We are not alone!

A common concern in the small church is that we are alone in our circumstances. We feel like we're the only ones struggling with the reality of our size--both its opportunities and its challenges. Feeling alone--like we're the only ones--often yields more to the challenges than it does to the opportunities. We get down on ourselves, believing we are alone and somehow inferior.

I wondered about this. Are we really alone? Are we really the only one struggling with the reality of our size? Are we the only ones with these unique challenges and opportunities? The answer is 'no'. We are not alone.

I dug up some statistics from the latest Reformed Church statistical tables. In 20o7 (the most current data available), there were 931 churches in the RCA. Of those 931 churches, 640 (69%) have an average worship attendance of 150 or less; 512 (55%) have an average worship attendance of 100 or less; and 243 (26%) have an average worship attendance of 50 or less. Closer to home, in the Regional Synod of Canada, there were 40 churches in 2007. Of those 40 churches, 32 (80%) had 150 or less in attendance; 24 (60%) had 100 or less in attendance; and 12 (30%) had 50 or less in attendance.

There you have it. The Reformed Church is filled with small congregations who have the challenges and the opportunities unique to a small size. We are not inferior. We are not worse. We are not alone!

Blessings, David