Supporting Small Churches with Big Kingdom Impact

Across the Rocky Mountain Region, many churches are small. Several ministries meet in small towns and rural contexts. Many are led by bivocational pastors or by lay ministers sharing the pulpit. These congregations use their many assets to serve their communities with deep faithfulness and creativity. They can also face unique challenges, including leadership, resources, and connections. They are what we call Mustard Seed Congregations.

The Mustard Seed Ministry Cooperative exists to support and strengthen these ministries in their unique callings. If you are serving in a small church, leading bivocationally, or navigating ministry in a rural context—you are not alone.

Inspired by Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed, this initiative recognizes that some of the most meaningful and impactful ministry begins in small places. The Mustard Seed Ministry Cooperative brings together leaders across our region to learn, encourage one another, and advocate for the strengths of small church ministry.

Get involved today

Who is this for?

The Mustard Seed Ministry Cooperative serves leaders and congregations across the American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains, Baptist Churches, and Christain Churches who are engaged in:

Small church ministry
Rural church leadership
Bivocational pastoral ministry

Whether you are a pastor, lay leader, or ministry volunteer, this cooperative exists to support you in the work God has called you to do. This community is for sharing strategies for sustainable ministry in a variety of contexts.

Vision

The Mustard Seed Ministry Cooperative exists to support and strengthen Mustard Seed ministries across the Rocky Mountain Region and Beyond by:

Support mustard seed congregations and their leadership through peer support networks
Empower mustard seed churches through advocacy regarding issues pertaining to mustard seed churches
Educate congregations through developing ongoing training for mustard seed congregations and their leadership
Develop ways to promote ABCRM churches in the broader Baptist and Christian community as a desirable setting for prospective ministry candidates who feel called to be congregational leaders

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Support mustard seed congregations and their leadership. Support networks based on “mustard seed” issues throughout the region. Some models of this kind of group may be

“together in ministry” groups
“communities of practice” for skill development

Empower mustard seed churches through advocacy for greater visibility, increased support, and more influence in order to meet the real needs of these churches and church leaders.

within ABCRM
within American Baptist life,
In the Church as a whole

Educate congregations through developing ongoing training for the diversity of context of our mustard seed congregations through opportunities such as (but not limited to):

Webinars
Retreats
Skill Development Groups
Attending and participating in conferences

Develop ways to promote ABCRM churches in the broader Baptist and Christian community as a desirable setting for prospective ministry candidates who feel called to be congregational leaders in

Bivocational churches
Rural churches
Small town churches

Why “Mustard Seed”?

Jesus described the kingdom of God as a mustard seed — something small that grows into something surprisingly strong and life-giving.

In many ways, this reflects the story of countless small churches across our region. While they may not always have large resources or large attendance, they often nurture deep relationships, faithful discipleship, and lasting community impact.

The Mustard Seed Co-Op celebrates and strengthens these ministries. Its is a cooperative network where leaders learn from one another, share resources, and grow together.

Leadership

The Mustard Seed Ministry Cooperative is being developed under the leadership of Rev. Clint Walker, in partnership with a task force of the American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains.

Rick Bishop- Pastor of Community Baptist Church, Glenrock, WY
Karen Schneider- Pastor of Gardens of Divine Hope, Parker, CO
Sonya Molet- Moderator at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Colorado Springs, CO
Evan Mendenhall - Pastor of Flagler Baptist Church, CO

ABCRM is grateful for the ministry leaders who are cultivating mustard seed ministries across the Region.

Stay Connected

More opportunities, training events, and gatherings will be announced soon.

If you serve in a rural, bivocational, or small church context and would like to stay connected with the Mustard Seed Ministry Cooperative and engage with our network of ministry leaders who are cultivating mustard seed ministries.

Through the Mustard Seed Co-Op, ABCRM provides relational coaching, shared learning, and practical support for leaders serving in small and rural church contexts.