Church Leadership Strategies, Small Churches

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Temporary link for the Harding Lecture handout – York, Energize Workshop, Small Churches 2024

LEADING THE SMALL CHURCH

Part of the ministry resources on Church Leadership and Renewal

Small churches are unique, presenting special challenges to leaders. Since the vast majority of churches are small, good materials are needed to affirm the strengths and embrace the opportunities of these contexts. The ministry resources below may help. Each is categorized under specific issues. Remember to see the bottom of the page for a list of related ministry resources.

Top Resources on Small Churches

Perspectives on the Small Church

Building Small Church Morale

Intentional Growth and Development of the Small Church

Special Concerns in Small Church Ministry


Top Resources on Small Churches

First, consult Karl Vaters excellent resources for small church ministry, including several books, a podcast, and an active web community.

Second, given the somewhat inherent intergenerational nature of small churches, consult good resources on how to be more intentional on that front. The two top resources are by Holly Catterton Allen, Intergenerational Christian Formation: Bringing the Whole Church Together in Ministry, Community, and Worship (IVP Academic, 2023), and Forming Resilient Children: The Role of Spiritual Formation in Healthy Development (IVP Academic, 2021).

Third, for a disciple-making strategy that has achieved good traction in small churches, see Bobby Harrington, Carl Williamson, and Alicia Williamson, Trust and Follow Jesus: Conversations to Fuel Discipleship (Renew.org, 2023).

Fourth, scroll to the section below on “Intentional Growth and Development of the Small Church.” Emphasize David Ray, Kennon Callahan, and Anthony Pappas. Ray is like an encyclopedia on small church, Callahan gives the best articulation of the principle of doing one or a few things very well, and Pappas’ concept of small church as “folk society” is a game-changer.


Perspectives on the Small Church

Building Small Church Morale

First Read:

Other Helpful Resources:

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Intentional Growth and Development of the Small Church

First Reads:

Other Helpful Resources:

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Special Concerns in Small Church Ministry

Administration in the Small Church:

Bi-Vocational Ministry:

Children and Youth Ministry in the Small Church:

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Christian Education in the Small Church:

Equipping Members for Ministry in the Small Church:

Encouragement for Small Church Ministers:

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Evangelism in the Small Church:

Giving and Stewardship in the Small Church:

Leadership Development in the Small Church:

Mission in the Small Church:

Pastoral Care in the Small Church:

Rural and Small Town Ministry Settings:

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Size Transitions in the Small Church (See separate page on Size Transitions):

Spiritual Formation in the Small Church:

Worship in the Small Church:

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Related Ministry Resources

See Other Resources on Church Leadership and Renewal:

Ministry Resources on Related Areas

See Resources on Over 100 Areas of Christian Ministry:

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