Small Church, Big Footprint

“God has not called me to be successful; He has called me to be faithful.” –Mother Teresa

About five years ago my husband and I made the decision to say “yes” to God’s call to plant a church in the cultural arts district of Fort Worth. The last five years has produced a myriad of celebrations, uncertainties and emotions as 7 City Church was born. Some seasons have been phenomenal as we experienced growth and excitement as new believers made 7 City their home church. Other seasons, not so much.

One of the new “normals” we’ve discovered is how many people define regular church attendance as once-a-month. Although you expect—and maybe even plan for—difficult seasons, the emotional toll can be rough when growth is slow at best. Social media can amplify the emotion into irrational thinking. “Oh great, every church in America is growing except mine!” Or perhaps, you have those “friends” who like to “inquire” about your numbers and then offer their unsolicited advice.

One night at dinner I was sharing (maybe complaining) with a friend about our attendance during one of those slumps. Her response to me was so beautiful.

We can have a small, impactful, healthy church that does more for the Kingdom than a giant mega-church. We have got to stop buying into the lie that growth is about numbers of people. I’ve said it before. I think our church is a training ground for people at a particular point in their life. Our job is to train them to influence culture.”

I really appreciated her willingness to listen, but also her encouragement and correction of my skewed thinking.

We may be considered a small church, but we’re leaving a big footprint. Over the last five years we’ve partnered with five church planters to help them start a new church in the heart of culturally influential cities. We’ve invested in missions, humanitarian efforts, and local non-profits. Dozens of people have found Christ, connected with other Christians, and grown in their faith. And recently we launched the bravest vision initiative we’ve ever attempted as a church…a vision that will positively impact our church, city, and culture.

Yet, we’re a small church.

Thousands don’t come running to our doors. But we’ve learned something important over the last five years. Just because you’re small doesn’t mean you can’t dream big, think big, believe big, give big, and love big.

Your “big” might look small to a large church in your community, but size isn’t the real issue. The real issue is how you steward the resources (people, money, time, facilities, opportunities) that God has entrusted to you. If the parable of the talents teaches us anything it’s that faithfulness isn’t defined by how much you have, but what you do with it.

We may be a small church, but our faithful stewardship is allowing us to make a big impact. And it can for you too. No matter what size your church might be today, choose to dream big. Choose to leave a big footprint by wisely stewarding what God has entrusted to you. As you do, don’t be surprised if God opens bigger doors.

One final though: it takes lots of footprints to transform a community. No single church, regardless how big it is, can single-handedly change a community. It takes lots of churches (big and small), leaving lots of footprints, and all of the footprints matter. What are some ways your church can leave a big footprint in your community?

Matthew 25:21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.[a] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’