Strengths of the Small Church - Part 4

This is part 4 of a 6-part series

4. The need for greater dependency upon God.

For those in the small church the lack of resources is often a source of discouragement. They wonder how they can be effective when they have so little to work with. When we minister in a small church we often lament that if we had more volunteers, bigger facilities and greater financial resources, then we could see greater results and growth.

However, what many see to be a detriment can actually become the basis for a stronger church. As Gary Farley rightly points out, "When a church lacks resources and knows that it does, and then it is more likely to recognize its utter dependence upon God. When you have about all of the resources that you need, it is awfully easy to cruise along on your own..." (Anthony G. Pappas, ed. Inside the Small Church, p. 102).

It is the lack of resources that challenges us to trust in God's provision rather than our own abilities. It challenges us to rest in the provision of God. It confronts us with the need to live by faith. The struggle facing many small churches is not the issue of a lack of resources, but a lack of faith. Rather than seeking to know God's will and purpose and trusting in his provision to accomplish it, they live in fear, conserving resources in fear of the "rainy day."

However, when the church looks to God for his provision, even when their resources are meager, they recognize that God can use them for significant ministry that impacts the lives of people for eternity.

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The Country Shepherd (formerly entitled Mikros) is published bi-monthly
by the Center for Leadership Development, a ministry of Village Missions
and the Institute for Small Church Heath a ministry of Western Seminary.
Dr. Glenn C. Daman, editor.

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