Smaller Church or Larger Church...Which do you prefer?
I was wondering those who attend church if you prefer a smaller church or a larger church? I noticed that smaller churches you get to meet alot of people it seems more like a family but at a larger church I noticed that there are tons of activities going on all the time and of course the gospel choir is alot bigger and more entertaining. There is a larger church I really like it has a few well known people that attend also but it is packed with people all the time. There are tons of activities going on for adults,children,seniors. The smaller church down the road from me has alot of seniors that go and the gospel choir and music is not so great IMO. There are a few activities going on but mainly for the seniors it seems. Everyone is so friendly and like family at the smaller church and the larger church is not like that. I was just wondering what do you prefer smaller or larger churches and for what reason.
DH and I went to a tiny church where everyone knew everyone, but more in a superficial way. They hugged at churh, but didn't speak again till the following service. There was no keeping up with what was going on in the lives of others at the church. We were so active we got burned out quickly. It seemed like we were there 4 or 5 days a week and doing some of everything. It was funny when they handed out the position and committee lists because almost every name in the church was on there more than once, often 3 or 4 times for different positions.
We went from there to a very large church where it was very easy to get lost in the crowd. No one knew if we were faithful in attendance and long time members or if we were brand new. We did not feel forced into ministries we were not comfortable or felt called to be involved in. The nursery was the only reason we left. We did not feel DD was safe there.
We are now in an average sized church. We know a few people by first or last name, but many people have been there for decades and are related to each other. We feel DD is safe in the nursery, but we are not comfortable with all their beliefs. If there was another church w/in driving distance with right doctrine, friendly people and a safe and active nursery and children's program we would probably visit and eventually join there even if it was huge or small (no more tiny churches for us, lol).
I see the benefits in both small and large churches, and we have seen good in all sizes of churches. I think right now I would like to be in a larger church with small groups where I knew people better.
I think right now I would like to be in a larger church with small groups where I knew people better.
This is exactly what I would like. Right now we are in a church that DH has gone to since he was about 3. When he was young there was a lot of activity and a lot of young families, but now the church has gotten older and their kids have moved away. We're having a hard time finding someone to teach Sunday school and it's like you said, people get burned out. People who come in who haven't gone here for years feel like the church is cliquey, so it's not growing and in fact it's getting smaller.
We don't really have any big churches in our area because we live in a small town, but I'd like to go somewhere larger that still has small groups to remain accountable with; small groups being bible studies or moms groups or whatever...all assuming that the church itself is bible-based. For me, I would like a larger church because I have a hard time meeting people and making friends, and I think in a larger church I'd have a better chance of making connections. That sounds so shallow, I know, but I'm not sure how else to put it! I know it's most important that the church is doctrinally sound, but after that I want to have a church family I feel comfortable with.
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The larger church I attend is huge. It is even on tv on Sundays for people that can't attend. Last night for Halloween they had a Fall Festival and there was over 800 people that went, we were all so pleased with the turn out. This church has so many things going on. I just joined the Ladies Prayer Group that is held once a week. I have never been to one of them but another lady in the church kept asking me to attend next week so I am going to give it a try. Have any of you been or held a ladies prayer group? What is it like?
I was in a ladies Bible Study/Prayer group. We shared requests and went through a Bible study for women. Sometimes we got together to eat out, or someone brought snacks to the meeting. We had Prayer Groups in college. We shared our prayer requests and praises and the leader or assitant would read through a small devotional. Then we would pray outloud one by one (those who felt comfortable doing that). Usually the leader would keep track of the requests and aks the group members periodically for updates on their requests.
I haven't been to a ladies' bible study/prayer group yet. I'm working up the courage to go. We don't have one at our church so I'd have to go to a church I'm not a member of, which terrifies me.
