I’m a fan of Small Churches. But I like big churches, too.
In fact, I really like them. There’s something very inspiring about hundreds, even thousands of people gathering to lift up their voices and hands in praise to Jesus and to receive discipleship through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word.
Every size of church has something to add to this amazing organism we know as the body of Christ.
But, as I pointed out in a previous post, 5 Bad Reasons To Go To a Big Church, not everyone who goes to a big church, goes for the right reasons. (Also, as I pointed out in 5 Bad Reasons To Go To a Small Church, not everyone goes to a Small Church for the right reasons, either.)
But there are some great reasons to go to a big church. Here are just five of them.
1. Because It Helps Me Know I Belong to Something Much Bigger than Me
Depending on where you live, it’s possible to go through an entire week of school or work and not meet one other person who shares your faith.
For many people, going to a big church allows them to see that they are not alone in their faith. The size of the crowd helps encourage them in the realization that they serve a God who is much bigger than them, and they are part of a spiritual family that is vast and wonderful.
2. Because the Multiple Service Times Fit My Atypical Schedule
When I was growing up in the 1960s and ‘70s, churches didn’t have multiple service times. In fact, there were very few who didn’t meet at 11am on Sunday morning.
This worked for decades, even centuries, because most people operated on the same 9-5, Monday-Friday work schedule. In fact, most stores were closed on Sunday.
Not any more. Today our schedules come in all sizes and colors. Many people work on Sundays. In a smaller church, there’s often only one weekend service time, and if that doesn’t fit your schedule, you’re out of luck. But bigger churches can offer various service times throughout the weekend, and even during the week, to fit almost any schedule.
I’ve even recommended local bigger congregations for people from my church, who work on Sundays, so they can have a local church experience. I’m grateful that those churches provide that for people who need them.
3. Because their Consistency Helps My Worship Experience
One of the things I love about Small Churches is that there are so many different types of them. Including all their quirks. In some Small Churches, almost anything can happen from week-to-week.
I find a lot of that quirkiness to be genuine and endearing. It’s like going to a new town and experimenting with local restaurants. Your experience is different every time, but you get the local flavor that way.
But the quirkiness I love about Small Churches is frustrating for many people. Not knowing what might happen isn’t exciting for them, it’s off-putting.
Big churches seldom have surprises – at least not unplanned ones. And that’s the way it should be for them. When you’re ministering to hundreds or thousands of people, there needs to be a certain consistency in planning and quality.
For many people, that consistency is soothing. It allows them to relax and experience a time of worship, because they’re not worried whether-or-not something will go off the rails. It also helps them be more comfortable inviting friends.
4. Because There are Multiple Ministries that Meet the Complex Needs of My Family
Just like multiple service times are great for our complicated schedule, multiple ministries are helpful for our complicated lives and families.
In a Small Church, there may be a Sunday service and one or two other ministries (Youth Group, Kids’ Ministry, etc.). Some churches are too small to even offer that.
But many families need special care. They might have a family member with special needs. Or someone who needs a recovery group. Or special groups for moms, dads, after-school tutoring, financial aid, etc.
Small Churches usually hone in on one area of need that they can meet well. But today’s families often have multiple needs that only a larger church body can adequately provide for.
5. Because My Small Church Became a Big Church
If you’re in a big church because it started out as a Small Church, then grew to be a big church, thank God for that!
Church growth is a great thing!
Be grateful that your church did something rare and wonderful. Stick around. Keep worshiping and serving.
Sure, you may miss the intimacy and access you had when the church was small. And it’s understandable that you miss that. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying the new blessings that come with being big.
Check out these previous posts in this series:
- 5 Good Reasons To Go To a Small Church
- 5 Bad Reasons To Go To a Small Church
- 5 Bad Reasons To Go To a Big Church
So what do you think? What are some other good reasons to go to a big church?
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(Go Light photo from Christina Welsh • Flickr • Creative Commons)
