Only for Committed Pastors: The Insider’s Guide to Small Church Success - Part 1

The Call to Something Greater

Pastoring a small church is not for the faint of heart. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve felt the weight of leading a congregation with limited resources, an aging membership, or a lack of volunteers. Maybe you’ve asked yourself, Can our church really grow? Is success even possible in a church our size?

The answer is yes—but only if you’re willing to fully commit.

The truth is, small churches are uniquely positioned for deep, life-changing ministry. They have the ability to form strong, personal connections, adapt quickly, and foster a true sense of community. Yet, many small churches struggle—not because they lack potential, but because they lack focus.

This two-part series is for pastors who are ready to break through stagnation and lead their churches with renewed vision. In Part 1, we’ll cover the foundational elements of success: defining your mission, strengthening your leadership, and creating a discipleship culture. Then, in Part 2, we’ll explore practical strategies for worship, hospitality, generosity, and long-term sustainability.

Are you ready? Let’s dive in.

1. Clarify Your One Excellent Mission

Every thriving church—no matter its size—has a clear, compelling mission. A small church that tries to do everything often ends up doing nothing well. That’s why defining your One Excellent Mission is critical.

Your church doesn’t have to be all things to all people, but it must be one thing to someone. What is the unique calling God has placed on your congregation? Are you a church that prioritizes outreach to young families? A congregation with a deep passion for local missions? A community that excels in mentoring and discipleship?

How to Define Your One Excellent Mission:

1. Pray and Seek God’s Direction – Spend time in prayer, asking God to reveal the core calling of your church.

2. Evaluate Your Strengths – What does your church do well? What passions drive your people?

3. Simplify Your Focus – Write down your mission in a single, clear statement that everyone in your church can remember and embrace.

Once your mission is clear, everything you do should align with it—from Sunday services to outreach efforts to budget decisions. A focused church is a thriving church.

2. Strengthen Your Core Leadership

A small church’s effectiveness rises and falls on its leadership. And I’m not just talking about the pastor—I’m talking about the core team of committed leaders who share the load and carry the vision forward.

Many small church pastors make the mistake of doing everything themselves. The result? Exhaustion, frustration, and eventual burnout. God never intended for you to lead alone.

Building a Strong Leadership Core:

• Identify Potential Leaders – Look for people with spiritual maturity, a heart for service, and a teachable spirit.

• Empower, Don’t Micromanage – Give leaders real responsibility and authority, not just busy work.

• Invest in Their Growth – Offer mentorship, resources, and training so your team grows alongside you.

A church led by a healthy team—not a single person—will be far more effective in fulfilling its mission.

3. Create a Culture of Discipleship

Jesus’ command to the church wasn’t to build big buildings or attract big crowds—it was to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). That mission hasn’t changed.

Yet, many churches have replaced disciple-making with programs, events, and church activities that keep people busy but don’t produce spiritual growth.

A Simple Approach to Discipleship:

1. Prioritize Relationships Over Programs – True discipleship happens through intentional, life-on-life mentorship.

2. Keep It Simple and Reproducible – A good discipleship model isn’t complicated. It’s a process of learning, applying, and passing it on to others.

3. Lead by Example – If discipleship isn’t a priority for you as a pastor, it won’t be a priority for your church.

A church’s success isn’t measured by Sunday attendance—it’s measured by how many disciples are being made. Focus on multiplication, and watch your church thrive. If your church doesn’t have an intentional discipleship method, you are not making disciples.

Looking Ahead to Part 2

We’ve covered the foundation of small church success: defining your mission, building strong leadership, and making disciples. But there’s more.

In Part 2, we’ll explore the practical strategies that turn vision into reality, including:✅ How to maximize worship with limited resources✅ Creating a hospitality-driven church that keeps visitors coming back✅ Inspiring generous giving without guilt or pressure✅ Avoiding burnout and staying focused on long-term impact

If you’re serious about leading your church to success, don’t stop here. Stay tuned for Part 2—and get ready to take your church to the next level.

What’s Your Next Step?

Take a moment to reflect:

• Is your church crystal clear on its mission?

• Do you have a strong leadership team?

• Are you prioritizing real discipleship?

If you need help clarifying your mission or strengthening your leadership, I’d love to connect. Reach out at www.smallchurchcoaching.com or join the conversation in my Leadership Edge for Smaller Churches Facebook group.

Let’s build thriving, disciple-making churches—together.

Share this article with a fellow pastor who needs encouragement today!

By the way, I’m still interviewing pastors to find a pilot church for my revitalization process. I will work with the selected church free of charge for one year to help them discover their One Excellent Mission, embrace an Ecclesial Minimum approach to ministry and plant at least one micro-church. Let me know if your church would like to be considered.