I'm not sure why, but it seems that God has seen fit for most of our ministry (CrossPower Ministries) be done in small churches. Yes, we get into our fair share of the larger churches, but the majority of churches where we minister are small in number. That is certainly the case this week. I'm in a small country church in rural Indiana.
Last night, I had a small epiphany. As the service began the pastor was looking for the pianist. She wasn't there, ditto with the person who was suppose to lead the congregational singing. There was an awkward moment as the pastor looked for "volunteers". An elderly woman was enlisted to play the organ and her husband was solicited to lead singing. It was not exactly a "high tech" service. Before I spoke, a woman in the congregation offered the special music of the night. She was obviously very shy and her voice was rather weak. There were a few times that she had trouble reaching the proper pitch. Her rendition would not have won a Grammy - but it was obviously very sincere.
I suppose there was a time when all of this would have troubled me. I would have looked critically at the lack of preparation, the lack of talent, the missed pitches. Not last night. I realized something. I'm in rural Indiana, in a small farming community. These people were being used by God to minister to their fellow church members. Those who heard them were obviously blessed and encouraged by their ministry. There was hearty applause after the solo, there was spirited singing in response to the elderly organist and song leader. Then it hit me - had these people been in a large church, there is not much chance they would have ever been used to minister. They would have been sitting, watching the more talented, the more outgoing, the more sensational. Last night - they were ministering.
Don't get me wrong - I think we should offer to God our best - our very best. I think we should be prepared and polished for God's Glory. This was their best. And in a small congregation they could be used to bless others.
It seems today that almost all of the emphasis in Evangelical Christianity is on getting bigger and bigger. That's not bad, in and of itself. We should reach all we can for Christ. Let's not forget, however, that most of the work of God is accomplished not in the Mega-Churches, but in churches like the one I was in last night. Small, rural churches obeying God and ministering to their communities. Giving their best to God.
Despise not the little things.
