What is 52?
This number represents the average weekly worship attendance in half of The United Methodist Churches in the United States. Whether one speaks about Baptists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, or Lutherans, none has a median church attendance exceeding 125.
Instead of declaring small-membership churches stuck between death and trying to be something they aren't, Kemp encourages pastors and members of small churches to understand they, too, can engage in vital, realistic ministry.
"This book seeks not only to affirm the importance of small membership churches, but also to discern the problems and the myths that, if addressed, will return the small membership church to its rightful place at the center of Christian outreach to our contemporary culture," writes Kemp. "My hope is to not only survey the landscape, but provide several simple concepts, which will aid small church leaders make their churches vital and sustainable."
Unlike other books on this topic, Holy Places, Small Spaces takes a critical look at how small-church fellowships are faring compared to other congregations. It addresses the critical clergy supply problem and charts the changes that must take place for there to be a hopeful future of survival and growth for these congregations.
Kemp also provides important evaluative tools for leaders to measure their ministry.
