Dear Small Church Pastor,
In the last letter I discussed one of the challenges that will need to be overcome in order for a congregation to become cohesive. Allow me to invest this letter in presenting a technique I found useful more than once in my ministry. That technique involves focusing on identifying everything possible that the members of a congregation have in common.
Despite their differences, such as spiritual gifts, occupations or food preferences, most congregants have many similarities. Diligently seek those similarities.
Most people who attend a worship service enjoy music, regardless of the style. Talk to them about what types of music they enjoy and incorporate these into your music. Most of them do want to experience the presence of God individually and corporately. Ask them how they have experienced God’s presence in the past and give opportunity for the Holy Spirit to move in them while they worship. Most want the pastor to help them walk closer to Jesus. Find out what types of teachings and sermons they feel will help them to be more like Jesus and be diverse and creative in how you minister the Word of God to them. You should be able to find agreement among them when identifying and celebrating these commonalities in worship. Start with these if you need to as you seek to discover other ways your attenders are already alike.
Remember that your attenders are people. They will not only experience things together dealing with spiritual topics. They also experience life in the physical, mental and emotional realms. Look for similarities there, too.
What types of occupations do they have? What are their hobbies? Where do they go for recreation? Which restaurant is their first choice when they go out to eat? If they have children or grandchildren, where do they attend school? In which extra-curricular activities do the younger family members participate? Do they enjoy reading novels or watching movies? Are they involved in community affairs? What’s their favorite sports team, if they are interested in sports?
Finding similarities on which to focus as you seek to develop strong unity in your congregation will give you information that should help guide your efforts. There will always be differences of opinion in any congregation. However, if you can show people how they are more alike than different, your goal of unity will not be as distant as you might think. When people realize they do have things in common with those who may differ with their opinion, you can use that realization to foster unity.
An example from my own life: While growing up, I attended a small country church house that was populated with folks from several denominations. The attenders knew they did not agree on every single doctrinal point in Christianity. But they had come to a conclusion which, as best as I can determine, is still in force today in that congregation. They have agreed to disagree without allowing animosity to develop.
When they disagree on something, they communicate their opinions, they choose to make compromises when possible, they vote or seek consensus, and then they move on as a congregation. If they vote on some issue, they all choose to back the results of the vote. They have chosen to maintain their unity by loving each other.
Continue praying. Continue seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit. Continue teaching about unity that is powered by the love of God. Continue encouraging unity in your people. Unity is achievable.
Sincerely,
A Small Church Pastor