Tag: small church

  • Letter #39 (Treasure–2)

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         There is a financial “rule of thumb” that deals with living within your means and has been around for a long time.  It states that finances should be arranged in a 10-10-80 ratio.  The idea is that, when it comes to budgeting and managing your treasure (money and other resources), you should give ten percent away (that’s your tithe), save ten percent and live from the remaining eighty percent.

         I understand that in today’s economic environment this rule sounds unreasonable, if not entirely outlandish.  The numbers don’t immediately seem to add up, considering existing incomes.  If a household makes $800 per week, that would mean tithing $80, saving $80 and living on the remaining $640.  If that system is followed for four weeks, you would have given $320 to God’s work, set aside $320 in savings/CD’s/IRA’s etc., and used $2,560 for living expenses.

         Here’s where your use of money is affected by your priorities.  If you will make a list of everything you spend your money on during the four weeks, you will see where it’s going and what you consider important. 

         Consider this example:  Housing/Utilities–$1,000; Vehicles–$750; Groceries–$600.  We’re up to $2,350.  You now have $210 for incidental expenses for the month.  This is a very simple budget, but I feel you get the idea.  That $210 will always be spent on your priorities.

         I remember when Kathy and I were first married.  We both came from working class families that had only one income coming into the household.  We had seen our families live modestly, because they had to do that.  We had realized our families had sacrificed taking care of some of their own needs in order for us to have a “better life.”  That realization became a foundation for our own lives.

         I remember eating out once a month, if that often, while I was working my way through college.  I remember that when Kathy and I married, we had a little over $25 in the bank, and most of that was spent on a dress she could wear as a bride and then wear to work the next week.  I remember the first time I made up my mind that we would tithe and then when we began automatically saving some of my paycheck for a rainy day, and both decisions were made with a degree of doubt that it would work out.

         I remember doing without luxuries.  I remember not buying new cars or trucks—ever.  (We’ve been married almost 52 years, and we have never purchased a brand-new vehicle.)  I remember having one nice suit of clothes for special occasions.  The rest of my closet was for work.  The old work clothes became my “grimy jobs” clothes.

         I understand having to do without.  I understand how there can be more month than money.  I understand working two jobs to pay the bills.  However, that lifestyle in our early years–all the tithing, all the saving, all the doing-without–has paid us dividends that I cannot completely describe except to say God made a way and has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams.  That lifestyle required some sacrifice on our part, sometimes serious sacrifice, but it has paid off in the long run, and, again, I give God the glory for His faithfulness over our years together.

        I challenge you to list all your monthly income and determine how much should be the tithe, how much should be placed into a savings account of some sort and how much you have left.  Then I challenge you to write out your expenses—every single thing you buy on a monthly basis, from your phone to your usual snacks.  Total it all up.  Now subtract the expenses from the 80% of your income.

         Do you have any money left from the 80%?  If you don’t, if you’re sitting with a negative balance, you are spending more than you are making.  If that’s the case, it’s time to take a serious look at your priorities.  Ask yourself what you can reduce or eliminate.  If you decide to reduce something, please do not make that something your tithe.  (Reduce your savings, if absolutely necessary, instead of reducing your tithe.) 

         If you cannot see how you can possibly live within your income, you need to seek counsel from a Christian financial professional.  The road out of financial bondage, debt and continual frustration may be long and require much self-discipline, but it will be worth it.  Your treasure can be a blessing, not a burden, but it will take submitting your lifestyle to God and allowing Him to work in you, for you and through you.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor 

  • Letter #38 (Treasure–1)

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         Matthew 6:21 and Luke 12:34 state, “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”  Notice that the statement indicates your heart goes where you put your treasure.  In other words, where you invest your finances or other resources will reveal your priorities.

         If you will look at your banking app or your check register or whatever else you use to keep track of how you spend your money, you will see fairly quickly what you consider to be the important things of life. 

