Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania
Orthodox Church in America
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Chaellenges Faced by Small Parishes

In a brief survey  prior to the Forum, attendees indicated that one of the most  important issues facing small parishes is one of creating a sense of positive identity.

 

Authors and small church "experts" agree. In his book The Small Church is Different, author Lyle Shaller notes, "If there is something close to a universal beginning point for small churches wanting to plan for the future it is strengthening their self image."  

 

Build a List of Unique Assets

As your small church gives thought to its future build a list of the church's assets & strengthsthat are a product of its diminutive size. Then talk about how these can be a foundation for ways to strengthen the parish's sense of ministry.

 

But Strengths Can Also Be Weaknesses

Realize also however that strengths may have a negative side. For example the strong communal aspects of small churches can also be limiting. We quote again from the aforementioned book: 

 

"The strong commitment of members to one another ... to the meeting place and concept of one big family with modest program emphasis tend to reinforce the single cell nature of the church. When combined with the intergenerational nature of a small church these forces tend to enhance the caring nature of fellowship at the cost of potential growth. These unifying principles tend to make the small church exclusionary. This tends to make it hard for small churches to reach, attract and assimilate new members (unless they have kin). The more closely knit the fellowship the more difficult it is to achieve growth.

 

 Can you recognize your parish here?