I’ve grown up attending the same church all my life. At this point in time, I’d call it a small church. It wasn’t always that way. Growing up, my church seemed huge! Both the building itself and the number of people there. The great thing about it though, is that it always has felt like home. As a kid, I knew everyone and they were my family no matter how many attended there. Everyone who came through the doors was family! I remember the kids I grew up in church with and we varied in ages. I can’t really remember but a couple that were actually my age. There were kids older than me and younger, but that didn’t matter because we were all friends. It’s comforting to me, now as a Sunday School teacher in that church, to look at my class and see the same thing. There’s a small, tightknit group of kids that vary greatly in age, but love each other tremendously.
Now as an adult, I sit in the pew every Sunday and am reminded of so many who have gone before me. I still see the seasoned faces of those who have watched me grow over the years and I look to as beacons of steadfast faith. I see new friends or individuals who know they are welcome and who I already consider family. The church has changed in many ways over the years and while some changes have challenged me or others attending, many changes have promoted great growth and discipleship.
In this small church, the pews aren’t packed end to end anymore. The offering plates aren’t overflowing. There are some weeks the nursery is empty. There are other weeks when the children’s classes have more teachers than kids. But all that to say…. It’s ok. It’s ok to be part of a small church. There may not be an overabundance of bells and whistles. There may not be a full class for kids to be a part of. There may be times where simplifying is needed due to less attendance. And… it’s ok.
It’s ok because what you will find in that small church is a group of individuals who are so deeply committed to each other, it’s almost impossible to separate them. You will find the most faithful believers you have ever met who will not only welcome you with open arms, but will make sure you are being discipled and growing in your faith. You will find parents who know their kids might be the only one in Sunday School that week, but are ok with it, because they are still going to be taught the love of Christ, even if they are the only one there. You will find teachers of all ages who love Jesus and love teaching the Word of God regardless of how many are in the class. You will find elderly people who love life and love investing in younger generations. You will find amazing opportunities to lock arms, dig in your heels, and crawl through the trenches with one another through some of the hardest seasons of life. And those people in that small church will be with you every step of the way.
A small church may not have ‘all the things’ to offer, but what they do have is so much more. A small church is your village, your tribe, your family and I am so thankful for mine.
~Joanne Flaker