Does anyone think you can really meet with God in a super church? (i.e 1000's of people). Can you have a personal experience of the Holy Spirit, and the space to be truly involved in worship/ministry etc? I have attended a small church all my life (less than 100) and having moved area now attend a 'super' church and am v.interested in the differences. Please refer to your own experiences/opinions.
2007-04-12 05:01:50 · 16 answers · asked by Alan 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I attend a very large church. We have about 7,000 members. Our auditorium seats 3,500 and we have 3 primary services.
Yes it is possible. Our church puts a lot of emphasis on small group worship. They encourage all members to be a part of a small group (usually about 20 folks or so) with common interests. The groups meet for a time to worship, to fellowship, and to pray together. Teaching guides are provided to each group. The program works great.
In addition, all new members are invited to a dinner to welcome them to the church. Attendance is usually sub-100 people, so this gets people an opportunity to meet the pastors and staff and some other folks both new and existing members.
It also helps to get *involved* with the church. If you're just showing up on Sunday and going through the motions, you may as well not go at all. Volunteer for positions, get involved in youth ministry, do what you can to make the church your home and you will find that "small church" feel in a large environment.
My personal experience: When I started coming to the church, my wife and I attended the welcome dinner. I still felt a bit detached from the church coming from a small church. I later started seeking ways and praying about ways to get actively involved. We've been going about a year now, and I am highly involved with our church youth ministry. I am a small group leader, along with some others, who teaches 9th graders on Wednesday nights. I also assist with Sunday morning youth services. I've made some great friends.
2007-04-12 05:14:45 · answer #1 · answered by Chris B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think the size of the church one attends has anything to do with whether or not you can "meet with God". Connecting to your God is done through your spirit...not through a service in a church.
Perhaps you have found that belonging to a small, more intimate church body is comforting for you whereas a large church comprised of hundreds or thousands of members makes you feel like you are a stranger. We all like to feel that we belong so I can understand what you are saying but again I repeat...it's size should not make a difference in your ability to connect spiritually. Perhaps you are uncomfortable about something else that goes on in the church. Only you and God know for sure.
2007-04-12 05:10:40 · answer #2 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can meet with the Holy Spirit anywhere. However, while I attended a mega church, for 3 years, I never had any space to move around, got trampled (I am thin) and felt like I was getting squashed in my seat by all the big women, not to mention it took 45 minutes to get in and out of the parking lot.
Also services went like 3 hours long, long lines to use the restroom...the Holy Spirit had already done his thing and left...I will probably go back to the smaller churches now. I guess it depends on the individual.
2007-04-12 05:08:02 · answer #3 · answered by 1sweet lady 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that it is possible to meet with God in a church with that many attendees. However, if you are used to something different and like it... it may be less likely because you are less open to it. From my own experiences, I tend to believe that it is quite possible but if the people seem false or deetering... it has been quite difficult for me to find God. However, some of the best experiences have been with larger groups... it's just a matter of YOU and what you will allow, how hard to you seek and how you connect with the church.
2007-04-12 05:05:11 · answer #4 · answered by ♥ Mommy To Be 12/20/09 ♥ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Meet with God in your home, car, work, church. Don't allow the color of the carpet to change that.
"God being there" is NOT about how you 'feel'. His word says He's there - so He's there.
I help our pastor when we do baptisms. The way and time involved per person "seems" like the right way to me - it's what I'm used to. I once witnessed over 300 people get baptized in less than 22 minutes at a mega- church in two lines. At first, I was set off by it, but in reading everything there is in scripture about baptism, they did not contradict anything. Those people really are baptised.
You're not any more or less "saved" or more or less in His presence because of how you FEEL. Salvation is by grace, and faith in what God has said about Himself.
2007-04-12 05:11:52 · answer #5 · answered by teran_realtor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If God is in attendance you can meet Him anywhere. But I recently saw a news segment on TV about one of these "super churches" somewhere in the Midwest. The story was about how huge the congregation was and how fast they were growing. Their gimmick was they were preaching and teaching about how good their sex lives were...
I couldn't believe that anyone who claimed to know and serve God would use sex as a way to build their membership. Regardless of denomination, God must be so grieved by that sort of thing.
He doesn't need gimmicks to reach people. He just wants a love for the truth.
2007-04-12 05:13:31 · answer #6 · answered by AK 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can't do it in a super-church, how do you plan to meet God in heaven? Different churches are for different people. Go where you feel comfortable, not b/c of the size or name over the door.
2007-04-12 05:06:49 · answer #7 · answered by Thomas 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES! You sure can! You can meet with God anywhere and everywhere - with just a couple of people or with thousands. That said, I do like smaller house churches better though :) It's more intimate within the group and it rocks!
2007-04-12 05:05:37 · answer #8 · answered by pumped up! whoo hoo! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is Omnipotent and omnipresent. God is everywhere and anywhere. You can visit with God anytime whether your alone or in a church of 1000's. You just have to open your heart, believe and be willing to receive Him. You don't have to be in church to experience his presence and receive from Him. You can do that anywhere.
2007-04-12 05:09:00 · answer #9 · answered by Christina L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't even have to go to church-- I always thought that God was within each of us. So why give your money away to some minister?
I live in the town of Focus on the Family and New Life Church -- you know, Dr. Dobson and Ted Haggard-------
New Life church holds over 6000 people. To me, it is the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Church-- their shows are pure entertainment-- it's like "Jesus Goes to LasVegas"
2007-04-12 05:14:10 · answer #10 · answered by ladsmrt 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