Entering the World of the Small Church: A Guide for Leaders

by Anthony G. Pappas

This demonstrates amazingly, with unflinching honesty and a wonderfully redeeming sense of humor, a resource especially helpful in motivating change and growth by mobilizing the natural strengths of small churches. For you who have been looking for a reliable guide to interpret the world of the small church, look no further since this provides all the insights you need. Includes images and models and strategies that reflect the profound uniqueness of the small church. It clearly shows leaders how to lead within the dynamics and culture of the small congregation. This is theologically sound and eminently practical. A must reading for anyone who is or plans to be a leader in a small church. Excellent for small roup study.

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction

97 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1988

Reviews

[Darceylaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having just taken up the ministry of a small church after serving mid-sized churches for a decade I wanted to be sure I understood how small churches are different. Pappas' book is really lovely and thoughtful. He loves small churches and speaks from that love. My only criticism so far is that he speaks as if all small churches exist in small towns and are peopled with folks who have lived in that small town their whole life.

I've been reading it small bits at a time over these first 3 months in my new church, and can already see the efficacy of his ideas. A very worthwhile read for anyone in a small church setting.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A warm, thoughtful, informed, and lay-accessible book on the essential dynamics of the small congregation. Pappas is an experienced small church pastor, now overseeing/supporting a region filled with small churches for his denomination.

Much of what he shares is not only grounded in research into organizational dynamics, but also his personal journey through some little communities of faith. That personal touch and his clear love of the wee kirk as a legitimate and countercultural expression of Christian community make this an excellent read.

In particular, his development of the "tribe" metaphor as a way to grasp the dynamics of a little church is helpful...and one that holds out hope for a new generation.

Worth the read.