Many people go church shopping...
Illustration
Many people go church shopping. The mega-churches like those in Phoenix have memberships up to 12,000. They have heavy-duty programming, large staffs, professionally produced music and a good deal of anonymity for people who want to worship without being noticed.
Small churches have the obvious advantage of intimacy, and personalized care from the pastor and others. They provide plenty of opportunity for leadership. It is hard to hide in a small church.
Some people initially seek a church because of denominational affiliation, but initial impressions make a big difference as to whether they return after the first visit. While we frequently hear that "ours is a friendly church," sometimes it is reported that no one spoke to the visitors following worship. One visiting couple spotted another visiting couple and so they talked with them since no one else was. Do you suppose they will return? (What if the men on their way to Emmaus chose not to speak to strangers?)
Other initial impressions include the way people see the surroundings. Are the grounds neatly kept? Is there easy access for the disabled from the parking lot? Is it clear to a newcomer where the nursery, church school and sanctuary entrances are? Does the sanctuary lend itself to worship? All this pales, however, in the light of the most important factor of all. Is the faith alive and well in this congregation? Could anyone go away from the experience of worship feeling "I met the resurrected Christ today!"?
-- Bond
Small churches have the obvious advantage of intimacy, and personalized care from the pastor and others. They provide plenty of opportunity for leadership. It is hard to hide in a small church.
Some people initially seek a church because of denominational affiliation, but initial impressions make a big difference as to whether they return after the first visit. While we frequently hear that "ours is a friendly church," sometimes it is reported that no one spoke to the visitors following worship. One visiting couple spotted another visiting couple and so they talked with them since no one else was. Do you suppose they will return? (What if the men on their way to Emmaus chose not to speak to strangers?)
Other initial impressions include the way people see the surroundings. Are the grounds neatly kept? Is there easy access for the disabled from the parking lot? Is it clear to a newcomer where the nursery, church school and sanctuary entrances are? Does the sanctuary lend itself to worship? All this pales, however, in the light of the most important factor of all. Is the faith alive and well in this congregation? Could anyone go away from the experience of worship feeling "I met the resurrected Christ today!"?
-- Bond
