Bigger Isn’t Always Better

by Reba Collins

I confess that I’ve pretty much avoided visiting little churches (50 or fewer members) of any kind. Part of the reason is that I live in the burbs where a church’s “success” is measured in attendees and building size. Competition is stiff among churches, and I’d bought into the “bigger is better” mentality. Another reason is that in the few times that I have visited little churches, they’ve been dead upon arrival. But a recent visit to a little rural church caused me to reconsider my perspective on small churches. 

Liberty United Methodist Church sits one car length off a two-lane blacktop road just three miles North of Monett, Missouri. It was founded in 1869 as a denominational outpost with an itinerant pastor riding hours on horseback or wagon to conduct worship services. It was a one-room building meant to honor God and serve as a place of worship for the local farm families. Within the last 30 years, a fellowship hall, kitchen, and indoor bathrooms were added between the sanctuary and the cemetery. Today, Liberty UMC’s outward appearance looks like it hasn’t changed over those three past decades.

And in many ways, Liberty UMC truly hasn’t changed. Worshiping God is still central, simple, and life-long. An itinerant pastor now drives over an hour one way to conduct worship services. They still worship with hymn books and pew bibles, sans video screens. Worship and a community meal bookend a community Bible study. Guests are still welcomed as friends and are invited to stay and share in the community activities at whatever level they are comfortable.

Clearly, Liberty UMC hasn’t kept up with the way big-number churches are doing business today. They don’t rely upon a pastor or paid staff to direct their spiritual growth process. They rely on the Scriptures and each other. They don’t spend hours organizing programs and volunteers for effective outreach ministries. They focus on sharing with, caring for, and praying for people who are hurting and in need. They haven’t established a missional cause to address an injustice in the Monett community. Instead, they partner with other churches and people to meet one need at a time. 

During my visit, it became apparent that this little church is a 45-person strong expression of The Church. Instead of feeding the masses as Jesus did, they are taking it one at a time as Jesus did. Instead of hunkering down waiting for people to show up, they are a community on the move in their community. When I left, I truly prayed that this group would see themselves as I had seen them. Their small size has set them free to be the Church wherever their people are. And that experience was worth the visit.

Afterthought…

Liberty UMC does not have a Website, which is usually a reason not to visit. So why did I visit? I took my own advice and looked at their Facebook page. Their Facebook postings told me I would likely find a vibrant, outwardly focused group. And I did!

When I look around and see the types of faith communities people are drawn to, I see many people who are discovering and creating similar experiences to that of Liberty UMC.  Good “little church experiences” where worship is simple, Scripture is an application tool, and our faith in God isn’t the roadblock to living well – it is a well life – are popping up everywhere. 

With smaller faith communities, Websites might not be an option, but social media sites usually provide enough information for you to use the Healthy Choice Checklist Website Welcome tool on The Church Guide Website.