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Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 6:45:36 AM
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csl7037
Posts: 1752
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I know, the "Church" is the people but I'm talking about churches that perpetually have a couple dozen members - or really anything less than 100. Is that for real? I kow churches go through things, transition, upheaval, splits. Unfortunately, that happens, things rebuild...but churches that just stay content, seemingly, with a few people. What's that about? It seems more like a little family reunion or something. These people can't be concerning themselves at all with sharing their faith or reaching out to the community - so what's the point?
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 9:56:02 AM
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timf
Posts: 512
Joined: 10/20/2006
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Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 10:01:07 AM
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URForgiven
Posts: 1120
Joined: 3/22/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: csl7037
I know, the "Church" is the people but I'm talking about churches that perpetually have a couple dozen members - or really anything less than 100. Is that for real? I kow churches go through things, transition, upheaval, splits. Unfortunately, that happens, things rebuild...but churches that just stay content, seemingly, with a few people. What's that about? It seems more like a little family reunion or something. These people can't be concerning themselves at all with sharing their faith or reaching out to the community - so what's the point?
Two or more is all it takes. With God, size doesn't matter.
Peace
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 10:02:22 AM
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JimboFletch
Posts: 6614
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quote:
ORIGINAL: timf
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
In context, that verse is about church discipline, not church size.
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 10:04:34 AM
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bluestone
Posts: 2934
Joined: 2/25/2008
From: United States of America
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I think the majority of churches in the United States are under two hundred members, many under 100. Some of these churches do a great job ministering and sharing the gospel. Many do concern themselves with the community, but numerical growth is not an indicator of that.
You don't have to be huge to be valuable. Many huge churches teach feel good sermons and are more recreational parks than churches.
_____________________________
I need Christ. Not something that resembles Christ.
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 11:09:51 AM
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lexie
Posts: 3047
Joined: 6/27/2005
From: Toronto
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quote:
These people can't be concerning themselves at all with sharing their faith or reaching out to the community - so what's the point?
I belong to a very small church, and that is a big judgment that you just put on small churches.
My church split from a larger one over doctrinal issues. Our church stayed within the larger group of churches while the other left the group. Yes, it has been difficult to grow. Right now our main concern is finding a building for church. We currently meet in a basement of the house (what would be rented out as an apartment, we use for church) but of course we are looking to expand.
However, we're kind of caught in a difficult place right now. It's hard to get new people out to church because people have stereotypes of house churches and small churches, but it's hard to afford a separate building when you have a small membership base. Thankfully, we've been blessed recently with the opportunity to find a better place.
We are completely concerned with sharing our faith. My faith and knowledge grew much quicker in this setting than in any larger church I was in. I share my faith with anyone I can, as does every other member of the church. We invite people out all the time, and slowly, we're gaining new members. We have had some trouble reaching out to the community as a group, but we are all still active in our own communities.
Sure we want to grow. Of course we want to spread the gospel. But there are also benefits to being in a small group. Everyone worships in different ways. The most important thing when you come together is praising the Lord, studying His Word, and growing in your faith, and that can be done in all sorts of numbers. I've always felt more at home as part of a family in this small church than I have in larger churches.
It is possible that there are small churches that are not interested in growing or sharing, but it's not a label that can be applied to all small churches.
_____________________________
I want to be more than an ordinary servant.
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 12:17:17 PM
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Lapidoth
Posts: 3605
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: OKLAHOMA
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Location has a lot to do with it as well.
We live in an area that doesn't even
have a population sign. The largest
town near us before changing states
has 400 people.
the larger churches are usually larger because they
are the "social club" types. Yes, some small churches
are stagnant because they contain a few stagnant people.
But many small churches don't feel the need to compete with
the world nor the "feel good" larger churches. We have splits
continually because we stick to the Word for our instruction and
guidance. We fellowship in that parameter. We don't fellowship
just for the sake of fellowship. Although a few would like to have
it that way.
I only know one real Bible teacher on the Television and he's an
unknown in Enid, OK area. The rest that people send their money
too are fluff and hooey.
If we look at numbers and size, we've missed the picture.
We are to "make disciples" of all men. That's a one-on-one experience.
The only judgment on a church is the focal point. Jesus or whatever.
_____________________________
Why does He keep quoting Torah? Doesn't He know He's about to abolish it?
http://www.tedpearce.com/Videos/TheForgottenpeople.html
BARUCH HABA BASHEM YAHUAH
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 12:30:14 PM
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IMA_CHRISTIAN
Posts: 1662
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God led me to a small church. I dont want a big church - too big - i feel lost in a big church.
Nevertheless, I'd rather go to a church that has 25 members who love the Lord than to go to a mega church of 5,000 people just to brag about having a large congregation.
_____________________________
I'm just one of those Calvinistic robots for the Lord :)
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 2:23:51 PM
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sue244
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From: Colorado
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I go to a church that has about 60 people and we are always trying to reach out the the community around us. We are in the process of trying to get a college ministry started at the University in town. And I know in the 3 years I have been there we have added about 20 people but at the same time about 20 people also have moved away for jobs, or family reasons. So we are adding new people we just are losing people as well.
_____________________________
"Indeed I Tremble for this country when I reflect that God is Just and His Justice cannot Sleep Forever"
Jefferson
"Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” Churchill
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 3:08:46 PM
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Lapidoth
Posts: 3605
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: OKLAHOMA
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bluestone
The area I live in seems to be owned by the Southern Baptist Convention. 
Churches other than Baptist just are not all that big. Like trying to grown wheat in a cornfield.
ROFL.............
There's so much truth in that. lol.
The outreach of any church should be to reach the "LOST."
We have games and shinanigans in the guise of outreach,
but real outreach is usually one-on-one. A disciple of Christ
that so shines his light, that others want to be a disciple of
Christ. We can herd them in with programs, but what have
we really got?
Is our motive to disciple college-kids as in the fore-mentioned
college programs? Are we caring for the other members of
the Body of Christ? It doesn't take a big budget to reach those
around us. It doesn't take a big church to impact a community.
It does take a big church to compete with the world.
If we match the world with video game to video game, what have
we got?
I'm glad that our small little group wants another study-night
during the week. We don't even sing songs on these nights.
We're small enough right now that we can sit around the tables
and open our bibles and study.
_____________________________
Why does He keep quoting Torah? Doesn't He know He's about to abolish it?
http://www.tedpearce.com/Videos/TheForgottenpeople.html
BARUCH HABA BASHEM YAHUAH
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 3:20:30 PM
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JimboFletch
Posts: 6614
Joined: 4/11/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Lapidoth
I'm glad that our small little group wants another study-night
during the week. We don't even sing songs on these nights.
We're small enough right now that we can sit around the tables
and open our bibles and study.
My Bible Study class runs about 70 and we actually study the Bible after food, fellowship, praise & prayer. But sitting around isn't all we do. We also have been going out into the neighborhood meeting and ministering to the unchurched and lost, then sharing the Gospel.
But that's just our class.
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 4:18:06 PM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1333
Joined: 4/26/2006
From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: IMA_CHRISTIAN
God led me to a small church. I dont want a big church - too big - i feel lost in a big church.
Nevertheless, I'd rather go to a church that has 25 members who love the Lord than to go to a mega church of 5,000 people just to brag about having a large congregation.
God led us to a big church. A VERY big church.
We don't have a 'mega church' of 26,000+ just to brag about having a large congregation. Nor, are "feel good sermons" heard anywhere at anytime. (though, i have heard a few sermons AGAINST so-called "feel good sermons"!).
Regarding "numbers" of people that go to our church, our church baptizes about 1,200 or so men, women and children a year.....sometimes entire families are baptized together....anyway, while they may have accepted Christ, and been baptized at our church, afterward, many are led by God to attend church elsewhere...for a multitude of reasons. Our church staff actuall assists and guides them to churches that would likely best fit their 'needs'....which kills the "assumption" that many have that we're just out to just get as many members as possible....
It's clear that people can have 'misconceptions' about large churches (impersonal, "feel good" sermons", primarily concerned about "numbers", etc..etc...), the same that people have 'misconceptions' about small churches. It's right here on this thread. Especially if you've never been to either. Or, have just had one bad experience with one....and equate it with ALL churches that size having those same "issues"
Did we SEEK OUT a large church? No we didn't. Actually, we were seeking a fairly small church, but, as I mentioned, God led us to where we are today. While visiting many of the smaller churches in our area, we found too many that treated visitors as if they were "intruders"....they were happy with their little church where they knew everyone, and they didn't want someone there that anyone didn't know. We had "left" a fairly small church, because after 4 years of being there, we didn't feel "connected" or a "part of it" at all....didn't really know anyone....etc...etc...
Then, one Sunday morning, after months of searching (there are COUNTLESS churches in our area), I told my wife, "We should at least try that BIG, HUGE church....just once....(and disregard any pre-conceived notions we have, and any "opinions" others may have of it).....my wife was determined to not go there, because it was just so incredibly BIG.
After walking in the doors, it was as if God was saying "Welcome Home". In a matter of no time at all, we felt 'connected', and certainly a part of church. Became very close friends with some people....and, fairly good friends with many, many more. Almost over night, that REALLY large church shrank. And, now, that REALLY LARGE church..well, it's "just church".....we don't even think about the size of it anymore (except when we have to walk from one end to the other....it's a hike!)
What makes us such a large church? The relentless preaching of God's word...biblically sound....continuous "outreach" into the community...discipleship...commitment to serving the community, the nation and the world....and, people that are VERY welcoming to all who come....
we're really no different from a much smaller church....we just have a few more people who show up on Sundays than most churches have.....
Each and EVERY church is SO unique....and SO different, I find it impossible to say, "All 'mega churches' are....." or "All small churches are....".....one cannot simply make any conclusions about a particular church simply on it's size. Usually.
That said.....I certainly take geographic location into account. Our church is located in the middle of the Dallas-Fort Worth area....populated by some 6+ Million people. And, as I mentioned earlier, there are SEVERAL churches that saturate our entire area (we drive by at least 7-8 just going to church!).....While looking at other churches, I DID take church size/growth into account when we visited while looking for a new church home. WHY? Here we are....in a large, and fast growing, area in one of the most populated areas in the U.S....if a church has been there, but has been having 0 growth, under those conditions, then, something is probably wrong. I can perfectly understand near 0 growth in very rural areas, or areas with a small "Christian" population......but, for a church to be surrounded on ALL sides by rooftops as far as the eye can see (and more appearing every day) amongst a sea of people who are "lost" and in need of Christ, and not have any growth for years? Something is likely wrong with that church.....
...just my 2¢ on this subject.....
quote:
I only know one real Bible teacher on the Television and he's an
unknown in Enid, OK area. The rest that people send their money
too are fluff and hooey.
yes..good "preachers" on TV are very hard to come by. Be sure and look to see when Jack Graham is on. His program is called "PowerPoint" on Daystar....or watch online.... The programs are primarily carefully edited sunday morning sermons...edited to fit into the half-hour timeslot.....or watch the entire church service online, if you want....Jack Graham....he's my pastor!
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 4:33:06 PM
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Lapidoth
Posts: 3605
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: OKLAHOMA
Status: offline
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quote:
Regarding "numbers" of people that go to our church, our church baptizes about 1,200 or so men, women and children a year.....sometimes entire families are baptized together....anyway, while they may have accepted Christ, and been baptized at our church, afterward, many are led by God to attend church elsewhere...for a multitude of reasons. Our church staff actuall assists and guides them to churches that would likely best fit their 'needs'....which kills the "assumption" that many have that we're just out to just get as many members as possible....
It's clear that people can have 'misconceptions' about large churches (impersonal, "feel good" sermons", primarily concerned about "numbers", etc..etc...), the same that people have 'misconceptions' about small churches. It's right here on this thread. Especially if you've never been to either. Or, have just had one bad experience with one....and equate it with ALL churches that size having those same "issues"
WooHoo!!!!!!!!
I can only rejoice with you in all those coming to the Lord.
And that they are helped to find churches that meet their needs.
That's just so great. That's my philosophy. Maybe that's why we
aren't any bigger since there's not that many in this 1/2 dog town. lol.
If they come here but live many miles away, we try to help them find
a good church near them.
I had some machines that were good to use in teen ministry.
One day we had no teens. I called a youth pastor in a larger city that
was starting a youth outreach in another 1/2 dog town 40 miles from here.
I told him if he would come and get the machines he could have them.
You know, "air hockey" "fooz ball" "shuffle board", etc. He was puzzled
why we would give them the things they needed.
Well, don't we have the same boss? Aren't we supposed to be doing the
same things? was my response. Still puzzled, he accepted. lol.
Aren't we all in the same commission?
Big or small we can help each other.
But, on the other hand, it would be nice if the bigger churches helped
out the smaller churches instead of preaching they aren't doing anything.
It's only human to compare ourselves with ourselves, isn't it? lol.
May we always see "how" God sees, and be obedient to the small tasks
and the big tasks assigned to us.
_____________________________
Why does He keep quoting Torah? Doesn't He know He's about to abolish it?
http://www.tedpearce.com/Videos/TheForgottenpeople.html
BARUCH HABA BASHEM YAHUAH
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 4:34:31 PM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1333
Joined: 4/26/2006
From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: IMA_CHRISTIAN
God led me to a small church. I dont want a big church - too big - i feel lost in a big church.
So, then, what happens when your church, and those who go there, reach out to the community.....share the Gospel with your town/city.....you spread the 'good news'.....and, over time, before you know it, you wake up one day and you DO go to a "big church"?
what will you do then? Or, do you convince the church to limit the number of those "admitted" to the congregation....so as to limit the size of your church? thus, possibly turning people away (no room for you!)
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 4:39:30 PM
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Lapidoth
Posts: 3605
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: OKLAHOMA
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: kernsfamily
quote:
ORIGINAL: IMA_CHRISTIAN
God led me to a small church. I dont want a big church - too big - i feel lost in a big church.
So, then, what happens when your church, and those who go there, reach out to the community.....share the Gospel with your town/city.....you spread the 'good news'.....and, over time, before you know it, you wake up one day and you DO go to a "big church"?
what will you do then? Or, do you convince the church to limit the number of those "admitted" to the congregation....so as to limit the size of your church? thus, possibly turning people away (no room for you!)
OUCH! Good question.
That's one reason we have trouble growing in this tiny spot in the world.
When some don't like those who come, they leave. So, we seem to be
a half-and-half church. lol. Half oldies and half newbies. We need a base
of oldies, but need the newbies coming. If they go out to minister, that's great.
If they leave in other than biblical attitudes, that's something else.
_____________________________
Why does He keep quoting Torah? Doesn't He know He's about to abolish it?
http://www.tedpearce.com/Videos/TheForgottenpeople.html
BARUCH HABA BASHEM YAHUAH
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 4:43:46 PM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1333
Joined: 4/26/2006
From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
Status: offline
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quote:
But, on the other hand, it would be nice if the bigger churches helped
out the smaller churches instead of preaching they aren't doing anything.
you've been to churches that actually do that???
The only time our pastor speaks "badly" about other churches is when talking about those which neglect to speak the Gospel....to speak about Jesus (you know, those "feel good" churches as mentioned elsewhere in this thread)......he certainly doesn't "name names", or give out "examples"....just discusses them in "general" terms.....and, about their "weak theology"....
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 4:56:40 PM
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Lapidoth
Posts: 3605
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: OKLAHOMA
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: kernsfamily
quote:
But, on the other hand, it would be nice if the bigger churches helped
out the smaller churches instead of preaching they aren't doing anything.
you've been to churches that actually do that???
The only time our pastor speaks "badly" about other churches is when talking about those which neglect to speak the Gospel....to speak about Jesus (you know, those "feel good" churches as mentioned elsewhere in this thread)......he certainly doesn't "name names", or give out "examples"....just discusses them in "general" terms.....and, about their "weak theology"....
That's what makes a bad church bad...........Bad Theology (False Doctrine)
I've been to some that rail on others.
Sadly, they sometimes pay for that in having to shut down.
We have to be family to be family. I was going to say act like,
but we can be family and still not act like family. lol.
_____________________________
Why does He keep quoting Torah? Doesn't He know He's about to abolish it?
http://www.tedpearce.com/Videos/TheForgottenpeople.html
BARUCH HABA BASHEM YAHUAH
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 5:05:14 PM
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IMA_CHRISTIAN
Posts: 1662
Joined: 1/23/2006
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: kernsfamily
quote:
ORIGINAL: IMA_CHRISTIAN
God led me to a small church. I dont want a big church - too big - i feel lost in a big church.
So, then, what happens when your church, and those who go there, reach out to the community.....share the Gospel with your town/city.....you spread the 'good news'.....and, over time, before you know it, you wake up one day and you DO go to a "big church"?
what will you do then? Or, do you convince the church to limit the number of those "admitted" to the congregation....so as to limit the size of your church? thus, possibly turning people away (no room for you!)
hi yes! and i read your post above - you might be going to a mega church that is an excllent one that serves the Lord, and praise God for it. I just personally feel lost in a big church which is just my own problem, not the mega church's problem. but some churches DO want to become mega churches just to brag about masses of numbers of people - which might not be yours. I dont know what would happen if my church got bigger. i guess we'd have to do something about it, but we're not there yet, so i dont know what would happen.. of course i would not leave it if it got bigger.
_____________________________
I'm just one of those Calvinistic robots for the Lord :)
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 5:05:18 PM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1333
Joined: 4/26/2006
From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
Status: offline
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quote:
OUCH! Good question.
That's one reason we have trouble growing in this tiny spot in the world.
When some don't like those who come, they leave. So, we seem to be
a half-and-half church. lol. Half oldies and half newbies. We need a base
of oldies, but need the newbies coming. If they go out to minister, that's great.
If they leave in other than biblical attitudes, that's something else.
I ask that question, because many have the idea that our so-called "mega-church" just popped up out of nowhere over night.
Just a "side thought" here......Dr. W.A. Criswell had a church (First Baptist of Dallas) of well over 20,000 in the 1950s-1970s....i don't think anyone had heard of the term "mega church", nor could have accused him of giving "feel good sermons"....
ANYWAY......In 1977, in a rented city-owned recreation center, a handful of families got together for our church's first service. (we didn't even move to Dallas until 1996...and, didn't even start going to that church until Fall 2002).....so, we started small, just like every other church does. But, as I mentioned, with the population growth, solid preaching, and community outreach..... the church grew....and grew....to where it is today at about 26,000 or so.....
As a matter of fact, last year, we "planted" a NEW church, just 15 miles north of where our church is.....to reach those living in the further reaches of our metro area.....while an actual church building is being built, that church has been meeting in the gym of the local high school for well over a year now. Over 1,000 people came for church that very first sunday.....due, in part, to the massive "outreach" and everyone letting the community know who we were, and where our church was going to be.
we have a VERY good "mix" of new people, old people....youth, children....everyone.....you name it, they are represented, and ministered to by a staff, and church family, that is just spectacular.
One thing that you realize quickly upon coming to our church....NO ONE knows the meaning of, or says the phrase, "Because we have always done it that way".....and, that is probably one of the reasons (beyond theology) why people like the church so much....at least I think so. If it's biblical and scriptural, well that's one thing. But, to do something just because "we've always done it that way", is not usually a justifiable reason to do anything......and, I have heard from more than one staff member, if "because that's the way we've always done it", is the ONLY reason you can find for doing something.....pray about it....because it's likely that it's time to find some other way to do it.
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 5:14:02 PM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1333
Joined: 4/26/2006
From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
Status: offline
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quote:
but some churches DO want to become mega churches just to brag about masses of numbers of people - which might not be yours.
so, how do you come to this conclusion?
does the pastor/staff come right out and say so?
does simply stating that my church has 26,000+ members equate to "bragging"?
just not sure how that works.
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 6:14:15 PM
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csl7037
Posts: 1752
Joined: 3/24/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: lexie
quote:
These people can't be concerning themselves at all with sharing their faith or reaching out to the community - so what's the point?
I belong to a very small church, and that is a big judgment that you just put on small churches.
My church split from a larger one over doctrinal issues. Our church stayed within the larger group of churches while the other left the group. Yes, it has been difficult to grow. Right now our main concern is finding a building for church. We currently meet in a basement of the house (what would be rented out as an apartment, we use for church) but of course we are looking to expand.
However, we're kind of caught in a difficult place right now. It's hard to get new people out to church because people have stereotypes of house churches and small churches, but it's hard to afford a separate building when you have a small membership base. Thankfully, we've been blessed recently with the opportunity to find a better place.
We are completely concerned with sharing our faith. My faith and knowledge grew much quicker in this setting than in any larger church I was in. I share my faith with anyone I can, as does every other member of the church. We invite people out all the time, and slowly, we're gaining new members. We have had some trouble reaching out to the community as a group, but we are all still active in our own communities.
Sure we want to grow. Of course we want to spread the gospel. But there are also benefits to being in a small group. Everyone worships in different ways. The most important thing when you come together is praising the Lord, studying His Word, and growing in your faith, and that can be done in all sorts of numbers. I've always felt more at home as part of a family in this small church than I have in larger churches.
It is possible that there are small churches that are not interested in growing or sharing, but it's not a label that can be applied to all small churches.
A church in flux is different. I'm just perplexed by churches that seem to go decades with just a few families. It was really just a random, recurring thought that popped into my head again this morning for some reason.
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/29/2008 6:52:15 PM
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earthless
Posts: 6205
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: where pigeons are wearing sweaters....
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Nothing wrong with small churches.
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Probing Today's Religious Movements | Promoting Doctrinal Discernment & Critical Thinking | Providing Reasons for Christian Faith & Ethics
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RE: Churches with a couple dozen members? - 7/30/2008 6:14:47 AM
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tony.nz
Posts: 284
Joined: 7/6/2005
Status: offline
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Seems to be the implication that people in small churches just sit around in their own comfort zone doing nothing for the kingdom, that seems a bit judgmental to me. Perhaps there can also be a lot of people in big churches sitting on their hands doing nothing... and a few doing a lot. Sometimes, just those who are being paid to do it. That seems to have been my experience with bigger churches. It is easy to get into a comfort zone, where you are not actually interacting with people from outside the church, possibly even working with fellow church members. What is the story with that? If we are meant to be "the salt of the earth" - that to me doesn't mean sitting around in giant salt containers! Salt is only useful when it is spread around!
Anyway, I think that a church confined to 'a few families", without any long term outreach focus, is much more likely to die out eventually rather than be perpetuated for generations. And, if not, you could say that they have at least been successful in passing the faith on to succeeding generations.
And what percentage of people in big churches get to clean the toilets? Or great people at the door? Or bring a reading or a word or a prayor? In fact, from my experience, the large majority just listen. And many then forget. Couldn't recount what was shared in the sermon the previous week.
The major point is that our walk of faith is a personal one with God. It is not dependent on which church we are attending, as believers we fellowship with other believers as we feel led by God. One danger of a mega church, as I see it, is that an individual can become very inwardly focused, substituting the "activity" of church for a personal relationship with Christ. Others can become very lonely, not part of the 'in crowd". And, no one recognises their needs, because no one knows them well enough - just another face in the crowd.
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