In our national Union of around 2000 churches, approximately 1000 have under 40 people.  These are the stats, and numbers can dominate our thinking if we are not careful.  But it’s not about numbers - it’s about churches being healthy and effective!  Our job, the Great Commission in Matthew 28, is to go and make disciples, baptise them and teach them to make disciples.  This has no size limit!

People in the UK are moving all the time and all churches are affected by this.  The question is not ‘How many people are in church on Sundays?’ but ‘When was the last time someone came to faith?  When was the last baptism?’  That is a measure of health, no matter what size the church is.  People are coming to faith in small churches.

We want small churches to keep reaching people for Jesus.  To be dynamic and healthy now, not wait until they are bigger.  It’s about using our time, energy and resources to be more effective now.  Church growth is about getting better not just getting bigger.

Fran Bellingham leads our ‘Small Church Connexion’.  The purpose of the Connexion is to provide a unique and supportive network within the LBA for churches with 40 people or less.  The team has a heart and a passion for the health, well-being and growth of the smaller churches across London.