Making the Small Church Effective

What makes the small church so reliably steady, closely intimate, and beautifully simple -- a worthy model of the Christian church? Carl S. Dudley affirms the main cause as lying within the minds of the church members. Dr. Dudley refutes the rampant negative prejudices directed toward the small church in this innovative examination of the well-based beliefs and values of members of small congregations. He cites data from his extensive workshop experiences with pastors, members, and denominational leaders who represented well over a thousand small Christian congregations as foundations for his report. He offers helpful resources, practical exercises, and tested and reshaped tools to highlight and affirm the admirable internal strengths and gifts that small churches uniquely possess.

Carl S. Dudley was Co-director of the Center for Social and Religious Research and Professor of Church and Community at Hartford Seminary, Hartford, Connecticut. He is author of several books, including Making the Small Church Effective and Basic Steps Toward Community Ministry. (1998)