small, strong congregations
On February 27th, the Sunday of our semi-annual congregational meeting, I preached on a book by Kennon Callahan, called Small, Strong Congregations: Creating Strengths and Health for Your Congregation. At each of the worship services that morning, we took a survey of the eight areas of ministry that might be strengths for our congregation. We had great conversations before we rated our congregation from 1 to 10 in each of the areas.
If we scored 8 – 10 on five of the eight areas, we would be considered a small, strong congregation (as op-posed to a small, weak or dying congregation). We indeed scored 8 or above in five areas! Christ Lutheran Church is a small, strong congregation. We are certainly happy with those scores, but we can‘t rest on our laurels or ignore the areas that need strengthening. No congregation will ever be ―all things for all people,‖ but we can be the best small, strong congregation God created us to be.
Beginning May 15th, I will be preaching on one of these areas each month. Listed below is the schedule of topics and dates:
- May 15th—Giving and Generosity (8:15 score was 3; 10:45 score was 7)
- June 26th—Space and Facilities (8:15 score was 6; 10:45 score was 7)
- July 17th—Team, leaders, and congregation (8:15 score was 8; 10:45 score was
- August 28th—Worship and hope (8:15 score was 9; 10:45 score was 10)
- Sept.18th—Self-reliance & self-sufficiency (8:15 score was 9; 10:45 score was 10)
- Oct. 16th—Community and belonging (8:15 score was 8; 10:45 score was 10)
- Nov. 13th—Compassion & Shepherding (8:15 score was 8; 10:45 score was 10)
- Dec. 11th—Mission and service (8:15 score was 1; 10:45 score was 3)
Yours in Christ, Pastor Sue Beadle
“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12: 9-18)