Robin Knowles Wallace and Terry R. Heck, Worshiping in Small Membership Churches (Ministry in the Small Membership Church Series). Discipleship Resources, 2007.
Referenced in: Small Church Leadership
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
This book is part of Abingdon’s Ministry in the Small Membership Church Series. These tools are designed for Methodist churches, but are also useful for other contexts.
From the Publisher
Just because your congregation is small doesn’t limit your worship style.
“Living in the tension of small numbers and large hopes, gives us energy for the work of transformative worship,” Wallace and Heck write. “Worship can be passionate in any setting. Small-membership churches are in the right place for effective, transforming ministry!”
Small congregations have unique gifts and particular strengths that can sustain a variety of worship styles. Yet many leaders shy away from some powerful participatory experiences because “we’re too few” or more “informal.” Any challenges or doubts you may have about expanding your weekly rituals can be met or at least lessened.
The authors write in detail about best practices and worship tools that can bring out the best in small congregations, including planning for:
- the liturgical year
- altar settings
- hospitality
- children’s sermons
- ushering
- serving communion
- the choir
There are no “one-size-fits-all” answers. Worship, after all, is not about the leaders or the plan but is about helping people encounter the presence of God among the people of God. Your congregation’s worship life and members will be strengthened as you seek answers together and grow in faith and understanding.
About the Author
Robin Knowles Wallace is Professor of Worship and Music in the Taylor Chair at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. She grew up and served as musician in a variety of small membership churches in the Midwest.
Terry R. Heck is a graduate of United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio and an ordained elder in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. She serves as lead pastor at Bellbrook United Methodist Church in Bellbrook, Ohio and assists in pastoral responsibilities Oldtown United Methodist Church in Oldtown, Ohio.
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