         We all know we have basic needs that have to be met—food, shelter, clothing and other needs essential to our existence.  Those are given expenses.  However, if you will look past those items to your expenditures other than those survival needs, you can see where you are prioritizing your spending.  Identify those things.  Then write them down somewhere and take a close look at the list.  These are your priorities.

         Now ask yourself a few questions:  How many of these things are luxuries instead of necessities?  Which items are purchased so I can keep up the appearance of success?  How many duplicates are there that are not essential to my existence?  Am I investing money in things that are satisfying desires and not needs?  How many of these items can I live without? 

         Two final questions:  Can I shift expenditures so I am benefitting others instead of myself?  How can I better use my money to benefit the Kingdom of God?

         If you can honestly answer these questions and make some decisions about how you are investing your money, you will be on track to using your money more efficiently and for better results, not just for yourself, but for the cause of Christ, too.

         Now, allow me to approach one of the controversial topics about money—tithing and free-will offerings.  Are you tithing and generous in your offerings?  If yes, great.  Keep doing that.  If not, start.  There is a definite spiritual principle involved in tithing and giving offerings.  You are demonstrating faith in God’s ability to help you survive on 90% or even less, depending on your offerings.  Remember all your blessings originate in God and His bountiful supply to His children.  The 100% came from Him.  It’s His anyway.  And God looks for our obedience in this area of using our money.  (Remember Malachi’s statements to Israel?)

         If your mind and bank account scream that you can’t make it on less than 100%, don’t listen to them.  If you honestly answer the questions about your spending from above, you should see areas in which you are spending money that does not just need to be spent.  There is a possibility that money should be your tithes and offerings.

         Allow a few examples, if you will.  How many times a week are you eating out instead of cooking at home?  Is lunch in a restaurant or out of a packed lunch from home?  Is the coffee shop one of your stops on the way to work, or are you bringing a thermos with a beverage you brewed for much less money?  How many full outfits of clothes are in your closet?  How often do you change vehicles and start financing all over again?  When was the last time you fixed something, instead of replacing it?  Do I need to continue?

         Please notice something about giving into God’s work—this will require obedience and self-discipline on your part.  It will require you to submit your desires and wants to God, as much as your needs, and to ask Him to show you how you can fulfill His will when it comes to your finances.  Please, please, work out your own giving through His guidance, and avoid the temptation to compare your giving to what others give.  The amount is not the critical aspect here.  The obedience is the important thing.  Obedience to God in giving will be rewarded.  It might not come this week or next month, but the reward will come.  God always honors diligent, persistent obedience to His spiritual principles.

         Another thought on this topic—be sure your people see you put your tithes into the offering plate or box or whatever system you use.  If you’re using all digital offerings and tithes, tell them that you have sent yours in and they can follow suit by making a few clicks, too.  Explain to them how to use the digital giving portal.   If you expect your people to give into the work of God, you need to show you are doing that, too.

         (This is probably enough to consider for this letter.  More about treasure in the next letter.)

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #35 (Priorities)

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         Matthew 6:21 and Luke 12:34 both state, “Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also”.  It can also be said that you invest your time and your talents in those things that are important to you.  In other words, you will put your time, skills and money into those areas of life that you consider important enough to require your focus and devotion.  These areas can be referred to as your priorities.

         I don’t watch much television, but I recently happened to see part of a football game that was televised from a large outdoor stadium.  It was snowing and, based on the clothing people were wearing, quite cold.  According to an article from the New York Times from September 5, 2025, the average cost of a ticket to attend such a game is $279. 

         The typical pro game lasts about 3 hours.  That does not include driving time to and from the game or any side trips for meals or the famous tailgating parties.  Attending the game would essentially take the better part of a day and would, all incidental expenditures considered, involve a hefty empty space in each attendee’s wallet.

         Based on the money and time investments, I would venture to say that attending that game was a priority for the people sitting on those snow-covered bleachers. 

