Small on Purpose

Small on Purpose: Life in a Significant Church is a joyful andhonest look at the kingdom-enriching characteristics of smallcongregations. Lewis Parks demonstrates how to see and build upon thosestrengths. His premise is not better/worse. Instead, Parks shows us howlife in a small congregation is profoundly significant and the importantrole these churches play. This book includes clear instructions on howleaders can streamline ministry to maximize the unique and powerfulcontributions small churches make in their communities. This book isinspiring and practical, a refreshing point of view for the church andchurch leaders.';Small on Purpose reimagines what it means to be acongregation of ninety, sixty, or thirty by not focusing on size. Iespecially appreciate Lewis Parks's attention to why ';soul care' iscritical for congregations under 150 as a means of discipleship andoutreach. Parks sees soul care as a countercultural act that createsmeaning for many who are seeking family-like relationships. This bookchallenges all congregations to take seriously the small things they aredoinglike soul careas a compelling way to move into the future.' F.Douglas Powe Jr., Managing Director for The Institute for CommunityEngagement, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington DC; author of NewWine, New Wineskins and Not Safe for Church from Abingdon Press';LewisParks writes with pitch-perfect tone about the life of small churches.He appeals to the experience of smaller congregations as gatheringplaces of worship and service. There he sees signs of the Spirit moving,of tradition revivified through song and word, of pastoral care sharedacross a congregation. Above all, he offers transformative words andperspectives with which small churches can claim their distinctivewitness.' Thomas Edward Frank, University Professor and Chair of theDepartment of History, Wake Forest College, Wake Forest University,Winston-Salem, NC';In a time when the culture is becoming moreand more individualistic, Lew Parks strikes a chord for the great valueof the gathered community of faith that is strengthened week by weekthrough their faithfulness to the gospel and to one another. Gather inyour small church and read this together. Your life and your communitywill be enriched.' Bill McAlilly, Bishop, Nashville Area EpiscopalOffice, The United Methodist Church