Benefits Of A Small Church

By bro Jose Cardoza

My devotion topic, Benefits of a Small Church, was shared a couple of weeks ago at the Young Adults Fellowship. I think this topic is very relevant to us, given that this is a newly set-up congregation which consists of about 30 members.

There are three benefits of being in a small congregation. They are: 1. Opportunity to Love (Stronger bonds and sense of family) 2. Opportunity to serve (In church) 3. Opportunity to grow (Spiritually and in size)

1st benefit - Opportunity to Love Being in a small congregation has in a good way compelled me to mingle with church members. I believe fellowship with one another will help us love our brothers and sisters in Christ as we ought to do. We see in John 13:34-35:

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

I find this verse very applicable because it reminds me that if I cannot even love my brothers and sisters in Christ, how can we love those who are outside the family of God and how can others know that we are Christians if there is no love?

I’m very encouraged by the love and concern that ECOC members have shown to one another. For instance, once a month, the sisters take the time and efforts to prepare agape lunch for the church. As brethren in the same family and children of the same heavenly Father, we should all be united, praying one for another, bearing one another's burdens, forbearing and forgiving one another, admonishing each other, and building up one another in faith and holiness. It is definitely much easier to do this in a small church than a larger one.

2nd Benefit - Opportunity to Serve One of the main reasons for me to move to the new church was so that I could force myself to step up. In a small church like ours, I’m forced to step up and serve (no choice). I believe this is a small but good first step for me since I need to get more involved in serving because there are quite a lot of things to do and roles to serve in. We cannot just rely on a few of the church members to do everything. We can see in Ephesians 2:10,

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

God created each and every one of us with different talents, personalities and skills so that we would be able to make an impact for his kingdom. And some of the opportunities to serve include: bible class teachers, greeters, announcers, prayer leaders, etc. Let us tap on our strengths for the Lord and even if we are not strong in an area, do our very best to support one another.

3rd Benefit – Opportunity to Grow Winning Souls for God can be accomplished even if we are a small group. In fact, I believe the benefit of us being a small group now is that visitors feel more comfortable when they come for the first time because of the familial environment here. In John 15:1-2, it reads

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

This reminds me that we always need to be growing and to be active so that we will not be the branches that do not bear fruits and we will pleasing unto God. And at Eastside, we have PLENTY of opportunities to be involved and to be active in the Lord’s work.

In conclusion, as we are a small congregation, we need to capitalise on these benefits. Stay focused on our strengths, which will lead to growth, and if we do not, we will stagnate. However, with God on our side, even if we are a small congregation, we can accomplish anything.