The Little Church Down The Block
My friend Derek Sweatman is the lead pastor for Christian Church Buckhead.
They are a church that meets about 2 blocks from Buckhead Church.
They run about 180 people a Sunday and Derek had me come and speak to his volunteers tonight.
Why would he bring the guy from the megachurch to come and talk to his people?
Because he and I both know that my church is no better off than his and centrally, we have the same needs.
So I told them about my recent journey from Sandals to Buckhead and how I remember being at the EXACT place they are at as a church.
Trying not to run from that place, but exist in that place with joy and a teachable sprit.
Here was what I tried to say in my 25 minutes of tripping over my words…
1. Be real with yourselves, others, and God WHERE YOU ARE AT as a group of volunteers.
2. There is an authenticity in a smaller church community that forms the base for healthy numerical growth in the future.
3. The church staff are not the shepherds in the local church. They are the facilitators of the ministry being given by the VOLUNTEERS.
4. The church down the street with the big building is no better off than you are. Actually you are better off in some ways.
5. Having no permanent facilities creates an attitude of servant-hood and obedience that is hard to discover once you have a building. Enjoy the time you have without walls.
6. If the churches in the Buckhead community would spend more time together outside the walls of the buildings…Dare I say it…Revival could take place in our community.
7. God has Christian Church Buckhead where they are for a strategic purpose in our city. And I can’t wait to see all He is going to do through them.
So if you are a church looking at the church down the street and comparing yourself to them…
Take a page from Christian Church Buckhead.
Find your identity in Christ and enjoy where He has you.
These guys have even printed maps with walking directions to Buckhead Church for the people who show up WEEKLY thinking that they are at our church. They direct them down the street to us.
Now if that is not a glorious picture of what The Church should be, I don’t know what is.
Los
RAIN IT DOWN
Great advice for all smaller churches! Be content in the present and pray for the future!
good stuff!
hopefully my pastor reads this (which im sure he will since he’s how i found your page)…we’re a small portable church as well. this kind of thing is just the reminder we need to hear.
Great thoughts, Carlos. I visited our smallest multi-site at Christ Fellowship today. The service had about 500 in it and I was enjoying the authenticity and intimacy of that style of worship. You speak right when you say that there are blessings attached to that stage of church life.
I LOVED the idea of meeting each other outside of the church walls – mega or otherwise – and creating a revival in the community.
Incidentally, one of my fave Starbucks is right near Buckhead. My friend Scott Mawdesley took us there earlier this year. That and Seasons 52… Atlanta has great food around every corner.
Thanks for all you do day in and out.
that’s good stuff. i’ve been bothered by my local church community’s lack of support and interaction with each other – even just between youth departments. that last thought you left us with just proves that church has it’s priorities in order. thanks for sharing.
You are right on . . . keep on preaching the truth and soon you will have enough people join the ranks of those who have become “Untrained Professional Christians”. Maybe then, we can move outside the building and become the true CHURCH going where the CHURCH is suppose to go.
Carlos, Thanks for coming last night. It was very encouraging to hear you speak and feel like we have some support from the big church around the block because we’re all on the same team.
Wow! Great post. Yesterday I spoke at FBC, Camarillo, Ca. Dan Nelson, Pastor. Attendance was less than 150, but we had a glorious worship experience, many at the altar of prayer and a genuine desire to impact their community for Christ. After church we went for lunch. There we met a “mega church worship leader” who was extremely encouraging to this “small church pastor”. I love serving my Lord, and thanks for “refreshing my spirit” (1 Cor. 16:18)
Dude thats awesome. I am a volunteer at my church. We have a building but I have been there when we didn’t. We did it in schools and coffee houses, and I love the opportunity I get to serve. Thank you for the reminder.
carlos, we really enjoyed your visit with us last night. it’s really refreshing to hear what you had to say, especially since many of us have felt like we’ve been in buckhead church’s shadow since CCB’ inception.
we’re all in Jesus’ shadow, and that’s a great place to be.
and since you’re on this kick about no walls, how about kicking us some old sound gear? just kidding! keep up the good work and come see us soon.
Hey Los,
Return my phone calls! BUSY? Psshhaaa!!
Interesting that you posted this topic of all days. I just asked a number of questions regarding volunteerism and I’m looking for some feedback- throw some more of your wisdom and experience my way and hopefully others can use the info on my “Volunteers as Art” page for inspiration, encouragement and direction as well.
http://playshubox.wordpress.com/volunteers-as-art/