In a world that celebrates the spectacular and sensational, the quiet faithfulness of ordinary churches often goes unnoticed and undervalued. Yet these humble congregations—with their modest buildings, limited budgets, and small but devoted memberships—represent what has been common for Christian communities throughout history. Even today in my denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, 73 percent of churches have an average worship attendance below 100. Does this indicate failure? Such statistics should remind us that God works through remnants, through the faithful few, and through congregations that may never make headlines but consistently make disciples. Rather than viewing size as a limitation, pastors in ordinary churches should embrace God’s call to faithfully serve in their small place. The beauty of thriving in an ordinary church lies not in comparison with megachurch success stories but in the deep, transformative work that happens when we lead God’s people to gather faithfully, week after week, for worship, learning, and loving one another. So, how do pastors thrive in an ordinary church? 1. Resist the temptation to compare yourself with others. Ministry isn’t a competition. I admit this is hard for me to believe. I played sports throughout my life, and I’m naturally competitive. I’ll make a competition out of just about anything. It’s easy to look at my ministry and others’ and begin comparing. Social media has only bolstered this temptation. In defense of his ministry, Paul writes, “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding” (2 Cor. 10:12). Rather than viewing size as a limitation, pastors in ordinary churches should embrace God’s call to faithfully serve in their small place. Pastor, watch yourself closely. Remember that God appoints the field. If you’re an ordinary pastor in an ordinary church, you’re not there by accident. In God’s sovereignty, you are who you are and where you are. When you see that God has appointed you to this pastoral assignment, you can receive it with peace. No matter how difficult the assignment becomes, remember your calling and be content. Joy grows where gratitude is rooted in God’s providence. 2. Preach to shepherd, not for fame. It’s easy for pastors in small churches to scroll through social media or see the latest sermon clips on YouTube, and think, If I could only get my name out there, I’d get more speaking engagements, more recognition. But pastoral ministry is about shepherding “the flock of God that is among you” (1 Pet. 5:2), not building your brand. I imagine most of the prominent Christian leaders you see online are actually more concerned about feeding, guiding, and protecting their own people than they are about collecting Instagram likes. You should be too. In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul writes, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” Notice that Paul’s charge to Timothy isn’t conditional on crowd size. He doesn’t say, “If many people show up on Sunday, then give them the Word.” The apostle is convinced that every sermon forms souls and shapes eternity. Each time you enter the pulpit, remember that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead resides in you, and through proclaiming the Word, he continues transforming God’s people. Whether you’re preaching to 20 or 200, God’s Word carries the same power and deserves the same careful preparation and passionate delivery. 3. Make disciples, following Christ by focusing on the few. Jesus often withdrew from crowds and focused on a few. He shaped the world through 12 men. You can follow his model. Find one, two, or three, and begin pouring into them. Walk with them through the Word, do book studies, pray together, and go beyond surface-level accountability. Challenge those few to multiply by finding others in the church with whom they can begin the same type of discipleship relationship. Ordinary relationships can have a tremendous influence on the whole church. Discipleship is kingdom ministry, and God’s kingdom grows like a seed—slowly, imperceptibly, but certainly (Mark 4:26–29). 4. Know and love your people. I’ve been on staff at my local church for almost 17 years, and I’ve served as lead pastor for more than 10. This church has become my family. I know them, and they know me. I can look out on Sunday morning at many and tell you how they came to Christ or share details about their lives. This is one great benefit of being an ordinary pastor in an ordinary church—you can intimately know and love your flock. With a smaller congregation, you can be present in their joys and sorrows. 5. Pray fervently. Prayer isn’t filler. It’s the fuel of ministry. Quiet hours of intercession may be your most effective work. It doesn’t take long in any ministry to realize just how helpless you are. In ordinary, small churches where resources are limited and challenges seem overwhelming, prayer becomes not just a spiritual discipline but a practical necessity for survival and growth. As ordinary pastors, we must continually rely on the Lord by cultivating a healthy, vibrant prayer life. 6. Keep your eyes on eternity. Eternal fruit often grows in obscurity. Most ordinary pastors will never trend, but their labors will echo in heaven. Remember Jesus’s words in Matthew 25:21: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” God’s reward is for the faithful, not the famous. There may be days when you wrestle with the emotional and mental fatigue of feeling forgotten, but you’re not. As Hebrews 6:10 reminds us, “God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.” Every act of love, every hidden obedience, is seen by our good and sovereign God. Eternal fruit often grows in obscurity. Most ordinary pastors will never trend, but their labors will echo in heaven. It’s likely that no one will ever write a book or film a documentary about your ordinary pastorate. In a hundred years, no one may remember your name. But don’t be discouraged. Your ministry matters. The chief Shepherd is watching, and his reward is sure (1 Pet. 5:4). Remember, ordinary pastor, you’re not building a brand; you’re forming souls. You’re not overlooked by heaven; you’re honored by God.