7 Reasons Why We Love a Big Church!
Victory Highway Wesleyan Church has become a large church. Thanks to the sovereign blessing of the Lord, it is continuing to grow. When Victory was built in 1986, we were a church of 300. We are now reaching approximately 1,500 people weekly. While we rejoice over the way the Lord has blessed this fellowship, some who are not familiar with a large church are frightened by it. There is a common misconception that a big church is cold and formal or that a church of this size will neglect its people and compromise its principles.
There are dangers and concerns that are unique to a large congregation, just as there are dangers and concerns to a smaller church. There are, however, many advantages about a big church that make it special.
Before we share some of the reasons why we love a large church, let us hasten to say that there’s nothing beneficial about being large. Any church, large or small, is only worth its salt if people are being introduced to the Savior and growing in their relationship with Jesus Christ. That’s the bottom line. Having said that, let us highlight some reasons why we love a large church.
1. A large church is scriptural.
THE FIRST CHURCH BEGAN WITH 3,000 MEMBERS (Acts 2:41) and grew everyday until the number of men came to about 5,000 (Acts 4:4). These people met in homes, but they also MET TOGETHER in the temple courts (Acts 2:46). When the church was alive, it grew rapidly. “So the word of God spread, the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7)
Jesus intended the church to grow. “He told them another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches” (Matthew 13:31-32).
Victory has had humble beginnings, but God has blessed us richly. Today, a dime won’t buy you much, but back in the Depression, it literally gave birth to a church. When a small group of people wanted to build a new congregation in Corning, it was a 10-year-old girl who was the first to reach into her pocket and place 10 cents in the offering plate. So, you could say the Victory Vision started on a dime. Over the next fifty years, Riverside Wesleyan Church outgrew everything they could build. In their search to find property that would be large enough to meet their growing vision, God led them to where else...Victory Highway.
2. A large church can provide rich fellowship.
Although the first church began with 3,000 members, they continued in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship (Acts 2:42). They came to know and appreciate one another. In a large church, that fellowship is provided through many small group opportunities. There are a number of such opportunities here at Victory. The two most effective of these ministries are A.M. Connections and the H.O.M.E. Group experiences. Our A.M. Connections program consists of practical classes for today’s adults, committed to communicating biblical truth and its application. H.O.M.E. Groups are comprised of 3-12 individuals and primarily meet on a regular basis. By participating in A.M. Connections or H.O.M.E. Groups, you have the best of both worlds: there is the intimacy of a small group and the inspiration of a large fellowship. One of the joys of a large church is that relationships are always expanding and opportunities for meeting new people are ever increasing. That is challenging and exciting!
3. A large church provides opportunity for evangelism.
In many respects, it is much easier to invite others to come to church with you if the church is large. There are so many special services and quality programs that provide opportunities for Christians to invite friends and family members, too. Those who generally do not attend church are much more likely to attend a large church. They often feel less threatened in a large group. They know they can remain anonymous for a while if they so desire. The non-Christian will often come and observe just out of curiosity. Slowly they begin to feel comfortable and the truths of the gospel begin to sink in. Often times, that’s where the seed takes root and begins to grow and eventually produces a positive harvest. Throughout the fellowship of Victory are scores of people who can personally bear witness to this!
4. A large church provides opportunities for service.
Some people mistakenly assume that they are not needed in a larger fellowship. That is far from the truth. A large church has so many more opportunities to serve because, overall, there are so many more responsible positions to fill. For example, it takes over 100 volunteers every week. Whatever God has gifted you to do, there will be an opportunity for your abilities to be used in edifying the body of Christ here at Victory. As you tour our facility and observe the various ministries taking place, not only on Sunday but throughout the week, you will see men and women busy in a variety of different ways. These people may be business executives, homemakers, doctors, school teachers, and so forth who are volunteering their time to see that the Lord’s work is in order. There is a place for everyone in God’s church!
5. A large church is inspirational.
Most of us enjoy going to athletic contests when there is a “packed house”. There is something about a large number of people that creates excitement and generates energy. Jesus said He wanted His “House to be full” (Luke 14:23). It is inspirational to sing and share with hundreds of other Christians. It is thrilling to attend a major musical production or to enjoy an excellent drama. It is stirring to see scores of grade school children participating in church or dozens of teenagers gathered together for Bible Study. Teens especially love being a part of a large group where they can meet others their age. Sometimes the compromising evils of this world appear overwhelming. It is inspirational to be a part of a large group that reminds us that we are not alone in the world.
6. A large church has positive influence.
There is strength in numbers. A large church has an opportunity to witness to and influence our community in a very positive way. We have the privilege of hearing some of the finest speakers, musicians and Bible teachers available. We can also have a positive influence in missions and world evangelization. Our size enables us to provide meaningful support ministries to singles, widows and others who need special attention.
7. A large church prepares us for heaven.
In Revelation 7:9, the Apostle John described his vision of heaven this way: “I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne...wearing white robes.” There are going to be multitudes of people in heaven! We will be delighted with each other! We anticipate hearing a large heavenly choir and being inspired when we participate with millions who honor the Lord with praise and worship. It is going to be a large body of believers who will glorify God in heaven.
The large church is nothing new. The church in Jerusalem quickly grew from the few in the upper room to 3,000. In 323 AD, the church building in Constantinople was large enough to hold 15,000 at a single service. That church had 60 pastors and 25 music directors. In 1861, Charles Spurgeon’s church in London seated 6,000. Today, a Methodist Pentecostal Church in Santiago, Chile has over 50,000 members. A full Gospel Church in Seoul, Korea now has 700,000 members! There are over 150 churches in America which exceed 2,000 in worship, more than 60 that average over 3,000.
The large church has been used by God to evangelize the lost, edify the saved, minister to the needy and be the conscience of the community. We invite you to join us as we seek to glorify God’s name in a big way.
(Adapted from "Seven Reasons Why I Love a Big Church by Bob Russell")