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Small Churches Big Impact Podcast

Somehow, regardless of what the church says otherwise it seems like the message we keep getting as congregational leaders is size matters, so we've come together to seek a different message and to identify and amplify the beauty and grace of small. Small churches. No matter the impact you think you're making, join us to hear more about small churches making big impacts with God walking right alongside. You're with the Small Churches Big Impact Collective.

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Small Churches Big Impact Podcast

Building Collaborative, Justice-Focused Ministries at the Community Level

March 06, 2025 • Small Churches Big Impact Collective • Season 4 • Episode 4

In this episode, the Reverend Allison Sandlin Liles, Vicar of St. Stephen's in Hurst, Texas, sits down with the Reverend Dr. Elizabeth Mae Magill, pastor of the Small Church Collaborative which includes Rindge Congregational Church in Rindge, New Hampshire and Ashburnham Community Church in Ashburnham, Massachusetts. Liz shares her experiences leading two “micro-congregations” and building a collaborative ministry with a neighboring church of a different denomination.

Liz emphasizes the importance of prioritizing community engagement, including identifying local needs and organizing community-based ministries. Drawing on community organizing principles—a set of strategies that empower communities to identify and address their own issues, such as grassroots mobilization, building power, and developing leadership—Liz has successfully empowered her congregations to become agents of change within their communities.

Liz’s success in addressing social justice issues is evident in her work on racial justice and LGBTQ+ inclusion. In Rindge, New Hampshire, she facilitated community conversations on racial justice, leading to the formation of a local group dedicated to addressing racial inequities. In Ashburnham, Massachusetts, she championed the display of a rainbow flag at the church, sparking a community conversation about LGBTQ+ inclusion and leading to the creation of a support group for LGBTQ+ seniors.

Faced with limited resources and declining membership, Liz found innovative ways to engage her community, such as organizing community meals, utilizing social media for outreach, and collaborating with existing community organizations.

This episode offers valuable insights for pastors, church leaders, and anyone interested in exploring innovative and impactful models of small church ministry.

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Music Credit: I Love to Tell the Story, Benjamin Grove, keyboard

Podcast produced by Polymnia