The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries: We Advocate, Celebrate, Teach, and Serve

The Academy believes the Small Membership Church is called to model itself after the disciples in the Book of Acts.

Our mission is to Advocate, Celebrate, Teach, and Serve small membership churches as we empower their ministries to serve their communities and the world.

Advocate, in the Greek, is parakletos. "In the Gospel of John, it is Jesus' name for the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send to the disciples to be Jesus' presence in the world after his return to the Father."¹

In Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, the disciples hide from the authorities for fear of persecution. We read, "And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:3-4).

Churches are called to Advocate. Today, many small membership churches have lost their voice. We hide in our sanctuaries for an hour on Sunday morning and go home. The people in our community may know we exist, but they have no idea who we are, what we believe, and what we do. We believe the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, is breathing life into our churches. God sends the Advocate to modern-day disciples to be Jesus' presence in the world. We believe that we and many other church leaders, pastors, and faithful disciples are God's advocates for small membership churches.

Churches are called to Celebrate our risen Savoir and the church's work on Jesus' behalf. Our small membership churches continue to be Jesus' hands and voice in their communities. Community members turn to small membership churches to help families in need, a place for their group to meet, or help when tragedy strikes. We are here to help small membership churches remember and celebrate their importance to their community.

Churches are called to Teach and grow as disciples of Jesus. Jesus taught the disciples by word and example. Today, we are called to learn ourselves, then pass it on, and lead others by our words and example. Sometimes, we learn from those we teach. We know that learning to be a disciple is a lifelong process. The Academy has designed and is developing new classes and workshops to help small membership churches continue to grow as disciples and share Jesus with others.

We believe we are called to Serve the small membership church to empower them to serve their communities. Small membership churches are vital to their communities. Although small membership churches continue to help many people, there is more to do. Children need our help, men and women struggle to survive, and older people feel alone. The Academy is there to help churches discover new ways to serve their communities.

I love the story in Mark 2, when Jesus heals the paralytic. Four people carry a man who has paralysis to be healed by Jesus. Unfortunately, they can't get through the door when they arrive at the house because so many people are in the way. They must cut a hole in the roof and lower their friend so Jesus can heal him.

When Jesus sees the faith of the paralytic's friends, he says, "My son, your sins are forgiven; pick up your pallet and walk. And the paralytic does and goes home" (Mark 2:5).

The person with paralysis had four advocates on the day he was healed.

I believe small membership churches struggle just like the person with paralysis. They feel defeated by dropping attendance, members dying, moving away, and visiting strangers who don't share their traditions. The church feels defeated, which leads to depression and paralysis. The small membership church struggles to adapt so that others might find it comfortable to attend the church. Sometimes, they feel nobody cares about their struggles or remembers all they do to keep the church going for members and the community. Even though they are faithful in helping those in crisis, growth eludes their church membership. Churches do have advocates ready to help.

We hope you will check out the educational and coaching opportunities that will help your church grow. Pastor Carl is available to speak, lead workshops, or train at local churches, districts, or conference events and customize any workshop to your ministry setting.

This year, we are presenting three workshops:

• New Beginnings - For churches with new pastors and pastors serving a new church. May 5, 2024, 3-5 p.m.; online.
• Mental Health First Aid - Designed to help you identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. Coming this Fall.
• Hope for Small Membership Churches: Rediscovering God's Promise - Helping small membership churches move past hopelessness to HOPE! A one-day hands on workshop for rediscovering God’s promise. August 17, 2024.

We have courses for lay and clergy to refine their skills to help your church thrive.

• Discovering Your Call to Ministry - Designed to help you discover your call and gifts for ministry. April 7 - May 4, 2024 or August 5-31, 2024.
• Foundations for Ministry - Designed to help people move from the pew to the pulpit and into leadership roles in the church. September 3, 2024 - May 3, 2025.
• Trauma-Informed Theology - Provides an understanding of trauma, trauma-informed theology and care, and helps pastors prepare a trauma-informed worship. September 3 - October 26, 2024.

I encourage you to participate in the workshops and courses offered by The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries and invite others to join you. To learn more, contact Rev. Dr. Carl Ellis at 785-445-2595.

¹ The New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible, Vol 1, pg. 58.