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Maintaining God’s Call in the Smaller Congregation
Return to "Reclaiming Your Call to the Ministry"
Thirty-six percent of Assemblies of God churches are located in communities of less than 5,000 people. Seventy-eight percent of these churches have fewer than 100 people in attendance on Sunday morning. Forty-seven percent have fewer than 50 people in their congregations. Many are in small towns and rural areas with declining populations. Thus, many ministers will never pastor a congregation of more than 100.
The call of God to such places requires ministers to be secure in His ability to accomplish through them the work to which He has called them. Paul states, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6, NIV).
Those who minister in small churches face constant pressure regarding their responsibility to lead the small church in fulfilling the Great Commission. The call to leadership encompasses the totality of the pastoral call. This high calling can be exhausting, demanding, painful, and discouraging. Yet it can also be rewarding, exciting, and it can bring joy and refreshing.
Many times the calling may seem beyond a minister’s abilities and wisdom, but Paul reminds us: "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
When your joy is gone and discouragement has set in, the following suggestions can provide encouragement and help keep you in the ministry for the long haul:
1. Spend time alone with God. At one point David was discouraged. But "David encouraged himself in the Lord his God" (1 Kings 30:6). Time spent alone in the presence of God will lift one from the depths of despair.
2. Seek out a Barnabas. A neighboring pastor, district official, or a trusted friend can often supply the necessary underpinnings for encouragement. Every David needs a Jonathan, and every Paul needs a Barnabas. Place your discouragement before a trusted friend and allow him to assist you back to a place of stability in God.
3. Be honest with yourself. Ask the hard questions and allow the Holy Spirit to direct you regarding spiritual fruit that needs cultivation and growth. Being a man or woman called by God demands change. These changes can often be painful. Through your pain, however, you can achieve a new level of spirituality and encouragement.
4. Evaluate your call. A current evaluation of your calling can be maintained through the use of the acronym SHAPE:
Spiritual GiftsI believe I have
HeartMy motivation
AbilitiesSpecial talents
PersonalityType
ExperiencesThat have brought me this far.
To be effective, pastors must develop a biblical theology of leadership. The small congregation needs the same quality of leadership as the larger church. Size is not an indicator of importance and value in the sight of God, especially when a sincere effort is made to reach people with the gospel and see them grow spiritually.
Pastoral leadership involves maintaining a vital connection with God so He can accomplish His purpose through the church and its leader. Remember:
- It is God’s work.
- It is God who calls.
- It is God who equips.
- It is God who directs.
- It is God who empowers.
- You are His servant and without Him, you can do nothing (John 15:5).
When you allow God to accomplish through you His intended purpose, you can rest assured He will finish the work. Be encouraged in the Lord and know that He is not finished. Allow God to accomplish in you all that He desires, and you will be far more than you ever expected.
—Ralph V. Adcock, D.Min., Buffalo, Oklahoma
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