little church influence

Sometimes people in small churches can feel ineffectual and isolated.  Here's a story to counter that.  Last year this congregation read the  Bible in 90 Days . It was a bit gimmicky, but a fun way to be re-acquainted with scripture, and get the whole big story of the Bible in one reading marathon.  Lots of people participated.  We started in January and finished right after Easter.  I was astounded at the difference it made in people's lives, and I continue to see people more confident of their own faith story.  I bragged about our little church with a big mission to my small group of clergy women who meet regularly.  It was easy to brag, because I was not responsible for either the idea or the outcome, both of which were fantastic!  But I was still proud of the people.  Then something else happened. One of the other clergy women, an associate pastor in a large church, experiencing some difficulties, took the idea to her church. They decided to adopt a "read the Bible in a year" schedule, and take it as widely through the church as possible.  At a kick-off dinner and pep rally, she invited me and one of our elders to tell the story of Church of the Covenant's experience in reading the Bible.  Since then, I've understood, the church is excited and motivated to read.  So...the ripples are extending out farther and farther.  You never know how a small, but faithful, action may reach out far beyond the immediate neighborhood to heal the world.