         Humor me and allow another example from a situation closer to home, so to speak.  A young couple we know came to worship complaining about not having enough money to repair their malfunctioning HVAC unit.  They talked about how their month seemed to always be more than their paychecks.  I knew the husband had a very nice newer truck, and the wife had her own vehicle, both with payments.  Then the wife said two statements that shed some light on their financial situation.  She first commented that they were going to be short on finances the whole season and did not know where they would get the money to pay all their bills.  Secondly, she revealed they would soon take a trip to a theme park that would cost them over $1,000 for a weekend stay at the park.  She had unintentionally revealed their priorities.

         Please do not misunderstand me.  There is nothing wrong with attending a sporting event or going to a theme park.  I have participated in similar activities.  However, I do understand we all will rationalize our “priorities” from time to time to make ourselves feel good about our expenditures of time, skills and money.  I’ve done that, and I dare think you may have, too.

         Here’s the rub with this priority topic—when we set our priorities, what do we use to establish a standard for setting those priorities?  Where do we draw the line on using our talents?  How much is too much to spend for something not already budgeted?  What is “wasting time” as opposed to “using time wisely?”

         Our priorities will determine the paths we take in life.  When we realize this fact, we should determine if our priorities are lined up with God’s will for our lives.  We must ask ourselves if our priorities demonstrate that we are living according to God’s call to minister to others for His kingdom’s sake.  We must take a serious look at those things we consider to be most important and determine if they coincide with what God says should be most important.

         Serious stuff, right?  Absolutely!  So, where do we turn to find out what God wants us to establish as our priorities?  You know the answers—scriptures and prayer.  But how often do we not go to those sources when we promote things in our lives into the position of being priorities?  How often do we do what we want, instead of seeking God’s guidance on how important something should be in our lives?

         Please do not take this letter as a personal condemnation.  It is a challenge.  Allow me to challenge you to sit down with whatever you use to take notes and begin to list where you spend your money, how you use your skills or talents and where you invest your time.  These three indicators will show you what you consider a priority.  Once you have done the identifying, then prayerfully go to scripture and seek God’s guidance on what you need to keep on the list and what you can reduce or eliminate from the list.  Remember, your priorities will motivate you and influence what you do, where you expend your energies, and how you invest your resources.  Just be sure your priorities agree with what God wants you to consider important.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #34 (Personal Study)

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         You probably have taught or preached from 2 Timothy 2:15, that verse in which Paul admonishes Timothy to study scripture so he could confidently instruct others about their meaning.  You may have done special scripture studies with your people for years, even decades.  There’s a possibility you hold one or more Bible studies weekly with those same people.

         I have some questions for you—in all those years of preparing for Bible study with your people, how has your personal Bible study progressed?  Do you even have time set aside each day in which you are not preparing sermons or group studies?  Are you studying the scriptures for your own knowledge, your own confidence, your own understanding?

         Let’s face the reality that our responsibilities as a pastor can interfere with our own personal Bible study.  Knowing we have to be prepared to preach and teach from the pulpit/platform regularly causes us to focus on that one responsibility while neglecting our own growth sometimes.  We want to be prepared with the right message at our main worship service.  We want to make sure our people are being taught sound doctrine regularly.  Therefore, we invest a great deal of time in the preparation needed for fulfilling those responsibilities.  Sometimes, however, that great deal of time uses up so much of our time that we do not study for our own growth.

         I know the Holy Spirit teaches us and preaches to us as we prepare for the sake of others.  And that does help us grow as pastors and teachers.  But that residual learning should inspire us to conduct deeper studies into God’s word for our own sake, not just theirs.

         When was the last time you preached a message and did further personal study on the main idea of that message?  How long has it been since you read through the Bible highlighting passages that seemed to jump off the page while you read?  Have you ever realized you needed to learn more about what God says on a particular topic because that topic is directly related to your own life?  Do you even have a daily devotional time when you ready, study and meditate on God’s word?

