Sermons on Small Congregations:

Sermon For The Beginning Of Lent

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Aug 25, 2005

A sermon for the beginning of Lent, written for a small congregation in an English country chapel

The shortest sermon ever recorded, which you won’t be getting this morning, consisted of the preacher going into the pulpit and quoting Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death”, and adding “there has been no change in the rate of pay. Amen”. It’s not very fashionable these days to talk about sin ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Feeling Small, Walking Tall Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 24, 2022

Small congregations might feel ineffective at reaching people, but big things come in small packages. Both the parable of "the mustard seed" and "the yeast" show how small, seemingly insignificant things can make a huge impact.

The passage of Scripture that we will view tonight contains two short parables – “The Mustard Seed” and “The Yeast.” I have entitled our sermon “Feeling Small, Walking Tall,” and the passage that we’ll be studying provides a great opportunity for sharing a motivational message. You are probably ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-33

Denomination: Baptist

From No Account To Significance

Contributed by Wes Richard on Aug 1, 2006

Goliath-sized giants sometimes challenge small congregations, but God can work through us even though we are small.

T he Old Testament records the confrontation between David and Goliath. The giant, over nine feet tall, stood as a formidable enemy. But, in the end, with God’s strength, David prevailed. You may be up against giants in your own personal life such as addictions, economic realities, or doubts ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Denomination: Brethren

Healthy Congregations Are Diverse Congregations Series

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Jan 30, 2018

a church must have diversity to be a healthy church

The Episcopal Church prides itself in the acceptance of all people – those of diverse cultures, ethnicity, race, gender identity, sexual identity, and abilities. This allows congregations that share the wonderful uniqueness of each person, celebrate their varied differences, and promote stronger ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Denomination: Episcopal

Benefits Of A Small Church

Contributed by Ronald Thompson on Apr 17, 2005

[My purpose is not to encourage stagnation in church growth, but to remind us of the benefits (and obligations) of a small church lest we become discouraged...]

"THE BENEFITS OF A SMALL CHURCH" INTRODUCTION 1. Churches come in all sizes... a. Some are large, numbering in the thousands, even tens of thousands b. Some are small, with as few as two or more people meeting in a home 2. The definition of church sizes is rather ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:1-2

Denomination: *other

Advantages Of A Strong Small Church Pt 1

Contributed by David Welch on Aug 4, 2018

This message shares some of my thinking from a brief exploration of the character and place of the small church. I credit a large measure of my thinking to the author of the "Grasshopper Myth" by Karl Vater. I include and credit a number of quotes to him

Chico Alliance Church Pastor David Welch “The Advantages of the Small Church” Introduction I have wrestled most of my ministry career with the subject of church growth and health; what constitutes success. Numerous movements and strategies have come and gone. Nearly all the conferences for ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Comatose Congregation Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 24, 2002

Sardis was a church that had a reputation for being alive - but Jesus saw it as dead. How can we avoid falling into the same patterns that threatened Sardis?

OPEN: I once heard about a church that was so dead, that when a member happened to die during the worship service – the paramedics actually carried out 5 people before they finally got the right one. APPLY: Have you ever seen a dead church? (I asked for a show of hands). What does a dead church ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Congregational Polity Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 10, 2011

Exploration of the congregational government in the apostolic church.

“In these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should give up ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

A Prayer For The Congregation Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on May 31, 2020

This message examines Paul's prayer for the Philippians in 1:3-11 identifying major elements in the prayer that we can emulate. Paul prays with (1) thanksgiving (2) confidence (3) passion and (4) purpose.

We have begun a study of Philippians. Last week we dealt with the history of this church as recorded in Acts 16. God has sovereignly chosen to give us a lot of information about the founding of the church at Philippi. All of that is helpful in our interpretation of this letter. In that message we ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13, Ephesians 3:20, 1 John 3:2, Psalm 92:1, 1 Peter 1:7, Acts 24:16, 1 Thessalonians 3:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

A Loving Congregation Series

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 2, 2025

Working through 1 Peter using consecutive expository preaching. Teaching sheet included at end of text.

Series: 1 Peter Sermon: “A Loving Congregation” 1 Peter 1:22-25 Pastor John Bright 1 Peter 1 “22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 having been born again, not of corruptible ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22-25, 1 Samuel 20:17, John 15:19, Romans 12:10, Hebrews 13:1, Numbers 14:18, Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 2:4-5, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 36:25-27, Matthew 18:15-17, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

A Great Congregation

Contributed by Tony Cansler on Apr 30, 2001

A Message to the Church

A Great Congregation Nehemiah 8:1-18 Introduction All Kinds of People Gathered there Worshipping Saint Wayward Saint Wondering Stranger Unified Congregation v 1 “And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of The Congregation

Contributed by Ian Johnson on Jun 10, 2004

There is so much talk among self appointed prophets that the day of the gathering Church is over. I can’t sit back and let these words go un-challenged. God is into unity and its impossible to have unity sitting at home by ourselves or cutting ourselves o

The power of the congregation There is so much talk among self appointed prophets that the day of the gathering Church is over. I can’t sit back and let these words go un-challenged. God is into unity and its impossible to have unity sitting at home by ourselves or cutting ourselves off from the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 133:1-3, Malachi 3:16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Small

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Aug 31, 2025

Sermon on Zechariah I preached at the first anniversary of The House of Prayer.

I. OPENING ILLUSTRATION: II. TEXT: Zechariah 4:6-14 (CSB) So he answered me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength or by might, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of Armies. 7 ‘What are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. And he will bring out the ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Small

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 24, 2018

The Beatitudes inaugurate the Kingdom of God. Jesus teaches about an upside down and backwards kingdom where the greatest are servants and those with the greatest impact are small

Small At the Beginning of the Kingdom of Israel we have a story about how the first king, Saul, got started: 1 Samuel 15 Samuel: “Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.” Saul: “Tell me” -So far, this sounds like to Indian gentlemen having a conversation. 17 Samuel said, “Although you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-11

Denomination: *other

Elders, Deacons, And The Congregation Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Feb 20, 2014

This message highlights a few comments about elders, deacons, and the congregation.

Scripture It is our great joy today to ordain and install Doug Knox, who has been duly elected by the communicant members of this congregation, into the office of Ruling Elder; and to ordain and install Garry Gawrych, who also has been duly elected by the communicant members of this congregation, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed