At ACU Summit this October, we’re placing community building and shared learning at the center of the experience, with special interest groups who will gather to engage with God, with one another, and with material designed to equip them for service.

I recently caught up with Austin Wright and Shawn Johnson, who are facilitating the small-church community this fall. Austin ministers with the Nocona (Texas) Church of Christ, and Shawn ministers at the Church of Christ in Claude, Texas.

1. What’s something you love about ministering in small churches?

Austin: I grew up at the small Church of Christ in Clyde, Texas. I am indebted to that family of believers for the grace they ministered to me in various ways. They called, inspired, and equipped me to pursue a life of ministry. Additionally, that small church came alongside my family during a period of darkness in our lives, interceded for us in prayer, showered us with love, and inspired us to hope in the faithfulness of God. They became family.

I see the same family dynamic occurring throughout in a lot of small churches. Small churches have a natural ability to create family-type relationships. There is nothing greater to me, than walking into a congregation where there are no strangers. These churches are full of people who have a history of living life together.

2. What are some challenges and opportunities facing small-church ministers today?

Shawn: The quick answer is the challenge of figuring out what church means in the pandemic or post-pandemic age. Large churches quickly broadcast worship services while many smaller churches could not. Small churches specialize in knowing who (all of) their people are, but serving everyone has been a bit tricky. Most churches in my region (Texas Panhandle) are now doing things in fairly similar ways as they were before the pandemic, but there is a concern for any further changes.

Austin: This is a loaded question that cannot be summed up in a paragraph. However, one challenge that I think has been a persistent challenge, is to convince the small churches not to evaluate themselves by large-church goals. Instead, small churches must answer the question, “How can we, as a small church, be faithful to what God has called us to be faithful?” Small churches must think in small-church ways, and faithfully live out that calling.

3. What excites you about your own ministry context?

Austin: The Nocona Church of Christ is a special group of people. There are so many good ways I could describe them: ministry-oriented, benevolent in spirit, lovers of children and teenagers, community-minded. But I think what really excites me about my ministry context today is their hunger and thirst to rethink how we are called to be the church in a post-pandemic world. COVID has threatened a lot of the time and tested ministries in small churches. Specifically, the value of Bible class times as the only way to assemble together. The Nocona Church is rethinking how to gather in ways that promote genuine relationship, living discipled lives, and walking together on the journey of faith.

4. What do you hope people take home with them after participating in your Summit community in October?

Shawn: Relevant discussions for those in small churches is sometimes hard to find at Summit or any Church of Christ conference, because most classes and keynotes are aimed at those in large churches, and any strategy learned either doesn’t work right or must be vastly adapted. But in the small church presentations, every lesson will be geared precisely toward those in a church of fewer than 150 people (perhaps even fewer than 50 people). The goal is to have those who work in a small church be proud of their work, and not view their churches as “less than.”

5. What are you looking forward to about Summit this fall?

Shawn: This question is easy to answer: I am looking forward to being with people. Before 2020, I had not missed a Summit/Lectureship in over 30 years. I don’t always remember the specific classes and lectures, but I always remember seeing people and engaging in wonderful conversations. Sometimes Summit is the only time I will see these people each year. It will be good to be in the same room with all of these friends. Yes, Summit will have some tremendous classes and discussions, but it is the fellowship that I am looking forward to the most.

Join Shawn Johnson and Austin Wright for the small-church community on October 14-15. Or if you’re not a small-church minister, check out our other Summit communities for children’s ministers and preaching ministers, plus our general interest community.

Be sure to register by Sept. 30 to secure your spot, or by Sept. 15 for a discounted rate.