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I will let you ladies know how it goes. I am going on Wednesday night. I am really nervous about going. I also have to bring my boys with me, but the lady said it isn't a problem they usually have a couple of Moms that have to bring kids so one of the adults go off into another room and does crafts or watches a movie with them or reads to them for the time we are there which she said is a half hour. I am just worried about this. The lady also told me that once a month they hold it at a resturaunt were the room is reserved just for them. The restraunt is a very expensive place in downtown Orlando and the ladies house is a good 45 minutes for me to drive in a real upscale neighborhood by Disney. It all just makes me nervous! I am gonna go this time, she keeps telling me I will really LOVE it and ENJOY this time. I hope so, I won't never know until I atleast go once.
Glad you are going! One I went to had a lady each week who would take care of the kids so the others could do the study. When we went out to eat, the kids were left at home.
Glad you are going! One I went to had a lady each week who would take care of the kids so the others could do the study. When we went out to eat, the kids were left at home.
Jash- I went tonight, it started at 5pm. I got there and there was 12 ladies there and there were 4 other kids which I was happy about so my boys had some other kids to play with, they did a Thanksgiving Craft with the lady that watched them in another room. I am not sure if I will go back, I did enjoy it, but it seemed to me that it was a ladies night out not a ladies prayer group. They had finger sandwhiches & veggie tray and sweet tea or coffee or hot tea. We said 3 prayers and held hands and the lady that was holding it at her house read a few things off of her laptop. Then she went around the group and wanted us to tell her what the holidays meant to us. It was a long way out to her house for a half hour of a ladies night I felt like. I mean 10 minutes was sitting there just eating. I don't know I thought it would have been a little different. They asked if I will be coming next week, but I just said nicely that I wasn't sure that I would get back to her and let her know. Is this what a prayer group usually does? BTW, she told me about the resturaunt and that they usually save $10.00 a week for the month so they can have there meal. So, I was thinking $40.00 for a meal for one person a month can kinda get expensive and I am not sure if I am up for all that. I just felt like it was a get together. I have never been to one so I have no idea, maybe that is what it is like and I was just suprised. They even started talking about AVON!!!
That sounds a bit like the one I went to, minus the expensive meals. The better prayer groups are focused on prayer and having devotions and building relationships. It does sound like your group was wanting a ladies night out a bit more than a prayer group. Maybe it will change, or maybe you can find another one that is more focused. Let us know what you decide, and be sure to pray about it. Good prayer groups are a blessing from God
Since high school I've always gone to big churches 500ppl a service??
Now that we are 'more equipped' we go to a smaller church, for the purpose of being able to serve and really bless a smaller congregation. I have to say though I really hate it! But maybe because its too small?? about 20 people!!! Sometimes there are reasons why churches are small...and that is usually because they are boring and joyless!
Every week of church is another week in which the joy of the Lord is sucked out of me, bad music, and cranky old women. O dear!
I'm trying to be positive and remember that these people love Jesus too, they just express it in a different way, but every week is a battle to drag myself along!
I miss the big church where I could not turn up one week and no one would care! hahaa...and I would go and people would be full of joy and really lovely.
I guess its up to you, small churches can be nice but you can't avoid confrontation, big churches can be unwelcoming, but you can hide in the shadows or be as involved as you want!!
I really think its up to you! As the introvert that I am, I long for the big church again!!
All the best finding a place where you will grow and be encouraged to serve the Lord daily!
Blessings
ELk.
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I was wondering those who attend church if you prefer a smaller church or a larger church? I noticed that smaller churches you get to meet alot of people it seems more like a family but at a larger church I noticed that there are tons of activities going on all the time and of course the gospel choir is alot bigger and more entertaining. There is a larger church I really like it has a few well known people that attend also but it is packed with people all the time. There are tons of activities going on for adults,children,seniors. The smaller church down the road from me has alot of seniors that go and the gospel choir and music is not so great IMO. There are a few activities going on but mainly for the seniors it seems. Everyone is so friendly and like family at the smaller church and the larger church is not like that. I was just wondering what do you prefer smaller or larger churches and for what reason.
Hi WendyM, my mom was a pastor (in heaven now) and I grew up in a small church...maybe a good 25 ppl at the most if that many. We also fellowshiped with alot of "store-front" churches. I think there is a plus side and a minus side to both the small and the big church..........yes everyone was friendly at the smaller church and it was a family setting but the downside was the gossipmongers and ppl getting too involved in your life (I'm talking simple decisions) and if you didnt comply you were labeled as disobeying.... and you are right the choir wasnt that good and keeping a good muscian was near impossible....
