Church size whether small, medium or large can be regarded as an asset or a liability. Some people feel more comfortable in one size church while others feel more comfortable in another.
Such a feeling is not necessarily good or bad. It just happens to be the emotional sense of that particular person.
Church size in and of itself is not a good or bad issue. The vital issue is whether or not any given church is actively fulfilling the purpose and mission to which God has called that church.
Think about how important the church and in particular your church is in God’s plan. Churches hold the keys to the Kingdom of heaven (Matt. 16:18). Churches are the oasis God has placed in a dry and thirsty land where people can find living water.
Churches are islands of security in seas of despair. Churches are gathering communities for those who feel scattered and alone. Churches are mirrors of love in a world of broken glass.
Numerous other metaphors could be appropriately applied. These can serve to remind us of the significance of each and every church.
This applies to small, medium and large churches. There are healthy churches with more than 3,000 people in attendance each Sunday and there are healthy churches with fewer than 20.
Some healthy churches are located in urban areas and some in the midst of suburbia. Some healthy churches have been established and have thrived in areas considered to be rural and remote. The key criterion for evaluating the health of churches is certainly not size or location.
Unfortunately, many churches seem to suffer from self-esteem issues. The tendency for one church to compare itself with another seems to come naturally. The church, by its nature, is composed of people. You simply cannot have a church without people.
People have a tendency to compare themselves to others to see how well they are doing.
Such a practice often leads to competition on the one hand and criticism on the other. The results can be positive when persons are challenged to be the best they can be or to aspire to new heights and goals.
The results may also be devastating. In our quest to compare and compete for unattainable prizes we experience unnecessary hurt and pain. Our self-esteem takes a nosedive.
Just as human beings, living organisms that they are, experience significant self-esteem issues from time to time, churches do also.
Some churches spend time and energy constantly apologizing for what they are not or for what they cannot do.
“We’re so small,” or “We have such a poor location,” or “We just can’t do what that church can do.”
We should continually remind ourselves that just as every human being is unique and special, every church has been given a strategic role in the perfect plan of God.
Some questions which should be considered by leaders and members of churches can assist them in evaluating the esteem issue.
–Do our members feel good about our church?
–Do our members want other people to experience God at church?
–Are our members aware of and excited about the purpose of our church?
–Are we committed to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission?
–Do our members look forward to being together?
–Do our members consistently say positive things about the ministries of our church even without being prompted to do so?
Why not pause and think about your church? Ask each of the above questions and answer them honestly. Then, be encouraged. I assure you, your church is important to God.
In that light, churches should be encouraged to have appropriate self-esteem.
Each and every church should regard itself as an enclave of headquarters for the work of God on earth. Whether a church includes many or few on its membership role is not the key issue. Faithfulness to God’s desire, God’s design and God’s direction expresses succinctly the most important consideration.
This means that small churches or large churches, family chapels or mega churches, medium-sized or monthly meeting only churches can potentially be healthy.
The point is this. One size does not fit all. So then, let the church, whatever its size, be a church for God’s glory and for the building of His Kingdom.
Our next installment in this series will direct our attention to a common but often neglected reality. Healthy churches handle conflict effectively. Don’t miss it.
To read past articles on church health, visit www.thealabamabaptist.org.
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