Huge congregations

[cerette]

Congregations with many hundreds or even thousands of members... Is it Biblical? Can the pastor(s) live up to the guidelines given in the Bible? What do you think?

My opinion is that it is not a good idea. having to share a pastor with so many others, means he will not have the time or energy to meet my spiritual needs. It's easier for people to disappear in the crowd and stop coming to church etc, and not as easy for the pastor to notice. Remember that the pastor is somewhat responsible for the spiritual wellbeing of his flock.

How about splitting huge congregations into smaller ones instead?

 

[Lupinus]

I'm not fond of huge congregations. The problems you mentioned just magnify the larger the congregation gets. Also after a point certain corners can start to get cut. And junior or assistant Pastors can only do so much. I don't know if I'd call them unbiblical as I don't recall the bible being clear on the subject. But I think it's an area we can saftly say is not that great an idea.

 

[TCat]

How big is to big?

 

[cerette]

How big is to big?

In my opinion too big is when your shepherd doesn't have the time to have a personal pastor-to-member-relationship with everyone.

 

[TCat]

Mine must be just right then

 

[Breetai]

In my opinion too big is when your shepherd doesn't have the time to have a personal pastor-to-member-relationship with everyone.

I couldn't agree more!

 

[filosofer]

In my opinion too big is when your shepherd doesn't have the time to have a personal pastor-to-member-relationship with everyone.

So, 75 regular in worship?

No wonder we have a shortage of pastors.

 

[DaRev]

No wonder we have a shortage of pastors.

Ya know, that would be a wonderful problem to have if in fact the Synod were growing.

 

[cerette]

So, 75 regular in worship?

No wonder we have a shortage of pastors.

75 sounds good to me.

 

[ctay]

Let me tell you there's problems in small church's too. I'm still in a pickle. I'm back at the other church, going to my parents church for lenten services, the pastor at the other church I want to go to said I needed to stay where I was at. Was having trouble with my own mom, she's better now since I quit going there all the time.During the year the before this pastor took a call, he was hard to find, if you went to the church to talk to him, he wasn't there. He was hardly there when you needed him.

 

[ctay]

I think 75 is to small unless everyone will work together

 

[DaSeminarian]

Ya know, that would be a wonderful problem to have if in fact the Synod were growing.

What would be wonderful is if the synod were growing and every congregation could afford 2 or 3 pastors full time. Trading off on sermons, pastoral counseling.

But we all know that is just a pipe dream.

 

[cerette]

Let me tell you there's problems in small church's too. I'm still in a pickle. I'm back at the other church, going to my parents church for lenten services, the pastor at the other church I want to go to said I needed to stay where I was at. Was having trouble with my own mom, she's better now since I quit going there all the time.During the year the before this pastor took a call, he was hard to find, if you went to the church to talk to him, he wasn't there. He was hardly there when you needed him.

Oh yes, small congregations have problems too. After all, they too consist of sinners.

Sounds to me though, that the problem you described could have been more about the pastor than the size of the congregation. Why was he not at church? Was he lacking his duties out of laziness? Was his office too cold so he couldn't work there without getting a bladder infection or something?
Of course I cannot know what the matter was, so do not think that I am in any way judging this pastor.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

I think 75 is to small unless everyone will work together

I love my little congregation, but when you only have a few people, stronger personalities become very apparent. Sometimes this type of personality, if left unchecked can derail the best Pastors efforts and the efforts of less domineering but more willing parishioners.

Mark

 

[ctay]

I love my little congregation, but when you only have a few people, stronger personalities become very apparent. Sometimes this type of personality, if left unchecked can derail the best Pastors efforts and the efforts of less domineering but more willing parishioners.

Mark

You hit the nail on the head.

 

[ctay]

Oh yes, small congregations have problems too. After all, they too consist of sinners.

Sounds to me though, that the problem you described could have been more about the pastor than the size of the congregation. Why was he not at church? Was he lacking his duties out of laziness? Was his office too cold so he couldn't work there without getting a bladder infection or something?
Of course I cannot know what the matter was, so do not think that I am in any way judging this pastor.

Not sure, I think he may got tired of trying to get everyone working together, don't know, he's doing something now he enjoys

 

[BreadAlone]

Hmm..our church used to have 818 members..now we only get about 120 in church every week..it's depressing really the lack of spirituality in the WELS..

 

[cerette]

Hmm..our church used to have 818 members..now we only get about 120 in church every week..it's depressing really the lack of spirituality in the WELS..

Yes it is! But it is uplifting to see folks like yourself..gives me hope for the future!! If only old people were active..what would happen after they all go to heaven?!!
Then again it is very comforting to know that God has it all under control and already knows what's gonna happen.

 

[BreadAlone]

^ That's exactly how I feel about my church! Once all the old people are gone..so is half the congregation!

It's really depressing. We haven't had youth group for like four months now. The first new one was to be yesterday. (For a little background, Stacy, the youth group leader, cancelled it because no one except me was coming.) So anyways, we had one yesterday, and guess who was there? Just me..Stacy said she called 45 individual people; she even raised the age limit to 30 year olds instead of just high school/college and changed the name to "young adult group"..still only one person comes.

I think it's just a sign that the end is near "even the elect would be lost, if that were possible" and what not.

 

[cerette]

^ That's exactly how I feel about my church! Once all the old people are gone..so is half the congregation!

It's really depressing. We haven't had youth group for like four months now. The first new one was to be yesterday. (For a little background, Stacy, the youth group leader, cancelled it because no one except me was coming.) So anyways, we had one yesterday, and guess who was there? Just me..Stacy said she called 45 individual people; she even raised the age limit to 30 year olds instead of just high school/college and changed the name to "young adult group"..still only one person comes.

I think it's just a sign that the end is near "even the elect would be lost, if that were possible" and what not.

What you told me about your youth group really bothers and saddens me.

My prayer is that you will not grow so tired of the situation so that you too will quit going to church, but instead be faithful and grow in your love to the Savior.

It is wonderful to see your faith and interest in the church. Stay on the right path, lil bro.

God's blessings