Below are 10 Sermon preaching ideas specifically for National Baptist Convention small Churches (Pastors).
Small churches in the National Baptist Convention hold a special place in black history. Each of its member churches used to be the heartbeat of their individual communities.
Used to be is relevant because the glory of the black church, though certainly not Jesus, Christ is on the wane.
Drawing from the solid foundation of God's Word, and the everyday realities of small-church life, one of which I happen to pastor, here are 10 sermon ideas designed to encourage, challenge, and uplift NBC congregations.
Of course, and as countless number of other pastors can attest to, we offer ready-to-preach sermon outlines which download to any device, anywhere, and at anytime.
These messages lean into your strengths—faith, fellowship, and a deep love for Jesus—while offering practical wisdom for pastors and members alike.
1. “Little Is Much When God Got You”
Description: Explore how God uses small beginnings for big purposes, just like the boy’s loaves and fish fed thousands. Small churches don’t need big budgets—just big faith.
Scripture: John 6:9-11 – “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”
2. “The Power of a Faithful Few”
Description: Gideon’s 300 defeated an army with God’s strength. Remind the sheep that a small, committed group of folk can change the world.
Scripture: Judges 7:7 – “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you.”
3. “Building on the Rock in a Small Place”
Description: Even a small church can stand firm when built on Christ. Focus on spiritual foundations over physical size because large churches think God is favoring them over the smaller but that is not true.
Scripture: Matthew 7:24-25 – “Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
4. “The Widow’s Mite Filled the Collection Plate”
Description: Teach that God values sacrifice over quantity. Small churches often give more per person—honor that devotion. Be prayerful pastor because some folk are looking for a reason to give less! "Have I a witness today?"
Scripture: Mark 12:42-44 – “This poor widow has put in more than all those who have given.”
5. “One Accord in a Small Space”
Description: Unity is a superpower in small congregations. When we’re of one mind, the Holy Spirit moves mightily and slays the collective giants in our lives.
Scripture: Acts 2:1 – “They were all with one accord in one place.”
6. “The Shepherd Knows His Sheep”
Description: In a smaller church, every name matters. Reflect on Jesus as the Good Shepherd who cares for each one.
Scripture: John 10:14 – “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep.”
7. “Planting Large Seeds in a Small Field”
Description: Small churches can sow faith that grows beyond their walls. Encourage persistence in sharing the gospel.
Scripture: Matthew 13:31-32 – “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed.”
8. “The Light Shines Brighter in the Darkest Closets”
Description: We can, with just a few folk, pierce the darkness of the Saints and community. Be bold in shining for Christ.
Scripture: Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men.”
9. “When Two or Three Are Filled With the Holy Ghost”
Description: Jesus promised His presence even in the smallest gatherings. Reassure your people that God is with them.
Scripture: Matthew 18:20 – “Where two or three are gathered in My name, I am there.”
10. “Small Chains Move Large Bicycles”
Description: Like a chain, a small church is only as strong as its links. Focus on building unbreakable bonds.
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:12 – “A threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Lessons from scripture never indicate a church’s power lies in its size—big crowds, fancy buildings, and booming budgets. A small church, faithful and rooted in Christ, can shake the heavens just as much as any megachurch.
When we get together for communal worship with other community churches, you and I both know the smaller the church, the lower down on the "food chain" we are viewed. For example, in the city where I pastor, Waterloo, Iowa, and during pastoral anniversaries, large churches receive the prime preaching time such as during close-out services.
This doesn't suggest that I believe the "prime spot" doctrine but let's not fool ourselves on who is viewed as more important. As regular readers know, I have often, and apologetically (that means defense of biblical position) deconstructed this demonic nonsense. I will waste no more space!
However, numbers don’t impress God; hearts do. From the mustard seed to the seven churches of Revelation, the Bible shows us that small doesn’t mean weak. Let’s unpack this truth and see how small churches carry big power, with examples straight from scripture.
First, consider Jesus’ own words in Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” That’s not a promise for packed pews—it’s a guarantee for the faithful few.
A small church of ten, praying in one accord, has the same Savior present as a congregation of ten thousand. God doesn’t check the headcount before He shows up; He looks for faith. And in a small church, faith often runs deep because every member’s commitment keeps the fire burning.
Take the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. These weren’t sprawling megachurches with satellite campuses. They were small, local gatherings, each facing its own struggles and triumphs. Yet Jesus spoke to them directly, holding them accountable and promising rewards for their faithfulness.
Look at Philadelphia, the little church with “a little strength” (Revelation 3:8). They didn’t have much—maybe a handful of believers meeting in a home—but Jesus praised them for keeping His word and not denying His name. He set before them an open door no one could shut. That’s power! Not in size, but in steadfastness.
A small church today, clinging to the gospel in a tough neighborhood, has that same open door—opportunities to witness, serve, and grow that no devil can block. Then there’s Smyrna, another Revelation church (Revelation 2:8-11). Poor, persecuted, and likely tiny, they faced prison and death.
Yet Jesus called them rich—rich in faith, rich in endurance. He didn’t tell them to get bigger to survive; He told them to stay faithful unto death, promising the crown of life. Small churches in the Convention, pinching pennies and praying through hard times, can claim that same richness.
Their power isn’t in a fat bank account but in a fierce trust in God’s provision. Contrast that with Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-17), which might’ve been bigger and wealthier but got a stinging rebuke for being lukewarm. Size and resources didn’t impress Jesus—they disgusted Him when faith was shallow.
A small church on fire for God outshines a large one coasting on comfort every time. It’s not about how many seats you fill; it’s about how much Spirit fills your hearts. The Old Testament backs this up too. Think of Gideon in Judges 7. God trimmed his army from 32,000 to 300—small enough to fit in a church basement—because He wanted the victory to scream His glory, not man’s might.
Those 300 routed the Midianites with trumpets and jars, not numbers. A small church, armed with prayer and praise, can rout the enemy just as fiercely. You don’t need a big choir when a few voices lift a holy shout.
Or look at the boy with five loaves and two fish in John 6:9-11. One small lunch, offered to Jesus, fed 5,000. Andrew doubted—“What are they among so many?”—but Jesus didn’t. Small churches often feel like that boy: “What’s our little budget, our little building, among so many needs?” Yet when they give it to Jesus, miracles happen.
A food pantry, a youth night, a prayer meeting—it multiplies in His hands. That’s power no megachurch can outdo. The early church itself started small. Acts 1:15 says 120 believers huddled in an upper room, waiting on God.
From that tiny seed, Pentecost exploded, and 3,000 were saved (Acts 2:41). Small churches today, gathered in storefronts or living rooms, can spark revival too. One faithful sermon, one Spirit-filled service, and the community feels the tremor.
So, NBC small black churches, don’t despise your size. You’re not less—you’re mighty in God’s eyes. Like Philadelphia, keep His word. Like Smyrna, stay rich in faith. Like Gideon’s 300, wield what you have. Like that boy, offer your little to Jesus. And like those 120, wait on the Spirit. Revelation 3:21 promises overcomers a seat with Christ on His throne—there’s no asterisk saying “only if your church is big.”
Your power isn’t in your pews; it’s in your Savior. Stand tall, small church. The God who spoke to seven little flocks speaks to you too, saying, “Hold fast, and I’ll make you more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37). This hits 800 words, blending your encouraging tone with biblical heft. Let me know if you’d like adjustments!