[PastorBooks]

As to the article, I thought it was strange. Palin was in the title but was only mentioned by name *once*. It’s a hit piece, and rather behind the times.

The long-term trend is not towards large “mega-churches” but away from them. There are three current changes that are taking place.

1. The majority of small and mid-size churches, at least 80%, are declining.

2. Large churches are growing somewhat, but it is more due to slick services and marketing and is being funded by heavy reliance on debt.

3. The house movement is growing exponentially, and is mostly unseen. People drawn to house churches are looking for a sense of belonging and community, what they have not found in either their lives or in traditional “building” churches.

I am called to start a church. I used to dream of having a large church. I now realize that a church isn’t a building; it’s the people. And it wouldn’t have been mine to “have” - the church belongs to Jesus. And large churches don’t help build fellowship, they are ego-builders for the staff. So I’ve tossed every plan I had for a big building, and I’m even considering not having a building at all.

My advice to mega-churches: Get very serious about training your people. A church that is a true teaching church will survive the downsizing trend that is coming. Many churches will remain shallow, and will close their doors.

[2ndDivisionVet]

IIRC, she’s Assembly of God, not an Evangelical. Cowboy Churches are a huge trend down here in the South, especially in Texas, but not limited to it.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Have you looked at metal buildings? They seem less expensive but sturdier than “conventional” stick built. Modular buildings are another option.

[ladyL]

I believe that Yahweh works in cycles. We are born bald without teeth in diapers and we will die, bald, without teeth and in diapers. Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring.

The last church will look like the first church. It will meet in homes, be based in the Hebrew Biblical truths and have the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling clean holy vessels, so that the same power which killed Ananias and Sapphira, will be evident in this remnant church. That is the direction the Father is leading towards.

[SharpRightTurn]

“a church isn’t a building; it’s the people”

Bingo.

[HereInTheHeartland]

“. I now realize that a church isn’t a building; it’s the people.”

We repeat that exact phrase all the time at our meetings!!
We meet in a school building.
Relationships are key; it sometimes seems difficult in our transitory society....

[Grunthor]

I attend one of the two largest churches in my county. One of the things that our pastoral staff from the head Pastor down have expounded upon is the need to grow smaller as we grow bigger. IOW, yes we have almost 500 people calling our church “home” but we also have a vibrant small group home Bible study program. These groups are on average about a dozen or so folks and most people I know are in one.

We also have a youth (13 to 24 y/o) group (www.generationchurch.org) that makes up about 1/5 of the overall church. Those kids know how to worship and they love it.

[caww]

I am not a fan of Rick Warren or those in the mega-church industry. And certainly we do see a split in several mainline churches which I suspect will continue as long as there are not enough Christians who will stand against the homosexual agenda, abortion drive and the various ‘issues’ creating these splits. It sometimes appears to be a sifting..and I believe that perhaps God is drawing the line in the sand thru these ordeals.

Meanwhile just finding a local church to worship in has been an ordeal for many, much more so in these past years. You mentioned ‘House Churches’ and these go along pretty much unknown. But I recall some have saying that as the that time approaches the true church will go underground. Perhaps these ‘House Churches’ are the beginning.

The challenge has always been to ‘arm the saints’ but there are so few today with that ability to instruct as such. A small church in a village in Pa. gave me in six months time the most teaching and instruction, via the Pastor/Teacher than I had received in ten years! For that I grew to love Christ more and far better to uphold the faith to those whose intentions were to tear it down.

Now this Pastor could have easily filled stadiums, He was that good, and I asked him why he chose such a small church rather than preach and teach to the masses. He said, “ I need to know the condition of the flock Christ has given me to oversee, I need to know their condition, their growth, and understand what they are learning or not...that is my calling...to arm the saints...you cannot not do that well without also knowing them”.

Over the doorway as you leave this small church is a sign which reads...”You are now entering the Mission Field”. To see this on the way out of the church was a great reminder of where we are really stepping out into every day.

Thanks in advance for allowing me to share this...some would appreciate more than others I think.

CW