In addition to the congregation I am called to I also take care of a small rural congregation of 66 members that worships about 12 to 15 a Sunday. The key financial situation keeping them open is a farm that was donated to them a while ago. My constant struggle is to keep them thinking missionally. There is so much this small group of believers can do for the community. Can they afford a pastor on their own? Maybe not right now, but even so they can do a lot to advance the mission of Christ. I just need to divert their thinking from “We are aging and eventually will have to close our doors” to “How can we share the love of Christ with the community around us”.

Thanks for your post. Very good thoughts. God bless!