         I’m usually awake way before sunrise.  I discovered people don’t call you that early unless there is a serious emergency to be addressed.  That means there is ample time to do Bible reading and study.  One of my Bible apps sends a daily verse that is accompanied by a brief devotion.  Another one sends a passage with a longer, more detailed devotion.  I get a short spiritual reminder from someone I met while working on an intensive Christian weekend a couple of years ago. 

         I read them all, noting their main emphasis and how it applies to my own life.  And I admit I have thought about how they connect to me and prayed after reading them as the Holy Spirit pricked my heart about something.  I need these devotions.  I need these scriptures.  I need this time alone with God for my own growth.  I have learned that when I grow personally, I’m a better disciple of Christ.  And that makes me a better husband, father, grandfather and pastor.

         You may not be awake as early as I am.  But you have just as many hours in a day as I do, and you can carve out some time for personal Bible reading and study.  Your sermon and lesson preparations are good and useful, but they do not always focus on your own life, needs, joys and trials.  I encourage you to establish a personal regular Bible study time if you don’t have one already.  Don’t put this aspect of your spiritual growth off until tomorrow.  Start today.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #32 (Unity–3)

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         The following is a list of various scriptures that deal with the topic of unity.  I encourage you to read them, including the contextual verses around them.  Unity—Ps 133:1, John 17:23, Ephesians 4:3 & 13 (NLT); Unified—Ezra 3:1, Nehemiah 8:1 (NLT); In One Accord–Acts 1:14; 2:1; 2:46; 4:24; 5:12 (NLT); (According to my concordance, there are 34 verses I did not list that come from the KJSV and the NLT that list the word unite/united.)

         In this third letter concerning unity, allow me to give you a “case study” of what can happen when unity exists from my experience as a small church pastor.  Our congregation had mentioned we should work on something to connect with the young people in our community who were related to our attenders or lived in our general area.  As we prayed and sought guidance from God on how to go about doing this, the idea of creating a safe place for young people to gather on a regular basis was brought up and discussed. 

         The discussions led to a major project that we decided to call The Landing.  The project was the creation of a large youth shelter with a platform on one end for various events, supplemented by a fire pit and sports areas.  The congregation began working on the project “in one accord.”  Through their enthusiasm, dedication and hard work that was covered in prayer, what we refer to as miracles began to occur.

         We had to clear over an acre of thick woods to create the building site.  One of our members worked for an underground utilities company.  The company donated the use of the equipment we needed to clear the woods and prepare the ground.

         The poles for the structure were donated by an individual.  We purchased the trusses, and when it came time for them to be set in place, a commercial contractor brought his crew two consecutive weekends to set them without cost to us.  (Four-man crew for 20 hours of labor) 

         The lathing for the trusses was donated by way of a developer who gave us over 120–2”x12”x14’ planks that were considered scrap concrete form boards.  A local man who owned a sawmill cut enough of the lumber to make the lathing (at no cost). 

         The structure was ready for roofing.  A large congregation in our area heard what we were doing and bought the metal for the roof.  A local resident who installs roofing came to direct and work with us to install the metal.

         It was time to build the platform.  We had enough planks left to create a 13’x40’ platform, but we needed to raise it off the ground.  I got word that a mason I know was cleaning around a house he used to store various building materials and I contacted him.  He donated 150 lightweight 8”x8”x24” blocks, which were more than enough to build the foundation for the platform.

         Some of the leftover blocks became the walls for the fire pit.

         We hired a local electrical contractor to install power so we could put up lights and outlets for night-time activities.  The power pole was donated by the same person who donated the shelter poles.

         Poles for creating a volleyball court were donated.  A moveable standard basketball goal was donated.  A set of small goals for children was donated.  A ski-ball table was donated.  A foosball table was donated.  A child sized billiard table was donated.  We bought an air-hockey table and built a sturdy ping pong table.

