Starting Small: How to Run a Church When You Have a Tiny Congregation

What’s the first time we hear “church” in the New Testament?

In Matthew 16, Jesus says to His disciple, Simon:

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). 

This statement was remarkable for several reasons. But one of the most noteworthy points is that Jesus was speaking to a single man–the disciple formerly known as Simon–about the fact that he would help start a global entity that would eventually grow to 2.4 billion converts…and counting. 

Jesus didn’t need to start His ministry with masses of followers, or a giant organizational structure. Instead, He began with 12 men and a handful of other followers (including women such as Mary Magdalene). 

Jesus was the original “grassroots” leader (and so much more, of course). Or if you like, he was a forerunner of the bottom-up approach that’s now frequently talked about in an organizational sense. 

In the following article, we’ll talk about what it looks like to build and run a church when you start with just a few committed followers of Jesus. Whether you’re planting a church, re-establishing an existing church, or you’ve experienced a church split, this article is for you!

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Examples of Churches That Started Small…and Packed a Punch

It can feel discouraging to have an exciting vision for a church, move to a new city or state, spread the word about weekend services, and then….crickets. Preaching to a crowd of less than 25 people isn’t as glamorous as preaching the Gospel to a full stadium.

And yet…

And yet, Jesus started talking to just a few gritty fishermen. Eventually, He was preaching to the masses (see Luke 5 and the meal that multiplied), but in the beginning of His ministry, His words were simple and sparse: “Come, follow me,” He said to Peter and Andrew in Matthew 4. His invitation was to a couple of guys, just working their day jobs. 

That being said, here are a few examples of churches that started small but had big impact:

• The disciples of Jesus–12 men followed around their Rabbi for years, preaching the truth and ministering to the masses, before watching Him die on the Cross. Their stories have been recorded in the Gospels, whose historical accuracy has been confirmed by over 24,000 manuscripts. While technically the disciples didn’t constitute a “church,” they formed the foundation of what we know today as the global Church. After the death and resurrection of Christ, they went on to share the Gospel all over the Middle East and beyond–with many of them martyred for their faith. 

• The Azusa Revival–In 1906, a small, multiethnic group of believers began to gather at 312 Azusa Street in Los Angeles under the leadership of William J. Seymour, an African-American preacher born to slaves. This small group of Christians has been credited with the birth of the modern Pentecostal movement, seeing widespread revival in Los Angeles after just a handful of people began experiencing the Holy Spirit.

• The Moravian Church–In the 18th century, wealthy Count Zinzendorf began providing care for Moravian refugees on his estate in Germany. Eventually, this group began to gather together as a church and pray fervently around the clock. Today, they are credited with beginning the 24/7 Prayer Movement within the Protestant Church. 

If your church is tiny, be encouraged by these stories. It can not only grow, but more importantly, it can make a powerful impact for Jesus. 

But to make an impact, you need to know how to run your small church effectively. In the next section, we’ll look at bottom-up solutions for small and scrappy churches.

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The Challenges of Running a Small Church (+ Solutions)

In some ways, running a smaller church can feel simpler. You’re not managing hundreds of contacts, incoming members, massive ministries, or hundreds of kids at a weekend service. 

But running a small church isn’t all smooth sailing. Fewer people, a smaller budget, and limited resources can represent unique challenges. Here’s what you may face…and the solutions that can help you thrive. 

1. Fewer Resources. A small church doesn’t have the resources of a mega-church. Fewer people mean that there may not be a singles ministry, a college ministry, or a ministry for recovering addicts. 

Partnering with other churches can help you offer your church members resources that may be helpful for discipleship. 

2. Fewer People. Does it make you nervous to give a call for volunteers to a group of less than 50? Fear not. Having fewer people does not mean fewer leaders or fewer volunteers. When your congregants are excited about the vision of your church, you’ll have greater buy-in and more committed, service-oriented members. That means fewer “pew Christians” and more “on fire for Jesus” Christians. Ultimately, this will produce a church that’s healthy, strong, and growth-oriented!

The key to success here is to create a strong culture that encourages passion and commitment. Here’s a video on how to build a church culture that will foster growth.

3. A Smaller Space. Churches that meet in small spaces may not have ample room for large worship events, vacation Bible schools, or even weddings. But a small space doesn’t have to mean limited gatherings. If you live in a temperate climate, consider meeting at a park or a beach for larger events. Or, ask a local business if you can rent out their space after hours. This is a strategic way to get into the community and develop relationships with locals. 

4. Changes in Staff. Christians who work at small churches tend to wear a lot of hats. Rather than specialize in distinct ministries (like tech, worship, or kids), staff members at small-but-mighty churches often become the jacks-of-all-trades and masters-of-none. Less specialized staff means that turnover can really damage a smaller church. When a leader who is in charge of kid’s ministry, live streaming, and prayer moves across the country, you’re hurting in several areas. 

The solution isn’t to find a Renaissance man-or-woman who can do all the things. Instead, this may be an opportunity to learn to delegate wisely and redistribute responsibilities. Recruiting volunteers is a good way to spread out tasks without overburdening additional staff or breaking the budget on hires you can’t afford. 

5. Less “Oomph.” You’re unlikely to walk into a small church with a fog machine, LED screens, and custom coffee bar. Larger churches tend to have bells and whistles that are typically cut with a smaller budget. 

Here’s the good news: While the bells and whistles can attract more people to a weekend service initially, they don’t do much for creating long-lasting, committed converts of Christ. Your “oomph” will ultimately come from the preaching of Scripture, the presence of God, and the love your church members have for one another. 

The Secret Sauce of Every Successful Small Church: Church Management Software

Here’s a well-kept secret: Effective small churches that are also growing use streamlined church management software. They don’t patch together a range of tools; they use a single, affordable system that’s designed to handle all of the unique aspects of running a church, from online giving to child check-in to contact management. 

Tithely is an ideal tool for smaller churches. It’s affordable, efficient, and easy to understand. Plus, it helps small churches address a wide range of needs, including:

• Online Giving–Make generosity smooth and simple with mobile giving, recurring giving, and giving by credit/debit or ACH bank transfer. Easy for you and easy for your church members. 
• Messaging–Communicate with your church members via text or email. Tithely makes this fast and convenient, with easy-to-build email campaigns and mass texting. 
• Contact Database–Stay organized and stay in touch, with tools for organizing and accessing your church member information. 
• Volunteer Management–Schedule volunteers, follow up with them, and stay in the know with volunteer management software.