Small Actions, Lasting Impact

The following is taken from the 11/25/09 Edition of the Expanding Wave, which is written by Rev. Phil Stevenson and distributed by the Department of Evangelism & Church Growth. Enjoy!

November 3 marked the 291st birthday of an individual who is honored daily. He is remembered on playgrounds, in lunch rooms, by sidewalk vendors, and by moms and dads. In fact, one company honors him in 22,000 locations with $10 billion (yes, with a ‘B’) in annual sales. Who is this honoree? It is none other than John Montagu the fourth, Earl of Sandwich.

According to legend, this British aristocrat “ordered a piece of meat tucked between two pieces of bread. Others soon requested ‘the same as Sandwich’….” (Fast Company, Nov. 09) And lunches have never quite been the same. It is interesting to note that a small action made in a seemingly obscure location could make such a lasting impact on so many. Haven’t we all, albeit unknowingly, honored the Earl through the digesting of a sandwich?

What action is your church taking to make a lasting impact? I don’t ask how many attend your church. I don’t ask how significant your location is. I simply suggest you consider-- what action(s) you might take that will make a significant impact?

You don’t have to be large to make a lasting impact. You don’t have to be in significant locations to make an impact that will be felt around the word. What you do today might not even be noticed, but your actions could leave their mark, much like John Montagu.

There is much opportunity for smaller works. Leadership Network reports that over half of all Protestant churches average less than 100 in worship. These smaller congregations can make some significant things happen if they so choose. What might a smaller church do to make a lasting impact?

Be a generous church. Generosity is not an amount, but an attitude. Think in terms of the widow’s few coins. She simply gave out of her available resources. Too often smaller congregations focus on what they don’t have instead of what they do have. God expects generosity from what is at our disposal, not that which we have no access. God asked Moses what was in his hand (Ex.4:2). It was what Moses had, and was willing to release to God, that made a lasting impact.

Share the gospel. You can be the gospel presence in your community. Sharing the gospel does not necessitate big programs, lots of people, nor large buildings. Sharing the gospel needs only a people broken-hearted for those disconnected from God.

Pray missionally. This is praying not just for yourself, but those outside your walls. It is easy for any church to get so ingrown that they never ask God to work outside their walls. They limit God to inside the walls stuff. This can be exaggerated in smaller churches. Smaller churches have many needs. Resist the pull to mainly pray internally. Discipline yourself to pray externally.

Get involved in meeting needs. Every community has needs. Take time to identify some of those needs. Mobilize to meet them. It might be simply partnering with a community organization working with them to meet the needs of those they serve.

Partner with God. Ask God to show you what you need to see. Step out in faith on endeavors that will stretch your local congregation’s faith.

Small congregations need to view themselves as mustard seed communities. The mustard seed was the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants (Mk.4:31-32). You may be small, but the work you do can be mighty. It can have eternal impact. Grow where God has planted you.