I would have to agree with this too. Although I have never attended a small church like this I have seen many of them and they have been very dysfunctional.
I know lots of churches like that too that aren't. I also know large churches that are.
I don't think being a small church equates to being a dysfunctional one, as was implied.
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If you aren't getting fed, you need to go where you are being fed. Or at least where you have peace, and work on the "dad" relationship outside of church....
That is the key
you can still love your dad and build a better relationship with him and not go to his church
You can attend special services and all but do not have to be a member
I would say go elsewhere to church and work on the father/son relationship. At a later date you might be able to go back to his church and have him as your pastor but I would not jump into it just yet. Doesn't sound like either one of you are ready for that.
I know lots of churches like that too that aren't. I also know large churches that are.
I don't think being a small church equates to being a dysfunctional one, as was implied.
you may be have a point there but I do think that the smaller ones tend to lend themselves to more dysfunction than larger ones. just personal observation
I do not think I would be comfortable in a small church. Everyone being related and all that. If it were a small home mission church that is growing may be a different thing but a small church that has been small for some time usually is dysfunction, thus the reason they are still small.
And Yes I know it does not apply to ALL small churches
and I also know that there are large ones that are just as bad
you may be have a point there but I do think that the smaller ones tend to lend themselves to more dysfunction than larger ones. just personal observation
I do not think I would be comfortable in a small church. Everyone being related and all that. If it were a small home mission church that is growing may be a different thing but a small church that has been small for some time usually is dysfunction, thus the reason they are still small.
And Yes I know it does not apply to ALL small churches
and I also know that there are large ones that are just as bad
In central Illinois, most of the churches are small--between 30 and 80. It's been that way for years, but if you know and understand the layout, it's not so much because of a familial problem, but the amount of people in such a vast area. Gas prices don't help either, and many of them are losing memberships because of it.
In addition, there are areas that just have no growth. One such church was the one I attended in WI. It's been there for over 40 years, yet still struggles to retain 40 members continuously. The problem isn't in the church, however, but in the perception of the community, who deals with Amish and the local cult, who's women look like traditional Apostolic women.
If she'd have said 'some' small churches, I would have concurred. My issue was in her making them all to be that way based on her personal experience with two churches.
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Thank you to EVERYONE who has taken the time to submit your thoughtful responses. I appreciate it.
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