Smaller Church Strikes Back
Saw this on a local churches website. I had mixed emotions. I give them compliments for embracing their “niche”, being who they are, and not apologizing for it. However, looking deeper at their Top 10, the tone is off-base and I don’t agree with all the premises they claim to be “benefits” Take a look? What do you think?
Wow. You know I grew up in a small church and have been in both large and small, there are some advantages to being in a smaller church, but there are advantages in larger one’s too. You’re right Lee, the tone of these is way off… “You will become a stronger more mature Christian” that could happen anywhere, even outside a church. It seems more attacking large churches than building up their small one, which is too bad.
[...] Church v. Big Church Posted on August 5, 2009 by matt My friend Lee Coate posted this list of the 10 benefits of a smaller church. Now laying the subjectivity of that [...]
Small Church v. Big Church « matt and ryan’s blog said this on August 5, 2009 at 7:40 am |
Dude, this seems to have a lot of bitterness in the top ten reasons.
I don’ know who did this, but man does it sound like they are making it a competition. Its not people. And all of those reasons they listed are true in “mega” church world.
This list just seems to have no point in it and seems to be one of those you know you go to a small town church when….you write a list about why you like going to that small little town church.
I am not trying to player hate on this list, just give my 2 cents worth.
Ronandcheri Gollner made these great comments…
I think I have a fairly unique perspective to offer given that I’ve worked everywhere from a nine thousand member mega-church to my current assignment as leader of a house church. Yeah. Don’t ask!
While one could argue the veracity of the ad’s claims, the subtly condescending tone throughout is unfortunate and off-putting. It has way less to do with the size of the church than it does with the paradigm under which the church operates.
Under a “functional” paradigm it’s all about the institution and not the individual. Juxtapose that with the ad’s claims and the guy has a case…. Read More
However, under a “relational” paradigm, it’s all about the individual; all about leadership working perpetually and tirelessly to insure the success of the individual members, even when it comes at the expense of the institution.
I’ve seen large churches that are relational, and small churches that are functional. Which are you?
Wow What a concept a church that would even call you back ?
I guess the real question is, how big is your chenis?
What vervacity!!
Well my husband and I have been involved in both small and large churches too – in fact we Pastored a very small church of about 65 people in Northern California for 3 1/2 years – and you can have mature Christians ANYWHERE – not just simply because a church is small. But the sad fact is this – it has been our experience that sometimes the smaller the church – the more “inward” the people are – and when a church is not “looking out” they will eventually devour each other from the inside out. A healthy church is one that “looks out” and is interested in developing relationships with people – no games – no hidden agenda – just love.
[...] from Lee Coate at Random Thoughts blog, August 5th; [...]
Size Matters: Another Look at this Issue « Thinking Out Loud said this on September 10, 2009 at 2:30 pm |