         This whole process took a little over 2 years of prayer, discussions, phone calls, decisions, work, scraped knuckles, sweat, hope and dependence on God to move for us, to provide for us, to keep us on track and to anoint our efforts.  God did His part for that small congregation that had to rely on Him to achieve what we were doing together, what we were united about, what we prayed about in one accord.

         Take another look at those scriptures in the beginning of this letter, especially the ones in the book of Acts.  Unity creates miracles.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #31 (Unity–2)

    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

  • Letter # 30–Unity (1)

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         Unity is an elusive characteristic that we are told to strive to achieve.  We are told it is good when brothers can dwell in unity.  We should pray for unity.  We should seek it diligently.  We should encourage it.  But just how can we do this? 

         How can we develop unity within our congregation when there are personality clashes?  How do we achieve unity when the children of our leaders argue while in Children’s Church?  How do we unite if there are differences of opinion about how to move out of our four walls and into our community?

         To be honest, as far as I can determine, there are no “one size fits all” solutions to this challenge of creating unity.  There are some actions we can take, though, which will aid in the development of unity among our members.  Allow me to address one of these actions in this letter.

         A congregation that has agreed on a common goal and a plan to achieve that goal will usually develop a spirit of unity as the members do their part in working the plan.  In order to create that goal and its plan, there must be open and honest communication about the various possible goals and ways to achieve those goals.  All ideas presented must be accepted at face value and given the opportunity to be discussed and evaluated.  (Run it up the pole, brainstorm, dump the can and see what falls out, etc.)  Again, open communication and consideration is a must at this point.

         If you can get your congregation/leaders/committee to participate in that first phase of creating a common goal and a plan to achieve that goal, the hardest hurdle to unity is being overcome, and you will begin to see progress in creating the unity needed to achieve that common goal.

         But what do you do if you can’t get them to agree on a common goal and action plan?  If that’s the case, experience says you have a spiritual problem that is going to have to be faced and defeated before unity will arise in your people.  If you realize a small faction, a larger group, or even all the people are refusing to cooperate with others, there is some deception from the devil that has taken hold of minds and has convinced them they should not or cannot cooperate with each other.

         If this occurs, you will have to deal with the situation spiritually first before anything physical can be accomplished.  You will have to fast, pray, teach Biblical doctrine, counsel, encourage, face and conquer spiritual opposition, seek the Holy Spirit’s anointing and guidance and demonstrate love to your people every chance you get as you focus their attention on Jesus.  Then do that again.  And again.  And again.

         Dale Carnegie in the 20th century and Samuel Butler much earlier in the 17th century stated that a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.  In order to change a person’s opinion, the heart (the will) must change first.  If you can do your part as pastor to open truth to the people so the Holy Spirit can change hearts that are determined not to cooperate, that is all you can do.  It is the influence of the Holy Spirit spreading the love of God into hearts that can change them.  You can’t do that. 

         You can’t force the changes needed for unity to exist.  You can provide the opportunity for the changes to occur, but you cannot decide for someone else that they will change.  You face this every time you give an altar call for people to respond to the good news about Jesus.  You can tell them about Jesus and forgiveness, but you can’t make them choose to repent and seek forgiveness.  The same thing holds true for creating unity.  You can create opportunities for unity to be developed, but you cannot develop it in a heart.  God has to do that.

         If you will persist in doing your part and rely on God to do His, then you should be able to see unity begin to develop in your congregation.  When you begin to see the cooperation and mutual love that can exist in a congregation that is unified, all those prayers and seeking God will be rewarded as God’s presence envelopes all your people do together. 

         I’ve already written enough for you to pray about for now.  Remember lasting changes will occur slowly or quickly depending on the Holy Spirit’s presence and the people’s willingness to yield to that Spirit.  (I speak from experience here.)  We’ll cover more about unity in the next letter.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #28–Heritage

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         I had occasion recently to attend a Christmas worship service in the church house where I officiated my first funeral message.  One of my uncles passed, and I was asked by the family to present his eulogy and the funeral message. 

