Here’s an idea: If you’re not a big church, stop trying to be something you’re not.
Every Christmas and Easter I see small churches trying desperately to make a big impact — and they usually fail.
Sure your communication, media and tech teams want to do amazing things. So they bring out the fog machines and fancy lights, and the worship leader reaches far beyond the capabilities of the choir or worship team.
And too often, it ends in disaster.
Embrace who you are
This next Christmas or Easter, embrace your size — because intimate can be far more powerful than epic.
A number of years ago our family celebrated Christmas at an historic resort in rural New York. On Christmas Day a local pastor came to have a Christmas service. It was a hotel, so a small ballroom was all we had, and since it was a resort, not many people showed up.
But that pastor knew exactly what really mattered, and he was brilliant at orchestrating a small, intimate and meaningful Christmas service.
And I’ve never forgotten it.
‘Stop trying to compete with the big guys’
Sure we want to stretch toward a greater potential, but not with the result of an inept and fake experience.
So for the next holiday service, stop trying to compete with the big guys and start being you.
Your congregation will be grateful.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Phil Cooke and originally published by philcooke.com.