The church I attend now is not a mega church but it is bigger than what I'm used to...my pastor spend 25 years in a mega church until GOD called her to the ministry........ although the church I attend now is large everyone still knows me by name and says hello..the thing with a mega church is ppl can easily get lost in the crowd.......but I know many of the mega churches have what they call "cell groups" to encourage fellowship among the members.........now in my church when a family member of mines passed away my pastor came out to be with the family at 5am!!! would a mega church pastor do that??
if any of the members is in the hospital my current pastor makes a point to always visit them in the hospital or call on the phone or both!! would a mega church pastor do that?
Since high school I've always gone to big churches 500ppl a service??
Now that we are 'more equipped' we go to a smaller church, for the purpose of being able to serve and really bless a smaller congregation. I have to say though I really hate it! But maybe because its too small?? about 20 people!!! Sometimes there are reasons why churches are small...and that is usually because they are boring and joyless!
Every week of church is another week in which the joy of the Lord is sucked out of me, bad music, and cranky old women. O dear!
I'm trying to be positive and remember that these people love Jesus too, they just express it in a different way, but every week is a battle to drag myself along!
I miss the big church where I could not turn up one week and no one would care! hahaa...and I would go and people would be full of joy and really lovely.
I guess its up to you, small churches can be nice but you can't avoid confrontation, big churches can be unwelcoming, but you can hide in the shadows or be as involved as you want!!
I really think its up to you! As the introvert that I am, I long for the big church again!!
All the best finding a place where you will grow and be encouraged to serve the Lord daily!
Blessings
ELk.
Hi Elkanah,
some things you said in your post really made me laugh like the (boring and joyless thing) and (cranky old women) LOL OMGOSH does that bring back the memories........
I know what you mean about not attending church for a week or so and no one cares but that is not always a good thing.......and then you mentioned how you can hide in the shadows at a big/mega church....I thought of that too but I didnt post it..... there is a down side to that too.........supposed there is some gift or talent in a person that GOD is trying to bring to the surface BUT because they are in a mega church that person just blends into the crowd and gets lost....yeah I have to agree there are PLUS and MINUS sides to the BIG church SMALL church thing
Jash- I went tonight, it started at 5pm. I got there and there was 12 ladies there and there were 4 other kids which I was happy about so my boys had some other kids to play with, they did a Thanksgiving Craft with the lady that watched them in another room. I am not sure if I will go back, I did enjoy it, but it seemed to me that it was a ladies night out not a ladies prayer group. They had finger sandwhiches & veggie tray and sweet tea or coffee or hot tea. We said 3 prayers and held hands and the lady that was holding it at her house read a few things off of her laptop. Then she went around the group and wanted us to tell her what the holidays meant to us. It was a long way out to her house for a half hour of a ladies night I felt like. I mean 10 minutes was sitting there just eating. I don't know I thought it would have been a little different. They asked if I will be coming next week, but I just said nicely that I wasn't sure that I would get back to her and let her know. Is this what a prayer group usually does? BTW, she told me about the resturaunt and that they usually save $10.00 a week for the month so they can have there meal. So, I was thinking $40.00 for a meal for one person a month can kinda get expensive and I am not sure if I am up for all that. I just felt like it was a get together. I have never been to one so I have no idea, maybe that is what it is like and I was just suprised. They even started talking about AVON!!!
LOL.........Wendy that pray group does kinda sound like a social group to some degree or more like FELLOWSHIP which is good too
The prayer group I attend doesnt do any of that.......they get right to it PRAYER and sometimes if you make a prayer request you are the one asked to lead that prayer but this group is an intercessory prayer group usually we are out of there by 9pm but if the Holy Spirit comes in 10 or later...
Wendy I guess you have to decide whats right for u and what agrees with your spirit
Smaller Church or Larger Church...Which do you prefer? 
We don't have one at our church so I'd have to go to a church I'm not a member of, which terrifies me.
