THE PLIGHT OF "SMALL" CHURCHES

There are many good solid fundamental churches out there that are having financial problems. A friend of mine who is pastor of such a church recently asked for prayer. his church is not alone. What seems to be the problem? There are actually many problems.

The Decline of Membership
Sometimes churches see their membership declining through various circumstances. Good members move out of the community or may even pass on to glory. Others leave looking for the bells and whistles at bigger churches even though the smaller church is often responsible for the salvation of their loved ones.

I know personally of a woman who wanted a church with more senior programs now that she was retired. She didn't seem to mind the small church she had been attending when the pastor led her husband to the Lord a few years earlier. Another woman almost broke up her family to get her kids in a church that had more programs for children (read into it- babysit my kids so I can do what I want) even though the small church was responsible for her whole family's, including the kids', salvation.

Still others blame the church for their personal failures. After they have destroyed the influence of the church by nitpicking they blame the church for not having influence. I am amused and saddened by those that give their "doctrinal" reasons for leaving and then go into a church that they disagree with even more doctrinally. Makes one wonder does it not? One leaves because the pastor doesn't follow another pastor's example to the Nth degree and then joins a church neither pastor would approve. Pot... kettle... black.

The Decline of Finances
Of course members leaving puts a drain on finances. Especially when those same people voted that the church take on certain responsibilities (missions, staff, programs, etc.) and then leave the church to deal with their vote but without their help.

Sometimes as members move into new phases of their lives their income is not the same. In retirement that can't give as much as they could when they were working full time. This only makes sense but it doesn't eliminate the need. Some good people start giving their tithe through other channels (some proper- some not). They forget the churches bills and obligations have not stopped. A pastor friend told me he had to quit taking his salary because the church couldn't afford to pay him and meet other obligations and even with this godly man's sacrifice the church could close by Christmas. A Christian brother who mows for a living told me that many churches in our community were having a rough time financially. I have watched 3 or 4 mega churches in our area adding gymnasiums, sporty "family life" centers and other bells and whistles while a church that has been faithfully proclaiming the Gospel for decades can't afford to mow their lawn... my brethren, these things ought not so to be.

The Decline of Energy
In smaller churches there aren't as many to take on the work load. This may cause burn-out in those doing the work. People must take care that they don't over-extend themselves or blame the church when they do. I know some pushy pastors but I also know some pushy parishioners. A mature Christian must learn to say "no" to some tasks while saying "yes" to whatever the Lord would have them to do. Just because someone asks you to do something doesn't mean you have to do it. In some cases we may find ourselves enabling those that could be helping themselves and/or others but enjoy being on the receiving end.

The Decline of Culture
I am not saying it can't be done. But really our whole culture fights the idea of church in general and Bible churches in particular. We think of the days in our country where the church was respected (as opposed to being maligned by some presidential candidates who said “And it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations,”). But the truth is, the church hasn't always been respected in the world. The early Christians faced a hostile government. But in the United States of America the Christians have been seen as leaders despite the opinion of those who want to rewrite history and exclude the very ones who really helped make this country free and great.

The Defining Moment
Let us help these struggling churches that are worthy of our aid. Let us pray, let us promote, let us give, let us not be guilty of vain-glory and wanting to be in the big crowd when the Lord has other plans for us.

Zechariah 4:8-10 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.