Peace be with You–Growth in a Small Congregation

The congregation Jeff and I serve is small–most of you know that already. In a ministry career of more than 28 years, one of my husband’s greatest gifts has been his ability to work with what God is doing and help churches grow. He loves people, and he loves helping them reach their faith potential within an active congregation. He’s also a marvelous preacher. So when he heard the attendance at Peace Lutheran was averaging between 7-10 people before we came, it didn’t worry him particularly (and still doesn’t). He wanted to devote his last call to a church that might find it difficult to get a good pastor, so that’s what he’s done. And the numbers have been creeping up, little by little. At a recent council meeting, for instance, members were thrilled by the average attendance for July. At fourteen people, it was the best July attendance the congregation has ever had! During the school year, when all of the vacations are over, we average in the high twenties these days. One Sunday, we reached the heady number of thirty-two worshippers. Woo-hoo!

But unlike other places we’ve served, the climb in numbers has been very gradual indeed. Yesterday, talking with some guests who came for lunch, we started thinking aloud about the human reasons for the slow growth in this town of 5000+ people.

“To begin with,” Jeff explained, “Half of the town belongs to the LDS church. That brings the pool of potential members down to around 2500. Of those that remain, approximately half belong to the Catholic parish. Each Protestant church–and there are half a dozen besides ours–takes some of the others. We have to work with what’s left. But that isn’t always easy either…”

Our guests began to look worried.

“You see, in a small town like this, people may already be connected to a church in their own minds, even if they don’t attend it regularly. They may never darken the doors or drop a dollar in the offering plate, but they know where their funeral will take place and where their grandchildren will be married. They consider themselves members, and they are not looking for a new church home.”  

Even I was getting depressed at those numbers. But was Jeff? Not at all.

“People will come, eventually. We’re doing everything right for growth, and we believe God called us here for a purpose of His   own.Our members are very committed. It’ll work out.”

This morning, after our walk, I was outside watering the garden, and I realized that I believe him. Because numbers aren’t everything. Tonight we’ll have half a dozen folks at Bible Study, and they’ll all participate. Jeff’s one confirmation student is thriving with all the attention he receives. A couple of weeks ago, our musician son visited, practiced with our wonderful accompaniest, and they produced some world-class music. Jeff’s preaching series on the 10 Commandments has inspired lots of talk and lots of thought about those ancient–and contemporary–rules of the faith. Things are going well here, and word gets around. Jeff’s firm belief that God has His purposes for our congregation is based on faith at this point, not sight. Not crowded seats. Not high numbers. Just faith in the dependability of God and His promises.

Pray for us, when you think of it. Come and visit when you are in the area (and bring friends)! Come and see what God is doing here. It’s a great garden for the growth of faith.