Comments on: Does Size Matter? (Part 1)

By: cfguy

cfguy — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:32:55 +0000

The challenges of size you list are certainly my experience. Thanks.

By: Ken Eastburn

Ken Eastburn — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:51:58 +0000

Perhaps your best post, yet, Craig. And I’m glad that it is you making this point. Megachurches aren’t inherently bad, they just have different weaknesses.

Unfortunately, I am not sure I’m qualified to give insight as to how megachurches can accomplish that (as a house church leader and all). I am convinced that small groups alone can’t accomplish it. The church (both small and large) needs to figure out how to create the knowing and needing with everyone, not just those who have the courage/time to meet with others mid-week.

By: Dave Baldwin

Dave Baldwin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:49:09 +0000

Hey Craig,
This isn’t about the post, but regarding yesterday at Catalyst One Day. It was AWESOME. Our staff team talked about the day all the way back to church. We have a bunch of discussion points now for our staff meetings in the future.
Thank you so much for your contribution to the day.
Blessings,
Dave

By: Christian Disidi M.

Christian Disidi M. — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:39:43 +0000

Even cedars of Lebanon start as little seeds. So, though little at the beginning, every living church is destined to grow. So, such problems of social carelessness will inevitably be noticed. But in my opinion, I think this would be solved if people were involved in church departments.

We have been saved to serve God. The Lord said to Pharaoh to let His people go so that they SERVE Him in the desert. He commanded to Israel in Ex 23,25: “And ye shall SERVE the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.” So, serving God is a must before enjoying His blessings.

Close relationships between members of the same group develops affective links. And, if someone misses, he/she should receive at least a phone call of the other members of the team he belongs.

In my church, Winners’ Chapel (Kinshasa, Dem. Rep. of Congo in Africa) where I serve in the choir, we reach about 7.000 persons in a service. And even you were a very kind person, you can’t know everybody. Due to this number, people are encouraged to serve in departments. And, where people are in need, their team leaders can easily report to the hierarchy for a quick intervention.

God bless You.

By: al Valdez

al Valdez — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:10:52 +0000

Size does matter, but I think it depends on the mission. If the mission is to reach the community through cell groups and to win the lost in a particular city, then LC is doing its job. People are won to Christ. Awareness is brought about the needs of other communities around the world, a model is created for churches to follow, finances are raised for missions, etc. But if the mission is to equip church planting leaders on a global scale or to help others who are harvested in the community to Go and make disciples of all nations, well it may be better in a smaller setting for more intimate training from a senior pastor or missionary.
Just a thought. Great post Craig.

By: Bill Hooks

Bill Hooks — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:32:52 +0000

Lyle Schaller in his book The Very Large Church, shares a point from Robert L. Randall people come to church with a four-point agenda.

1. Yearning to feel understood
2. Yearning to understand.
3. Yearning for hope.

As you review all four yearning notice they all reflect relationships, not functions or tasks. This is where size does matter as small congregations have an advantage in the relationship area. Even with small groups becoming the new thing to help the large church to keep growing larger and at the same time grow smaller. People want to be known and feel that they are loved and that someone cares. The bottom line let’s just love people and show them we care what is going on in there life’s. This is were the small group can make this happen. I agree with Larry ” The challenge is not making just a chosen few feel this way, but everyone”.

By: Will

Will — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:02:08 +0000

I have been in both of these positions. I went to small community church and now attend LC. One thing that kept me going to LC was small groups(LifeGroups), but for folks that getting into a small group is a bigger step than they are ready for, events at church(big or small churches)get people mingling and allows them to get to know each other. Great thing is that we are needed no matter what size church we go to. We are His hands and feet so whatever the cost(anything short of sin, my pastor likes to say)we have to get out of the comfort zone and reach out

By: Christian Haiku

Christian Haiku — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:31:16 +0000

Size doesn’t matter
But relationships…they do
Community calls

By: Travis Hurst

Travis Hurst — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:44:23 +0000

I don’t know if there is one answer to Craig’s post and question, however, I believe small groups fill the void in larger churches….if a small group (in your case life group) is effective, it may become a small church within the larger church. The “Cheers” factor is there. People are needed, and can go deeper in relationships and spiritual growth. I guess the key would be to get people in the small groups asap.

By: Chelsea Hughes

Chelsea Hughes — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:59:07 +0000

I think that the small group ministry in any large church is very important to the “needed and known” factors. I have been involved in both small and large churches and during my season in a larger body my small group is what really kept me accountable and kept me from getting lost in the crowd.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:42:22 +0000

I have served in a meduim sized church and now in a small church. It is like anything in life there are positives and negatives to both. Right now I am having a ball being in a smaller church and seeing it begin to burn with passion for Christ and if it never grew any larger but people began growing closer and closer to Christ it would be awesome. Truth is though that as they get closer to Christ and burn with passion for him that they will attract people who want what they have. Anyways - for me know - they small church is a blessing but I hope to see us grow to a larger church and seeing Christ making a difference inp people’s lives.

By: Michelle George

Michelle George — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:41:04 +0000

I don’t think it matters what size church you’re a part of. I was part of a small church. I was “needed”. I was “known” because I could do something for them. But when I needed “help” I was cast aside and pushed out. I needed help in a way that was unacceptable to church people. Had I been an addict I may have been help-able, but because I was asking questions about the reality of my faith and its manifestation, I was not acceptable. I think the stuff you are talking about comes down to the culture of the church, not the size of the church.

By: Lukas

Lukas — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:22:39 +0000

A small addition: the discussion about if the large churches are good comes usually from countries with many large churches. If you have a country with only small churches, you wish somebody wuld break it large! At least somebody.

By: Lukas

Lukas — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:21:01 +0000

We need to have both types of churches in the community: large for impact and small for specialization. However, both can be connecting… I am from the Czech Republic and I can only wish we have some large churches here. With church of typical size of 40 people is my church of 130 considered mega! Any wonder church at large has no influence in our nation?

By: Carmen

Carmen — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:03:01 +0000

Is size important ? what if the church is not growing ? Should we be worried? Isnt God supposed to add to the church daily ?

By: Blog:: St. Paul's Collegiate Church at Storrs

Blog:: St. Paul's Collegiate Church at Storrs — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:14:26 +0000

Does Size Matter?

Craig Groeschel is asking great questions on his blog about church size issues. Take a look and let know what you think. I was particularly struck by th eimportanc of making sure people feel”know: and “needed” no matter what size…

By: Larry Boatright

Larry Boatright — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 15:09:53 +0000

Ryan,

I agree with Craig, great thoughts! I think the statement “It is easier for me to invite a person I already know and have a relationship with to join my Life Group than it is a complete stranger…” is a great one! Building relationships as a lifestyle is key.

Great thoughts by all, may God bless your ministries!

By: Craig

Craig — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 13:48:22 +0000

Tom and Michael, It is great to hear from you. Thanks for the encouraging words.

Ryan, great insight. I love the phrase, “the best way to get on the inside is to have an outward focus!” Great stuff!

By: Ryan Marshall

Ryan Marshall — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 05:02:57 +0000

As a Life Group leader for many many years I have found that the best way to “get on the inside” or get people connected is to have an outward focus.

We all have a built in network of friends and relationships that already exist, many of those people being outside the walls of our church. If we invite those people to church, or more importantly into our lives, they will have an instant connection to the body. It is easier for me to invite a person I already know and have a relationship with to join my Life Group than it is a complete stranger. That is one thing, in my opinion, why LifeChurch has experienced massive growth. Our leadership has always encouraged us to “bring a friend”.

I personally think to much responsibilty is put on the “church” to get people in and connected. Instead we as The Church, need to look to build authentic relationships with those outside the walls of the building.

By: Tom French

Tom French — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 03:55:01 +0000

Craig, I think people do feel needed in large churches . Life Church does a excellent job in trying to make people feel needed by asksing them to serve.I think almost every week Sprd. ask people to sign up to serve. I don’t remember this happening in the churches that I grew up in. At Life, anyone can serve if they really want to, and that is a way to get involved and feel needed. Remember the old saying 10 percent of the people in any orginazation volunteer to do 90 percent of the work.