Large Modern Churches

[Isaiah 6:8]

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[Smalcald]

Thank you for your inputs. I think what I am going to do is not make any snap judgments based on my personal feelings for six months. After that time if it is still an issue for me I will have to re-visit this issue of size. I also have a harder time tithing when I look around at the luxury of the building and all of the really expensive cars in the parking lot. They have these guys driving around in golf carts in the parking lot to pick people up who park to far out, I mean we used to walk to Church from our house! I think part of it is that I am just not used to living in a city and that may be a bigger issue than the big Church.

[Fez]

For me small is good. We all know each other and all can get involved in anything they have a gifting for.

Another reason is that there are sometimes people in mega churches who have problems but don't speak up. In a smaller church one notices the problem and can assist.

I would like to see 20 small churches in one area rather that one mega church. I think the word may be spread better that way, and a balance is kept. (one church one doctrine can be good but sometimes not).

[glennagail]

I like my small church. I live down the street from one of those Mega Churches. I have visited once or twice for special things. But I like knowing everyone. My pastor has allowed me to speak a few times. Which has been something I always wanted to do. You could never "test" your skills in a big church. That being said Big churches can do more for people than a small church can. I too would have a hard time giving to a big church like that. You don't have to give just at church you can give to others who you feel are doing God's work.

[SavedByGrace1980]

We have recently moved to a large city in Texas. We have lived most of our lives in a small rural New England town. The Church we attended there was conservative theologically, small, and traditional in the sense that we would never have electronic stuff in the worship area, only the traditional hard wooden pews (no pads), and so forth.

I am having a hard time here in that our denomination here is really different, theologically it is the same, but its basically a mega-church, its got like 5000 people attending every week (we had about 125 at home) padded comfortable pews, the pastors (there are I think 5) have got one of those little headphone things on and is also projected on two screens. But its also packed unlike our old church.

Okay my problem is I don't like it. I am trying to figure out if it is just a style issue with me being an old fashioned and not liking modern styles or is it a pride issue with me? Maybe I liked being small so I stood out more? The rest of my family likes it, so this does not help me very much.

What do people think of really large Churches?

I believe churches of any size can have a place in God's Kingdom.

Perhaps it might be helpful to consider what are - or should be - our reasons for attending church. Off the top of my head, in no particular order, I can cite a few:

We're commanded to do so in Scripture (Heb. 10:25)

Meeting with and fellowship with other Christians

Hearing God's Word preached.

Being ministered to by worship and singing

Growing God's Kingdom by our service

Growing God's Kingdom by our tithes

Growing God's Kingdom by leading others to Christ

and there are many others.

All of these can happen in churches regardless of their size - so, everything else being equal I believe it just becomes a matter of preference. Some will prefer a large church, some will prefer a small one.

Now, in your case, you mentioned that you don't like it, but others in your family do. This does pose a problem in that I believe God wants families to worship together. You obviously - with much prayer - will have to come to some sort of solution.

One other thing you may be dealing with is "culture shock". Yes - both New England and Texas are "technically" both in the US, culturally they are very different. Not to paint with too broad a brush, but I suspect the church you attended in NE was more "staid" and "reserved"; while the one in Texas may be more "emotional" and demonstrative.

My suggestion is to have an open and frank discussion with your family members. If it is a "style" problem I don't think that should be overlooked or minimized. No one Christian is going to feel at home or comfortable in EVERY chuch - but that in and of itself does not mean those churches are "bad".

It's just our human nature that makes us comfortable in some venues and not others.

Blessings!

-Ed

[~Shalhevet~]

I believe it's totally a personal preference. I prefer a congregation of about 150-300. Anything bigger or smaller than that I get uncomfortable in. I'm not sure why. It's probably just what I'm used to. A congregation of 5000 is way too much for me. Like you, I'm quite traditional. Have you tried searching for a smaller church?

[nebula]

There are advantages and disadvantages to the large church.

The important thing is to be at peace about what fellowship/assembly the Lord would have you at. This is what you need to seek - where the Lord would have you.

[darkest_red]

I have only attended one church regularly, which is the church I grew up attending. Though I am not close enough to attend regularly anymore - a 3 - 4 hour drive would be a bit much every week! - I do still class it as my church. It is a small church and I love that. Although there are a new people since I moved, there are still a lot of people that have gone for years and I love that I can walk in and be greeted as if I'm family. In fact, one of the things that I love most about the church is that it DOES feel like a family. I can't really be sure, as I've never attended a big church, but I don't imagine it would be as easy to feel that in a huge church.

As for the technology...my church is an old church, and we do still have pews (though that could more be the cost to replace them than anything else) but we do have screens and the service is projected. I know some people - especially some of the older members of the congregation - were not happy at that, most people now do agree it is much easier than using books. We do have a more traditional style communion service at 8:30 on Sunday mornings, and 10:30 mid-week and they are from the books. I attend the mid week communion when I'm around but I do much prefer the service being on screen (maybe that's more because I'm not a big fan of the traditional service).

It is all about personal preference though - maybe if I had grown up in a larger church, I would prefer large churches. I agree with Neb - the important thing is to be at peace about what fellow/assembly the Lord would have you at.

[Shiloh62]

We have recently moved to a large city in Texas. We have lived most of our lives in a small rural New England town. The Church we attended there was conservative theologically, small, and traditional in the sense that we would never have electronic stuff in the worship area, only the traditional hard wooden pews (no pads), and so forth.

I am having a hard time here in that our denomination here is really different, theologically it is the same, but its basically a mega-church, its got like 5000 people attending every week (we had about 125 at home) padded comfortable pews, the pastors (there are I think 5) have got one of those little headphone things on and is also projected on two screens. But its also packed unlike our old church.

Okay my problem is I don't like it. I am trying to figure out if it is just a style issue with me being an old fashioned and not liking modern styles or is it a pride issue with me? Maybe I liked being small so I stood out more? The rest of my family likes it, so this does not help me very much.

What do people think of really large Churches?

People have different tastes, I tend to lean toward liking the bigger church, mine has 14,000 members here in Plano, but its reallya matter of where you are comfortable. We have a lot of good churches here in Texas, big and small. What part of Texas are you in?

[Smalcald]

I will keep an open mind and listen to what the Lord is saying on this journey. I have a tendency to make snap judgments based on small things, the outward appearance of the Church the technology etc., so my goal is to wait and see. There is a much smaller congregation we visited of our denomination, I was fine with that the issue is the lack of children. Anyway it is all a balance and it is not really about me anyway.