How big is too big for a church?

When it comes to the issue of church size, there is a wide variety of preference in our society. Of the people I have met, many have expressed a preference for smaller churches because of their family atmospheres where you know everyone and that people are really missed when they are not there. Others have expressed appreciation for larger churches because they can come and go almost completely unnoticed.

There are differences, too, when it comes to finances. Larger churches generally have a larger pool of cash from which to work. True, their expenditures are greater, but only because of the increased cash flow that larger congregations can bring with them. In this sense, there are things that larger churches can do that smaller ones cannot.

But, is being big always the best?

In Matthew 13, we find Jesus addressing the issue of size in the parable of the mustard seed. This is the third in his series about the kingdom of Heaven, and as he peered into Christianity’s future from the shores of Galilee, he sees tremendous growth. In fact, in comparison to all other religions and philosophies, which he likens unto herbs, he notes that whereas Christianity begins as the smallest (the mustard seed), it grows to be far greater than any of its competitors. Indeed, it takes the commanding lead.

Taking a look back into history finds this is so. At its beginning, Christianity started with just 11 apostles and little more than 100 other disciples after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Even after the addition of 3,000 souls on the day of Pentecost, Christianity was still the smallest of religions in the world. Yet growth had begun. And it was a growth that would continue so steady and sure that all the fury the Roman Empire could unleash upon it over more than two centuries would only accelerate its growth. By the end of the third century, Christianity was a religion that was second to none.

But how big is too big?

As Jesus looked at this growth, he said the birds of the air would lodge in it. As Jesus interpreted birds as being associated with the wicked one, the devil, in his parable of the sower earlier in this chapter, our context demands that these here be the same. Thus, what God hath wrought, the devil hath sought. What appears outwardly as Christianity has now become inwardly corrupt.

Indeed, if you cannot beat them, then why not join them? But the devil was by no means transformed into a Christian. By far the easiest way to change the course of a large ship is to commandeer the helm and turn it about by degrees. This is what he has done.

We get a good look at this corruption with the church of Pergamos in Revelation 2. Remember, the kingdom parables of Matthew 13 parallel the seven Asian churches of Revelation 2 and 3. The word “Pergamos” means “thoroughly married.” Thus, we see the scope of this corruption: The marriage of the church to the state.

When viewed historically, this relationship began under the reign of Constantine in the beginnings of the fourth century, anno domini.

As our country was forming, this was the relationship our forefathers did not want existing in our country and why we have a First Amendment. In this relationship, the church is nourished by the state and becomes its military arm.

This is not the relationship, however, that is being referred to by modern antagonists who insist on removing all vestiges of Christianity from American public life.

Viewed progressively, it is only natural to find this coming on the heels of the devil’s planting tares among the wheat. Once the devil has been able to effectively infiltrate church membership, one would expect for his people from there to seek positions of leadership; it would only be a matter of time. “Spiritual wickedness in high places” is the term Paul uses for this. Once there, they would be ready and waiting for the devil to lead them on to even greater heights.

Viewed practically, while church size is a subjective issue, it is Jesus who points out that the larger a church is the more attractive it is to the devil because of the number of people he has potential to control or mislead. In fact, we might almost conclude those that are smaller would be impervious to attack.

But before you conclude all Christianity to be corrupt, think again. Though we have yet more corruption to consider in these parables, just remember that the gates of hell shall never prevail, no matter how hard they try.

Ron Hamman is pastor of Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla. Contact him at 357-4229 or ron.hamman@gci.net.