As the end of 2007 nears and planning is fully in place for 2008, the South Carolina Baptist Convention continues to seek ways to serve the largest of church constituencies in the state. With the majority of South Carolina churches in less populated areas, the convention is providing new opportunities for smaller church congregations and their leaders.
From a purely numbers perspective, 1,326 churches are considered “small” in South Carolina. This represents more than half of the 2,100 churches in the South Carolina Baptist Convention. And in recent years, the convention has taken strategic steps to intentionally provide resources for these churches.
“There is power in small,” said Roger Orman, director of the SCBC church development team.
While Orman says the convention does not define smaller church congregations from a ministry perspective, he affirms that there is power in small groups to impact individual lives.
“As a staff serving the churches of South Carolina, we work hard to equip leaders to maximize the resources and talent available to them for the cause of Christ, no matter their size,” he said.
In 2002 and again in 2005, the convention sponsored “Celebrating the Small Strong Congregation,” a conference initiative to equip leaders in smaller congregations. In 2006, the “Reclaiming the Church” conference gave leaders of smaller congregations an opportunity to access 10 years worth of church growth data specific to their church. Orman says that though these events are offered, the goal is much larger than programming.
“While we offer what some identify as conferences, we strive to bring about conversations and networking that translate for each individual church relevant to them,” said Orman.
In May 2007, a learning event – “Affecting Change” with Aubry Malphurs, author of numerous books on church growth – will again give all churches the chance to examine their individual ministries in the context of dialogue with other church leaders.
“Affecting Change is not a catchy title but the goal of church leaders around South Carolina. They surrender to a call, commit their life to this call, and sacrifice daily to bring about a heart change in the lives of the people with whom they come in contact,” Orman said.
In addition, new church software is now available, geared especially to smaller church congregations to assist in tracking growth, attendance, and membership trends. The Small Church Solution software has traditionally been offered at a higher price, but was recently renegotiated through the convention to be affordable to the churches that may need the software the most.
Through these new opportunities, the goal of the convention remains the same for all churches: to serve and equip any congregations seeking assistance. But often the smaller church congregations with limited budgets can benefit the most from services offered.
“Church leaders will no longer find solutions on a PowerPoint or guaranteed results in a box. The tools our leaders seek are those ‘learnings’ that help them contextualize with what they already know and desire to do,” said Orman.
And of these smaller churches, Orman points out there is very large work accomplished for the kingdom.
“It is not the number in attendance,” Orman continued, “but the heart agony to change lives for Jesus.”
For more information on Affecting Change or Small Church Solutions, log on to www.scbaptist.org or call (800) 723-7242.