Reasons why the average church congregation is only 89

[Revmitchell]

Shake my head. I have expanded the small world you are talking about. If you wish to live in that small world, be my guest.
I have pointed out the facts about home churches so please stop with your pridefulness.

Wait what? That's delusional.

 

[InTheLight]

The early church was house church. It isn't until State churches are created where you see large congregations.

The house church is the biblical standard.

Let's look in the Bible for these small, house churches.

Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart

Acts 3:1Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

3:11 Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed.

Acts 4:1Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,
2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

Acts 14:1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.

 

[Particular]

Let's look in the Bible for these small, house churches.

Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart

Acts 3:1Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

3:11 Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed.

Acts 4:1Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,
2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

Acts 14:1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.

"breaking bread from house to house"
You are attempting a big leap.
However, I admit that when we are together in heaven there will be the entire assembly of the citizenship of God's Kingdom.

 

[Reformed1689]

I actually prefer smaller churches. Churches CAN be TOO large. Take Elevation Church for example. They have thousands of people. Sadly, in my much younger days, I was caught up in the hype and attended. (The church is more like a cult). I never met the pastor except for one time. It was only because he came to the place I was working at the time. And of course, he didn't know me from Adam.

A pastor can only shepherd so many sheep before he can no longer effectively do his job.

 

[Revmitchell]

"breaking bread from house to house"
You are attempting a big leap.
However, I admit that when we are together in heaven there will be the entire assembly of the citizenship of God's Kingdom.

The church at Jerusalem had five thousand men plus their families. So who's house did they all fit in for service?

 

[InTheLight]

"breaking bread from house to house"
You are attempting a big leap.

Yes, church members had fellowship with each other over meals in homes. But they worshiped and received teachings in specific buildings set aside for that purpose.

"they were with one accord in the temple."

"They met on Solomon's porch."

"They entered the temple."

That is not a house-based church.

 

[Particular]

The church at Jerusalem had five thousand men plus their families. So who's house did they all fit in for service?

Keep reading...

 

[Particular]

Acts 8:1,4 And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.

God scattered the church (much like he scattered the people at Babel. But this time the scattering was to spread the gospel.
House churches have been a powerful means of spreading the gospel.

Once again, my point is that church size is irrelevant.

 

[Reynolds]

why churches dont grow past 200?

Could be once they get to around 150 - the church will take 25-30 people to plant a new church!

Or they get in a fight and split.

 

[JoeT]

That is what is happening. I have seen it in two states. However, there is good reason for it. These smaller churches get a few in control and set it up in a way that makes only a few comfortable. The rest do not want to get into conflict so they leave.

I'm curious, I always thought 'Church' was "One" and "universal" or "Catholic". How can 'control' be an issue, more importantly how does one "control" the House of God - if in fact it was the house of God?

Could it be something else, something more profound about the protester's way?

JoeT

 

[Reynolds]

I actually prefer smaller churches. Churches CAN be TOO large. Take Elevation Church for example. They have thousands of people. Sadly, in my much younger days, I was caught up in the hype and attended. (The church is more like a cult). I never met the pastor except for one time. It was only because he came to the place I was working at the time. And of course, he didn't know me from Adam.

A pastor can only shepherd so many sheep before he can no longer effectively do his job.

The big churches who are doing it right have enough staff to look after the members.

 

[Reformed1689]

The big churches who are doing it right have enough staff to look after the members.

We could debate whether or not that is doing it right.

 

[Reynolds]

We could debate whether or not that is doing it right.

It's not right for everyone, but it works and works well when done properly. I don't like big churches myself, but it's a personal preference. I know big churches that make it work

 

[Dave G]

I believe the Lord adds to the church according to their ability to receive people.

From what you posted as Scriptural support, God's word answers the question:

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. - Acts 2:46-47

It isn't their ability to receive people.

 

[Reformed1689]

It's not right for everyone, but it works and works well when done properly. I don't like big churches myself, but it's a personal preference. I know big churches that make it work

I was saying more of a debate as to whether or not that is biblical. Not if "it works"

 

[Dave G]

Churches do a lot of dividing, either by church planting or by bitter church splits. And, big churches take members from smaller churches.

A lot of churches don't grow more because of lack of charisma by the pastors.

Lack of charisma...
I suppose that works great for the "church growth crowd".

God's churches don't grow by using fancy marketing techniques and charisma, though.

If your church does't want to treat the public like mere consumers, that will also keep a church small.

Is that a bad thing?
Keeping the church small?

Like a family...

 

[Reformed1689]

Is that a bad thing?
Keeping the church small?

Like a family...

You mean so the pastor can actually shepherd his flock and know who they are?

 

[Dave G]

You mean so the pastor can actually shepherd his flock and know who they are?

Well, actually they are Christ's sheep and the pastor(s) are only watching over them...
I also am opposed to one pastor doing all the work, as the biblical model for a church is a multiplicity of elders and deacons, IMO.

 

[Reformed1689]

Well, actually they are Christ's sheep and the pastor(s) are only watching over them...
I also am opposed to one pastor doing all the work, as the biblical model for a church is a multiplicity of elders and deacons, IMO.

I guess my point is that church was held in houses in the NT. They were smaller by design. They were intimate.

 

[Dave G]

Could it be something else, something more profound about the protester's way?

The "protester's way" was the way long before man-made temples became the norm, sir.

God dwells in temples not made with hands ( Acts of the Apostles 7:48, Acts of the Apostles 17:24 ).