To pastor a small Church of God can be a…

To pastor a small Church of God can be a real challenge to a minister and his family. Sometimes that church is isolated geographically and that leaves the pastor without the outside stimuli that he craves and may even need to feel complete. The small church is often dominated by one family who after several years feel ownership. This is not necessarily bad as the church might not exist without them but sometimes nothing can change because of them. A pastor friend has been driving to one remote location, preaching, teaching and usually leading the singing now for 15 years.
Just in the last 2 years a subdivision has grown up within a mile and he and I brainstormed ways to reach out and try to reach the new neighbors. But his group of 12 to 15 showed no interest in doing anything to welcome them in. Deep down in seemed as if they felt inferior and thought the new comers would look down on them. So big or small it takes energy,wisdom and a willingness to break out of the comfort zone for both pastor and church.