Spring 2013
Small Church, Big Impact: Leading Your Congregation to Outsized Influence
Approximately 33 percent of Assemblies of God churches are 49 or less in attendance in public worship and almost 63 percent are 99 or less. Most of these pastors face unique struggles different from their counterparts in larger churches. They may attend church-growth seminars and come away discouraged because most of the principles they hear are geared toward larger churches. Many small-church pastors often feel disconnected from district events because they are bivocational out of necessity. But while these churches may be small, they can be healthy and have a significant impact in their communities. The spring 2013 issue of Enrichment is designed to encourage small-church pastors and also provide practical ideas for reaching their communities. Read inspiring and insightful articles by Warren Bird, Michael Clarensau, Steve Donaldson, Alton Garrison, Tim Leathers, Lori O'Dea, Steve Pike, Peter Scazzero, Eric Swanson, George O. Wood, and others.
Theme Articles
Introduction
George P. Wood
Interview — Challenges and Opportunities Facing Smaller Churches
David Campbell, Karen Rydwansky, And David Silva
Three small-church pastors share their successes and challenges.
The Healthy Church: How to Assess Your Church's Well-Being, Whatever Its Size
L. Alton Garrison
The road to church health, regardless of size, begins with asking the right questions.
A Culture of Yes: How to Lead from Your Strengths, Not Your Weaknesses
Michael Clarensau
Many pastors have confronted the limitations of their settings so often that a culture of can't cripples their thoughts. Must this be the plight of the smaller congregation?
The Start-Up Funnel: How to Use Church-Planting Insights to Expand Your Circle of Influence
Steven M. Pike
Consider this workable model that can be universally applied by any church desiring to increase its evangelistic effectiveness.
The Externally Focused Small Church: How to Move From Maintenance to Mission
Eric Swanson
You may never be the best church in the community but you can become the best church for the community. Here is how.
Small Towns … Big Possibilities: Leading Our Communities to Become a Better Place to Live
Steve Donaldson
Here are six keys that will enable your church to take a leadership role in your community.
Welcome! Seven Diverse Churches, One Inviting Atmosphere
Efraim Espinoza and Scott Temple With Scott Harrup
How seven small, ethnic churches are applying fundamental ministry principles, often on a scale belying their size, and experiencing steady growth and influence.
The Other 80 Percent: How to Recruit, Resource, and Refine Big-Impact Volunteers
Warren Bird
If smaller-church pastors are to lead their congregations into greater influence, they must think rightly in order to lead well.
No More Casualties
Lori O'Dea
Here are six effective strategies for conflict management in the small church.
Tent Making in the 21st Century: How to Turn Bivocational Challenges Into Opportunities
Tim Leathers
God is calling a new generation of ministers to take the added responsibility of bivocational ministry and turn it into opportunities to be salt and light to their communities.
Emotionally Healthy Pastoring
Pete Scazzero
Staying emotionally healthy in the ministry starts by stepping into the messy, painful truth of confronting how we are doing in three major areas of life and ministry.
Interview — Church Partnership: Models of Creativity and Synergy
Rich Guerra, Mike Quinn, and Eric Rountree
The challenges of small-church ministry sometimes force pastors to realize they need outside help. Smaller churches are partnering with larger churches in creative ways with positive results.
The Final Word
Karl Vaters
From the General Superintendent
Cultivating Faithfulness
George O. Wood
They taught him many things pertaining to life and ministry, but the most important truth his parents taught him was the real measure of success.
Column Articles
LEAD LONG…LEAD STRONG
Fast and Furious … but Still Fresh
Scott Hagan
Q&A FOR MINISTRY WIVES
Church Split
Gabriele Rienas
MANAGING THE MAYHEM OF MINISTRY
Since You Work on Sunday, When Is Your Sabbath?
Cal LeMon
MOVING LEADERS FORWARD
The Leader's Best Friend
Glenn Reynolds
DEALING WITH DOUBTERS
Did New Testament Writers Misquote the Old Testament?
Paul Copan
WELL CONNECTED
Five Habits of a Kingdom Networker
Justin Lathrop
ON PREACHING
Blockbuster Sermons
DOUG GREEN
MINISTRY & MEDICAL ETHICS
Abortion, Vaccine Production, and Moral Values
Christina M.H. Powell
In Context
Location of the Day of Pentecost
Marc Turnage
departments
- Book Reviews
- News and Resources
- With Christ
- Advertising Index
Next Time in Enrichment:
Spiritual Warfare: Proclaiming Christ's Victory Over the World, the Flesh, and the Devil in Word and Deed
The summer 2013 issue of Enrichment examines the topic of spiritual warfare. Articles outline the nature of the Christian's struggle against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and the victory over them that Jesus Christ won through His death and resurrection. Special attention is given to spiritual warfare in pastoral ministry and to worldview considerations. Read compelling essays by Paul Alexander, James Bradford, Terry Hanna, A. Elizabeth Grant, Stephen Lim, Doug Lowenberg, Greg Mundis, Gary J. Tyra, George O. Wood, and others.
