As I mentioned yesterday, we are planning some big things for small churches. Be sure to read my last post for the details. I recently wrote on this issue for my column "As I See It" in Outreach magazine's annual Small Church issue (July/August 2010). If you are a subscriber, you have gotten a chance to see it already. If not, you can click here to subscribe.

Here's what I had to say:

Conventional wisdom has been that the larger the church, the more effective it is at delivering change to the world and local community. Perhaps this is derived negatively from our "bigger is better" culture. On the other hand, the attitude is born positively from the desire to see constant expansion in God's kingdom on earth.

No matter the reason, it is easy to observe that people in our culture assume that a larger group can make a larger impact. However, LifeWay Research's recent Transformational Church study, in which 7,000 Protestant pastors nationwide were surveyed, revealed a paradox regarding the reality and perception of the importance of church size.

Our study showed that the principles that deliver transformation hold true no matter the size of the church. Some differences existed based on congregational size, but few of any statistical significance.

Nevertheless, significantly fewer small-church pastors report actually hearing about changed lives at their churches.

Cause for Concern?
Two-thirds (64 percent) of pastors at churches with more than 300 in weekly attendance strongly agreed with the statement, "We are consistently hearing reports of changed lives at our church." Less than half (42 percent) of small-church pastors strongly agreed with that statement. (Outreach magazine defines a small church as one with 300 people or less in average weekly attendance.)

A myriad of factors might influence this outcome (for example, larger churches have more people from whom to hear about changed lives), but should it concern us that such a divide exists?

The difference may be explained, in part, because churches that focus on mission tend to get bigger. But I think part of the reason is that the small church has often convinced itself that it is not experiencing the life change that it really is.

So let me make two suggestions to those in small churches to highlight what is already taking place through the church's influence.

Celebrate Your Significance

Don't think that because you are small you are not significant. Celebrate life change. Remember that what you celebrate, you become. If the church you lead celebrates having a big crowd for business meetings, then you will become inwardly focused. If your church relishes times of prayer, then you will become well-connected to the Father. I would encourage churches--especially smaller churches--to celebrate Gospel-induced life change. As the church shares the stories of how Christ's work is changing lives, you will see excitement and expectancy rise in the pastor and everyone else. Life change best happens in relationship, and relationships thrive in smaller communities.

Share the Stories

Let people tell their stories. Having served as a pastor throughout my adult life, I've often hesitated to allow "just anyone" on the platform during a Sunday morning service to offer a testimony. We feel the pressure to make sure everything is done with excellence, and sometimes people are bad at telling their own stories. But a well-produced service is nothing compared to a Gospel-produced life. Smaller churches can encourage life change by offering stories of how their fellowship engenders life change.

The Transformational Church initiative serves as an encouragement that any church focused on the Gospel can affect transformation in people, churches, and communities. The leaders of smaller churches should press ahead with the vision to spread the enthusiasm. As stories of life change are shared, lives will be changed.

Be sure to get involved with the Transformational Small Church Exchange webcast we have planned by clicking here.