Does size really matter?

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here’s an old Hollywood saying that goes: “There are no small roles, only small actors.” I believe there’s a ministry parallel to which this statement can be applied. I’m talking about churches/corps/appointments/ministry opportunities, and the question that comes to mind for some people: does size really matter?

Unfortunately for some folks (and I need to fight against feeling like this) it does. Size does matter. Bigger is better; more is better. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that bigger communities, bigger churches, and “bigger appointments” are better than smaller communities, smaller churches, and “smaller appointments;” that congregations and church families with more people apart of them are better than congregations and church families with fewer people apart of them.

However, the truth is, there are no small appointments (churches, corps, ministry opportunities), only small officers (priests, ministers, pastors, servants, etc.).

Jesus never sought positions of power or prestige. He didn’t need to be an Archbishop or a divisionally appointed officer; he didn’t need to speak to the largest crowds or in the largest temples; he didn’t need to live in the biggest centres of his day. Jesus served and ministered to people. Jesus made and had relationships with people. Jesus met the spiritual and practical needs of people. Jesus was about people.

Every community/appointment/church/corps/opportunity for ministry or service is going to have people. Love them; serve them; befriend them; meet their needs. We need to stop thinking in terms of size and responsibility, and rank and title. We need to stop trying to climb the corporate ladder, which really has no place whatsoever in ministry circles. We need to start thinking in terms of love and grace, and service and Christlikeness.

In The Message, Eugene Peterson paraphrases Psalm 37:7 this way: “Quiet down before God, be prayerful before him. Don’t bother with those who climb the ladder, who elbow their way to the top.”

Remember, there are no small appointments, only small officers.

Writer: Mark Braye and his wife Nancy are officers in Essex, Ontario, Canada. They have two children, pictured above, Hannah and Micah. The four of them love to play and watch Sesame Street.

4 Comments to Does size really matter?

1. Thanks for this Mark!

   I’ve got to agree that size really isn’t important to me as I start my officer ministry, mainly because of the idea that there is no small appointment to me. Personally, I think that the whole idea of advancement, except for that of the Kingdom, goes against the values that we are supposed to hold dear.

   So I don’t want bigger and better corps as I gain experience nor am I bothered about rank or promotion. However, I do care about reaching out to the people in my future community and I do care about working with those in my faith community to advance God’s Kingdom!
Graeme Smith on February 26th, 2010

2. I find it helpful to remember all it takes is for each of us to be making a couple of disciples - even one at a time, a couple of years at a time - who are going on to make more disciple-making disciples.

   I believe it’s Floyd McClung who has suggested though that we need to keep an eye on whether or not there are third and particularly fourth generations of our disciples.

   That’s a helpful and insightful feedback on how well we are making disciples. Large gatherings can be helpful, and a good evangelist is a great blessing to the church, but it’s just part of the bigger picture.

   Eleanor
Eleanor Burne-Jones on February 26th, 2010

3. This is a very good blog and timely for all who are trying to make a difference in the world through other people.

   In any hierarchy there is a need for people to be involved at whatever level is decided by the administration, but it does not always reflect the ’size’ of the individual inside. One of my heroes was a Brigadier who for the last couple of years was CO at a very small Corps where some Sundays no one arrived, yet he was a giant of the Faith and proved, for me, what faithfulness was all about.

   I yearn to see more of this Faith.

   Cheers

   ‘Fletch’
Peter Fletcher on March 2nd, 2010

4. A good reminder, a good challenge and a surprisingly comforting.

   Thanks

   Stu McG
Stu on March 15th, 2010

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