5 ways to stay encouraged in a small church

I pastored my first church for almost three years.  My largest Sunday attendance was 50 and my smallest was two… well okay, three if you include me!  Most Sundays we averaged about 30.  I set up, tore down, taught four times a week, visited, prayed, created the bulletin, copied the bulletin, folded the bulletins, well, you get the idea.

It was easy to get discouraged.  Being young, I wanted immediate results. Lots of alone time left me longing for relationships. Often it was like flying by the seat of my pants trying to figure ministry out.  In a 200church, you’re perhaps the only staff member and there is no one to bounce ideas off or share frustrations with – there can easily be times of discouragement.

Here’s five ways I’ve learned to stay encouraged over the years:

1. Spend time with people who will build you up.  We need to have people in our lives that encourage and uplift us.  We need those who breathe life into us.  Identify who they are, or go on the hunt for some, and intentionally spend quality time with them.  You’ll be glad!
   
2. Listen to inspiring worship music. Music is way more accessible today than it was even twenty five years ago, so whenever you can, play joyful, uplifting worship music. You might be encouraged by a particular artist, group, or style – so turn it on and crank it up!  I often play Pandora while I am in the shower (I know, TMI!) and between a nice refreshing shower and good inspiring music, I am in a positive mood as I start the day.
   
3. Get plenty of rest and exercise.  I know, this is a “duh” point and we all know it, but the most important principles in life are always the most fundamental.  When I begin to let my sleep suffer, or get off the exercise wagon because I am just “too busy”, I always experience a correlating time of discouragement.  Sleep and movement are two essentials to a positive outlook.
   
4. Make a plan and stick with it.  In a small church, it’s easy to allow our schedule to drift. We get distracted, go off in the wrong direction, and before we know it, half the day is gone and our work is still piled up.  This is frustrating and discouraging. The simplest and most basic fix to schedule frustration is to begin the day on paper.  Have a written, prioritized plan for the day, and then work the plan.  I am always most encouraged during the day when I experience progress, movement, and accomplishment.  Whatever works best for you, figure it out, and use it.  Work your plan.
   
5. Engage your people by equipping them for ministry. Hey, this is why we are in ministry in the first place, to make disciples of Jesus, right?  Real encouragement comes when we minister to others by spending time with them and helping them to grow, serve, and enjoy their relationship with Jesus!
   

The foundation of the above five is, of course, time with God.  While this one should be a given, it often isn't  is it?  An authentic and personal friendship with the living God through communication and heartfelt time spent together in so many varieties of ways is absolutely crucial to staying encouraged in ministry.   After all, he is our boss, partner, biggest cheerleader, etc. etc.

Your church and your ministry matter huge to the Kingdom of God, no matter the size of your church!  In a way, Jesus’ church never got above 12!  So stay encouraged!

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