We have become a nation of overindulgence. We are mesmerized with the thought of having the extreme in size. Whether it is SUVs or Supermarkets the underlying theory is the same; bigger is better. Unfortunately, this brand of American consumerism has crept into the church and has generated a Gospel of Gargantuanism; where anything modest in size is to be discarded in pursuit of the massive. The challenge with this kind of thinking, although it might be able to produce some meaningful benefits as associated with the best value or more “bang” for the buck in purchasing, it is disastrous when it comes to our spiritual development. The Bible teaches us that great things can come in small packages. Think about it, long before the debut of the blockbuster hit 300, there was Gideon’s 300 where God systematically scaled down his army from over 32,000. What about the evangelistic team of Paul and Silas? This dynamic duo preached across Asia Minor and changed the spiritual landscape of cities. And lest we forget, our Lord and Savior, Jesus, assembled not a massive army but a motley crew of twelve unlikely change agents.
The sad reality is that Christians can become unconsciously indoctrinated, even intoxicated with “biggism” as we consider our churches. More and more, the reality of families shopping for churches beyond denomination and searching for spiritual smorgasbords that can meet an array of needs. This reality is similar to our Walmart experiences; where one can get their vehicle’s oil changed and tires rotated while shopping. And if children are restless, just grab Happy Meals at the convenience of the in-store, McDonalds. After, chomping down calories, you can have your eye glasses adjusted in the Vision Center so that you can focus more on the vast sales. If that’s not enough, there’s more; nail shops, photography studios, and photo shops. The bigbox craze has inundated our psyche and we now subconsciously expect churches to have valet parking, a visitors welcome center, greeters giving direction to the abundance of Christian education offerings; gender specific, topic orientated, large or small groups, and age appropriate classes. We gingerly glance through Sunday Worship bulletins or church websites as we would Hotel brochures; searching for the best amenities and overlooking the all important actual context of fellowship and the anointing. Frankly, we are addicted to the hotel industry’s idea of excessive luxury all for a minimum price; usually the tip we toss into the offering as we leave the church. The expectation that all churches operate or should function in such manner is just not feasible. Sadly, if smaller churches cannot compete because a lack of the so-called amenities – something as simple as childcare or children’s church – they are discarded and deemed not worth a second visit; after all who wants to sit as a family during Sunday Morning Worship?
My point is not to discredit or devalue the work and ministry of Mega Churches (congregations of two thousand or more). I will be the first to applaud the dexterity and diversity of offerings that minister to the entire person. However, I want to render a word of caution for the Sunday Service Shopper. First, the average church in America has a Sunday attendance of 75 – 150 persons according to most research. So don’t let what you see on the television or the few larger structures in your city distort the reality. The vastness of the imagery of the churches that have been graced by God to have television ministries can lead people to think that this is normal in American Christianity, when actually the opposite is true. Second, don’t judge a church by its size but rather its substance. Take a look at the minor prophets of the Old Testament, for one to consider them minor in quality would be an egregious mistake. They are only considered minor for the coverage of their ministry not the content of ministry. They performed a major ministry and projected a major message. And that is something all churches can do, regardless of the size of congregation. I have heard people say, I am looking for a small church because they are friendlier. There is nothing wrong with desiring a friendly church but size alone is not the determining factor in the preferred quality. In short, just because a church is small does not make it more or less personable and friendly. One does not have to look far to find small congregations that are wanting in friendliness. Conversely, some Mega Churches have been very successful in making a large church feel like the family church of days gone by. Finally, it’s like what our grandparents used to say, every pot has to stand on its own bottom.
There is a need for smaller congregations in our communities. I have seen first-hand, amazing, God-honoring ministry facilitated by small congregations across America. My research and ministry reveals Drug and Alcohol programs for the addicted, homeless and feeding programs for the hungry, community economic development, as well as, youth programs to include choirs, mentoring groups, and educational enhancing initiatives. The next time you drive down an urban street and see a row of storefront churches before you criticize the church ask yourself a couple of serious questions, “Could it be that God has allowed this church for a particular group of people that perhaps needed such an environment to meet Him? Is possible that God can get the Glory out of small churches with large endeavors?”
Congregational size is not the question; the real question is whether we are willing to invest ourselves in a congregation to expand opportunities for others to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We must all work to extend the ministry of the church beyond stained glass and padded pew. I believe God wants to use smaller congregations to help turn the tide. It is time that we disavow ourselves of the mindset that smaller churches lack significance and substance. Let the church of our Lord Jesus Christ rise, not by budget size or seating capacity but by the power of God, for “one can put a thousand to flight and two ten thousand.” This is my small attempt, no pun intended, to give mega appreciation to the small congregations who often go unnoticed for faithful, life-changing, community impacting service. My continual prayer is that there will be Mega Works in Minor Churches.
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