Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
I have always attended larger churches. They have lots of programs, ministries, and activities for the family.
Larger churches have lots of resources to help with benevolent requests, church events, and even inspiring Children’s Ministry.
There are countless opportunities to participate in small groups, outreach programs, or volunteering at a church service.
Big church is really all I know.
Visiting Other Churches Helps Me
My husband and I just returned from a trip exploring the south, where we saw many sites and visited many beautiful places.
Our travel also included visiting several churches along the way. I like visiting churches when I travel because it helps me keep a pulse on all the great things churches are doing.
I love seeing vibrant churches doing their part to spread the Gospel.
Many churches I visited were current, full of members, and used technology to enhance the church experience.
These churches did a great job delivering a timely message and using the latest sound equipment to enhance the music.
A Small Church In Georgia
However, I visited one church that provided me with an experience I will never forget.
I found this little church off of a back road in southern Georgia.
A part of the country that is sprinkled with tiny churches on every corner.
I arrived a few minutes late and was welcomed by an overtly friendly woman who hugged me as I entered the building.
When I walked into this church, it felt like I had stepped back in time and was experiencing church from yesteryear.
There were a total of 18 people in this building, 10 of whom were up on the stage worshiping God in acapella.
There was no band or sound system.
Their angelic voices echoed off of the walls of this small church building.
The music they sang was anointed and full of the presence of God.
There was no question as to the commitment to their praise and worship.
These people were on fire for God and expressed it in their music. It was an amazing thing to experience.
As the worship part of the service ended, the pastor encouraged members to share prayer requests.
Many spoke of challenges either in their own lives or in the lives of friends and family.
It was refreshing to hear these people’s love and concern for each other.
Most larger churches cannot accommodate this during a church service – merely because of the numbers.
They then prayed for church family issues and offered encouragement to each other.
Then, The Pastor Preached
Then, the pastor got up to preach.
I’m embarrassed to say that I had low expectations for the message because of the number of people in the church. We save the good preachers for the big churches, right?
Wrong. I was blown away by the anointed, targeted, timely message this pastor preached.
This man was clearly on a mission from God and was being used to help this small group of people.
As I took in the message and listened to his words, I sat there and wondered why this church was not overflowing with people.
I was saddened to think that so few people were taking advantage of this holy moment.
Small Churches Have Few Resources
This church had very little resources.
In fact, when it was time to take the offering, there were no offering envelopes, there was no text to give, or any other technology option for giving an offering.
They passed a basket, and people threw in cash. Mostly one-dollar bills.
I was embarrassed that I had no cash or checkbook in my purse as I’m accustomed to using technology for my giving.
I felt compelled to give, so I tried to find the address of this church so I could send them an offering.
But soon, I learned that they had no online presence, no website – only an image from Google Maps with no physical address.
I had to go to the local post office to find a PO box for them so I could send them something.
But What If?
Then I thought – but what if? What if they had a website that showed what I experienced? What if they had an internet presence that directed people to them?
And what if they could use mobile technology to engage with members, share what they do, and accept tithes and offerings?
How would that change things for this church? Would it bring more people to their door, resulting in church growth?
I have no doubt that it would because people are drawn to God’s presence and yearning for teaching that can help them navigate the challenges of this life.
The world has changed a lot since this church first opened its doors decades ago, although the anointing and message of the gospel have not.
I left a piece of my heart with that little church along the back roads of Georgia.
The size of a church really doesn’t matter when it comes to worshiping God and delivering an anointed word.
However, exposing people to a great worship experience and a life-changing message does.
This is why so many churches are now using technology as a tool to engage with their community and spread the gospel.
What kinds of technologies does your church use to spread the word?
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