         The building was erected in the late 1800’s.  You can see the footprints and handprints of its builders in the rough-sawn planks that cover the ceiling, walls and floor.  It was the same church house and cemetery where my maternal grandparents were laid to rest, as well as my mother and all her siblings.  Numerous cousins and extended family members either had their funerals there or had been interred in that cemetery.  You could say my family has deep roots in the place. (No pun intended.)

         Sometimes a small church pastor is sent by God to such a location as the one I just described.  As the pastor begins ministry in that congregation, the heritage of the congregation can be a blessing and a curse at the same time.  Many congregations have great histories.  Revivals of the past, record missions offerings and long-established spiritual traditions all reflect the heritages of many small congregations.  However, the memories of those past events can become a two-sided coin that impedes the progress of a congregation’s spiritual growth.  The memories can become the focus of the people, who long to see those memories come to life again.  And their focus on the past can slow their movement into the future.

         A small church pastor should tread patiently and carefully when it comes to the heritage of a congregation.  Trying to deal with any aspect of a congregation’s heritage that may be hindering their spiritual growth is tricky business that requires much prayer and discernment from God.

         The pastor should learn as much as possible about the history and traditions that exist in a congregation.  Some things will be pleasant memories that are casually discussed and some things will be so ingrained in the congregation that they are considered as absolutes to their operation and will be expected to be held in extremely high regard, almost to the point of idolatry.

          Examples: A congregation in a neighboring county accepted the use of a computer and projector for singing without much opposition because they enjoyed being able to worship without having to hold a book when they wanted to clap along with a song or raise their hands as they worshipped.   I also know of a congregation that would wait until a particular member would quietly raise a hand and start to weep before anyone else would express any reaction to an inspiring sermon.  Their comments about this included a statement that the individual knew when God’s spirit was moving and no one wanted to “get ahead of that person” during worship.

         Once the pastor has learned about the history and traditions, prayerfully consider what has been learned to determine if anything is standing in the way of the congregation getting closer to following Jesus.  If there is anything, then slowly, graciously and lovingly broach the subject after asking the leadership to help you pray about something.  Remember to bathe every decision in prayer, seeking the guidance and timing of the Holy Spirit when dealing with anything such as this.  As with any change, speak to your leadership before speaking to the general congregation.  Be sure the leaders are willing to make any adaption to a tradition.

         Keep in mind that those folks who are the backbone of the congregation have much time, money and effort in the history of the congregation.  They are the ones who probably did the cooking, painting, sweeping, repairing, singing, praying and witnessing that were integral parts of any heritage they have.  And if they were not the ones, their parents and grandparents were.  They have family ties to their past, in all likelihood.  Remember how thick blood is.

         Those parts of the heritage that are blessings and points of encouragement should be celebrated when the occasion arises.  You might remind the current members how their ancestors would pray earnestly for revival and encourage them to do the same.  You could point out how growth in numbers usually came after those prayers were coupled with community-wide evangelistic outreaches that they could do themselves.  Honestly admit to the people when the traditions are helpful and point out how they bring people closer to Jesus and encourage them in their faith.

         You might have a heritage, with its traditions, in your own family.  Remember how much that means to you.  A congregation feels the same way about its heritage and traditions.  The local congregation’s past can be a source of inspiration and encouragement for your people.  Seek God’s guidance and anointing as you approach the reality of having to patiently deal with the good side and the unfortunate side of any local heritage.  As I mentioned in Letter #27, remember your source, especially when you deal with a congregation’s heritage.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #25–Generosity

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         (This letter may strike a nerve or seem controversial, but I present it with all the grace and concern I can muster from my experiences.)

