church size

did you know that the Westminster Assembly dealt with the topic of church-size and what to do when you outgrow your building? Despite its age, the Westminster Assembly’s “Form of Presbyterial Church Government” (1645)—the lesser-known cousin of the “Westminster Confession”—provides several useful lessons for thinking through congregational size.

A small (or nonexistent) budget, limited space, no one to volunteer, not many students in the church, not a lot of visitors, are just some of the many obstacles that smaller church youth ministries face. But being in a small church does NOT mean that you cannot do big ministry!

Grow an oak, not a mushroom.

Many American Christians have this idea that if a church is big, it must be better. Not necessarily. Our obsession with “bigness” can be a reflection of American values, rather than biblical ones.