Effective Small Churches in the Twenty-First Century

by Dudley, Carl S.

• ISBN13: 9780687090907
• ISBN10: 0687090903
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-03-01
• Publisher: Abingdon Pr

Summary

Dudley's work in Making the Small Church Effective (1978) broke new ground in understanding the dynamics of life in the small congregation. In this revised edition, Dudley revisits the small church, posing new questions reflective of the considerable changes that have swept over small churches in the last two decades. Among the most significant recent developments are shifts in institutional loyalty and individual's sense of identity in relation to larger groups and organizations. Dudley explores the key components that contribute to a small congregation's sense of unity and that motivate its members to more faithfully live out their faith.

Author Biography

Carl S. Dudley is Professor of Church and Community as well as Co-director of the Center for Social and Religious Research at Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Effective Small Churches in the Twenty-first Century	9	(8)
Introduction from Making the Small Church Effective (1978, revised)	17	(6)
Perspectives on the Small Church	23	(14)
Part One: Caring
The Choreography of Worship	35	(2)
The Caring Cell	37	(16)
The Primary Group	38	(1)
Primary Groups in Larger Churches	39	(1)
The Single Cell of People-in-Place	40	(2)
Absent and Invisible Members	42	(1)
Social Order and Social Place	43	(1)
Miniature Multi-celled Churches	44	(1)
The Implications of Social Place	45	(3)
Summary of a Caring Cell	48	(5)
Gatekeepers, Patriarchs, and Matriarchs	51	(2)
Growth by Adoption	53	(18)
Our Small Church Has Grown	53	(1)
Our Small Church Can't Grow	54	(3)
Our Small Church Can Change into a Larger Congregation	57	(3)
New Members by Adoption	60	(2)
Kindred Spirits: Adopting Boomers and Xers	62	(3)
Gatekeepers, Patriarchs, and Matriarchs	65	(1)
Reservations and Possibilities	66	(5)
The Pastor's Study and Professional Feelings	69	(2)
Pastor/People Tensions	71	(18)
Finances	72	(2)
Program	74	(2)
Evaluating Success	76	(2)
Self-image of the Pastor	78	(2)
The Pastor as Lover	80	(9)
Part Two: Belonging
Congregational Time Line	87	(2)
Memory and Ministry	89	(14)
Belonging Is a Feeling	89	(2)
Exceptions to History	91	(1)
Biblical Memory	92	(2)
Abuses of Memory	94	(1)
Dynamics of Memory	95	(2)
Using Memories for Ministry	97	(3)
Catching the Beat	100	(3)
The Silent History of the Church	102	(1)
Places of Ministry	103	(15)
Biblical Affirmations	104	(1)
When Place Is Sacred	105	(1)
Healing Ministries	106	(3)
``This Is Love---Pass It On''	109	(1)
Silent History	110	(1)
Exorcising Places	111	(1)
Making Sacred Places Portable	112	(1)
To Make a Memorial	113	(5)
A Calendar of Annual Church Events	116	(2)
Events Worth Remembering	118	(19)
Passages of Time	119	(2)
Personal Transitions	121	(2)
Congregational Identity	123	(2)
Expanding Ministries	125	(1)
Hidden Curriculum	126	(3)
Turf Stewardship	129	(2)
A Healthy Church	131	(6)
Part Three: Sharing
Church Groups, Goals, and Purposes	135	(2)
Goals, Conflicts, and Renewal	137	(18)
Printing the Unspeakable	140	(2)
Three Sorts of Leaders	142	(2)
Conflict over Goals	144	(3)
Pastor as Sportscaster	147	(1)
Goals and Purposes	148	(7)
Ministry Map	153	(2)
Energizing from Within	155	(20)
Congregational Heritage	156	(1)
Life Cycle	157	(1)
Social Location	157	(3)
Turf Types: Regional and Local	160	(2)
Regional: Holy Trinity or Old First: The Pillar Church	162	(1)
Regional: Ethnic Family: The Pilgrim Church	163	(1)
Regional: High-commitment: The Prophetic Church	164	(1)
Local: Stable Conditions: The Servant Church	165	(1)
Local: Growing Context: The Intentional Church	166	(1)
Local: Declining Area: The Survivor Church	167	(2)
Reflecting Your Church's Image	169	(1)
Mobilizing Image Energy	170	(5)
Church in Community Map	173	(2)
Resources for Expanding Ministry	175	(21)
Help from Denominational Sources	175	(3)
The Viable Church	178	(3)
Money Is Not the Problem	181	(1)
Tentmaking Ministries	182	(2)
Cooperative Parish Ministries	184	(3)
Partners: Faith-based and Beyond	187	(2)
Finding Your Partners in Ministry	189	(2)
Visibly Independent, Virtually Connected	191	(3)
Postmodern Challenge	194	(2)
A Summary	196	(3)
Notes	199	(18)
Index	217