         According to a minister who was associated with it, there is a very small church located in our area that has a bank account totaling over $100,000 (That’s right–one hundred thousand dollars).  It has a small facility.  The congregation is quite small in number.  You might ask yourself how this could happen.  It may be that this happened because they did not share their financial blessings with anyone else over a very long period of time.  They merely banked them “in case we need the money.”

         The building is well-kept.  The grounds are neat.  They even have a newly designed sign out front.  But they are lacking something, and it reveals itself in the few cars and trucks parked on the grass when they meet.  They are so “thrifty” when it comes to spending money that, in the eyes of those who are familiar with their situation, they appear to lack generosity.

         The lack of generosity in financial matters has a way of spreading to every other area of a congregation.  Its insidious influence can be seen in the lack of outreach to a community.  It shows up in no new faces in the worship services for months, even years.  The lack of generosity is revealed in the percentage of income that is invested in local, regional, national and world missions annually.  It is evident in the lack of new salvations or re-commitments to God recorded during a calendar year.  It is demonstrated in the reality that few, if any, members of a congregation have ever shared their faith with anyone else.

         Generosity is a mind-set.  Generosity is a lifestyle.  Generosity is a valued characteristic of people who understand that blessings are designed to be shared, not hoarded in self-interest. 

         Generosity is the opposite of a clenched fist that desperately tries to hold onto blessings in fear of losing them.  Generosity is the open hand that freely gives because it has feely received.

         Allow me to encourage you to teach about, encourage and promote generosity in your people.  As you teach, encourage and promote, remember that generosity includes more than just money.  It also includes time and talents. 

         You might want to present a series of messages that show how time, talents and finances were generously shared in the Old and New Testaments through the free-will offerings as well as through tithes, through working together to achieve common goals and through dedicated time investments that benefitted people.  Then you might highlight examples of generosity from all three areas in your locale. 

         As you lead your people, provide opportunities for people to give their time, talents and money toward missions, community outreaches, local charities or joint work projects with other congregations.  Encourage them to be generous toward others individually as they encounter needs around them.

         Set an example of generosity in your own life.  If you are giving of your own blessings toward them and others, some of them will eventually realize you are practicing what you are preaching.  Examples are great teachers.

         One of our pastorates involved a congregation that had learned the value of generosity.  One year as I looked at what we had accomplished through outreaches into the community, I realized we had invested thirty-four percent of all our income into local, state and national missions.  I know that’s not a record, but I also am keenly aware of the limited incomes of the families in that congregation.  They gave in their own need.

         During that same year, we volunteered to provide labor to rebuild a home that was terribly deteriorated for a single lady.  The rebuild took months of weekends and vacation time to accomplish.  We also fed over 300 people each month at our missions dinners.  That congregation had invested themselves generously in the cause of the Kingdom of God by sharing the blessings God had sent to them.

         As with all aspects of ministry, developing an attitude of generosity will take some time if it does not already exist in the people.  If the attenders are already tithing, fostering generosity may be easier to accomplish.  If not, the people need to understand their responsibility to the tithe, a responsibility that reflects an understanding that God already owns all our resources and that we are simply giving back into His Kingdom work that which He can acquire in any method He chooses to use.  And tithing does involve generosity in general, in my opinion, because it involves giving from what we have into a need that should be met through the congregation.

         If you are blessed with a congregation that understands what a free-will offering of time, talents and treasure entails, you are at a definite advantage over someone who is having to start from scratch by teaching about giving in general.  Such an already generous congregation often will continue in their giving in ways that may surprise even a veteran pastor, because they are individually meeting needs that are never openly mentioned to the whole congregation.

         Example: I know of someone who often has helped older people who have trouble operating a new smart phone or a new laptop to access the internet.  (I suppose generosity can include sharing knowledge, too.)

         A final thought that may stimulate your curiosity—take a minute to search out the word “freely” in the Bible.  It can give you one starting place when it comes to promoting generosity.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #19–Work Together

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         There is a special blessing that comes to the small church pastor and its congregation when they gather to work together.  Let’s consider this blessing and some of its benefits.

