Big Church Vs. Small Church

Big church or small church, which one do you choose? Both church sizes have pros and cons. When it comes to selecting a church home for your family, you need to know what to expect from each church size. Here are some generalizations about large churches and small churches. Learn the differences and decide which church size best fits your needs.

Big Church - More Programs

Big churches have the capacity to offer more programs. You will find children's programs, senior citizen programs, outreach programs, and as many as a hundred assorted ministries happening on a weekly basis. This means you will likely find a ministry to meet the needs of everyone in the family.

Although big churches may have more programs, you might find them to be more impersonal than small churches. You end up being one of hundreds, and you can go unnoticed if you aren't active in programs in the church.

Big Church - More Ministry Opportunities

Churches of size have more ministry opportunities, simply because there are more people to serve, and usually more funds to support ministries and programs. But just as there are lots of opportunities, there is much to be done. Positions in the church are often salaried positions. Pastoral staff may have a senior pastor as well as various other pastors and administrators.

Big Church - More Pastoral Staff

A church with numerous pastors means there is likely a senior pastor, an associate pastor, a youth pastor, a children's pastor, a worship pastor, and a visitation pastor. That large staff provides a lot of service to a congregation, and it means there are plenty of pastors to fill in when the senior pastor is gone.

Big Church - More Polished Worship

Big churches generally have a polished music ministry. Worship music is well-practiced, soloists are accomplished, and musicians are well-trained. It's fairly easy to get into a church choir if you are an average singer, but more difficult to be in a worship band or soloing, if you are not top-notch.

Big Church - More Polished Delivery

As the music presentation is well-practiced, so is the sermon delivery. PowerPoint programs, good sound systems, audio presentations, skits, drama--all sorts of engaging presentations happen in larger churches.

Big Church - More Conferences and Speakers

In addition to the quality of the presentation, you also find big churches having conferences, workshops, and seminars. Guest speakers, missionaries, and evangelists are common occurrences. But parking may be problematic. Lots are generally full on service days.

Big Church - More Weekly Activity

Weddings happen weekly or monthly, children's musicals happen for holiday celebrations, and numerous evening and weekend activities take place in the church facility. But unless you are part of a core group, you may find all this activity still leaving you feeling isolated.

Big Church - Less Connection

Big churches are not just local folks. Some church-goers will drive up to an hour's distance to attend a big church. This means they don't make mid-week services, and they don't become as connected to the church body, as when folks live locally.

Small Church - Fewer Workers

Small churches don't have the numbers. This means the ongoing tasks of running the church fall on fewer hands. It's the same few doing all the work. This can lead to burnout or even power struggles.

Small Church - Many Needs

There are usually many needs in small churches, and offering levels may not provide the resources for a fulltime staff. Church maintenance is often done by members, and pastors may not be fulltime. Pastors of small churches may work part-time elsewhere, just to be able to stay on as pastor. New members, especially if they are tithers, are usually welcomed and put to work quickly.

Small Church - More Connections

Fellowship and potluck dinners are big with small churches. Hanging out together is essential, and there is less opportunity for isolation in a small church. Everyone seems to find a place of services--whether its helping with weddings, vacuuming the church, or visiting shut-ins. Everyone seems important. What's more, the pastor is well-known and generally well-loved by those in the church.

Small Church - Less Polish

Smaller churches may not have expensive equipment to put on polished programs. They don't have the large pool of members from which to draw the most musically talented. Sometimes the pastor has been locally trained or been trained by a correspondence program. The polish may not be what draws folks to the church, but a pastor's heart is usually recognized and valued by the congregation.

Small Church - Fewer Programs

Because there are fewer workers and fewer attendees in small churches, there are usually fewer programs. A small church will generally have a Sunday morning service and a midweek service. Other programs, such as youth group and Bible study will depend on available leadership.

Small Church - Local Fixture

Small churches are local fixtures. What happens in a small church usually makes the news, especially in small towns. When a pastor is sick, an elder may fill in. What the pastor does, how the pastor's children behave, and where the pastor goes are each import news items in local churches and small towns. Most folks who attend a small church live locally and sense a certain ownership in their church.

Church Selection Process

What some people consider positive about big church size, others may see as negative. The same goes for the small church size. Church selection is a personal matter. When it comes to choosing a church home, knowing what to expect from a large church and what to expect from a small one, can make your search process a little easier. You will still need to visit churches in person, but you may be able to whittle-down the list a bit.