I go to a “little” church.
I come from a “big” church.
I (secretly) want my church to be a “big” church.
But I also know and love that without “bigness” we can move without structure and can more easily stay “organic” or “grassroots” in spreading the Kingdom.
Because the Kingdom is spiritual and spreads on relational basis, not a structural basis, we must have focus in two directions:
- Vertically, in our relationship with TLJC
- Horizontally, in our relationships with each other
And in that order.
To keep human relationships real, connection has to be very 1-to-1 within the church. Fellowship is key. Keeping all of that in mind…
How does a church “grow”, but stay “grassroots” in its relational impact?
Can it? Should it? Or should we all be in “little” churches? Have we been using the wrong measuring stick all along? Or can we have our “big” cake and eat it too?
Gimme your thoughts…
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Add new tag, church, Church Growth, Fellowship, Grassroots, Organic, relationships, TLJC
I am still a firm believer that church can (and in many instances should) be “big.”
But like any organization where relationship is foundational, you have to learn how to “stay small” in the midst of growth. I believe that any church should always have
1) Big Church Vision
2) Small Church Dynamics.
You have to focus on relationship first, like you said. Vertically and horizontally. And you have to be realistic about how many relationships you can really have. That is why I believe so much in churches being founded on families and on small groups. Small cells connected by the common strain, joined on Sundays as the big cell. You get unity through differences, and maintain common vision through unique expressions.
Can you tell I just drank a Rock Star?
Churches, like ogres, resemble onions.
…how cool are onions?
Cool. But smelly. And sometimes they make you cry.
Man, I love a good analogy…