Effective churches exist in all shapes and sizes. Including churches that haven’t grown numerically in a while.
But for too many of us, church size is the primary (or only) factor in determining the health and value of a local congregation.
This thinking is not just mistaken, it’s dangerous. History has regularly shown us that any time we equate bigger with better in the kingdom of God, it leads to problems.
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While the Church Growth Movement created larger churches and opportunities, it also created larger dangers.
“In the first twenty years of the movement, research focused on principles; lately the focus has been on discovering new techniques, programs, or methods.” (Elmer Towns)
A conversation with Eugene Peterson’s biographer on how simple pastoral presence is the healthy alternative to Christian celebrity.
