I just recently read a blog post by Perry Noble on finding even the small things to celebrate in the life of your church (Here is the link). I feel that it is a must read for any pastor, especially if you are a pastor of a small church or a church plant.

I have been in the ministry for 11 years now and have been a lead pastor for 2. I know that it never gets easy. As a matter of fact, it gets harder as the years go by. (Transparent moment coming!) One of the things that I have struggled with, and I know that other small church pastors have struggled with, is the number game. You hear many pastors talk about that they are not about the numbers, but the reality is we need to be about the numbers. Not merely the number of people that fill the seats each week, but the number of people that are being changed and touched for the name of Jesus.

As a church planter, I have fallen into the trap of seeing the other larger churches celebrating the “wins” from their services. You see it on Facebook and Twitter all the time. “Man we saw 100 or 500, or 1000 people receive Christ this weekend”, and then the enemy begins to play tricks on me. And I know that I am not alone in the battle. You begin to feel that you are not as important or effective as the other large church pastors. You begin to question your call, or wonder if you are in the right place.

Well, here is my two cents, for what it is worth. You ARE in the right place. If you are preaching God’s Word with boldness and conviction, then keep preaching it! Keep pressing in and celebrate every little “win” that comes your way. If you saw one person changed by the Word of God, celebrate it. If you baptize one person, celebrate it! I mean really celebrate it. Tweet about it, post about it on facebook, blog about it. Do something to let people know that God is up to something.

I know this, if God cared for the lost sheep, then He cares for the ONE in your church.

Keep preaching, keep praying, and keep celebrating.