Suppose a young, ambitious, seminary-trained, godly pastor was given the choice between a large church and a small church as his first charge. Which should he prefer? Which should he prioritize? Theodore Cuyler took on this question in his book How To Be a Pastor which was written in the early twentieth century. His answer is straightforward, his reasoning compelling. It is worth considering today.
“I answer unhesitatingly, the small church.” He minces no words there, does he? He offers a three-pronged defense of his position.
The first prong is simply the example of church history. He shows that some of the great pastors have had small beginnings—Chalmers in little Kilmany, Guthrie in humble Arbirot, McCheyne in a small community within Dundee. Cuyler himself, though at the time pastoring one of the largest Presbyterian churches in America, had begun in the most humble circumstances. There is good historical backing to his position.
The second prong reminds the prospective pastor of the value of individual souls, for a small charge gives new ministers a better opportunity to study individuals. Because his church will be made up of fewer people, he will be able to give sufficient time and
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