Mega-Church Vs Small-Church

[John of Japan]

I belong to a mega-church, but I am always amazed by the number of people, including fellow Christians, who have very strong negative opinions, about each and every mega-church, without any real knowledge about every mega-church?
There is no perfect church on planet earth and no church is good or bad, because of it’s size. Mega-churches tend to be well-known, because of their size, and therefore news about any issues or problems in them , spread far and wide, which sometimes creates the perception that those things only happen in mega-churches. On the other hand, small churches are less known and attract little or no interest, therefore News of any issues or problems in them, does not go far or is hardly noticed or heard of.
All in all churches, regardless of size have similar experiences, negative or positive .

The number of those who ate was five thousand men, besides women and children - Matthew 14:21

The preceding scripture, only gives us the number of men, who were the heads of households, but when we add the men plus the women and children, the number could well be over ten thousand people. This was many centuries ago, when the world population was much smaller than it is today. Jesus preached to mega-crowds, which today would equal the size of a mega-church. So, if Jesus could preach to mega-crowds, why would anyone automatically assume, that there is something wrong with every mega-church, in our time?

Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children - Matthew 15:38

Here again, if we add the number of men plus women and children, the number would be almost or over ten thousand, another mega-crowd. In a perfect world, most churches would be mega-churches, because there are far more people today, than centuries ago, when Jesus preached to mega-crowds. And there is nothing wrong in being a small church, but a small church should not remain small forever, it should grow just like everything else.
We live in a time, when we have mega this and mega that, like mega stores or mega farms, because small stores or small farms can no longer adequately meet the needs of a growing population. Furthermore, goods that used to be produced in small amounts and in small industries, are now mass produced or mega produced.
We are in mega times and that is the trend for the future, the past is not coming back. Mega is not perfect and neither is small.

When Jesus preached to 1000s it was technically mass evangelism, and certainly not a mega church. This is not to say I'm against mega churches, but they must:

1. Give the clear and certain Gospel of Christ. I know a mega church in our area where the Gospel is never given. I've talked to people who went there and never heard it.
2. Fulfill the Great Commission in personal and mass evangelism in their immediate area.
3. Fulfill the Great Commission by being strong supporters of worldwide missions. Years ago I was supported as a missionary to Japan by two mega churches. These were otherwise good churches, but neither church ever exceeded the average amount of missionary support (compared to my other supporters).

Our church is not a mega church, but runs a pretty good average. We have a very strong program of evangelism, have started other churches in our area, and have Bible college and seminary which has sent out many, many missionaries. Right now, five of my former students are on deputation to go to various countries. Now that's a biblical church!

 

[John of Japan]

Tonight in our prayer meeting we had three missionaries which we support. One from S. Africa finishing up his furlough, one from Cameroon starting his (I've been there), and one from the Middle East who spoke and informed us about what is happening in Iran (which he knows intimately). I wonder. What mega church would afford this opportunity to rub shoulders with that many missionaries in one night. I hope there are such.

 

[Ben1445]

Let us stay focused on the theme of this thread and avoid introducing our personal preferences, there distorting the original thread.

And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature -


Welcome to the imperfect world, with it’s imperfect people! And I apologize to you, on behalf of all the rude and imperfect people, that you encountered in Christian circles.
Most normal people are a work-in-progress, with many flaws. Don’t expect to run into perfect Christians. And next time, you go to church focus on the message and not the people.
Anyway, enough of that. Let me return to the theme of this thread.

And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature - Mark 16:15

Just before He ascended to heaven, Jesus commanded His disciples or follower, past, present and future, to go into all the world and spread the gospel. Now, does that sound like establish a small church, where everyone knows everyone and forget about the world, beyond your church walls? How many small churches have gone into the world or anywhere? Maybe you can’t go to foreign lands, so how many small churches have gone into all their country, state, city, town or village? How many small churches, have the revenue to go into all the world?
Should we really count on the small churches to go into all the world?
On the other hand, mega-churches are not perfect, just as small churches are not perfect either and probably everyone has several examples of mega-churches that have been involved in scandalous behavior. But let us not forget that through out the Bible, God worked with imperfect people, some with very scandalous behavior. This is not a defense for sin or scandalous behavior in the church, which must be condemned by all decent people,
Every day all over world, people hear the gospel, for the first time via imperfect mega-churches and not small churches. Mega-churches whatever their flaws are responsible for bringing millions of people to Christ, around the world.
While we are waiting for perfect preachers and churches to go into all the world, imperfect mega-churches are leading the charge and getting things done.
When people are starving, it does not matter, who gives them food, but it is those who are comfortable who complain about the character of the donors.
Before the digital age, going into all the world was physical and not easily affordable for a small church. Later there were other means like radio and tv, but still air time costs so much, that very few, if any small churches can afford.
Lastly let us all celebrate the fact that millions of people will spend eternity with Jesus, because of imperfect mega-churches.

I’m happy to say that it is not only mega churches that are doing anything for the gospel. I grew up in what I think was a large church. 100-150 if I had to guess. We supported over 40 missionaries at one point. (Whether or not we were doing it the best way could be another thread) I remember several times when we went out and canvassed for church plants.
I’m even happier to say that I am meeting with some folks tomorrow to see what can be done to help with another.
Our church right now (not the same church) is a group of about ten family groups.
We may not have the money that comes with mega churches but we have the same responsibility.
I don’t think a mega church is the only church that can get the gospel out. From what I see, the church that is going to be planted is being done by a small church with the help of small churches.
I have known mega churches to be effective in evangelism and I have also seen (from a distance) the mega churches that are more of a club membership than church membership.
It really is not a matter of the size of the church. It’s not the quantity in the church, it’s the quality of the church that matters.

 

[Salty]

Story 1) Back around 1975, I drove up to Dallas - on a Sunday night, I visited First Bap of Dallas. (Wally did not preach - he was sick) -
Well, I sat down and there happened to be an older fella so we exchanged greetings. He asked me if I was a member of first Baptist.
He was also a Vet - so we talked about the military.

Story 2) When I first met my wife - she had been attending a mega-church. After we started dating - I invited the pastor over for lunch - and my future "Mrs" prepared Sunday dinner for us. After the pastor left, my better half stated that her former pastor (at the mega-church ) would probably never have lunch at a majority of their church members homes!

So that got me to thinking (which can be dangerous at times!)
1) If you don't know all the church members - that church may be too big
2) A pastor, should be able to visit every member of his church at least once a year.