If you’re reading this, there’s a 92% chance you’re a church leader in a church that sees 250 or fewer people attend your church on a typical Sunday morning.
In fact, the small church has become more normative than ever for America and much of the world. According to LifeWay research, here’s the new normal in US church attendance.
- < 50: 31%
- 51 – 99: 37%
- 100 – 249: 24%
- 250+: 8%
While it’s clear that large churches and megachurches receive the lion’s share of news headlines and social media traction, they represent less than 1% of all US churches.
Despite what many assume, this 2020 report outlines that megachurches are growing in number and appear to be producing meaningful life-change and spiritual vitality.
But the vast majority of churches are, well, smaller.
As deconstruction and the religious nones rise to prominence in the ever-changing religious landscape in America, small churches can be left spinning and wondering what they can do to reach the people they’re hoping to reach.
So here’s the question:
In light of the resources and attention that megachurches get, what can a small church do to gain traction in a culture that’s changing faster than ever?
Here are three unique advantages that small churches have regardless of budget or size.
1. Community (Over Content)
Often, large churches grow because of the strong preaching and communication gifts (like being able to craft killer bottom lines) of the Lead Pastor and an incredible communications team working behind the scenes.
While many gifted preachers lead small churches, it’s too easy to think one of two things if you lead a small church.
First, you may be tempted to think that you have to ‘compete’ with large churches in terms of your marketing and sermon approach.
Second, you can be tempted to throw in the towel because you think you just can’t compete.
Neither is helpful.
A better approach is to preach as well as you can and not worry at all about comparing yourself to other churches.
My program, The Art of Preaching, will teach you a proven method for writing and delivering clear, engaging, and memorable sermons. Transform your preaching starting this week.
The advantage small churches have over large churches is it’s easier to cultivate a healthy culture and community.
Large churches have to work hard at cultivating community. Sometimes, they do it well, but sometimes, it can feel more like a random assembly of individuals who don’t know each other.
Small churches have a unique opportunity to cultivate a sense of community and belonging both in the service and throughout the week.
When I started in ministry in the 1990s, content was scarce (the internet didn’t exist as it does today), but community was plentiful.
Today, in a world drowning in TikToks, Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TED Talks, content is everywhere, but community is scarce.
Loneliness and isolation are now designated as an epidemic in the United States.
So please… deliver great sermons and preach the Word authentically and passionately. But instead of trying to ‘win’ at content, focus meaningful energy on community and connection.
In an age where loneliness and isolation are impacting so many people, nobody should be able to out-community the local church.
2. Authenticity (Over Expensive Technology)
It can be hard leading a small church with a tiny budget (I’ve done it), realizing you can’t afford the big tech or ‘experience’ that other churches offer.
Especially with almost every church these days having an online presence (which we support), it’s also easy to think that you have to have more money and better gear to have a bigger impact.
Not really.
If you track what’s happening with younger Millennials and Gen Z, you’ll quickly notice that they are the most sold-to and marketed-to generation in history.
While they’re used to that level of marketing and 24/7 messaging, they’re also looking for an alternative to the culture, not an echo of it.
At the heart of that longing is a desire for authenticity.
Perhaps more than anything else, pastors of small local churches have the opportunity to preach and interact with people in a genuine, real way.
As Craig Groeschel often says, people would rather follow a leader who’s always real than a leader who’s always right.
Authenticity will never show up in a church budget, nor can you ‘strategize’ for it. It springs from character and a genuine desire to serve.
Authenticity should be a characteristic of every church leader (no matter what size of church), and it is definitely a hallmark that can characterize every small church pastor and leader.
3. Being Locally Respected (Over Being Nationally-Known)
For any leader, especially young church leaders who grew up on social media, it can be tempting to want to establish a wider reputation and be ‘known’ for your ministry.
Every church has a reputation, and the smaller your community, the more likely your church has a well-known reputation among people who live in your community.
It could range from ‘wonderful’ to ‘judgmental’ to ‘compassionate’ or ‘caring.’ It could also be that people have grown indifferent to your church, thinking of it as a club for the already-convinced.
As Jeff Henderson notes, though, too often, churches today are known more for what they’re against than for what they’re for.
Fortunately, it’s relatively easy for small churches to become known for doing good in your community because news travels fast, especially in a smaller community or neighborhood.
There are countless inspiring stories of local schools serving their communities with practical aid for schools, shelter for the unhoused, food for the hungry, and a desire to help their towns and municipalities thrive.
The impact is not just reputational but economically meaningful to communities, as more and more cities are realizing the ‘halo effect’ (the socio-economic benefit that churches contribute to their community) from churches is real.
A study showed that the halo effect of even very small churches can be highly significant.
For example, one church with an attendance of 25 people generated a $1.2 million impact on its community by providing an after-school program, outreach to youth, and food for the community,
The unique advantage local churches have is just that: you’re local.
A Final Word About Megachurches and Small Churches
A final truth about megachurches is that while many have national and international audiences, they’re probably not coming to your town.
Even when a megachurch locates in a new city, the goal is to complement (not compete with) other local churches.
Most megachurch pastors I know (and I know quite a few) would be the first to acknowledge that it takes dozens and, in some cases, hundreds of local churches in a town or city to impact the community fully for the Gospel.
Here’s the bottom line: Whether you have a megachurch location in your town or not (and 99% of you reading this probably don’t), nobody should be able to out-local the local church.
The future is bright for small local churches with a heart to serve God and reach their communities.
In a rapidly changing culture, the gifts you offer as a smaller church may be exactly what your community needs.
