Why won’t young pastors consider small churches?

Recently I wrote this blog post detailing the issues I take with churches shunning young guys from entering ministry until they are seasoned. We received a ton of great feedback on that post. Many issues and scenarios were suggested to help young guys. One point was made that I took note of: Too often young guys won’t consider starting out at a small church. I don’t remember which comment mentioned it first on Facebook, but I find their point quite valid. In response, I intend to outline 3 reasons every young pastor should consider a small church.

1. Small church ministry will allow you to make mistakes on a smaller scale.

I hate baseball for one reason: striking out. Could there be a more humiliating experience?! I hated striking out in practice, but I still cringe at the thought of whiffing three times in front of fans. It’s devastating. Mind you, I’m stalking about my T-ball career right now! I still hate making a fool of myself. Let me lay some knowledge on you preacher boy. You will screw up… a lot. A small church will afford you a smaller crowd to observe these gross mistakes you are determined to make. In all seriousness, small church ministry allows you to see how destructive, misled, or even dangerous some ideas can be without harming hundreds of people in the process.

2. Small church ministry will force you to gauge success by people, not numbers.

It’s tough, but we have to realize that numbers aren’t everything. Most of us live in a culture that lives and dies by the numbers. Small church ministry will allow you to see the faces behind the numbers. You’ll have more opportunities for close fellowship with the flock. This affords you a great deal of insight into their personal growth and maturity. Pastoring hundreds is enticing, but you only get one side of the story if all you ever experience is large crowds. Most large churches are trying their best to stay small: small groups, extension sites, campuses, etc. This is effective because people need personal relationships. Small church ministry allows you to have close-knit relationships with most if not all of your flock.

3.  Small church ministry will encourage you to grow in many areas you may not have considered.

I can see it now. I’m in my huge office full of books. I have some light music playing. My coffee is just right. I’m studying for Sunday’s sermon. I have 3 days devoted to digging out the truths in God’s Word. What a dream! Here’s the problem with that daydream. In that perfect world, you are never stretched or tested. In a small church you will have to learn how to print a bulletin, run the soundboard, design a website, lead the youth ministry, pay the bills, order the letterhead, and anything else behind the scenes that needs fixing. I know that sounds miserable, but let me tell you, it isn’t. I know how to do so much more than I ever thought I’d learn in ministry. I’m in charge of book keeping at my church. I never saw myself as that guy, but I am. It’s a valuable skill that I have now. Here’s the awful truth: God doesn’t need you to be the next great evangelist, He needs you to be faithful in the small things. Be faithful in visiting the sick, in caring for the poor, in helping widows, in loving orphans, in preaching His Word, in every little thing his Bride called the Church asks you to do… be faithful.

Disclaimer: This won’t be easy. It may take years to gain people’s trust. However, this is true in any ministry no matter the size.