“People don’t realize we’ve been doing ‘small group ministry’ for 150 years!”
This wry comment came from a leader of one of the many small and vibrant congregations in southwest Indiana. As the Center for Congregations begins its full-time work in the southwest region it has been my privilege to meet with groups of pastors in several of our small towns. Many of these congregations are thriving. Many of them provide an anchoring presence in the small towns they call home, offering services and programs that benefit the community. Many of them enjoy good attendance in worship and ministry and make generous contributions to the community and the wider world.
But many of them feel isolated from the congregations in bigger communities. Some feel that our culture promotes “bigger is better.” Denominations and publishers often lift up the largest churches as the most successful. These small congregations wonder if there are resources for them and not just for big city churches with big staffs.
Clear About Identity
Still, these congregations don’t look outside themselves to determine their value. Like healthy congregations of any size, they are clear about who they are and what they need to do.
Reaching Out
St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Lemar, Indiana is very involved in a mission partnership with churches in Sri Lanka. What began as standard support of a denominational project has grown into a big part of St. Peter’s identity in their denomination. Heritage Hills Baptist Church in Santa Claus, Indiana is for the first time in recent history “big enough” to afford a full-time pastor. Members are accustomed to pitching in and sharing their talents. Each Sunday morning of the summer, volunteer musicians and other leaders from the congregation join the pastor to lead worship at two of the popular campgrounds in their county, early enough to get back to their own sanctuary by service time.
Supporting the Community
As summer began and many congregations were slowing down, the pastors of Boonville, Indiana were meeting to plan both an ice cream social and a festival for the community. Welborn United Methodist Church in Posey County thrives under a ministry plan that fits its size and style – each member is involved in one of three ministry areas evolving from the congregation’s vision. And First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Vernon, Indiana is hard at work on a careful planning process to better understand the effectiveness of its ministries and the needs of the community and the congregation.
Part of the mission of the Center for Congregations is to learn from vital, effective congregations and to share what we are learning. My summer of visiting a few of these communities has taught me a lot and given me small-church wisdom to share. I look forward to getting to know more congregations in southwest Indiana and to celebrate all the flourishing congregations in our region.
Wendy McCormick
SW Director
