Celebrating the Small Church - a book review by Rev Vaatstra

Celebrating the Small Church

By Martin Robinson and Dan Yarnell

This volume of 224 pages is based on statistics and experiences in England yet has relevance for all churches, especially those which are small. The authors, Rev. Dr. Martin Robinson, Director of Missions and Theology at the Bible Society and Rev. Dan Yarnell, MA in New Testament; have pastored small churches in England since 1983. Their book was written to assist smaller church to be more effective in their mission.

Small Church Characteristics In the opening chapters Robinson identifies several characteristics of smaller churches and makes the following observations: The small church is ‘normal’. In England 36% of churches have less than 50 adult members. The location of small churches often represents the front line of mission, in other words small churches are often located in areas where the Christian witness is weakest. Small churches are more likely to be caring churches. They also are often bearers of valuable traditions.

However, there is an assumption in today’s culture that bigger is better. Also, church-goers today often have high expectations concerning the standard of worship, fellowship and number or quality of programs churches provide. Consumerism effects small churches in such a way that they feel they are unable to compete in terms of providing the programs and atmosphere larger churches are able to provide. These factors may cause discouragement and a sense of hopelessness as if to say “there is nothing we can do”. Robinson warns against such negativity saying that one of the dangers smaller churches face is the danger of discouragement with the consequence that nothing new is ventured and the church remains static. His antidote to such ecclesiastical malaise is that the church must be ‘on the way.’

On the Way Martin Robinson elaborates on this theme by describing his experiences in an Indian Tamil congregation in Paris following the journey of faith that the members of this congregation had taken in order to be where they were. Back ‘home’ in India some had been farmers, fishermen, teachers and civil servants. They had little in common socially. All had come along a different route but ended up together in a little congregation in Paris sharing a common Book and a common conviction. They ended up on a journey of faith together. Using examples from Scripture Robinson makes the point that although many if not most Christians prefer to be “settlers” rather than “pioneers”, the church on earth may never become settled but needs to continue being a church “on the way”. This is in keeping with the Biblical idea of the believer as a sojourner or a stranger in a foreign country who lives in tents and is looking forward to a better place, the ‘Promised Land’. (cf. Hebrews 11:9). Sometimes small churches remain small or get smaller because of their failure to move. Little is attempted and less is gained if members just want to keep on being ‘settled’. New folk might come in with good new ideas but will soon become discouraged by the settled ‘establishment’ who want things to continue as always.

Pastors Dan Yarnell turns the reader’s attention to the pastor’s task making many helpful observations about the struggles pastors have in small churches. Subjects dealt with include time management, expectations of growth not being met, self-expectation and short term versus longer term pastorates. It was thought that the most productive years of the pastor’s ministry comes after 4-6 years in any particular congregation. He raises a pertinent question. What does one do when the pastor of a small church believes, prays, works, expects miracles but the church doesn’t grow? The same people turn up week after week. Yarnell reminds us of an abiding truth. Though small church pastors are likely to feel despondent about lack of numbers, God loves the small church and loves small church pastors. Moses felt inadequate for the task God had given him. Jeremiah lamented the lack of response from his fellow Jews, yet they were loved and used mightily by the Lord. The author also encourages pastors not to overlook what God has already done in their church and community in the past and to allow the Lord to lead them into their futures. He also reminds us that there are no successful churches. There are instead communities of sinners gathered before God week after week in cities, towns and villages all over the world. The Holy Spirit gathers them and does his work in them. In these communities of sinners, one is called the pastor and given a designated responsibility in the community. The pastor’s responsibility is to keep the community attentive to God. Thus pastors are also urged to get alongside people as “listeners, learners and lovers”. For the pastor of the small church, this is the heart of the matter, being a lover. In the community, in the church, in his home, the love of God must be demonstrated in the life of a minister. The one who loves God and his people is the one who knows what ministry is all about.

Giving The book includes a helpful section on financing the small church. Different approaches to giving are mentioned. There those who give nothing and assume that the minister is paid by the government or some other mysterious central fund. Some have what Yarnell calls the “private club mentality” where subscriptions are duly paid to meet the most conservative budget. A far more effective approach according to Yarnell is for congregations to rally around particular needs. Often when a clear need is identified giving is much more generous and the community spirit is strengthened among members. Sacrificial giving is also encouraged, because life in the church is a struggle. It is a struggle of fellowship, fidelity and more but God gives us the power to remain steadfast in the struggle and God uses our struggles as a means for growth. Furthermore the authors propose that motivating the church for mission and having special appeals relating to missions provide great incentive for giving. This section also has a chapter titled, “The awesome power of the tithe.” According to one source, statistically “about one third of Christians tithe and the other two thirds let them”. The authors support tithing using Malachi 3 to impress upon readers the blessings that tithing can bring to churches and with the maxim that the key to all this is faith. “To give in faith is to grow in faith. The act of giving encourages faith; faith in God and the power of his word to transform lives, churches, communities and the world”.

Strategies The book concludes with a section on strategies by Martin Robinson. Robinson beings by posing questions for readers concerning their own churches such as: “Why is this church here? What does the church want to accomplish for the community? What should the churches mission statement be?” Robinson encourages leaders to: “Set goals that are relevant, measurable, achievable, significant and personal. List honestly the strengths and weaknesses of the church. Pray. No church can ever be a healthy church without a deep prayer life.”

Celebrating the Small Church contains a veritable mine of helpful information designed to encourage churches in their mission as churches and to be more effective stewards of their resources. The book does present a strong challenge for churches to always be on the lookout for new avenues of service and outreach rather than be content with the status quo. There is also some excellent encouragement for pastors of small churches and a helpful section on giving. The authors have graciously, with humour and careful use of Scripture provided us with a good deal of wisdom gained from years of experience in the 224 pages of Celebrating the Small Church, published in 1993 by Monarch Publications in conjunction with the British and Foreign Bible Society.

Hans Vaatstra

Pastor of a small church in Wanganui