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02-18-2013, 10:57 AM
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General Overseer, A.F.N.
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Elizabethton, TN
Posts: 337
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Local vrs. Mega Church
In your opinion, When do you consider a church to be too "large"?
As a pastor, I would have a problem having a congregation that is so large that
I can't know my sheep. I know that mega churches have multiple pastors in many different functions, but How can that be a good thing? I think a congregation of a couple hundred is ok but when the numbers get too high it becomes kinda impersonal and more like a machine.
This is only my opinion, I would love to hear some input, especially from Pastors and Ministers, but Would love to hear the "voice of the pew" speak on this one too, after all, Its you guys that We are here to serve!
__________________
Apostolic is an understanding that God has finally and completely revealed Himself to all mankind through His incarnation as Jesus Christ. He has revealed to all a way of life, love and forgiveness that leads to a right relationship with Him and with each other.
~Repairing the Apostolic Church, Apostle W. Carey & Bishop N. Morales
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02-18-2013, 11:16 AM
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Registered Member
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,600
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Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
Pastor TLA, I am of the opinion that one man cannot possibly handle all the spiritual needs of even a couple hundred people. Some people have complex issues that require sound spiritual advice.
I think Jethro's sound advice in Exodus 18:13-27 to Moses is something God allowed Moses to do. While I know we are not under any OT law, the advice Jethro gave was not law. 
__________________
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Psalms 118:8)
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02-18-2013, 11:20 AM
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Rebel with a cause.
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Posts: 6,813
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Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
Quote:
Originally Posted by PastorTLArt
In your opinion, When do you consider a church to be too "large"?
As a pastor, I would have a problem having a congregation that is so large that
I can't know my sheep. I know that mega churches have multiple pastors in many different functions, but How can that be a good thing? I think a congregation of a couple hundred is ok but when the numbers get too high it becomes kinda impersonal and more like a machine.
This is only my opinion, I would love to hear some input, especially from Pastors and Ministers, but Would love to hear the "voice of the pew" speak on this one too, after all, Its you guys that We are here to serve!
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In my opinion, a church should be a living organism....which means to me - once a church gets to a certain size, they should plant a daughter work, send a strong core group over there, and just keep that process going.....
But, that's just my opinion.........
__________________
"Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
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02-18-2013, 11:59 AM
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General Overseer, A.F.N.
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Elizabethton, TN
Posts: 337
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Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Phelps
In my opinion, a church should be a living organism....which means to me - once a church gets to a certain size, they should plant a daughter work, send a strong core group over there, and just keep that process going.....
But, that's just my opinion.........
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__________________
Apostolic is an understanding that God has finally and completely revealed Himself to all mankind through His incarnation as Jesus Christ. He has revealed to all a way of life, love and forgiveness that leads to a right relationship with Him and with each other.
~Repairing the Apostolic Church, Apostle W. Carey & Bishop N. Morales
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02-18-2013, 12:29 PM
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Registered Member
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Maryland
Posts: 449
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Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
hmmmm....I would think that the total avoidance of the "machine" would be necessary in order to really pastor folks.
I would think that the congregation should be only large enough for the Pastor to still be able to minister one on one when necessary. I like the daughterwork concept - would like it even more if the work was autonomous - once it is established of course.
Building a spiritual work and not a business should be the goal...IMHO.
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02-18-2013, 12:31 PM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,840
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Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
As a church grows you must restructure and add more pastors so that some pastor knows each saints name.
Do you think Peter knew the name of each of he 3,000 on the day of Pentecost?
I don't expect the senior pastor of a large church to know my name but I do want opportunities to get involved in smaller groups, classes, etc where some pastor or pastors do.
__________________
"I think some people love spiritual bondage just the way some people love physical bondage. It makes them feel secure. In the end though it is not healthy for the one who is lost over it or the one who is lives under the oppression even if by their own choice"
Titus2woman on AFF
"We did not wear uniforms. The lady workers dressed in the current fashions of the day, ...silks...satins...jewels or whatever they happened to possess. They were very smartly turned out, so that they made an impressive appearance on the streets where a large part of our work was conducted in the early years.
"It was not until long after, when former Holiness preachers had become part of us, that strict plainness of dress began to be taught.
"Although Entire Sanctification was preached at the beginning of the Movement, it was from a Wesleyan viewpoint, and had in it very little of the later Holiness Movement characteristics. Nothing was ever said about apparel, for everyone was so taken up with the Lord that mode of dress seemingly never occurred to any of us."
Quote from Ethel Goss (widow of 1st UPC Gen Supt. Howard Goss) book "The Winds of God"
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02-18-2013, 12:39 PM
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Repent and believe the Gospel!
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,089
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Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
We are part of a church plant and this is fun to be part of something on the ground floor. To watch something grow and blossom.
__________________
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. (Romans 14:4)
Scripture is its own interpreter. Nothing can cut a diamond but a diamond. Nothing can interpret Scripture but Scripture" Thomas Watson.
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02-18-2013, 04:35 PM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,840
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Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
Quote:
Originally Posted by navygoat1998
We are part of a church plant and this is fun to be part of something on the ground floor. To watch something grow and blossom.
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That is us also. We started going to the church we are at now about 1 1/2 years ago just when they moved into a new building that seats right at 200. Between the three Sunday services they were probably running around 200.
We started 2012 running about 275 and ended the year averaging 400-450. Now we are poised to move into a new building next month. We will start with seating for about 300 so a total of 900 between the three services. There is room to add more seats up to about 600 so we won't max out on space at the new location until we hit around 1800 people.
__________________
"I think some people love spiritual bondage just the way some people love physical bondage. It makes them feel secure. In the end though it is not healthy for the one who is lost over it or the one who is lives under the oppression even if by their own choice"
Titus2woman on AFF
"We did not wear uniforms. The lady workers dressed in the current fashions of the day, ...silks...satins...jewels or whatever they happened to possess. They were very smartly turned out, so that they made an impressive appearance on the streets where a large part of our work was conducted in the early years.
"It was not until long after, when former Holiness preachers had become part of us, that strict plainness of dress began to be taught.
"Although Entire Sanctification was preached at the beginning of the Movement, it was from a Wesleyan viewpoint, and had in it very little of the later Holiness Movement characteristics. Nothing was ever said about apparel, for everyone was so taken up with the Lord that mode of dress seemingly never occurred to any of us."
Quote from Ethel Goss (widow of 1st UPC Gen Supt. Howard Goss) book "The Winds of God"
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02-18-2013, 05:12 PM
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Registered Member
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 14,649
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Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
Nothing in itself wrong with a large Church. The New Covenant Apostolic Church practiced multiple eldership. Many ministires available for service. They WORKED with their own hands rather than demanding a salary.
Their is supposed to be one Church per town. The Church of Yeshua Christ. The ministries can go to the various groups that may be meeting in accord with each other.
Yes I know this the ideal and not by any means the reality at present.
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02-18-2013, 05:14 PM
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Forever Loved Admin
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 26,537
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Re: Local vrs. Mega Church
200 and under is just the right size for a church. IMO
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
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