It was September, 1985. September the 1st to be exact, and a Sunday morning at that. I was preaching for the first time, at the church which I was asked to pastor. It was a good enough service. The previous pastor led the worship, and I preached the sermon. His last Sunday was my first Sunday.

In the ensuing weeks, I remember a phrase which shone as brightly as the North star on the night sky. As I learned to row this small boat which we now call Church on the Coast, I kept my eye upon this principle, and used it as a guide in establishing the goals, and plans for the church.

A few weeks before that fateful day in September, I met with the District Supervisor of the Foursquare Churches in our area. As he expressed his confidence in Bev and I, he also shared his years of wisdom in ministry. I hung on each word, as a new deck hand must have drawn into the experienced Captain's tales of sea adventure. Of all the things he spoke, this small phrase became the guiding compass of my early ministry years, "Don't do anything in the small church, which you wouldn't do in the big church."

I was green, and impressionable I guess. As I began to gain my sea legs, I did those things which the big churches do: We held seminars, we invited guest speakers with influence in Christian circles, and we held seeker sensitive services complete with drama skits. We did everything possible to act like, and emulate the big church. One thing we did not do however - we did not become big.

Something must have been missing in the translation. Perhaps I misunderstood the general principle of the thought, or maybe God was simply taking me in a different direction. I know there was certainly nothing to fault in my District Supervisor's counsel. But, since those early days, I have discovered that there is a different light, which is truer sailing for my ministry. My compass is fixed to a phrase which is directly opposite to my first bearings, "Don't do anything in the big church, which you wouldn't do in the small church."

You see, I believe the small church is the more primitive example. It is the purer model of Christian activity, and in many ways exemplifies, "the way it ought to be." I am sure that my District Supervisor did not want me to take his pithy wisdom, in the manner in which I understood it. But, I do know this: God was leading me differently.

In my attempt to emulate the large church, I tried many of the activities suggested by the masters of church growth. Here are just a few phases which I remember well:

THE PRAYER PHASE

During this period, I was greatly influenced by Pastor Cho from the Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea. This is the world's largest church. It is over ten times larger than the city I live in, so certainly he must be right. Pastor Cho said that the key was prayer, and so I had a little Korean man running around in my head saying, " You mus play wah ouwa ebely day." Translation: "You must pray one hour every day."

So I did. In fact I did even better. We opened up our home from 5am until 7am, Monday through Friday for a time of prayer. There I was, on my knees at the couch, with as many as thirteen other people from our church of thirty.

I don't remember how long this lasted, but it was months, and months. It was a good season, but it wasn't the answer to church growth, at least not for us.

THE SENSITIVITY STAGE

In this phase of church leadership, we did all the things which go with holding services which would make the unchurched person seeking God feel more comfortable.

My sermons were based on "felt needs." That is , they covered the various life topics in which people were interested. We would hold skits during the Sunday morning services which fit with the topics being "discussed" in the sermon. The services were even shortened to accommodate the busy California lifestyle.

I don't remember how long this period lasted, but we gave it a good long shot.For us, it turned out to be just that - a long shot, and it didn't pay.

THE BUILDING PROGRAM

For awhile we were convinced that our lack of permanent facilities was detrimental to the growth of the church. So, we set out to find something which we could lease, and occupy seven days a week. Until this time we had rented a Park and Recreation facility for our Sunday services.

We were able to find an industrial site, which was built out like a church. It had been the home of a Lutheran congregation. We leased it from the Lutherans, and discovered that the monthly cost was not worth the permanence. Eventually, we found that cost overburdening, and returned to being an Abrahamic fellowship (moving in and out every Sunday.)

After going through many phases, in an attempt to experience the blessing of numerical growth in our congregation, I have discovered this amazing truth: The small church is different from the big church, just like a canoe is different from an aircraft carrier.

I have also discovered that there are many wonderful attributes about the small church. If these are used for their advantage, they will make the small church a model for Christianity which is simple, pure, and a pattern for all churches of all sizes.

I have journeyed into smallness, and found that the benefits are tremendous. I can say with confidence, "I wouldn't do anything in the big church, which I wouldn't do in the small church." It may not be the light by which we all sail, but I know that it works for me.