The Church Revitalization Podcast – Episode 238
In the book of Judges, we find the story of Gideon, a man chosen by God to lead Israel against the oppressive Midianites. Gideon, who considered himself the least of his family and his clan the weakest in Israel, was an unlikely hero. Yet, God chose him to lead an army of just 300 men to defeat a vast Midianite force. This story serves as a powerful reminder that God often uses the small and seemingly insignificant to accomplish great things for His Kingdom.
As pastors and church leaders, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that bigger is always better. We live in a culture that often equates size with success, and this mindset can creep into our churches as well. However, the truth is that church size is not the ultimate measure of effectiveness or faithfulness. In fact, being a smaller church can often be a competitive advantage when it comes to making a significant impact for the Kingdom of God.
In this article, we’ll explore why size doesn’t matter as much as we might think and how God can use smaller churches to do big things. We’ll also introduce you to Operation Gideon, an initiative by The Malphurs Group that seeks to equip and empower smaller churches worldwide to become thriving, Great Commission-focused congregations. Join us as we discover how God can use the underdogs to make a lasting difference in our world.
Size Is Neutral
In the church world, there can be a tendency to make assumptions about a congregation based on its size. Some may assume that big churches are automatically more effective, while others may think that small churches are inherently more holy. However, these assumptions are often misguided and can lead to unfair stereotypes.
Big churches are sometimes accused of being “a production” and shallow, focusing more on entertainment than discipleship. While this may be true in some cases, it’s important to recognize that many large churches are deeply committed to spiritual growth and are making a significant impact in their communities and beyond.
On the other hand, small churches are sometimes accused of being “a country club” rather than being evangelistic. While some small churches may indeed struggle with an inward focus, many are actively reaching out to their neighbors and making disciples.
The truth is that size is ultimately irrelevant when it comes to church health and effectiveness. What matters most is a congregation’s commitment to the Great Commission—making and maturing disciples of Jesus Christ. Whether a church has 50 members or 5,000, its primary goal should be to glorify God by fulfilling the mission He has given us.
As Gideon’s story reminds us, God is not limited by our size or resources. He can work through any congregation that is faithful to His call, regardless of its numbers. The key is to focus on health rather than size, and to trust that God can use us to make a big impact for His Kingdom.
God Often Chooses to Use the Small to Shame the Powerful
Throughout Scripture, we see numerous examples of God using the small and seemingly insignificant to accomplish His purposes. Gideon’s story is just one of many that illustrate this principle.
When God chooses to use the small to make a big impact, it is often so that He alone can receive the glory. If Gideon had defeated the Midianites with a vast army, people might have attributed the victory to human strength and strategy. But by using just 300 men, God made it clear that the victory belonged to Him alone.
This principle applies to churches as well. When a small church makes a big impact in its community or beyond, it is a powerful testimony to the power and grace of God. People are more likely to recognize that something supernatural is at work, rather than just attributing it to human effort or resources.
Moreover, small churches and organizations often have the advantage of being able to move more intentionally and tactically. With less bureaucracy and red tape to navigate, they can respond quickly to the leading of the Holy Spirit and adapt to changing circumstances. When small churches trust God and step out in faith, they can often accomplish more than they ever thought possible.
Another advantage of being small is the closer connection to the direct impact of the work being done. In a smaller church, it’s easier to see how each person’s contributions are making a difference. This can be incredibly motivating and encouraging, as people see the tangible results of their efforts and feel a greater sense of ownership in the mission.
So if you’re part of a smaller church, don’t despise your size. Embrace it as an opportunity to lean into God’s strength and to watch Him work in powerful ways. Trust that He can use your congregation to make a big impact for His Kingdom, just as He used Gideon’s small army to defeat the Midianites.
Everything Significant Started Small
It’s easy to look at large, thriving churches and organizations and assume that they’ve always been that way. But the truth is that every significant movement or institution started small. No church or organization was delivered whole and fully formed; each one was born out of the vision and dedication of a small group of committed individuals.
Consider the early church in the Book of Acts. It began with just a handful of disciples in an upper room, waiting for the promised Holy Spirit. But from that small seed, the church grew and spread throughout the world, transforming lives and cultures wherever it went.
The same is true of many of the most influential churches and ministries throughout history. Whether it’s the Methodists under John Wesley, the Salvation Army under William Booth, or the church planting movement in China, each one began with a small group of faithful believers who were committed to the Great Commission.
So if you’re part of a smaller church, don’t limit what God-sized impact could come from your congregation. Don’t let your limited resources, population, or leadership base discourage you from dreaming big and stepping out in faith. Remember that everything significant starts small, and that God delights in using the underdogs to accomplish His purposes.
At The Malphurs Group, we believe that every church, regardless of size, has the potential to make a big impact for the Kingdom of God. That’s why we’re committed to equipping and empowering smaller churches to become thriving, Great Commission-focused congregations. Through our resources, training, and consulting, we help churches clarify their vision, develop their leaders, and implement strategies for healthy growth and multiplication.
But we can’t do it alone. Just as Gideon needed his army of 300, we need an army of churches and individuals who share our vision and are willing to partner with us in this vital work. In the next section, we’ll share more about how you can join us in Operation Gideon and help catalyze a global transformation, one church at a time.
We Need an Army
The problem of church decline is not limited to any one region or denomination. It is a global challenge that requires solutions of equal scale. But as the story of Gideon reminds us, God often chooses to work through a dedicated few to accomplish His purposes.
