Small, Strong Congregations: Creating Strengths and Health for Your Congregation

Many books suggest that the future of the Christian movement rests with the success of mega–congregations. These authors also conclude that small congregations are doomed. Kennon L. Callahan–today′s most noted church consultant–moves ahead of such thinking and envisions a very different future. In this newest book, he confirms that the twenty–first century will be the age of consciously small, strong congregations. This important book chronicles the emergence of a vast number of congregations that are questioning the bigger–is–better notion in church membership. These congregations are deliberately small, active, and happy in their dedication to creating strong church communities that advance God′s mission. Step by step, Kennon Callahan shows pastors and other church leaders how they can develop the values and specific qualities helpful to shape and strengthen their own small congregations. Written to be a hands–on guide, Small, Strong Congregations offers practical suggestions for creating mission and service, compassion and shepherding, community and belonging, self–reliance and self–sufficiency, worship and hope, teams and leaders, space and facilities, and giving and generosity. This wise resource is filled with illustrative examples that show clearly how myriad small churches have created solid, vigorous congregations. Small, Strong Congregations is a common–sense guide to the rich possibilities for the future where leaders, pastors, and the grassroots of small congregations work together to develop a healthy, constructive approach to their mission.

Preface. Small Is Strong. Mission and Service. Compassion and Shepherding. Community and Belonging. Self–Reliance and Self–Sufficiency. Worship and Hope. Team, Leaders, and Congregation. Space and Facilities. Giving and Generosity. Living with the Spirit of Promise. The Author. Index.

KENNON L. CALLAHAN , Ph.D., is the author of many books, including his best known work, Twelve Keys to an Effective Church, which has formed the basis for the widely acclaimed movement of mission growth.