FILLING PEW OF SMALL CHURCHES

At a time when suburban mega-churches are attracting worshipers, smaller churches are reportedly being forced to change to bolster the size of their congregations, just to keep the church going. Do you see small local places of worship in this position, perhaps even your own? How do you deal with keeping your own pews full and your houses of worship relevant?

Even though a congregation may be very small, those who preach the Word of God must be faithful to that message and they may not change it to simply please the faithful or increase membership. The minister of the Word must always remember that he is Godπs instrument but it takes the grace of the Holy Spirit to move hearts. The instrument, the voice, is temporary but the Word, the message, is eternal.

Saint John Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests. He was a priest in a small, poor village in France in the 19^th century. He was not a great talent by any worldly measurement but with a lifetime of prayer and good example he converted the town of Ars and became famous throughout France and the world.

Small churches have a unique advantage in that the members know each other well. Some large churches try to acquire this friendly atmosphere by establishing many small faith groups of about ten persons for private prayer and to study the bible, tradition and the teaching of the church. They meet weekly in private homes. They, of course, gather with the full congregation for public liturgical worship each Sunday.

Churches must not be ≥relevant≤ if that means accepting the every changing standards of the modern world. There is an ongoing conflict between Godπs Word and our secular humanist society.

REV. GENE FRILOT

Pastor Emeritus

Incarnation Catholic Church

Glendale

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