Strategically Small
Why a Bigger Church Was Never the Point
Charlie Miller
Print, hardback, and audiobook arrive August 1.
About the book
The small church is not a failed big church. It’s a faithful, biblical expression of the body of Christ. In Strategically Small, Charlie Miller names the quiet ache that small church members carry, the feeling that their church isn’t enough, and replaces it with something better: a clear-eyed, joy-grounded vision of what their church actually is. Drawing on more than two decades of pastoral ministry, he walks readers through what they already have, the cultural lies they’ve absorbed, what the Bible actually describes, the family they’re already in, and what it looks like to be strategically small on purpose. This is not a defense of small churches. It’s a celebration of them.
"The goal has never been to build the biggest church.
The goal has always been to be faithful to the One who builds His Church."
Antoine C. Lassiter, Pastor, Church Planter, Strategist — from the Foreword
Look inside
Part One — What You Already Have
Chapter 1 – The View from the Third Row
Chapter 2 – The Room That Feels Fuller Than It Is
Chapter 3 – You Can’t Hide Here (And That’s the Point)
Part Two — The Lie You’ve Been Told
Chapter 4 – The Bigger-Is-Better Gospel
Chapter 5 – The Comparison Trap
Chapter 6 – What We Lost When Church Became a Brand
Part Three — What the Bible Actually Describes
Chapter 7 – A Church That Fits in a Living Room
Chapter 8 – The Family of God (And Why That’s Not Just a Metaphor)
Chapter 9 – The God Who Counts Differently
Part Four — The Family You’re Already In
Chapter 10 – The Mess Is the Ministry
Chapter 11 – Staying When It Would Be Easier to Leave
Chapter 12 – When There’s No Program for That
Chapter 13 – Known and Loved (Even When It’s Uncomfortable)
Part Five — Strategically Small on Purpose
Chapter 14 – Small Is Not a Stage (It Might Be the Strategy)
Chapter 15 – Growing by Sending, Not by Swelling
Chapter 16 – The Church the World Needs Now
Chapter 17 – Sunday Morning (Closing)
What early readers are saying
“If you want to openly cherish your small church home, yet struggle to defend your love for it: read this book.”
— Lark Fiore, Early Reader
“This unique perspective brings freedom from the unspoken pressure to chase numbers. This book brought ministry to my soul.”
— Al Toepke, Retired Pastor
“Tender, pastoral, and highly readable. A must read for small churches and church plants. We planted our church strategically small, and every statement here is spot on.”
— Arthur Bien, Planting Pastor, Fountain Baptist Church
“If you are a leader who thinks being small is a failure, this book is written for you.”
— Lincoln Hobson, Lead Pastor, True Point
“Small is not always failure. Sometimes small is where people are actually known. Sometimes small is where wounds are noticed. Sometimes small is where the church becomes a family.”
— Justin Bouldin, Planting Pastor, Reconcile Church
“Not simply a justification for small churches, but a clear articulation of their importance and why small churches matter.”
— KJ Ellington, Church Planter & Pastor, One Church Avon
“A refreshing, empowering freedom to focus on what matters most: authentic community and deep impact.”
— Paul Ortiz, Planter & Co-Pastor, Island Church
“An exploration of what is beautiful about churches that are small in size but deep in faith. It will leave you feeling like your small church is a place worth belonging to.”
— Eli Miller, Early Reader
Choose your format
Kindle — available now for pre-order. Paperback, hardback, and audiobook arrive August 1.
Questions
- Is this book only for small churches? No. Members of any size church will find value in it, though the primary audience is people whose church is under 100.
- Is this an attack on megachurches or large churches? No. The book makes a confident case for small churches without attacking large ones.
- Can my church use this for a sermon series and small group study at the same time? Yes. That’s exactly what the free sermon series is built for. Available at strategicallysmall.com/pastors.
- Do I need to pay for the sermon series materials? No. All sermon series materials are free, no sign-up required.
- Can I order bulk copies for my church? Yes. Churches can order bundles of 25 or more at $11 per book by emailing Hey Church Media. You’ll receive an invoice, and upon payment your copies will be printed and shipped directly to your church. Please allow 3–4 weeks for delivery.
Not ready to pre-order yet?
Read the first chapter free, and get occasional updates as the series grows.
You’ll get a confirmation email first, then your free chapter.