GOOD SMALL CHURCH
Friday, November 20, 2009
The churches in the province of Asia send greetings to you. Aquila and Prisca greet you warmly in the Lord, with the church that meets in their house.
I Corinthians 16:19 NET
The older I get and the longer I serve as a pastor of a small church, viewing the church world and its various trends from my unique position without trying to feel sorry for myself, really, I am convinced too many people attend larger churches to hide. Not many people really “see” you. Sure, large churches can have various programs for specific ages and groups, but still the family cannot see you. And you don’t want them to. With all the corners to hide in (quality music, skillful group speakers, a variety of special effects, felt needs defined and “met” from so many venues), that spiritual and holy quality is missed; the one that can do a believer much good and more good than the others.
Consider what should be our starting point, the Bible. The Apostles addressed “families” within churches. Most churches met in homes where family life and spiritual health could truly thrive. Accountability, loving confrontation in the truth, and awareness were apparent. Then a couple centuries or so later buildings were built to “meet” in, and there it went, from then onward.
Some of the most precious and special memories of my early days as a new believer were not the larger venues I was “supposed” to attend, but the spiritual “family” ties that came from the smallest and often from those wise ones from outside my age-identifiable niche. I thank God for them. I would not change how that went for anything.