Dear Small Church Pastor,
This letter is more of an announcement than it is a topical letter directed to small church pastors. The first forty-six letters were designed to encourage and motivate those individuals who lead small congregations. Beginning with Letter #48, I will address small church congregations, including their lay leaders and members at large.
It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will direct my thoughts as I attempt to encourage and challenge small church congregations in several areas that have a direct impact on the operation of a small church.
In way of introduction to Letter #48, allow me to challenge every member of a small church to do something that will be difficult to do, but will benefit their congregation immensely. I challenge you to drive onto your facility and to look at it as if you were attending a service there for the very first time. Look at the buildings and grounds. Look at the signage directing people to where things will occur during the service. Look at the foyer, the bathrooms, the overall appearance of the sanctuary and even the walls from the entrance to the back of the platform.
And pay attention to the attention given to you by people you do not know well. Notice how greetings are done. Notice who talks to whom and for how long. Notice the general attire of the attenders. Listen to the music and watch the music leader(s). Pay attention to the flow of the service, the presentation of the sermon and the responses by the attenders to how the pastor ends the service.
Take a good, long, intentional look at what goes on before, during and after the service. The title to next week’s letter to small congregations is “First Impressions.” We’ll deal with that topic after you’ve paid your “first visit” to your worship service.
Sincerely,
A Small Church Pastor