Being a mustard-seed church
"Nothing is wrong with smallness if that smallness is chock-full of faithfulness," writes Whitney Wilkinson Arreche.
America loves a supersized anything — including church. But the majority of churches in the PC(USA) are 100 members or less, and they often struggle with insecurity, comparing themselves to the membership rolls and program offerings of larger churches. The finances and numbers matter, to a point, but church vitality is more about spirit than size. In this issue of the Outlook, we explore the ways that small churches make a big difference in their communities and in the future of the PC(USA).
"Nothing is wrong with smallness if that smallness is chock-full of faithfulness," writes Whitney Wilkinson Arreche.
"This book may help congregations that are far, far away from the sale of their church property avoid this seemingly inevitable fate." — Beth Guzman
Myisha Cherry argues that it is more fruitful to view forgiveness as a journey, not a single decision, writes Paul Dornan.
Greg Garrett agrees with Baldwin on the questions that lead from bad faith to one based on wisdom and truth: “Who is God, who am I, what is sacred community, how are we supposed to live, why exercise faith?”
"While the reflection questions and content could be tailored to suit a small group, this is a particularly rich choice for individual reading for Lent this year," writes Amy Pagliarella.
The school in Mayesville, South Carolina, once had a prominent space in the community’s heart. A group of alumni are working hard to renew its mission.
We asked you to write about small, beautiful moments in 250 words or less. Here are some of our favorite submissions.
Budgets and worship numbers matter — but they are not everything, Phil Blackburn believes.
A church can be viable without a pastor, writes Catherine Neelly Burton. Once we embrace this, churches can go about their work of being Christ’s body.
In each issue of the Outlook, we include a discussion guide to further reflect on the issue. We recommend using this guide in your Bible study, small group or book club. It's our invitation into a faithful conversation.
"Church vitality is more about spirit than size, and small churches across the country often serve as hubs of connection for small towns and rural areas." — Teri McDowell Ott
The whole church is in decline, but more than 80% of Black Presbyterian churches are without installed pastors. Warren Lesane Jr., Shavon Starling-Louis, Stephen Scott and Teri McDowell Ott discuss vital Black leadership.
"The missing never ends, nor does that love that reached from my dad to me to my daughter and back," Mary Bird Lanzavecchia.
"It feels like resurrection." Small church member Beth Bradshaw reflects on the ups and downs of attending a church in a small town.
Rosalind Banbury's fifth reflection on the 2023-2024 Presbyterian Women/Horizons Bible Study.
The cost of maintaining an installed pastor with benefits is a growing concern for churches and presbyteries.
Is your church paying for something that it could get for free (or a discount)? Julie Raffety, a pastor and website developer, shares five resources every church should know about.
© Copyright 2024 The Presbyterian Outlook. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Statement. Website by Web Publisher PRO