Overview
Small churches are the norm in America: 90 percent of churches see fewer than 200 people in regular weekly attendance. In this revised and expanded edition, Brandon O'Brien helps readers understand that a smaller church is sometimes more strategic than a larger one.
O'Brien explains that the smaller church is not a problem to solve or a liability to neutralize but a strategic advantage that can be leveraged for effective ministry in a variety of contexts. He also illustrates the strengths of small congregations with case studies. Today's congregants want services that are local, personal, and intimate. Small churches provide space to nurture close relationships across age and lifestyle barriers, and they facilitate a higher level of commitment from laypeople. O'Brien shows how small churches can take full advantage of their size and analyzes how other churches can learn from their strategies.
This new edition contains 20 percent new material and incorporates insights from the author's refined thinking on local church ministry after almost two decades in service to pastors worldwide. It will be invaluable for students and will help small-church pastors and leaders play to their strengths. Discussion questions for pastors are included.
O'Brien explains that the smaller church is not a problem to solve or a liability to neutralize but a strategic advantage that can be leveraged for effective ministry in a variety of contexts. He also illustrates the strengths of small congregations with case studies. Today's congregants want services that are local, personal, and intimate. Small churches provide space to nurture close relationships across age and lifestyle barriers, and they facilitate a higher level of commitment from laypeople. O'Brien shows how small churches can take full advantage of their size and analyzes how other churches can learn from their strategies.
This new edition contains 20 percent new material and incorporates insights from the author's refined thinking on local church ministry after almost two decades in service to pastors worldwide. It will be invaluable for students and will help small-church pastors and leaders play to their strengths. Discussion questions for pastors are included.
Table of Contents
Defining the Strategically Small Church
1. See for Yourself: Reimagining Ministry Success
2. The Future Is Small: Four Ministries Shrink for the Kingdom's Sake
3. All Church Is Local: The Authentic Church
4. Keeping It Lean: The Nimble Church
5. The Work of the People: The Empowering Church
6. New Focus on the Family: The Intergenerational Church
7. A Sacrifice of Praise: The Worshiping Church
8. Catch the Vision
1. See for Yourself: Reimagining Ministry Success
2. The Future Is Small: Four Ministries Shrink for the Kingdom's Sake
3. All Church Is Local: The Authentic Church
4. Keeping It Lean: The Nimble Church
5. The Work of the People: The Empowering Church
6. New Focus on the Family: The Intergenerational Church
7. A Sacrifice of Praise: The Worshiping Church
8. Catch the Vision
Author
Brandon J. O'Brien
Brandon J. O'Brien (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is director of global thought leadership for Redeemer City to City. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including the bestselling Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes (with E. Randolph Richards), and has served as a pastor for two small congregations. O'Brien lives in Chicago, Illinois.