We go to a small church. We used to feel kind of apologetic that it wasn't bigger.
Not anymore: I'm actually excited about it. We've been thinking about who we are, and we're a Small Church. Yes!
NewSmallChurch is fantastic writing about Small Church. Even if you go to Big Church.
Thanks for this link. We do not live in an area known for large churches, just bunches of small ones. Each one has its distinctive. I will let my circle know about this Small Church website.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind recommendation of my blog at NewSmallChurch.com. I've had a lot of readers come from your site since your recommended that they do so. I appreciate the chance to partner like this.
I go to an average size church and I often wish it was a smaller one. Larger churches tend to have less sense of community and may be more impersonal. You go every week and see a lot of strange faces who are only there to fulfill their weekly obligation and nothing more, and people tend to be less actively involved with each other. You're lucky to have the friendship, values and sense of purpose that a small church provides.
ReplyDeleteHurray! Small churches! "Where two or three are gathered...."
ReplyDeleteWhenever I have begun to go to a small church, I found that the Pastor literally begged for money. It was very uncomfortable. Then they always wanted more money for a larger building, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt just never worked for me, sadly.
I'm with you! Love our precious small church!
ReplyDeleteGrowing up seeing my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles all faithfully serving in our small church are memories I treasure.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for posting the link to the NewSmallChurch website--it's really good!
Donnacrafts, I don't think anyone would like that, in any size church!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Our family has grown and been nurtured in the Lord in a small church enviroment, the same one for over 20 years!
ReplyDelete~deb
After being members of a large church and moving geographically, we purposely sought out a smaller congregation because we found it difficult for us to navigate a larger church. There were small groups at the church, but when we worshipped with the entire church family, it felt like we were disconnected as the Body. We'd be sitting in a veritable sea of strangers! That made it difficult to be involved in various ministries going on within the church. Even the day we had our 2nd baby dedicated, it was overwhelming: 50 plus parents lined up across the front of the pulpit. And prior to the dedication service, we were asked to go through a receiving line where our minister shook our hand but didn't know who we were! It was "industrial church"! So upon joining a smaller congregation, our new pastor came for a visit with the chairmen of the deacons. The pastor found out we'd been members at the mega-church, and then he proceeded to tell us that his best friend was the minister of the mega-church. He told us he had a vision to make the church we'd just joined into a mega-church. . . after almost 10 years there, we felt called away to another church. It was so difficult. Our pastor had not had much success in growing membership numbers as he had hoped ALTHOUGH our congregation was wonderful with family ministry, foreign missions and community outreach. He continued to push for changes he believed would grow membership, and sadly, it has had the opposite effect. Bottomline: no matter the size of the congregation, we need be faithful to God instead of worrying about our numbers. I appreciate your linking that website!
ReplyDeleteI think there's pros and cons for both church sizes. What matters is going!
ReplyDeleteI am eager to read this site when I have time, and maybe pass it along to our pastor! I've been attending the same itsy-bitsy church since I was 8 years old. We've had the same pastor the entire time--he married us, he baptized our children, he buried my sweet mother. Our church is the smallest church in the state in our denomination to have a full-time pastor.
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Spirit is there. We know each other all well and understand the other members' foibles, gifts, talents, weaknesses, etc. We are family.
(And our pastor has actually not once asked for money! That would be stunning, to say the least. He's quite the opposite.)