Top 10 Reasons For A Big Church
In response to this post by my dad, tongue in cheek though it may be, I have my own Top 10 list about the benefits of big churches. Now granted, I'm actually a long-time fan of cell groups and my dad is slowly convincing me that home churches might be a good option as well. I've been a part of a number of very small churches, some medium-sized churches and some very large churches. I like each of them and they each have some unique benefits of their own.
I also recognize that there are inherent dangers with a church that has 50 people, that has 200 people or that has 1000 people. Again, these dangers can be as unique as the benefits that these sizes provide. We just need to acknowledge that getting bigger - and getting smaller - will automatically lose and gain some things that churches of other sizes have. My purpose is to look for a balanced discussion and not dismiss big churches simply because of their inadequacies.
So here are my reasons...
10. Easy Access for Community
It's easier for the average stranger to attend, no invitation required. This can include out-of-town visitors, curious neighbours, people new to the city, or university/college students.
9. Facilities for Special Needs
The building can be geared towards physically disabled people. Programs can be available for children with development disabilities, there may be options for deaf people, etc.
8. Big Building
Central location that can host large crowds. This can include: congregations for services, seminars and classes, group dinners, concerts, marriage ceremonies, funerals, and special events like Christmas and Easter services.
7. Financial Resources
Music, video, and visual art copyrights can be costly if they are used legally. Some programs, like Take It or Leave It or food donations, have a certain amount of administrative overhead. Study resources, advertising, publishing/distributing materials...each of these can open up new avenues to reach Christians and non-Christians alike.
6. Pastoral Staff
Provides people that can be dedicated to various parts of church ministry. Children's ministry, dramas and musicals, worship CDs, counseling services, marriages and funerals, etc.
5. Musical Resources
Top level music can have expensive requirements. Sound systems, sound boards, pianos, drums, recording software, sheet music, stage, etc.
4. Technical Resources
Some technical resources can be quite expensive. Audio and visual recording software for seminars, sermons, music and special events. Projectors, computer networks, telephone services. Website hosting, virtual services, online ministry. And again, the people with the technical skills for these things.
3. Opportunities for Ministry
Numerous ways to contribute. Nursery, children's ministry, adult ministry, parking lot attendants, snack/meal preparation, sound/technical teams, musical/drama/dance teams, visual arts, custodial work, ushering, elders/deacons, visitation, missionary work, etc.
2. Volunteer Resources
More people are available with common skills. There is less reliance on a single team because more people can be involved. Large worship teams allow for time off as musicians rotate. People don't get burned out as easily.
1. Larger Group of People
It is easier to find others with common interests or life circumstances. This could include children's groups, youth groups, young adults, young marries, young parents, seniors, etc. It could include a larger pool of musicians, athletes, artists, computer geeks, or maybe just UFC fans.
P.S. Be assured, I have another post coming up in which I criticize institutional churches, both big and small, for the problems that they create and allow. Heh.
18 comments:
And for the low, low price of 80 - 90% of everyone's sacrificial giving your neighborhood can have all of these as well.
I know everyone feels well serviced with their investment.
One thing I do notice as a common element to each of these top ten: each item is only a tool, with only intrinsic value, and none are about people loving people. For instance, #10 - allowing people to come without invitation, seems to absolve the congregation of making personal contact. Yes, I do realize that you're referring mostly to people who we otherwise wouldn't know about, and thus can't invite, but there's also a common attitude of "if they want to come, they'll come; I don't want to be a thumper" instead of stepping outside the doors and just inviting someone. Or better yet, stepping outside the doors and finding someone to just show love to.
#8 is also self-driven (intrinsic value; a value that is only valued because it exists in the first place -- kind of like building a tower to put a light on top to tell planes there's a tower there). If you don't have many people, you don't need a big building. The bigger it is, the bigger it will need to be.
#7 down to #1 are all only needed because the church is big, and not to get big. You don't need a nursery with staff unless you have more than one or two kids: a home church can be about parents AND kids doing "church" together. You don't need a worship team, large staff, or technical teams in a group of one or two dozen people. What you do need, is an extra pot of coffee. :)
With #1, it also encourages people to only get together in groups they feel comfortable with, instead of sitting down with tax collectors and prostitutes. Think about it: how many people at church are "alien" to you, because they don't fit into our own personal habits?
