Leadership in Small Churches inspires and equips men and women who are called to serve in churches of less than 100 people, which are the majority of churches in the United States. Small churches in the United States suffer from a lack of leadership. On the one hand, there is a shortage of leaders. On the other hand, leaders who serve faithfully sometimes feel ill-equipped to carry out their calling due to inadequate training, especially a lack of training specific to small churches. This volume provides guidance from scholars and practitioners with experience in small churches. Because of their experience in and commitment to ministry in small churches, these writers are well qualified to discuss the breadth of topics in this book. These topics include developing vision, handling conflict, pastoral care, preaching, discipleship, ministry to youth and children, missions, and identifying and training leaders.
Ben D. Craver is professor of Theological Studies and coordinator of Christian Studies Programs at Wayland Baptist University. Kelly Malone is director of Global Education, professor of Intercultural Studies, and holds the Jack Stanton Chair of Evangelism at Southwest Baptist University.
Contents Introduction: Hope for Small Churches by Kelly Malone 1. The Church and Expectations of the Pastor by Bob Perry 2. Nurturing Momentum in Small Churches by Larry Tarver 3.Handling Conflict in the Small Church by Doran McCarty 4. Pastoral Care in Small Churches by Ben D. Craver 5.Preaching in the Small Church by Mike Fuhrman 6.Discipleship in Small Churches by Jonathan Grenz 7.Global Missions for Smaller Churches by Dennis Horton 8.Children's Ministry and Youth Ministry in Rural Churches by Duke Jones 9. Preparing Students for Small Church Ministry by Kenneth Gore 10. Preparing Bi-Vocational Pastors for the Small Church by Rod Earls 11. Responding to the Shortage of Pastors in Rural Churches: Some Lessons from Global Missions by Kelly Malone Conclusion by Ben Craver
God is still calling men to pastor small churches. Some of these men are seminary graduates while others are laymen raised up within their churches to lead. Regardless of their background and education, most of these men receive little training in how to lead a small church. Leadership in Small Churches provides practical guidance for first time small church pastors. I plan to use this book with men serving for the first time in a small church. It provides practical guidance on how to navigate the most common issues a pastor faces in a small church. If you pastor a small church, or if you are planning to serve as pastor in a small church, I highly recommend this book! -- Jeffrey A. Clark, Wheaton College
