It’s About More Than Just Size

Early in the first of his megachurch articles, Kent Fillinger gives perspective for churches of every size.

The churches in this year’s list grew by an average of 4.7 percent, he reports, and points out that a church of 150 would need to add only seven to grow by the same percentage.

Later, in his encouraging article about the explosion of baptisms in these churches, he calculates their 2009 baptism ratio (i.e., the number of baptisms per 100 attendees) at 7.6. To meet this standard a church of 150 would need to baptize 11 or 12 people annually.

These two numbers alone lead to a couple of conclusions.

Church Size and Growth Perspective

First, size isn’t everything. The biggest ship in the sea changes direction most slowly. The largest car in the lot can be a problem to maneuver through heavy traffic.

We’re proud of these megachurches and all they’re accomplishing for Christ. But we know smaller churches are sometimes moving faster to meet needs and touch lives.

Second, some of us should do better than the megachurches. Our percentage of growth and ratio of baptisms to attendance can be higher.

God’s work is more than statistics, to be sure. Our focus isn’t “industry standards” or competition with each other, but obedience to God’s call.

Nevertheless, smaller churches sometimes look at the bigness of megachurches and retreat into feelings of inferiority. If anything, an analysis of their progress should point out that, as far as percentages go, some of us can accomplish more than they have.

Upcoming Coverage of Smaller Churches

THIS FALL WE WILL DEDICATE TWO ISSUES TO CHURCHES SMALLER THAN “MEGA.” We will do the same kind of analysis shown in this issue with churches in two categories: “Medium” (250-499) and “Large” (500-999). To be included, just send an e-mail to ch***************@*********ub.com. We’ll connect you with our survey and include you in our report. To be included, please write us by April 30.

Four Double Issues This Year

THIS IS THE FIRST OF FOUR DOUBLE ISSUES THIS YEAR. Our next printed issue will be dated April 25. This week we’ve given you enough material to last two weeks (or more!). And a special Web-only feature describes the “Church of the Decade,” Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho. Read their story, and thank God for a church reaching many thousands for Christ through a congregation that didn’t even exist until 1998!

Author: Mark A. Taylor

Mark A. Taylor, who served as Christian Standard editor from 2003 to 2017, retired in June 2017 after almost 41 years with Standard Publishing (Christian Standard Media).