Big churches and small churches are different.
When the size gap gets really big (between 50 and 5,000, for instance) they often function in opposite ways.
These differences are seldom noted, so a lot of small-church pastors feel inadequate when ideas that worked in big churches don’t work for them. What we’re not told is that the solution is almost never to try to duplicate the big-church model, but to lean in the opposite direction.
Over the years I’ve collected some examples of these opposites. Here’s what I have so far. (No doubt there will be a Part 2 when I collect more.)
1. Pastoral Availability
Big Churches: The bigger a church is, the more the pastor’s role is defined by their absence than their presence.
Small Churches: The smaller a church is, the more the pastor’s role is defined by their presence than their absence.
2. Communication
Big Churches: The platform is where people hear from the pastor, so pastors need to spend more time in sermon prep.
Small Churches: The church lobby is where people talk with the pastor, so pastors need to spend more time hanging out.
3. Vision
Big Churches: Vision is developed in leadership meetings, and communicated from the platform.
Small Churches: Vision is developed in conversations among church members, and shared through relationships.
4. Authority
Big Churches: Authority is in the hands of a small percentage of full-time leaders.
Small Churches: Authority is held among the church membership who grant shared use of it to trusted pastors and elected leaders.
5. New Pastors
Big Churches: It’s important to make a handful of big changes in the first year or so, while you’re still in the honeymoon phase.
Small Churches: It’s important to move slowly. For the first few years you’re not on your honeymoon, you’re on probation.
6. Delegation
Big Churches: The pastor delegates most of the day-to-day management, only stepping in on major decisions.
Small Churches: The pastor oversees most of the day-to-day management, needing congregational approval for major decisions.
7. Decision-making
Big Churches: Pastors make the major decisions because they know more about the church’s day-to-day operations than the average member.
Small Churches: The church may have had a long history of short-term pastors who know less about the church than the core members, so those members make most of the long-term decisions.
8. Engagement
Big Churches: Many church members are passive observers. They need to get more involved in the life of the church.
Small Churches: Many church members are way too involved. They need to pay more attention to life outside the church.
9. Preaching
Big Churches: No one can hit a grand-slam sermon 40-50 Sundays a year. Get a team of four or five speakers who can each deliver 10-12 great sermons a year.
Small Churches: No one expects a grand-slam sermon each week. Consistent weekly preaching builds trust and hones your communication skills.
10. Platform Excellence
Big Churches: The platform is not a place for inexperienced leaders. If they don’t have proven skills as singers, instrumentalists, and preachers their lack of excellence will distract from church’s ability to hear and respond to the message.
Small Churches: The platform is where inexperienced people sharpen their skills in front of people who love them and are cheering them on. This mutual encouragement enhances the message and inspires others to get involved.
(Photo by Broderick | Flickr)
