Paper Bag Cathedrals

Small congregations come in lots of flavors. The differences matter—even when the size is the same. See 2 reorienting questions for but-we-used-to-be-big congregations.

BUT WE USED TO BE A BIG CHURCH . . . - Small Church, Big God BUT WE USED TO BE A BIG CHURCH . . . - Small Church, Big God

(excerpt)..So that’s what they did. After the last bowls and boxes go out each week, the small group transforms that car-selling-haircutting-video-watching-tattooing-now-food-pantry space into worship space. Not a hard task, really. It is already holy ground. They are already a tent people. Next week’s boxes are moved against the walls. A work table is draped with a beautiful cloth and a cross. The room trembles with incarnational wonder. And doesn’t need a single pane of stained glass...

A Superpower Story of Small-Setting Nimble - Small Church, Big God A Superpower Story of Small-Setting Nimble - Small Church, Big God

(excerpt)
It’s not all on you.

And it’s not even close.

You don’t need all the perfect sermon words.

You don’t need to dilute the Holy Week stories with clever, original explanations.

In Holy Week, you can trust our scripture to work.

That’s the point of the following resources. They simply allow the scripture to speak to us. With us. Intimately. They are designed for messy participation. Not perfect performance. And intimate, messy, high-participation worship is one of your strengths.

So here they are...

3 Holy Week Resources for Small Congregations: Let the Scripture Work - Small Church, Big God 3 Holy Week Resources for Small Congregations: Let the Scripture Work - Small Church, Big God

(excerpt)
During the Easter Season, try this great idea for including children in worship. It’s the Story Sharing model for children’s sermons.

Story Sharing in Worship: Children, Easter, and the Miracle of Mirror Neurons - Small Church, Big God Story Sharing in Worship: Children, Easter, and the Miracle of Mirror Neurons - Small Church, Big God

Small congregations, please share your answers. Here or in an email to [email protected]. Even if your answers are in-process, partial, or typically ignored. It's a way to bear witness to the endless ways God is willing to show up by-for-with us.

The Spirit’s creativity is often unleashed when we don’t have everything we think we need.

How have you imagined worship differently--off the usual script--through this enormous transition? Where have you been surprised by provision and joy?

Sharing Your Insight: What Do You Notice About Performance and Participation? - Small Church, Big God Sharing Your Insight: What Do You Notice About Performance and Participation? - Small Church, Big God

Small-setting pastors and laity, the Church needs your insight to lavishly celebrate the good news in all of those 177,000 small congregations in the United States. Please offer your insight here. Or send an email to [email protected]. I'll share what we learn together.

Most current Hybrid-Both-And resources trigger a Performance Aesthetic. How could we offer online worship with a Participation Aesthetic instead?

Where have you seen it? What have you noticed? How do you invite participation and intimate community online?

Sharing Your Insight: What Do You Notice About Performance and Participation? - Small Church, Big God Sharing Your Insight: What Do You Notice About Performance and Participation? - Small Church, Big God