Stop Apologizing for Being “Small”
In church revitalization, one of the most common lies congregations believe is that bigger automatically means better. Somewhere along the way, churches started apologizing for their size, as if being “only” 50 or 100 people means they are less valuable to God’s kingdom.
But here is the truth: most churches are not large. In fact, the vast majority of churches in America average fewer than 100 people on a Sunday. The multi-thousand–member congregations that get attention online or on television are the exception, not the norm. What many call “small” is actually the normal size of a church throughout history and around the world. Calling yourself “just a small church” is like calling yourself “just normal height.” There is no need to apologize for what is ordinary and healthy.
And here’s the beauty of being a normal-sized church: you can do things large churches simply cannot.
A congregation of 75 can build genuine relationships across generations. You do not just recognize faces—you know stories. You know who needs encouragement, who is struggling, and who is celebrating. That kind of relational depth is powerful, and many people are longing for it.
A church of 50 can adapt quickly. If God lays something on the heart of the congregation, you do not need six layers of committees or a long budget process to get it moving. You can gather a few leaders, pray, and take action. That kind of flexibility is a gift.
A normal-sized church can provide personal pastoral care. In a large congregation, the pastor may not even know every member’s name. In a smaller church, the pastor can walk with people through hospital visits, family struggles, and celebrations in ways that are deeply personal.
When we spend our energy wishing we were larger, we miss the opportunities God has placed right in front of us. The church in Acts did not apologize for meeting in homes. They did not worry about how they looked compared to the synagogue down the street. They prayed, shared meals, cared for one another, and carried the gospel into their communities. And God used those faithful gatherings to spread the good news across the world.
Being a normal-sized church also positions you uniquely in your community. A church of 80 can feel approachable in a way a mega-church cannot. Some people who would never step into a sanctuary filled with thousands will find comfort in a congregation where they are noticed the moment they walk in the door.
That does not mean churches should stop growing or stop reaching out. Faithfulness always includes mission. But it does mean we should not measure worth by attendance charts alone. Health is not about size. Health is about faithfulness—preaching truth, loving people, and living as a witness in the community.
A healthy church of 50 can have just as much kingdom impact as a church of 500 if it leans into its strengths. Instead of apologizing for what you are not, embrace what you are. Celebrate your size as an opportunity to go deeper, love better, and serve faithfully.
Takeaway: Stop apologizing for being “small.” Embrace the strengths God has given your church, and steward them for His glory.