The water buffalo is a mighty creature, which inspires fear and awe in Africa. But even this marvelous creature, with all its power can still have a small bird do its worst and not be able to do anything about it!
I remember a passage from the old testament which says:
6 Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, “This is Yahweh’s word to Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says Yahweh of Armies. (emp. added vs 6b) 7 Who are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you are a plain; and he will bring out the capstone with shouts of ‘Grace, grace, to it!’” Zechariah 4:6 (WEB)
No matter who you are, no matter how big or small you are- true power resides only with God!!!
I worship with a small congregation and love it. Now, don't be fooled- even a small congregation has its problems, but mostly they involve a lack of manpower, not enthusiasm! One of our ministers, Larry Shatzer often says that we are "Small, but mighty" and he is right.
Spacious buildings, enthralling preachers, wonderful teaching programs and all sorts of fellowship activities are fine- and many people are drawn away from small churches to the "big time" of large groups.
Worldwide, the churches of Christ has many fine buildings, but we need to remember our roots (and after all, isn't that what the restoration movement is about, anyway?) and that Jesus is our rock and WE are the spiritual stones that make up the church (whether it be large in number or small).
Consider, the following passages from the Bible...
Acts, Chapter 2 (World English Bible)
36 “Let all the house of Israel (emp. added vs 36a) therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
1 Peter, Chapter 2 (World English Bible)
1 Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it you may grow, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious: 4 coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious. 5 You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (emp. added vs 3- 5) 6 Because it is contained in Scripture,
“Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen and precious:
He who believes in him will not be disappointed.”
“Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen and precious:
He who believes in him will not be disappointed.”
7 For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and,
“a stumbling stone and a rock of offense.”
For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 In the past, you were not a people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and,
“a stumbling stone and a rock of offense.”
For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 In the past, you were not a people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Romans, Chapter 16 (World English Bible)
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles. 5 Greet the assembly that is in their house.(emp. added vs 5) Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.
1 Corinthians, Chapter 16 (World English Bible)
19 The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you much in the Lord, together with the assembly that is in their house.(emp. added vs 19b) 20 All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
Colossians, Chapter 4 (World English Bible)
15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house. (emp. added vs 15b)
Philemon (World English Bible)
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker, 2 to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house: (emp. added vs 2b) 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Churches do not have to be big, they do not have to have buildings or large meeting places, but they do need to have love for God and each other. Humm,that "Small but mighty" thing just keeps coming back to me!!!