By: johnh

johnh — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:22:46 +0000

Great article! Having been in both small churches (50 attendees) to very large churches (5000 attendees), I could relate to his analysis of church dynamics and how people “feel” about the cultural changes that occur. I also loved how he pointed out that applying the methods of a small church to a large church can cause problems and how applying the methods of a large church to a small church also causes problems. I have experienced this. I was once told by a fellow elder in a small church that he wanted our church to grow to about 300, anything larger he didn’t want. I understood what he was trying to say, but thought to myself how can we try to limit or control something God may be doing. We experience the installation of a new young talented pastor into our small church. We all wanted growth just for the survival of the church. We were very excited. What happened was a disaster. He looked right past the present congregation (which was primarily older) and ran roughshod on everything in order to do all the superficial things that larger growing churches were doing. It was all about presentation. The problem is that he forgot the present congregation. He was implementing large church forms and ideas on a small church.
Now for the growing church. It does present structural changes that many people don’t like. This article was right on. The issue for large churches is about building up the lay leadership. This can be scary for the pastors who have to trust but also requires more responsibilty from lay people. I would like to see (kind of a dream) larger churches and maybe groups of larger churches develop schools locally for training lay people in theology and leadership. Might be a real challenge to seminaries! Or possibly a partnership!!!
There actually are programs developing along these lines.
What I find also find interesting along this discussion line is what Bill Hybels has been grappling with at Willow Creek. I read the article in Christianity Today and then read all of the comments sent in about the article. While I greatly admire Bill Hybels and know that he will understand what his congregation might need in new and innovative ways, I was struck by one comment submitted. Basically, I think, the comment dealt with Christian education and teaching that provides more depth for church members. Not knowing all the specifics of the Willow Creek situation, I have come to believe that for a church to continue growing there has to be an avenue for deeper christian education. Basically the best way to continue growing a church is to deeped the roots. Programs are effective but the roots have to continually go deeper. I think that growing churches especially need very intentional christian educaton avenues. There is an absolute “blizzard” of opinions and half truths about what Christianity is really all about. What really excites me is that there is also great discussions and educational offerings that feed the root system of the christian (lay and clergy). The heart of the matter is “who is Jesus”, “what do you believe about Him” and “why”.
As Christians address these questions we offer light to the world and answers to some of the most fundamental questions in a confusing world. That light is the person of Jesus.

Comments on: Church Size

By: johnh