Welcome to the fourth article in a series designed to enhance the use of the Small Membership Church Guideline. Ideally, this Guideline will be shared among your church leaders, read, discussed together, and utilized to strengthen ministry.

Here are some added ministry suggestions to get the most out of this resource in your small membership church.

The Small Membership Church Guideline uses the metaphor of a compass to develop a sense of direction for ministry in the smaller congregation. The first compass point is C: The Christ Centered Church.

The Christ-Centered Church
Leaders who focus on a Christ-centered church (rather than being centered on the pastor, the program, or the church itself) do the following:

1. Use their spiritual imagination to discern God's will for today rather than just repeat past traditions or activities because they are familiar. To do this:

• Spend time in worship and prayer seeking clarity on the church's purpose and identity.
• Advocate discernment rather than decision-making by voting in meetings.
• Ask the consistent questions for clarification (for example, "Why is this important to us as a Christ-centered community?").
• Ask "What would God have us accomplish as a congregation in this place today?"
• Spend time listening to God and to people around you.
• What would you add? _________________________________________

2. Care about the community around the church as much as the community inside the church. To do this:

• Be present at public events and causes in your community.
• Listen to the stories of hope and hurt.
• Meet with other church leaders and share information, assets, and support.
• Work to "put a face" on community issues so people in the church can understand and respond to people's needs.
• What would you add? _________________________________________

3. Appreciate differences while dealing with change and resistance. To do this:

• Listen respectfully to what others have to say.
• Build community that invites newer members while retaining older members.
• Take change in small steps; don't rush it.
• Seek cooperation rather than conflict.
• Work with others as a valued part of your team — do not surprise people in meetings.
• Understand personalities.
• Respect people's roles in the congregation.
• Always separate the issue from the person.
• Be patient yet persistent in working toward important goals.
• What would you add?_________________________________________

4. Discover and respect the gifts of laity (and clergy) in ministry. To do this:

• Spend as much time empowering (equipping) others as doing things yourself.
• Offer encouragement and space when people try something new or different. Try not to step in and take over.
• Encourage members in your congregation to attend lay speaking schools or other training events.
• Mentor or coach others to develop their ministry gifts.
• Be clear about your own gifts and abilities. We all have limitations and expertise.
• Don't over- or under-function. Strive for balance.
• Sharpen your gifts by using them!
• Model the way — be involved.
• Be as committed as you expect others to be.
• What would you add? _________________________________________

5. Create and practice learning communities that grow in knowledge and grace. To do this:

• Invite others to your home for a book study or conversation.
• Participate in Bible studies like DISCIPLE and see they are offered.
• Attend small group studies with people in other churches or organizations that focus on the community.
• Work for peace and justice.
• Practice traditions and rituals. Remember they can provide a powerful framework for learning.
• Take care of yourself.
• What would you add? _________________________________________

6. Look at what's working and celebrate it. Renew or revise what can be improved! To do this:

• Before the next year begins, find a way to evaluate what worked the previous year.
• Each month, celebrate a person, ministry, or event.
• Find a way to mention the ministry of the church and the difference it makes in people's lives. Consider utilizing the sermon, Sunday school lesson, newsletter articles, or even sending a note of thanks.
• What would you add? _________________________________________

7. Commit resources for ministry and not mere maintenance. To do this:

• Study your church budget. Where does the money go? What part goes for making disciples?
• Challenge the agenda order of "old business" and "finance" before "ministry planning" in the agenda.
• Find a way to listen to the fears of people and their passions.
• Develop allies in ministry.
• What would you add? _________________________________________

Questions for Discussion and Activities

• How would you describe your congregation to a newcomer? (Its beginning, passionate purpose, hopes, and stories that invite?)
• What do you believe God is calling your congregation to be today? (Is it similar to who you are now or closer to your beginning? Why do you think this is so?)
• What Bible passage or story best describes your congregation right now? What does your selection say about the challenges or opportunities you face?
• There are two ways to look at time: chronos (chronology of time) and kyros (God's time). Prepare a timeline of your congregation using both ways of telling time. Simply take a long piece of white banner paper and place it horizontally on a wall or table. Draw a line lengthwise from left to right. Starting at the left, mark the beginning year of the church and place a short line at the decades moving right. Below the line, record the significant chronos events in the life of the church (such as facilities built, events started, classes begun). Above the line record the special kyros moments in the church where looking back you see God's activity (in baptisms, person joined church, community thanksgiving, sacred moments).
• Reflect on the life of the congregation. Write a litany of thanksgiving (or, if appropriate, a confession) for the life of the congregation, its leaders and its ministry. Plan to use it in worship soon.

Thank you for visiting our website and for giving us the opportunity to serve you.

Julia K. Wallace is former Director of Small Membership Church and Shared Ministries at the General Board of Discipleship.

Diana L. Hynson, editor of this series of articles, is Director of Learning and Teaching Ministries at the General Board of Discipleship.

Copyright © 2004 The General Board of Discipleship. Permission is granted for use in local church training or study groups. No portion of this article may be reprinted or republished in any form for any other reason without written consent.

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