April 1, 2020
Book: Small, Strong Congregations (Creating Strengths and Health for Your Congregation) by Kennon L. Callahan
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.
But author Kennon L. Callahan, a noted church consultant, moves ahead of such thinking and envisions a very different future.
In this book, Callahan confirms that the twenty-first century will be the age of consciously small, strong congregations that are dedicated to advancing God’s mission.
Callahan suggests that small congregations should assess themselves by eight distinctive qualities afforded by their size:
- Mission and service
- Compassion and shepherding
- Community and belonging
- Self-reliance and self-sufficiency
- Worship and hope
- Leaders and team
- Just enough space and facilities
- Giving and generosity
Callahan doesn’t try to convince the small church leader to adopt a mega-church mentality. Rather, he challenges them to look within their respective communities and tap into the power and the resources that already reside there.
And, Callahan does challenge the small church to live a life of service to the community rather than retreat into a life of survival. Some are preoccupied with a lot of land, a powerful preacher, more members, and a beautiful building, but they are preoccupied with “us” and the church growth model rather than the mission of growth.
Small, Strong Congregations have a passion for mission not a mansion, and they focus on the family more than facility. It is about mission not membership.
How to get this resource:
- See if the book is available from your local library – It’s free (Minnesota Viking Library System)
- Small, Strong Congregations (Walmart) at: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Small-Strong-Congregations-Creating-Strengths-and-Health-for-Your-Congregation-Paperback-9781118594261/22221137
- Small, Strong Congregations (Christian Book) at: https://www.christianbook.com/strong-congregations-creating-strengths-health-congregation/kennon-callahan/9781118594261/pd/594261
- Small, Strong Congregations (Amazon) at: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Strong-Congregations-Strengths-Congregation-dp-0787949809/dp/0787949809/
I am a soldier in the army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare.
I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire. I am a volunteer in this army. I am enlisted for eternity.
I will either retire in this army at the rapture, or die in this army, but I will not get out, sell out, be bought out, or pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable.
If my God needs me, I am there. If he needs me in the Sunday School to teach the children, work with the youth, help adults or just learn, He can use me because I am there, I am a soldier.
I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up or pepped up because I am a soldier.
No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me, because I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His Name, and building His kingdom.
No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, card, candy, or give me hand outs. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to, I am committed, I am a soldier.
I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead, I will win.
My God has and will continue to supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot dis-illusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me, and Hell cannot handle me. I am a soldier.
Even death cannot destroy me, for when my Commander-in-Chief calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to captain and then allow me to rule with him. I am a soldier in the Army of God.
I am marching, I am claiming victory, I will not give up. I will not turn around. I am a soldier marching heaven-bound. Here I stand. WHO WILL STAND WITH ME?
(“I am a Soldier” by Dr. Danny L. Moody, president of Arlington Baptist College)
