Local vrs. Mega Church
 

In your opinion, When do you consider a church to be too "large"?

As a pastor, I would have a problem having a congregation that is so large that
I can't know my sheep. I know that mega churches have multiple pastors in many different functions, but How can that be a good thing? I think a congregation of a couple hundred is ok but when the numbers get too high it becomes kinda impersonal and more like a machine.

This is only my opinion, I would love to hear some input, especially from Pastors and Ministers, but Would love to hear the "voice of the pew" speak on this one too, after all, Its you guys that We are here to serve!

Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
 

Pastor TLA, I am of the opinion that one man cannot possibly handle all the spiritual needs of even a couple hundred people. Some people have complex issues that require sound spiritual advice.

I think Jethro's sound advice in Exodus 18:13-27 to Moses is something God allowed Moses to do. While I know we are not under any OT law, the advice Jethro gave was not law. :)

Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
 

In my opinion, a church should be a living organism....which means to me - once a church gets to a certain size, they should plant a daughter work, send a strong core group over there, and just keep that process going.....

But, that's just my opinion.........

Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
 

:highfive

Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
 

hmmmm....I would think that the total avoidance of the "machine" would be necessary in order to really pastor folks.

I would think that the congregation should be only large enough for the Pastor to still be able to minister one on one when necessary. I like the daughterwork concept - would like it even more if the work was autonomous - once it is established of course.

Building a spiritual work and not a business should be the goal...IMHO.

Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
 

As a church grows you must restructure and add more pastors so that some pastor knows each saints name.

Do you think Peter knew the name of each of he 3,000 on the day of Pentecost?

I don't expect the senior pastor of a large church to know my name but I do want opportunities to get involved in smaller groups, classes, etc where some pastor or pastors do.

Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
 

We are part of a church plant and this is fun to be part of something on the ground floor. To watch something grow and blossom.

Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
 

That is us also. We started going to the church we are at now about 1 1/2 years ago just when they moved into a new building that seats right at 200. Between the three Sunday services they were probably running around 200.

We started 2012 running about 275 and ended the year averaging 400-450. Now we are poised to move into a new building next month. We will start with seating for about 300 so a total of 900 between the three services. There is room to add more seats up to about 600 so we won't max out on space at the new location until we hit around 1800 people.

Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
 

Nothing in itself wrong with a large Church. The New Covenant Apostolic Church practiced multiple eldership. Many ministires available for service. They WORKED with their own hands rather than demanding a salary.

Their is supposed to be one Church per town. The Church of Yeshua Christ. The ministries can go to the various groups that may be meeting in accord with each other.

Yes I know this the ideal and not by any means the reality at present.

Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
 

200 and under is just the right size for a church. IMO