You’re not a miniaturized big congregation!
Small congregations are not big settings in miniature. They work differently. They come with different resources, dynamics, and challenges. But they also come with distinctive strengths--ones that are powerfully forming and not generally available in big settings.
Ministry requires more than trying to replicate big-setting successes. It requires unleashing this great variety of small-setting strengths. Like reclaiming lay rather than expert leadership. Or “going local” rather than chasing after a one-size-fits-most program. Or returning to practices of participation rather than performance.
The result is not a “fix” for small congregations. It’s a hope for all congregations led by the small ones. We need you to work differently. To become local laboratories, indigenous innovators, and good news diagnosticians for the mission of the whole Church.
Grace doesn’t get hung up on expertise, efficiency, or numbers. It chases after lone lambs, changes plans for an interrupting beggar, and works like a ridiculously tiny mustard seed.
For the love of God, you can too.
Finding Vitality in Scrappy, Small Congregations Promo Video
The Event Details
This event is for lay leaders and their ministers from congregations with 50 or fewer active members. We encourage 3-5 people from each congregation to attend so that they can brainstorm together.
You are invited to join Pastor Donna Simon and author Teresa Stewart for a two-day gathering. Through engaging activities and inspiring worship, the guest speakers will lead congregations into embracing their vitality and their God-given gifts of ministry.
Date: August 22-23
Time: 10 am Friday - 4 pm Saturday
The location: St. John’s Lutheran Church, 703 3rd Ave, Sterling, IL
This event is possible thanks to an ELCA Innovation Grant. Included in the cost of the event is:
- Time with Teresa Stewart and Rev. Dr. Donna Simon
- All meals – lunch and dinner Friday and lunch on Saturday
- Hotel stay Friday night
- A copy of Teresa Stewart’s book The Small Church Advantage
The cost of the event:
- $40 for event with no hotel
- $50 for event with shared room
- $100 for event with single room
The Workshops
Here are the 4 workshops covered during this two-day event. Each will involve interaction, reflection, and planning for how to take it back to your congregation.
- The Big Shift: Working Differently (and Why the Whole Church Depends on You Not Imitating Big Settings!)
- Faithful Reimagining Together
- Going Local, Inviting Worship Workers, Making Stone Soup
- Deeper Practicing Together
- Playful Practice with Your Small Church Strengths (Finding New Possibilities and Delight with Conversation, Contact and Widened Word)
- Playful Creating Together
- Twelve Unexpected, Unlikely Beautiful Lessons from Small Congregations (the Kingdom is Among Us Already!)
- Hope-full Planning Together
Ending with A Grateful Offering of our Gifts
- (Plans are brought forward in closing worship as an offering and extension of our baptismal covenant)
The Guest Speakers
Teresa J. Stewart - Author of The Small Church Advantage
Teresa J. Stewart is a writer, teacher, and creator in love with small congregations. For nearly 20 years she has written worship resources for them, studied their strengths, shared their successes, and offered workshops designed for their distinctive challenges and advantages.
Her work starts with this simple truth: small churches are different from big ones. And small churches have superpowers and distinctive gifts unavailable in big settings.
Teresa lives in the Kansas City area and works with small congregations across the country--virtually and in person.
The Small Church Advantage: Seven Powerful Worship Practices that Work Best in Small Settings (Market Square Books, 2023)
Bishop-Elect Donna Simon - Central States Synod ELCA
As half-time Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM), Donna's primary responsibilities include shepherding congregations under formation and accompanying congregations undergoing intentional renewal. She loves to see what God can do in the midst of people formed for mission. Donna also serves as pastor of St. Mark Hope and Peace Lutheran Church, in the heart of Kansas City, MO.
In June, the Rev. Donna Simon was elected as Bishop of the Central States Synod of the ELCA. Bishop-Elect Simon will begin a six-year term on September 1, 2025.
