Pastoral Professional Ambition

Seems to me those who are pastoring large churches seldom had any ambition to pastor a large church. I think God uses those most who are content to serve Him wherever He puts them.

There are some great things that pastors can learn in smaller churches.

It takes all types to reach people.

 

What exactly is a large church? Are we talking about churches with thousands of members?

In my part of the state, a large church is one with several hundreds of members. By that definition, my church would be large because it has about 250-300 members.

I agree with U. I would prefer to pastor a small church just like I prefer to work in a small town (no bigger than 10,000 people). You make a genuine difference in their lives. I think it's hard to know people sincerely when you use a corporate approach to churching a cast of thousands.

If a congregation gets so big that you need mulitiple pastors, then I believe that it is time to start another church.

Just My Two Cents,

J5Grand.

 

I got some stats.a while ago that here in New England the average evangelical church consists of 66 members/attenders. In our town of fourteen thousand or so, with 5 evangelical (2 Baptist) churches, we aren't there yet, but I've come to see a healthy church, while not a large church or even of average size.(The town is also predominantly Roman Catholic).All come expecting to study the Bible through the message, and many participate in public praise-time. I'm discovering more and more care for one another during the week.There are three prayer groups (small) each week.The concept of family in Christ is becoming more real. Tough times?-- there have been many!"Bummer" Sundays?--Yes,indeed.I wouldn't have it any other way.
Blessings.

 

D Clark,

When I was in New Jersey (courtesy of Uncle Sam and the USAF), I experienced the same. Christians in the Northeast are a distinct minority, and they tend to be more serious and less nominal.

 

I am greatly encouraged, today, when I notice young men not obsessed with climbing the Baptist carreer ladder. They are actually leaving large comfortable churches to plant churches in undeveloped arenas. Our pastor, upon receiving his D.D., left a church with average attendance for 700 to plant a work in no-mans land from scratch. Back in the early 80's when I did the same thing, friends and family wanted to have me committed. As I mentor new pastors, I am feeling a breath of freshness and I praise God for His grace and mercy.

 

I am in view of a call to a church with average attendance of 25.

Thank God that He is allowing me to lead even my family in His ministry.

Thanks for the prayer and please continue to pray for Standish Baptist Church and myself as we seek God's will in where He is sending me to pastor.

 

I live in a city of approx. 75,000 - 80,000. There are some very large churches here that have two morning services with several thousand in each one. I would not feel comfortable in these churches. How can you feel like family if you don't know the folks you go to church with.
The church I go to has 250-275 on Sunday morning. While this isn't considered a small church, it fits me fine. We don't seem to have a lot of the petty scabbling that some small churches have. I think, for the most part, everyone gets along pretty well. Right now we don't have a Pasor and our Interim Pastor got sick and won't be able to come back, so we are carrying on as best we can with Associate Pastors from one of the large churches in town and with faculty from Union University. So far we have had some very good services and will continue to do our best until a new Pastor is found. We do have two Youth Ministers who do a great job. We are blessed to have them.

 

What of those of us who have the ambition to become a pastor, period?

It seems that if one doesn't have experience, no one wants to talk to you. But, then, how do you go about getting the experience?

It is a hard thing to have a burning call inside, but not to have an outlet for it.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

I live in a large metropolitan area, where there are numerous churches with congregations over 1500 people (many consider a mega church to be such if it exceeds 1000 or 1200 people). Having a pastoral staff of several people is common, and doesn't appear to hurt or hinder a congregation any more or less than slammer congregations that have pastoral staffs of 1 or 2.

 

1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1Ti 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1Ti 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
1Ti 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

God will provide opportunities as they fit His time and His purpose. Until then: