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Go Small: Because God Doesn't Care About Your Status, Size, or Success
It is in the seemingly ordinary moments of life where God does his greatest work.
Go big or go home . . . so they say. But do you ever feel like no matter how big you go, you still haven’t gone big enough? Have you grown so frustrated with the pursuit of “go big” that “go home” is starting to look inviting?
Going big all the time is not only a recipe for burnout—it’s not the way God works in your life. It’s time to break free from “go big or go home.” It’s time to invest in stamina, to cultivate endurance, to recognize the miraculous world of the ordinary, little things.
Show the door to “go big or go home” thinking. Your ordinary life is miraculous. It’s time to go small—and keep on going.
Go big or go home . . . so they say. But do you ever feel like no matter how big you go, you still haven’t gone big enough? Have you grown so frustrated with the pursuit of “go big” that “go home” is starting to look inviting?
Going big all the time is not only a recipe for burnout—it’s not the way God works in your life. It’s time to break free from “go big or go home.” It’s time to invest in stamina, to cultivate endurance, to recognize the miraculous world of the ordinary, little things.
Show the door to “go big or go home” thinking. Your ordinary life is miraculous. It’s time to go small—and keep on going.
- GenresChristian Living
227 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2014
6 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 3, 2016
I just finished this book, and I'm not honestly sure the best way to review it. If you are looking for someone to say "Yes go small" this is the book. I found it ironic that it was written by someone who has gone big most of his life, but he addresses that in the last chapter. As for me, I guess I got so tired of hearing everyone talking about the best way to make a big difference, the five magic steps to getting a thousand followers so you will have an impact, the smartest way to go big and I don't fit those very well, if at all. I know how to go small, I was looking for resources to remind me it was okay to be small. I put this in the memoir section because it includes stories of those who have gone small, including the author, and it seemed right to me.
August 3, 2021
Okay book with good stories, but has some sever drawbacks including the author's recent apostasy.
One of my main issues with the book is that the last chapter reveals that the author has not yet put "going small" into practice in his own life and ministry. He is just going to start the process of stepping back in ministry and has no idea how it will play out.
The second and more significant issue is that the author has since announced that they are no longer a Christian. I found this on his instagram on July 15th. The idea of whether or not this kind of statement ruins, or changes books is a larger discussion. Overall I would say that there are better books on this topic whose authors are still Christians.
One of my main issues with the book is that the last chapter reveals that the author has not yet put "going small" into practice in his own life and ministry. He is just going to start the process of stepping back in ministry and has no idea how it will play out.
The second and more significant issue is that the author has since announced that they are no longer a Christian. I found this on his instagram on July 15th. The idea of whether or not this kind of statement ruins, or changes books is a larger discussion. Overall I would say that there are better books on this topic whose authors are still Christians.
January 20, 2020
“He must increase but I must decrease.” Love that Bible verse and that pretty much sums up the book. Craig talked about how we need to slow down instead of letting the busyness of life consume us. The Kingdom of God is always at work so sometimes we just need to stop helping and sit back to see how He works.
May 31, 2019
In Go Small: Because God Doesn't Care about Your Status, Size, or Success, Craig Gross counters the nessage many of us have heard, telling us that we should "go forth and do big things for God". Instead, he says, unless God specifically gives us big things to do (which is possible, but not likely), we should joyfully and intentionally do the small things and allow God to manage the big ones. God appreciates us as coworkers but doesn't need us to accomplish His will. (I wonder how Gross would respond to those who say sometimes God waits for our prayers to "release Him to do His will").
Gross may be best known as the Porn Pastor, founder of a ministry that encourages churches to have conversations about pornography and provides support to those who are battling an addiction to porn.
Throughout this book, he shares many personal anecdotes to explain his thoughts on the importance of smallness. He shows how going small can reap many benefits for the kingdom and for us as individuals. He stresses the dangers of allowing ourselves to become central in ministry, stealing the focus from God.
"(God) doesn't want your actions or your efforts or your supposed bigness. He just wants you. All of you.
He wants to take every single action, every interaction, every positive word spoken, every negative word held back, every kind gesture, every diligent workday, every soccer practice, every evening spent over a hot stove preparing a meal for your family, every quiet moment in between waking up and getting out of bed--all of it. He wants to take all of it and turn it into something extraordinary for His glory, defined by His terms.
When you truly allow this truth to wash over you, it's very liberating. It takes the pressure off of always doing, doing, doing for God."
Refreshing perspective and worthy of consideration.
Gross may be best known as the Porn Pastor, founder of a ministry that encourages churches to have conversations about pornography and provides support to those who are battling an addiction to porn.
Throughout this book, he shares many personal anecdotes to explain his thoughts on the importance of smallness. He shows how going small can reap many benefits for the kingdom and for us as individuals. He stresses the dangers of allowing ourselves to become central in ministry, stealing the focus from God.
"(God) doesn't want your actions or your efforts or your supposed bigness. He just wants you. All of you.
He wants to take every single action, every interaction, every positive word spoken, every negative word held back, every kind gesture, every diligent workday, every soccer practice, every evening spent over a hot stove preparing a meal for your family, every quiet moment in between waking up and getting out of bed--all of it. He wants to take all of it and turn it into something extraordinary for His glory, defined by His terms.
