preacherman

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Does Size Matter?

Ok. I know. Get your mind out of the gutter. What I want to talk about does size of the congregations you attend matter? Is size or numbers what we are after? I personally have seen churches that were large suffer because they were large and churches that were small suffer because they were small. I have seen churches that were large flourish and churches that were small flourish as well. I personally think it is the way we view growth. Many people look at a congregation as healthy if they are growing and are large. I personally think this not not the case. It is not about numbers. Yes, we need to convert. We need to reach the lost. But growth. Really growth and health isn't about numbers it is about spirituality. It is about the key doctrines. Is your church practicing, rooted, grounded in: Faith, Hope, Love. Is your congregation growing spiritually? Are your leaders providing opportunities for spiritual growth? Congregations that are too large can be a hindrance to spiritual growth. A church can become too big and people can become lost. In some churches talents not used. People can become forgotten and neglected. Small churches have a habit of hindering people by holding on to traditions that make no sense and close friends can become too comfortable and exclude outsiders. We need to understand that churches across the country and world vary in size. I, again, personally believe that our focus as The Church shouldn't be on growth of the size of the churches, but spiritual growth: Are needs being met, are talents and gifts being used, are people practicing their faith outside of The Church? What do you think? Share your thoughts.

8 Comments:

Blogger Keith Brenton said...

So far, my experience has been that size doesn't matter at all. We've moved from a 2100-member church in Little Rock to a 40-member church in Sylva, NC. Both are characterized by love. I think both will grow, because people find love attractive.

8:33 AM  
Blogger Royce Ogle said...

I don't think a church can grow spiritually and not at the same time impact the community in a positive way. If we are becoming more like Jesus we will be more likely to do what he did. If a church is not going after the lost there's a problem with their love. The love of Jesus is broader than loving each other as believers.

Many people can do more good than few. Whether it's feeding the homeless, community projects, or foreign missions, more is better than less.










10:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Royce. I live in a small town where everyone is related and everyone knows everyone. All families in the community go to church whether it is Baptist, church of Christ, Methodist. How do we reach lost in a community where everyone goes to church where they were raised?

4:33 PM  
Blogger Jim said...

To assume everyone is saved because they attend "church" does not necessarily line up with scripture. Jesus was crucified because of religious people. I was a church member before I was saved by the blood of Jesus. Although I was reaching out for God I was insecure spiritually. I wonder how many people in your community would fit into that category. You don't know if you don't start the conversation. Ask, "Are you at a place in your life where you can stand before God without guilt or fear?"

7:59 AM  
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