Doing Small Sized Ministry Well

"From Little Things Big Things Grow" ~ Paul Kelly

1.  Embrace the Blessings

It's easy to get caught up in the numbers because numbers are important for a range of reasons. If we focus too much on this though, we can easily miss the blessings in the numbers we already have. It can be far too easy sometimes to get caught in the gap between reality and our hopes or expectations.

A small ministry doesn't always mean a bad ministry, in fact, a small ministry has big opportunities.

So cultivate the art of recognising the blessings in what you have in your Parish or ministry at this very moment. Who are their names? What are their stories? How can you invest into their faith journey? Being small means you have abilities that quickly become out of reach for those who are in larger ministries.

You have the

• Ability to connect personally to each person who comes along,
• Ability to truly listen and tailor the program to the needs of your group, 
• Ability to play a role in their lives that leads to real impact consistently rather than momentarily. 

So take a moment to see all the blessings and opportunities that are present. Find joy and gratitude in these spaces and hopefully an renewed sense of excitement in the work you need to do. 

2. People First. Program Second. 

If you have a small ministry, you have a potentially powerful one because you have the space right here, right now, to focus on your people and to build relationships with them. Often we create a program in the hopes that it will bring more people along, rather than allowing our knowledge and understanding of who will be part of that program to shape it instead.

For example, we often create a Sunday School program believing that this is what our children and parents want, and that it allows for better teaching opportunities. However, what if you actually have kids and parents who are looking for a church where they can worship together as a family for the entire time? Suddenly the program of Sunday school isn't one that meets their needs, or helps them flourish as a family. Whereas having a church that is welcoming and has intentional spaces for children to be present the entire time is actually investing into their faith formation as a family every Sunday instead.

So get to know your parents and their kids. Ask them what they need for themselves and for their family to help them flourish. Maybe consider asking one of the following questions 

• What helps you and your family feel part of this Church community?
• What are you hopes for the faith of your children? 
• What do you value in your children's engagement with Church? 
• What would help you grow, and feel supported as a parent? 
• What are you struggling with as a family in our Church? How can we help make this better? 

Their answers may surprise and inspire you to create something you hadn't consider before. 

3. Be what you want to Become

  
We are the choices we make. We embody the culture we accept and allow. No matter the size of your parish or ministries, you can change who you are into who you want to be. If you have a small ministry, this is much easier to pull off than a large one. So ask yourself, what kind of ministry or parish do you want to become? Do you 

• Want to become a church full of families? Become a church that families want to be at. Have sermons that speak into their daily lives and struggle, have home/support groups that allow them to build networks with other families, be a Church that happens at a time that is kind to young families.  
• Want to be a youth group that has kids bring new friends along constantly? Encourage and equip them to be great friends, to engage in interesting conversations about faith, and to be invitational.  
• Want to be a church that is connected into it's local community? Be present at community events, run community events at your parish and send out the invitations, head down to the local community centers and learn more, and build relationships. 

Lastly, be the change that you want to see as a leader of your community, your ministry, your church. Be more invitational, be more welcoming, invest in people, disciple your youth, support and pray for your families. What ever you want to see more of, be more of and you just might be surprised by who follows.