When you truly allow this truth to wash over you, it's very liberating. It takes the pressure off of always doing, doing, doing for God."
Refreshing perspective and worthy of consideration.
August 19, 2019
Very thought-provoking book. It challenged me to examine my values and to see the amazing worth of each individual.
June 21, 2020
In life, we keep chasing something big, something great, and we often underestimate small things. This book taught me that it is okay to do small things, and through it you can still find joy!
September 10, 2015
This pastor says that God really wants us to concentrate on the ordinary and faithfulness vs BIG
WHAT DO I MEAN BY SMALL?
'Go Big of Go Home' is a false choice
'Right Heart, Wrong Place' speaks of the 'revolution' in being faithful and attentive doing the dishes
'Define Extraordinary' means that God is in the ordinary
WHY DO WE PUSH AGAINST THE SMALL?
'Who Makes the Rules?' God does so His perspective and His rule is the most important, not mine or someone else's
'Under Pressure' culturally to perform and be recognized is not important
'Look at Me' vs God is the One whose approval I am seeking
'The Acceptance Disconnect' is prevalent except in reference to God's acceptance of us
HOW TO GO SMALL
'Get Slow' - kids know how to slow down
'Get Intentional' - by leaping into action with what you have
'Get Bigger...By Getting Smaller' - just do the ordinary and routine with people with God
'Get Humble' - with community, serving others, embrace suffering
'Get Low' - pray without being wrapped up in yourself
'A Wrench in the Works' - God lets you be part of the weird and ordinary (small) and the extraordinary (big)-- so slow down and go small (or big) as He directs
"You are tuning out all the clutter and busyness that we call ORDINARY, and tuning into what God would say to you." p 150
It is in the seemingly ordinary moments of life where God does his greatest work.
Go big or go home . . . so they say. But do you ever feel like no matter how "big" you go, you still haven't gone big "enough"? Have you grown so frustrated with the pursuit of "go big" that "go home" is starting to look inviting?
Going big all the time is not only a recipe for burnout--it's not the way God works in your life. It's time to break free from "go big or go home." It's time to invest in stamina, to cultivate endurance, to recognize the miraculous world of the ordinary, little things.
Show the door to "go big or go home" thinking. Your ordinary life is miraculous. It's time to go small--and keep on going.
January 13, 2017
When I saw this book, I knew I needed to read it because I’ve wrestled with these very issues as a Christian author. There is so much pressure to “build your platform” to the largest number possible. It’s always struck me as contrary to the teachings of the Bible, which emphasize humility rather than self-promotion.
The author did not disappoint. I hung on every page and when I finished I felt like I should start over to try to absorb the truth into my spirit better. He takes a candid look at his own desire to do big things for God (after all, he leads a ministry to porn stars and porn addicts) and compares it with the ordinary moments in life where life really happens.
God is pleased with us in the ordinary moments. We don’t have to go big to impress God. In fact, as the author writes, “God doesn’t need your ministry idea.” Gross encourages us to “Get out of His way and let Him do His thing.” But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing for us to do. It’s just that God invites us to get ordinary, touching lives one person at a time, doing the small things.
The author is an amazing storyteller, weaving three stories together to create a tapestry of ideas conveying the textures of ordinary. Because, after all, the tapestry of ordinary moments in our lives is truly beautiful to God.
This review, with additional book quotes, first appeared on my blog, ChristyBower.com.
The author did not disappoint. I hung on every page and when I finished I felt like I should start over to try to absorb the truth into my spirit better. He takes a candid look at his own desire to do big things for God (after all, he leads a ministry to porn stars and porn addicts) and compares it with the ordinary moments in life where life really happens.
God is pleased with us in the ordinary moments. We don’t have to go big to impress God. In fact, as the author writes, “God doesn’t need your ministry idea.” Gross encourages us to “Get out of His way and let Him do His thing.” But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing for us to do. It’s just that God invites us to get ordinary, touching lives one person at a time, doing the small things.
The author is an amazing storyteller, weaving three stories together to create a tapestry of ideas conveying the textures of ordinary. Because, after all, the tapestry of ordinary moments in our lives is truly beautiful to God.
This review, with additional book quotes, first appeared on my blog, ChristyBower.com.
October 21, 2014
Living in a time where being busy is actually seen as being successful, this book reminds me to slow down. There is nothing wrong with being ordinary because life is made up of the small, ordinary things.
Do u live by the slogan "Go big, or go home" ? If so, this book is for you. Are u constantly pursuing success, to go higher and higher? If so this is for you too. But, this book is also for people who worked behind the spotlights; backstage. This is an unexpected insightful read :)
Do u live by the slogan "Go big, or go home" ? If so, this book is for you. Are u constantly pursuing success, to go higher and higher? If so this is for you too. But, this book is also for people who worked behind the spotlights; backstage. This is an unexpected insightful read :)
June 29, 2016
The author's mssg was important and intentional, but at points I was begging him to stop rambling! Last chapter is awesome. Goes to show you that God moves through us intentionally when we stop planning the shots. I felt like the author wasn't sincere about living the life he wrote about until the last page. And he admitted it. I was glad he addressed this, as it makes the book more meaningful and honest.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews