Reviews

"In the small church we often struggle to see the value and worth of our ministry when there is so much focus on measuring success through numbers and finding significance through outward achievements. Chris speaks not only as one who serves in the small church but also as one who wrestles with the same struggle for meaning and significance. As a result, he brings an important corrective to not only our view of ourselves, but also of our view of ministry. Instead of seeing the small church ministry as insignificant, he reminds us that the small church significantly contributes to the spiritual health of people within the local congregation, as well as, the spiritual health of the broader church community. Chris provides an important contribution to the growing awareness of the value and importance of the small and rural church. This book is a required read for all those who serve a pastor, whether in a rural church in a forgotten place, a small urban church or even a large church with multiple sites and staff." Glenn Daman - Author: The Forgotten Church: Why Rural Ministry Matters for Every Church in America, and Shepherding the Small Church."Small Church BIG Deal is a wonderful book for anyone who pastors a church under 200 people (which is the vast majority of us). Chris Vitarelli has given us a helpful, encouraging and challenging look at the challenges, blessings and value of small church ministry. He starts with an honest telling of his own story - which will feel very familiar to most pastors - then walks us through some very practical ways to find health, hope and effectiveness in a small church context. I highly recommend it!"Karl Vaters - Pastor, blogger at Pivot and author of The Grasshopper Myth and Small Church Essentials "Chris Vitarelli writes for us, small church pastors, but he is writing about himself, and the transformative process God is bringing him through as he pastors his normal sized church. Chris created the Small Church BIG Deal conference to affirm and encourage pastors of ordinary sized churches. He hasn't simply talked about encouraging pastors, he's done it. This book brings that encouragement to deeper places in our hearts and minds - how we think about ourselves and small churches, and how we think about ministry and God's people. Small Church BIG Deal is Chris' work, that just might accomplish the work of God in you!"Jeff Keady - Pastor and creator of the 200Churches podcast