BIGGER OR SMALLER

Smaller is better; Bigger is better.

Stop. You’re both right.

I grew up in the days when the “Certs” ads on TV were delivered by twins: one declaring “Certs is a breath mint” and the other declaring, “Certs is a candy mint”. The argument ended with the announcer proclaiming: “Stop. You’re both right. Certs is two mints in one.”

In the realm of the Great Commission, which is better … a Mega Church or Micro Church (House Church)? As I consider the implications of starting a network of Salvation Army micro churches, I have had to explore the potential of each approach.

Mega Church

Core value for the Great Commission: Can mobilize significant human and financial resources.

>        Is highly visible in the Community.

>        Has resources for sending Christian workers into the harvest.

>        Has the potential to train many lay workers for effective ministry.

>        Has a voice which can be heard in the whole Community.

>        Can address most of the varied needs in the Community.

>        Can readily draw crowds to attraction events like major productions and powerful worship services.

>        Can provide outreach activities for every interest, culture and age group.

>        Can mobilize extensive prayer ministry.

>        Can resource and encourage small, struggling ministries.

Micro Church

      Core value for the Great Commission: Ability to multiply rapidly.

>        Easy access, can meet anywhere.

>        Becomes a ministry training “hot house”; facilitators, church planters.

>        Little or no funding required. Finances become available for home and external missions.

>        Evangelism is intrinsic when held in unbelievers’ homes.

>        Satisfies need for close relationships.

>        Relaxed, non-threatening, non-institutional setting.

>        Can multiply within age or interest groups.

>        Bible teaching can be easily tailored to meet individual needs.

>        Promotes identification and deployment of spiritual gifts.

What kind of Churches do we need to reach our Western, post-modern World?

“We need big churches!”

“We need small churches!”

“Stop! You’re both right!”

We need big churches and small churches working together with a common dream: “The world for God”.

David McCann – March 2004