There are many books on the market today about church growth. The predominant idea is that every church is to be a growing church.

We have conferences on how to build your church, how to take it higher, and do more for God. The idea is often that the best churches are the large churches.

For years we have been taught that there are no small churches: yet also told that there is no shame in pastoring a small church. The idea that is often implied is that every church is supposed to be a big church, if not the biggest church in their community.

The problem with that is there are small churches and many of them have a pastor who is trying hard to keep a good attitude while trying to find something to make his church grow. When it does not happen, they become discouraged, and in most cases either move to hopefully a place where they can do some good; or drop out of the ministry altogether.

This book is the first book in a three-volume set of books dealing with Pastoring the Small Church. In this volume, Dr.

Raynes deals with accepting the fact that not all churches or ministries are large. Just like there are large churches, there are more small churches than large ones.

Book one deals with what Pastor Raynes calls the Comparison Game, the comparing of one church, one ministry, and one preacher to another and making assessments accordingly. He knows firsthand the attitudes associated with small church ministries.

The second volume deals with the pressures of a small church ministry and the third volume deals with the lessons he has learned that have helped him stay in the ministry, keep a growing vision amid discouragement, and a continuing faith in the Lord when it seems like nothing is working. Those who have read volume one have said it was a real help to them.

One made the statement, "I wish you had written this thirty years ago. It would have helped me be a better pastor.

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