Why is it that some many churches will not consider starting mission churches, when their congregation grows.
In our association, a church has decided to sell its building and build a much bigger building.
(they are running in excess of 300).
I contend that it would be better to start 2 or 3 mission churches with groups of 25-40 current members.
Thoughts?
Starting Misson churches
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Salty, Jul 12, 2013.
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Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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What is the appropriate size of a local church? Should a church grow to 200, 300, 500 before they split the congregation?
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My rule of thumb is when a pastor is not able to visit evey member in his church at least once a year - then the church is too big -
Addition: My response is meant to be conversational; not adversarial. -
NT church always met in a home/outdoor setting. No "building" designated for a church, just a place used by the church to meet.
When our churches we start outgrow a home (usually 20-25 is max before it does damage to the house, facilities, bathroom, etc) then we move to an inexpensive rental site. Town hall, fire hall, meeting room in motel, etc.
Present church outgrew two homes and now is in the conference room of the Super 8. Holds 50 comfortably, with two bathrooms, coffee, etc. When we reach 50+ regularly we are training an elder to take over with half and we would begin meeting on the other end of town with half. We would stay "one" local body and meeting together every 5-6 weeks for worship/meal, but otherwise maintain separate worship.
(BTW, our church pays $40 for 4 hours each Sunday morning for the meeting room. 8 tables. 60 chairs. Coffee/tea/ice water. AC/heat, plowing, and a GREAT deal. We can stay for meals; we bring hymnals, wine, etc of our own)
I've pastored large churches, small rural churches, and work level for the teaching elder with more than 50 (10-12 families) is too much. -
Yes, I like the idea of starting mission churches rather than elaborate building programs. At some point, the mission church must become autonomous from the parent church when it is able to sustain itself. That means they are in their own permanent facility, can support staff, and have enough to run the church.
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I'd like to look at it from a different angle. I have attended churches in the 100-200 member range, & am now a member of a 2,000 member SBC church. The pastors of the smaller churches seemed to often be preaching on money because the church didn't have enough. They did not have strong outreach programs other than "visitation" night. The church I now attend, is debt free & has several community outreach programs. It seems that it costs more to house & staff ten churches of 200 members than one church of 2,000. There is also a greater pool of volunteers to draw from in a larger church which, if rightly encouraged & utilized, would properly spread the responsibilities of "church" among the members.
Also, smaller churches are typically centered around one sole-authority pastor who is taking on more responsibility & authority than the Scriptures give. In our church, there are several pastors who do a great job of co-leading the church & sharing the burdens of leadership. Larger churches seem to be better at delegating responsibilities to the membership, which aids in the process of maturing the church. -
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I'm guessing we're kind of in this situation with our church:
Main church - about 600 people
Campus One (ours) - about 55 people
Campus Two (started about a year after ours) - 120 people
Main church is a well established church in the area.
Campus One is meeting in a hotel and only have 10 people from the original team that started it.
Campus Two took over a dying established Baptist church in a historical building in a downtown village. They still have probably 20+ of the people who started with them plus the people who used to attend the old church.
I think this has been working out well but it does take some reconsideration on what is normal and how things should be done. Each of our campuses are very different and we have to remember that when doing our planning but for now, it is great to be part of a smaller but growing church with the back-up of a larger church that handles all of the administration and finances. :) -
1) Does the mother church have any plans for additional missions
2) What are the plans for the two missions to become independent? -
2 - I don't think there any plans to make them independent but you never know what the future holds!! :) As God leads, we'll know more.