         One benefit of working together is that you have the opportunity to build stronger relationships with the people present, just as when you eat together.  You know as well as I do that work does not always require such concentrated focus that people cannot talk about everyday life while working.  It’s during those times that you can learn more about your congregation, their likes and dislikes, dreams, fears, concerns and personal needs. (Sound familiar?)

         The metal roof and steeple of one of the churches I pastored had seen years of weathering which had discolored them.  We decided to gather volunteers, pressure washers and a high lift to clean the roof.  As we were working, we talked about the history of the church, who was involved in establishing the ministry in that community and how the congregation had developed over the years.  We talked about their family histories, too, and where their children had gone to school, what careers they had sought and who was still living in the area.  We talked about why someone had missed the work day because of illness in his family.  We talked and we learned a great deal about each other that day, and that knowledge helped solidify our relationships.

         Another benefit of working together is you discover people’s strengths and weaknesses.  You discover what they do well and areas in which they can be helped to improve.  You might even discover your own strengths and weaknesses and how you can improve your own abilities.  Always remember that working with others might just give you new information about how to achieve something that you did not know how to do before learning that information.  And you can share things you know with others who may not know those beneficial bits of information yet.  Essentially, you have the opportunity to learn from your congregation, and they can learn from you.

         At one of the churches I pastored, the floor in part of the building was sagging because of previous damage from termites.  I asked for volunteers to help bolster the underpinning of the frame building.  As we were setting up our equipment and began to place supports and new lumber under the floor, I discovered that one of the men who was helping had worked for a company that set up mobile homes.  He had done exactly what we were attempting to do numerous times and knew every step involved in securing a sound foundation for the building.  That knowledge came in handy that day.

         In addition to these two benefits, working on and completing a task together helps relationships to grow because those involved in the work have accomplished a common goal together.  Having a common goal is an important aspect of leading a congregation.  When members of a small church gather to share their skills and knowledge in order to get something done, especially if it is some outreach into the community in fulfilling the great commission, a strong bond is created among the workers.  When people plan a project together, prepare the supplies needed for the project and then go about doing the actual work to accomplish their goal, there is a sense of unity that is developed.  That unity is necessary for the congregation to develop its identity in the community it serves.

         One of our congregations decided they wanted to host a benefit dinner for a young boy who had serious medical needs.  They wanted to reach out to that family to simply help with their financial struggles while making numerous trips to specialists, some of which were not very close to their home.  The small congregation enlisted family members and friends to help.  They planned the meal, collected the necessary food items, advertised the benefit well and gathered on the appointed day to work and help that family. 

         The benefit meal was a huge success and provided a larger donation to the family than expected.  Everyone was tired at the end of the day and the kitchen and fellowship hall needed a thorough cleaning, but they had achieved something together that had been a much-needed blessing to the family of the sick child.  The sense of accomplishment pulled that congregation together and solidified their commitment to helping their community whenever they could.

         The key to the idea of working together is the “together” part.  Whether you are cleaning a roof, repairing a floor or cooking a meal, working alongside others in the important part.  Resist the temptation to include the same few people all the time.  Include as many as possible from the congregation.  But don’t stop there.  Encourage the congregation to invite their family members, friends, colleagues at work, neighbors…anyone else available…to come along and join in the project.  Expand your circles of influence and include new people every time you get the chance to do so.  Bring together as many as possible to get the job done, whether it’s physical work, like cleaning, repairing or cooking, or spiritual work, like praying for community needs.

         Here’s a final thought.  Ever since God created Eve to help Adam and complete him as his wife, there have been people working together to accomplish goals.  Families, neighborhoods, communities, clubs, sports teams, businesses and, yes, small church congregations all rely on the “together” principle for success.  The one who puts the people together will discover there are many more benefits to working together than I have mentioned in this letter.  So, get some folks together and go to work.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor