Tall, Venti, or Grande?
When it comes to coffee we are spoiled for choice. Even where I live on the Sunshine Coast, where there is nary a Walmart in sight, we have several coffee houses including the big boys like Tim Hortons and Starbucks. And as any coffee connoisseur will tell you, the quality of the coffee varies from coffee house to coffee house.
Personally I like Starbucks. I can’t always afford to go there, but IMHO they have great coffee. I know they have had a lot of competition over the past few years, but Starbucks coffee is tastier, richer, and definitely stronger than any other coffee house I have tried.
However, Starbucks always feels a little more like a business than a smaller, more homey, coffee shop. And so, if it’s atmosphere you’re after you might prefer an “off the map” coffee shop owned by local business people rather than a main street coffee palace owned by a large corporation.
This morning I was watching a video on big churches vs small churches. I have always been interested in the various dynamics when it comes to church size – fellowship, teaching, intimacy, worship, and so on. And I have mixed feeling when it comes to both.
Below are some of my thoughts pertaining to small churches and large churches, and I invite you to join the conversation by sharing your experiences and preferences re: church size.
1. Small churches seem to have more in the way of fellowship, in that attendees tend to know one another, whereas big churches often seem impersonal and one can easily get lost in all the hustle and bustle of people coming or going. However, many big churches have an excellent cell groups setup.
2. Small churches have more intimate worship times, whereas in big churches the worship can feel like a concert. However, big churches have more access to talented musicians and as such the quality of the sound and musicianship is far better in most cases.
3. There is a belief that preachers in big churches are better that the small church Jo’s, but that is not the case, as many great preachers are to be found in small churches. And while it is true that big churches tend to hire only the best orators available, from my experience there are less “self-help” and “warm-fuzzy” messages spoken in smaller churches.
4. Smaller churches are often running on a thin line of bank credit, often dipping into the red to make ends meet. However, Bigger churches while seen to be making more money have way more bills. Many big churches are running at a loss, hence the increase on financial and stewardship sermons, and less emphasis on the whole of Scripture.
5. Bigger is better is often not true. A lot of big churches have a huge turnover of volunteers, whereas many volunteers in smaller churches tend to stick with ministries that need help. However, the burnout rate seems to be higher in small churches because it’s 10% of the people doing 100% of the ministry all the time… bigger churches have way more cannon fodder 
6. When it comes to outreach potential big churches would seem to have the upper hand. However, from my experience it is often the small churches that are found out in the community.
7. It may seem that small churches have more infighting, whereas big churches are more concerned with the almighty dollar. However, I know of many large churches that have so much infighting I often wonder if they should start “fight clubs” and small churches that are fixated on finances.
8. Small churches can be closed off groups, whereas big churches seem to be open to all comers. However, I have experienced just the opposite.
I could go on and on, but the truth is that all churches have their strengths and weaknesses. I would be interested in getting feedback on this issue, as well your insights and comments. So feel free to use the comment section below and let’s get this conversation going.
Note: I have purposefully left out the medium size church, because what one community would class as a small church another may class as a big church. As there are no definitions of what constitutes a small/large church I will let you decide.
In Him and for Him!
Chris
I like smaller churches. I am currently in a church of about 100 including children and love it. I have made so many friends and have so much fellowship. I have tried the big church scene and although the worship is great as you said above it's just a show… I felt like I was worshiping the band not God.
That's my 2 cents… love HardcoreFaith!
Trudy, Pittsburgh
Trudy, I'm glad you found a place that works for you. While I agree with your experience, I have to say that I have witnessed (not been part of) big churches that work. That's why I would personally say that there are big and small churches out there that work, and others that don't.
With regards to worship: I love small church worship, but I don't know if I would buy their CD's… =/
Small or large church… it's all about feeling connected. Although, a large church definately provides cover for the individual that just wants to slide in and check out the church thing annonomously. As for music, I feel it's a concert experience if the musicians are turned up too loud – which always happens in a large church and can happen in a small church. If I can hear the congregation around me singing then I feel it's joint worship and not about the musicians. I've had the joint worship experience in large churches too but am a small church kinda person in the end. That's my two pence!
Suzette, thanks for you two pence. The debate is still out as to whether I prefer big or small churches. I guess for me it depends on the intentionality of the various churches. The church is called to share Jesus with the world… so big or small let's do just that!