Book Review: Inside the Small Church

If you are not familiar with the Alban Institute, you are missing out on a very useful and insightful resource for ministers. The institute is interfaith and ecumenical focusing more on sociological insights for churches as opposed to theological ones. The institute is heavily reliant on research data and is a helpful resource in studying churches. They are a corrective to the "what if" dreaming and choose instead to make reflections based on solid research. I haven't used them as much as I would like, but have had this book on my shelf since college and finally chose to dig in. The Alban institute releases several books a year as well as a quarterly (I think it's quarterly, check the link) journal. You can become a member and receive both the journals and the books. A really, really worthwhile resource.

As for, Inside the Small Church, it was what I expected. A really helpful and practical look at one of the most over-looked ecclesiastical structures: small churches. Being a pastor at a small church, this issue is very important to me. The book is broken up into four parts ("Leading the Small Church," "Loving the Small Church," "Building the Capacity of the Small Church," and "The Small Church in Mission." Each part is comprised of several very short essays written from a plethora of small church experts.

There's a little of something here for everyone. Several of the articles I'm sure will be far a field for everyone, but that is more than made up for the articles that are found relevant. The authors wrestle with the enigmatic aspects unique to the small church such as the bivocational pastor, co-operative congregations sharing staff and resources, as well as others.

In general, the book is refreshing in its overly positive perspective of small churches. The first chapter, the only one of length "Supporting Small Churches and Their Pastors" is worth the price of the book (especially when you paid $2.00 from a former professor!) in its practical and insightful advice for the small church. Sherry and Douglas Alan Walrath spend some time characterizing the different kinds of sociological spheres small churches fall into. I found the descriptions to be dead on. Throughout the chapter they present much information rooted from surveys they did of small church leaders and lay people that offer much insight into the unique dynamics of the small church.

Part 1 is an especially good reference for those of us in leadership capacities in small churches. It's a shame that so much literature us devoted to the large church when the vast majority of pastors will spend a great deal of time in small churches. Editor Anthony Pappas offers two strong essays in this sections, and I found his essays throughout to be some of the high points of the collections. The articles remain concise, direct, and practical.

Part 2 gets at the commitment that small congregations demand. Something I really appreciated about the perspective of the authors (in this section and throughout the book) is their emphasis on loving and remaining committed to the small church. Those who are content at the small church and are dedicated are the truly effective ministers. The authors here are right to emphasize that many people only see the obvious disadvantages of being at a small church (limited budget, limited resources, lack of critical mass, etc.), but acknowledge there is a great deal of positives to be found in most small churches (real community, commitment, etc.)

Part 3 focuses on a helpful insight that is often lacking in discussions of small church theology - utilizing full capacity. With a "smaller" capacity than a larger church, the small church may be better prepared to utilize a "higher" percentage of its capacity - in other words, it's easier to get more people involved using their gifts. Here the tone of the essays is encouraging, but remains grounded and realistic.

Part 4 broaches the issue of mission and the role with small churches. A little more lacking than the other three sections, I still found some value in these essays as well. Gary Farley's essay entitled, "Becoming a Thirty-Mile Church" was one of the strongest and most memorable works in the book as he reflects on the Wal-Mart effect in American society and considers the sociological impact that has had on the small (especially rural church). This was an excellent article and very interestingly utilizes insights from Sam Walton's biography.

My only real critique of the book, and it is just a reflection of my current situation, is that too often the authors interchanged the concepts of "small church" and "rural church." In a few places the authors acknowledged that the small church is a more rural situation than an urban, but our church finds itself on the edge of the suburbs with dozens of simliar churches: 75 - 150 members, struggling to get established, but suited for rapid growth, arms-length relationship with denomination, etc. I would have liked to see a few articles addressing our situation in place of one of the 8 - 10 articles specifically about rural ministry.

In summary, this is an excellent resource for those in small church ministry, especially in small towns. It is light on theological presuppositions and suggestions that aren't practical. Very helpful, especially, for suggestions on leading the small church.