences. When that character is identified, the congregation may be motivated more from a sense of Christian “pride” than from a desire for new accomplishments. Small congregations tend to live in the past with little will or ability to envision the future.

5. Since people are most important, the caring cell can be aroused to help particular people in need. “When the need is clear, the response is overwhelming,” said one appreciative executive. This is the ministry strength that most larger congregations cannot match. Some are turning to cell groups from a recognition that people's needs in their churches are not being met. While megachurches offer anonymous worship, small churches offer the place “where everybody knows your name.”

6. Finally, many people find a peculiar strength and serenity when the are seated in their place... One pastor sat for several minutes in silence with an elderly woman of the congregation. The he recorded her prayer.

   Lord, I'm tired – so very tired. Please, Lord. I don't want any advice. I've heard enough of that over the years. I don't want to be told what I must do. I've been told enough. Lord, I just want to sit here in quietness and feel your presence. I want to touch you and to know your touch of refreshment and reassurance. Thank you for this sacred little spot where I have heard your voice and felt your healing touch across the years...

Last summer I attended a Keeling clan reunion in Kansas City, Mo. On Sunday we worshiped at the Messiah Church of the Brethren, my family's home church. I noticed that my older cousins where sitting in the exact stop where my grandparents, aunts and uncles used to sit. That was a very comforting experience even for a preacher.