"In his new book, David Ray joins the heart and the vision of a pastor with his wider experience as a denominational executive to offer sound, practical suggestions for small churches. Lay and clergy leaders alike will find The Big Small Church Book useful. There is something here for everyone who cares about small churches."

-Douglas A Walruth, professor of pastoral stadres, Bangor Theological Seminary

Big is... big, not necessarily better. The Big Small Church Book is the best book on small churches not because it is the biggest, but because it is the most comprehensive on every aspect of the small church.

Much of the focus-and the envy of many churchgoers and pastors has been directed toward megachurches with their sprawling parking lots and huge, full sanctuaries. But God nust love the small church, because God truly made so many of them. Over 60 percent of churches have fewer than seventy-live in attendance on Sunday. And that's all right with David Ray. small church pastor and small church expert, who sees a special and divine purpose in the church that is as big or as small-as it needs to be.

These special churches need special care. The Big Small Church Book leads the pastor and the congregation through every need and cranny of small church life, from theology to maintenance, from mission to morale, from worship to conflict, and shows not only what being a small church is, but how the small church can thrive David Ray infuses the struggles and the challenges of the small church with hope and purpose and provides a shining vision of all that any church can be large or small and how that vision can be realized by thinking "small."

DAVID R. RAY has been a pastor to small churches, provided pro gram leadership on small church issues around the country, and has taught small church ministry courses in seminaries. His previous