Evangelism in the Small-Membership Church
by the Rev. Steve Murray, pastor, St. Matthews United Methodist Church, Sandown, NH

Is there hope for the small-membership church in the new millennium? In our day of supersizing, mega-mergers, and multiplexes, the family chapel seems to find itself in the shadow of the program-sized or corporate-sized churches. The small-membership church simply cannot offer the diversity of program and ministry that is available in a mid-size or large-membership church. But there is one important area of church life where the small-membership church can be every bit as effective as a large church -- evangelism.

The truth is, the small-membership church can be exceptionally effective at evangelism because evangelism is relational. The evidence is clear that most people do not come to Christ through evangelistic campaigns, television ministries, or elaborate church programs. Most people who will ever come to Christ do so because someone they know and trust loved them enough to share the gospel with them. Evangelism at its best is something done one on one, person to person. And when we are sharing our faith with a friend or coworker, it doesn't matter how large a church we worship in on Sunday.

Granted, it may be on a smaller scale, but the small-membership church can be just as effective in the area of evangelism as a church of any other size. Unfortunately, in many small-membership churches, that is not the case. (For that matter, evangelism is not taking place in a lot of larger churches either). Regardless of our church size, there are steps we can take to help us in the area of evangelism. The first is to make a priority of evangelism. It ought to be a part of our vision. It ought to be encouraged from the pulpit. It ought to be celebrated when a new believer comes to Christ.

Second, we can actually teach people how to share their faith. In our church, we teach a short-term class in personal faith sharing three or four times a year. I strongly encourage all incoming new members to take this class.

Third, there needs to be some way of mentoring new believers so they will begin a process of discipleship. This is often done in a small-group setting. But if your church is unable to maintain small groups, then mentoring can be done one on one, perhaps with the person who introduced the new believers to Christ.

Finally, we must offer worship where the presence of God is truly experienced. I have genuinely experienced the presence of God in services of a dozen and in services of several thousand. It's not about size, and it's not about worship style. It is about an openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit by those who have gathered.

Yes, the small-membership church can be very effective at evangelism. But I should warn you: If you take these steps seriously, and if the people of God get excited about sharing Christ, you may not stay small for long!

The Rev. Steve Murray, pastor, St. Matthews United Methodist Church, Sandown, NH, is the author of 24 Effective Ideas for the Small-Membership Church and A Guide to the Internet for Churches and Pastors. During his pastorate, St. Matthews has grown from 50 to 200 in average worship attendance.