In a way, it's as though churches are self-building, rather than other-building. The larger they are, the larger they will become, and the more they have to focus inwardly to sustain themselves. But in the end, what is a Christian called to do? "Go into the world..." as opposed to this idea that we should somehow "bring the world in to us." Seems to me that the last time God asked us to bring the world in to us, he shut the door and flooded everything.
Sorry, I meant to post one extra comment at the end. All that being said, I don't disagree with anything you've said -- those are actually all very good, and very valuable points. But it's as though they're only needed because they're needed in order to grow bigger, and while that's still great and wonderful, we do need to be careful that while we are growing bigger (if that's of value to those within the group) we are also focusing on growing better.
Good point, David...wait, that was Steve? Crazy...
I would suggest that there are some things that large churches can do that small churches or home churches simply cannot do. Music teams are a big one, as is the burn-out rate amoungst smaller churches.
Even so, I agree whole-heartedly with you, Steve. And my dad makes the point that we could help a lot more people with even less money if we didn't have to support a big building and paid staff.
So if none of my Top 10 list is a distinct benefit of being big, why do we even have big churches? Why do we develop big churches rather than many small home churches? What's the point?
Depends on who answers the question. If you're a pastor, it's often because more people means the pastor can do a job and get paid a regular wage like everyone else. That's not to say all pastors are greedy - often far from it. But remember that pastors are supposed to be like shepherds, leading and guarding a flock. Who wants a flock with only two sheep? Those aren't a flock, those are pets, and one looks tasty.
If you're an attendee of the church, you want a big church because you want more options. You want choice. You want things done for you, and areas where you can do things for others. It's a give and take relationship, instead of just give. Many people in a big church like all the programs that are available to them. The more choice they have, the happier they are. Just like picking fruit at the grocery store. Toss the rotten ones on the floor, and take the ones you want. Oh yeah, and ignore the hungry person that was asking for money when you walked through the doors.
Why do we need big churches? The real question is why do we need churches at all, regardless of size? To get close to people. Big churches necessarily need home groups and cell groups. So where do we learn and grow the most? Where do we "love God and love our neighbor"? Silently in a church pew, or sharing the good news at home with 9 other people? How do we "suffer the little children to come unto him?" By dropping them off in the kids church downstairs, or by talking with them about God amongst other believers?
Do we go to church to get something out of it? Or are we the ones that should get out of the church and "go into the world".
Great Points Jamie! You did a great little rundown of the issues. I can just imagine how your mind must have been systematically going down the lists! haha.
Numbers 9 and 2 (Facilities for Special Needs, Volunteer Resources - aka anti-burn-out) are definitely the biggest things I could identify as problems in our little church turning bigger church (I guess we are medium sized now). There is so much benefit to home meetings... but who can translate for the deaf person? And does the wheelchair person feel bad that he/she always has to be carried in? What if the Sunday School teachers are just not equipped for your kid's special needs?
Where do I begin to respond to these kinds of questions...I guess the best way is for me to just break it dowm as best I can from my own experiences..
who can translate for the deaf person? Many people are trained in ASL translation these days. It's pretty common. In larger churches, it might even be possible to find a translator already in the church. Of course, another option might be having the sermons transcribed onto the screen or something to that effect.
And does the wheelchair person feel bad that he/she always has to be carried in? I can answer this one with an emphatic NO for a couple of reasons...First, all public buildings MUST be equipped with some type of wheelchair access. Inside however, is a different story. I can't speak for a lot of people (mainly because I am the only person at my church with a disability that is active in any church activities-music in my case-, and I don't know people from other churches), but in my experience, I am blessed enough to have people around me in my church who are kind enough to help me access the platform with my wheelchair UNTIL a ramp can be made...so NO, no guilt...Guilt only comes when you feel like you are burdening someone. My friends have made it clear that they help me because they WANT to, not because they HAVE to. Plus the pastors work with me to help make things more accessible for me and those who might want to follow in my tracks one day. It's a team effort.
What if the Sunday School teachers are just not equipped for your kid's special needs? The simple answer is this...The teachers should do the best they can to equip themselves...talk to the child's parents...or even better, the child themselves when possible, to determine what accomodations can be made in order for that child to be as much an equal participant as possible. As in schools, every effort needs to be made to allow that child to reach their full purpose/potential.
