My Church is too Small
By Raul Rivera
Two years after the start of our church, I attended a very large youth conference during which the speaker, on the last day, wanted to honor all the senior pastors that were present. Requesting every pastor to stand, applause filled the room while they honored us for our labor and dedication to the work. What they did not know was that I was a little embarrassed because at that time my church was only running about 45 people...on a good Sunday. For some reason I struggled with legitimacy. I thought I was too small to be counted as a real pastor.
We create our own obstacles
I think many pastors of small churches discredit what God is doing when they say, "Well, we're just a small church." That mentality can create an obstacle, making it difficult to proclaim His word with boldness because, well, after all, it's just a word to a few people. Likewise, many pastors put off setting up the legal side of their churches; presuming that to be for a day in the future when the church is larger. But when you do the legal side, you go to the place of no return.
Let me state three things that are affected when you legitimize and "legalize" your church.
1. The CALL of God
Many pastors and ministry leaders feel illegitimate in their call to the pastorate, having bought into the lie that-"I am only a real pastor if I am paid"-they have to be "full-time" at the church to feel legitimate. However, that is not the case. The CALL is legitimate, no matter what!
2. The WORK of God
Many pastors, especially those leading smaller churches and in particular, those meeting in homes, have bought into the lie that SIZE is the only validating factor of their ministry. So, until they reach a certain size, they feel illegitimate, even titling their congregation a "small group" rather than a "church". This mentality dishonors the WORK that God is doing in the valuable lives of the few among them. Borrowing from that famous, wise elephant, Thornton, let me just say, "A church is a church, no matter how small!" We must never forget that "two or three gathered in His name" indicates a real church.
3. The BLESSING of God
In the realm of blessing, since many pastors struggle with legitimacy in their call and work, they additionally do not take steps forward in the legalization of their ministry. But those needed steps open the way for blessing, because as the Word clearly teaches, His kingdom involves government. Because of His government and peace there shall be no end, He allows us NOW to fulfill Romans 13 and other such mandates, which prepare us to work forever within His perfect government that will be established for the ages to come.
TRUTH:
No matter the size...no matter the time...no matter the numbers...if you are called, it is a legitimate call! If it is legitimate, then legalize it!