At The Malphurs Group, we believe that global church decline is not inevitable, and that God can use a small army of committed churches and individuals to catalyze a worldwide transformation. That’s why we’re launching Operation Gideon, an initiative to raise up 300 partners who will link arms with us to support the cause of global church revitalization.
Our strategy is simple but powerful:
1. Make, promote, and deliver proven, digital church revitalization training and tools to every corner of the globe. By leveraging technology, we can equip pastors and leaders with the resources they need to lead their churches to greater health and effectiveness, regardless of their location or financial means.
2. Identify and deploy regional Church Revitalization Guides around the world to work one-on-one with struggling congregations. These guides will be trained and supported by our team to provide contextualized coaching and support to churches in their area.
3. Develop partnerships with established networks of global churches and become their partner for church revitalization training and tools. By collaborating with existing networks, we can expand our reach and impact while also learning from the wisdom and experience of leaders in different cultural contexts.
But to fully implement this strategy, we need an army of 300 churches and individuals who will support our ministry on a monthly basis. We’re looking for partners who catch the vision of what God could do through a global movement of church revitalization, and who are willing to invest in this vital Kingdom work.
In order to raise up this army of 300, we’ve developed a campaign called Operation Gideon. Whether you’re a church leader or an individual with a heart for healthy churches, there’s a place for you in this movement. Together, we can see God work mightily through churches around the world as we trust Him to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine.
How to Join the Army for Global Church Revitalization
If you’re reading this article, chances are you share our conviction that the local church is the hope of the world and that every congregation has the potential to make a big impact for the Kingdom of God. But perhaps you also recognize that many churches are struggling and that the problem of church decline is too big for any one leader or congregation to tackle alone.
That’s where Operation Gideon comes in. We’re inviting you to join our army of 300 churches and individuals who will partner with us to support the cause of global church revitalization.
Here’s what that looks like:
1. We’re asking churches to consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift of $100 from their missions budget. For the price of a few pizzas or a couple of team coffee runs each month, your church can help equip pastors and revitalize congregations around the world.
2. If you’re an individual with the means to do so, we invite you to support our ministry with a monthly gift of $100, just as you might support other global missions organizations like Compassion International or World Vision. Your investment will help us train and deploy Church Revitalization Guides, create and distribute digital resources, and partner with church networks for maximum impact.
By joining Operation Gideon, you’ll be part of a global army of partners who understand the scope of the challenge before us, but who also believe that church revitalization is not only possible but necessary. With your support, we can fully fund our ministry initiatives, meet every current request for revitalization help, and lay the groundwork for further expansion as we build more partnerships and train more local leaders.
We know that $100 per month is a significant investment, but we believe the impact is worth it. By partnering with The Malphurs Group, you’ll be part of a movement that is helping churches around the world become thriving, Great Commission-focused congregations. You’ll be equipping pastors with the training and resources they need to lead well, and you’ll be investing in the health and future of the global church.
So please prayerfully consider joining our army of 300. Together, we can answer God’s call and equip His Church to advance the Great Commission like never before. Just as Gideon’s small army defeated the Midianites, we believe that God can use our partnership to catalyze a global transformation, one church at a time.
Click here to learn more about Operation Gideon or set up your monthly partnership. Or, you can join our Operation Gideon campaign by using the form below. Thank you for your prayerful consideration, and for your heart for the health and mission of the Church. May God use our collective efforts to bring Him glory and to see His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
Conclusion
In the story of Gideon, we see a powerful example of how God delights in using the small and seemingly insignificant to accomplish His purposes. Gideon’s army of 300 men, armed with nothing but torches, trumpets, and clay jars, was able to defeat a vast Midianite force through the power and strategic direction of God.
As pastors and church leaders, it’s easy to feel like we’re facing insurmountable odds in our efforts to revitalize and grow our churches. The challenges of declining attendance, shifting cultural values, and limited resources can seem overwhelming at times. But Gideon’s story reminds us that God is not limited by our size or circumstances, and that He can use our small congregations to make a big impact for His Kingdom.
At The Malphurs Group, we believe that every church has the potential to become a thriving, Great Commission-focused congregation, regardless of its size or location. That’s why we’re committed to equipping pastors and leaders with the training, resources, and support they need to lead their churches to greater health and effectiveness.
But we can’t do it alone. We need an army of partners who share our vision and are willing to invest in this vital Kingdom work. Through Operation Gideon, we’re inviting churches and individuals to link arms with us and support the cause of global church revitalization.
Whether you partner with us financially, pray for our ministry and the churches we serve, or simply share this vision with others, you can play a key role in catalyzing a global movement of church health and growth. Together, we can see God work mightily through congregations around the world, as we trust Him to lead us forward in His mission.
So let’s embrace our identity as underdogs in the Kingdom of God, knowing that our size and strength are not what determine our impact. Let’s step out in faith and obedience, trusting God to use our small congregations to make a big difference in our communities and beyond.
And let’s link arms with one another in initiatives like Operation Gideon, knowing that we are stronger together than we are apart. As we partner in prayer, generosity, and shared vision, we can see God’s Church thrive and grow like never before, as we advance His mission in our generation.
May God use our collective efforts to bring Him glory, and may He multiply our small offerings to accomplish immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine. Let’s be part of a global army that sees churches revitalized, disciples made, and communities transformed by the power of the Gospel. Will you join us?
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Scott Ball is the Vice President and a Lead Guide with The Malphurs Group. He lives in East Tennessee with his wife and two children. (Email Scott).