I'll get off my soapbox now (I'm a little enthousiastic when it comes to the inclusion of people like me with disabilities...hehe) I hope I helped a little.
P.S. Just a general knowledge tip "Wheelchair Person" is not the best descriptive term. It's always bugged me...I'm much more tolerant of it than I used to be because I understand that it's just what people say, with no intended offense...however, it does give the impression that the person is defined by their disability, which is not true for anyone.
Okay, now I'm REALLY done...I promise.
I apologize if I came off sounding a bit preachy and long winded here, it wasn't my intention. I'm just trying to do what the teacher in me does...teach, not preach.
What you didn't say in #1 is hot people. Lots of young adults go to big churches to meet people of the other sex, and bigger churches = more options. This is why the Meeting House in the GTA, one of the biggest, is nicknamed the Meeting Spouse.
Solechko: You bring up interesting points.
The able-bodied members of a congregation have three choices in regards to “serving” those with special needs in their community. 1) They can ignore this population. 2) They can accommodate the disabled as a service - aka being do-gooders. Pat them on the back and give them a cookie.
OR .. 3) They can choose to see the person and not the disability. Persons with disabilities have abilities to serve too. When someone chooses to aid a person with different abilities, they are allowing God’s purpose to be fulfilled in both lives.
For example: My daughter has two disabilities. She is a Girl Scout and many people (kids and adults) have walked away from our Troop because of her special needs. Few have chosen to stay and accommodate those needs.
My Girl Scouts “adopt” men/women serving in harm’s way and send them monthly care packages until they return home. The result – one soldier has given his life to Christ. A Marine, who we know from a buddy is not a Christian, has brought up the topic of Jesus in his letters to us (can you say opportunity?) A 3rd said he keeps the girls’ letters with him to re-read when he’s feeling down. There are many other stories.
What if no girls had not been willing to accommodate my daughter? How many troops would have missed seeing Christ in packages? And what about the children who receive the candy, clothes, etc. sent to soldiers by these girls? Would those children have missed seeing Christ without those gifts? How many of those children will be more open to listen to future missionaries because of those gifts?
You also brought up a very good point. Wouldn’t the person with the disability get tired of being a burden? Well, the person with the disability needs to take their pride out of their pocket, put it aside and accept God’s calling in their life. It is no different than Moses with his speech difficulties and accepting Aaron’s help. It’s not easy, but to let the feeling of being burden interfere with God’s purpose in your life, is to deny God’s right to use you too. Get over it!!!!
In the end, it is up to the church, and its members, to decide if this segment of the community will be ignored or if they will be encouraged to take part in God’s plan/purpose for ALL His children.
Loved this blog JAG -- Thank you.
Sherry
I feel thoroughly chastised for my glib sarcasm. All of your posts have caused me to dig deeper.
#5 Musical resources. Jamie, I know this is near to your heart but I see the negative side of large church music ministry. I have literally witnessed a church with a strong music ministry steal away many parishioners from smaller churches that simply could not compete.
Furthermore a large church does not release exponentially more people. Once the core group is established it is difficult for new people to get in. In the quest for excellence, young ones need not apply. A church could literally grow by one thousand members and not add 1 new member to the music/worship component.
Remember when you led the youth worship team a few years back? Would they be allowed on the stage of a large church?
Would you have been invited to lead?
All right, David, let's focus on the music team for a moment. Your point about seeing a large church swipe musicians from smaller churches is well taken. I can likewise point out the negative side of much of this Top 10 list.
That does not negate the positive side. My experience dictates that there are many benefits.
- A youth worship team at a large church is much the same as it is in a small church. It's a training ground, lots of newbies, edgy music. Once youth are good enough, they usually start double-dipping and participate on both teams. So yes, this aspect is about the same in my experience, though some churches may differ.
- As a worship leader, my experience is that I had the same opportunity in a small church that I have in a big church. And that is, it's unlikely in both that anyone can take over from the main leader. It can be done and it is done in both cases, though.
- New people getting in - I strongly disagree with you. It's easy, as long as your talents are up to snuff. More opportunities in a big church, not less. More instruments, more teams, more services...And yes, the worship teams do seem to grow in size with the church.
- And don't be misled by the talent requirements for a big church. Allowing terrible musicians in either big or small churches is detrimental. There just needs to be room for development in either church.
So my experience across many sizes of churches stands. There are some negeatives, and there are some positives based on size. The similarities regardless of size of equally striking.
When I said parishioners I did not mean musicians. Sorry for the confusion.
I could also include "better children's programs" swipe families from smaller settings as well. Not to become workers in the programs but for the sake of giving their children the "best".
People's appetite for better stuff knows no limit.
So ultimately, what it seems as though this all boils down to... big church or small church, it seems as though attendees all make decisions about what church to attend based largely on what the church can do for them. Great music, great kids programs, great coffee... pick something, and that seems to be what draws people to a church. And when those core desires are gone, those some people like to leave the church too.
Imagine if God treated us that way. Psalm 139:15b-16 would read:
"When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. But since I spent 9 months unable to do anything for you, you abandoned me for someone else more productive."
In my case, the three most valuable "services" (opportunities) that GTA provided when my wife and I first decided to make it our home church, have all been abandoned. Those three components no longer exist. We've felt like leaving, because it was something we valued so much. But we stay. The people are the church, not the groups or the activities. And while we miss the activities, we'd miss the people more if we left.
And now we've left my topic and we've hit upon David's recent "Circulation of the Saints" post.
LOL I suppose that's true... sorry about that - I was mostly following the discussion and just sharing thoughts about it.
Blogs should have a free-for-all area where you can just blab about whatever comes to mind after reading a post. Like, right now, I'm thinking about the latest release of WordPress and thinking my blog would look a whole lot spiffier if I moved it over to a self-hosted WordPress setup.
Ashleigh,
Sorry for the use of an offensive term. Didn't mean to offend. I'm so dumb. Oops there was another one. At least it was directed at me this time.
Um, but you talk about just finding someone trained in asl as if there are lots of them. Well then please send a couple along to our church.
And as for public buildings all being wheelchair accesible? Well, our 100-yr old church building is not. Maybe that has to do with the $$ that big churches have.
Good points about the teachers... Um, I guess though that theoretically those are good ideas. Practically it's not so easy.
:)
It is the responsibility of the church to evaluate the needs of their community, examine their physical/financial. capabilities and be willing to step out of their comfort zone to meet those needs.
In the case of those with disabilities – first, wheelchair accessibility. I don’t think it’s the size of the church that determines this. It is the age of the church. I assume all would agree that it would be cruel (also illegal in US) to not make any new church, or new additions to an old church, wheelchair accessible. To expect an older church to go to the expense to make extensive upgrades would be unrealistic.
Second, persons who are deaf. If a person who is deaf wants to attend a church not offering a deaf ministry, they will bring a hearing person who can interpret for them. They will often volunteer to head up a deaf ministry. I have seen that happen in 4 churches (big and small).
Third, those with profound (low functioning) disabilities. No parent would expect a small church to go to the expense to provide the trained personnel needed. Only a large church would be capable of meeting that need. I would think all large churches would recognize the need for those parents to be spiritually fed and would equip a classroom for this population.
Fourth, children with special needs without physical barriers and capable of functioning in a typical Sunday School room – Asperger’s, high-functioning autism, Downs, etc. I would assume any Christian would open their heart to such children and would either learn what is necessary to teach them or would ask for help from the congregation to provide a teaching assistant for these children. Many colleges will grant education students field experience credit to do this. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will offer service credit. Organizations, like the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, can help (free of charge) with training, finding staff, as well as providing grants to help with financing inclusion programs.
I have seen several families asked to leave congregations because of a child’s disability (mine included). Then, I have seen that one person who was willing to walk their talk and make a difference. One in particular, a woman who embraced a girl with Downs. That girl is now 20 and is a teaching assistant with 2nd graders (able-bodied children) who ask to be placed in her class. What a loss it would have been if that one woman hadn’t been willing to see the person. Such willingness is a heart thing – not a size of the building thing.
Sherry
I started attending a big church last year and I'd have to say I enjoy both -- I leave a church service feeling equally satisfied; wonderfully filled with Gods love and a message to think about.
From your friends' comment... "Those aren't a flock, those are pets, and one looks tasty." that's hilarious :)
Great post Jamie.
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