I am a pastor of a small choice, under 50, and I would argue to my grave that what I do is infinitely harder than what a mega church pastor does. I am bi-vocational, in a church of under 50, in the Bible Belt, where people have had just enough of Jesus to be innoculated against him.

I am greatly encouraged by these words and the fact that someone finally recognizes these facts. What pastors like myself do is hard, with great risk to ourselves and our family. Many of these churches that we are at kill pastors, and have done so for quite some time. But God called me here, so I come. The risk is great,the challenges are great, but so is the reward.

He's right.

(There, how's that for succinct?)

I recently heard the term 'gigachurch' which would mean a beefed up megachurch. At the moment, I am a member of a large sized church (though I doubt we would be labeled a megachurch). This article makes me want to join one of these small missional churches.

Re... "statistics say that small church growth (from 10-150) is where the conversion growth, as opposed to transfer growth, occurs?"

This would have been a great place to insert a hyperlink to such research. It could (still) be very instructive for all of us. Thanks in advance. Great article!

Wow, that was a tough blog--sounds like the same whine between stay at home moms and working moms--poor poor spiritual me. Your lack of maturity is loud and clear. There is no need to be putting down your brothers and sisters in the Lord. The Word is being preached, people are being brought into the Kingdom AND discipled, people are being healed and helped and made whole in the Lord and who the heck are you to be condemning your fellow laborers? WE have been in small churches and mega churches and quite honestly from the joe pew perspective, we've seen sick pastors in both places, dishonest pastors in both places, lying pastors in both places, godly men and women in both places, open and honest leadership in both places, health and spiritual maturity in both, solid teaching of the Word in both, etc.

Last point: true humility is being able to be who you are because you know who Jesus is and His call on your live-not judge who your neighor is and Jesus call on his or her life.

"true humility is being able to be who you are because you know who Jesus is and His call on your live-not judge who your neighor is and Jesus call on his or her life."

Well said Trisha.

I attend a "mega church" with a thriving small group ministry. In doing so I have no doubt I get the same accountability and one to one with spiritual people that I need in order to grow.

Before going on a diatribe about mega churches, ask a few people about their experiences in one. I think you will find many of them extremely missional and extremely well run. Pastor of 100 or of 10000 it is the same thing, it is all about relationships.

I usually like what David has to say, but this is a bit too simplistic for my liking.

I believe there are elements of big church that are harder (e.g. complexity of systems and staff management) and elements of small church that are difficult.

I think you can pick your list to suit!

Amen to Indychristian's comment. This post came off as a silly whine (and I'm a small church pastor.)

"I'm working harder!"
"No, I am!"
"No you're not, I'm the more godly pastor!"

Yeah, yeah. Whatever.

This whole things smacks of bitter envy. There's only One to whom we should compare ourselves. Good luck to each of us on measuring up.

I agree with Trisha!

Being a pastor of a church under 150, I like hearing that my job is harder than the pastor of a church of over 1500. Helps me feel less guilty for only having one conversion last year when the larger church had 30.

My sense is that both are hard, just a different hard. It sounds like Fitch has over-romanticized the wonderful organic communities of small churches, and has over-stereotyped larger churches to make his points.

However, Fitch is on to something: there are certain ministry/relational/social dynamics present or lost depending on the size of the church. Both kinds of churches can be missional - just a different kind.

No, its a good post. This is what it means to be part of the conversation. Rants often contain questionable ideas but they reflect what's going on inside, which is good. There's room for all of us at the table. Ultimately, we're all after the truth. I think there's truth in that post. Not all the truth, not the only truth, but truth just the same. Both roles are legitimate, and probably equally "hard". May God provide us with godly men and women in both.

Preach it, brother!

David has some good points - growing a small church is very hard. I can totally relate because I'm the pastor of one!

But I also agree with the comments above. In fairness, "rants" like this usually overstate their case to make their point. (hyperbole perhaps?) However, this "rant" didn't ring true to me. Call it what you want, but it goes overboard and compares the "best" of small churches to the "worst" of big churches. That's just a straw man argument.

I like what someone said above, small and big churches are BOTH hard - just "different hard."

I've been in big churches before and grew a lot there. There are good and bad churches - both small and large. The benefits and challenges of each are unique. I think God uses both in great ways.

I too have been part of a mega church and now a church of 500. I will be planting a church in 2008. The thing to remember is that we are not in competition with each other. Each of us have a call on our lives, and my call is not your call. God has a plan to reach everyone. Despite our best efforts there is not a "magic bullet" that provides all the answers. God will reach some through big crowds, and some he will reach one on one.

What was that thing about the first shall be last and the last first? The least among you is the greatest? I wonder if we should then have the mega church pastors give up their mega church salary for a small church salary and the mega churches should give their excess resources to small churches to give their pastors a mega church salary ;)

In response to Trisha, this post is not primarily about whether mega or small churches are better than the other (although it is a little bit), but which are more difficult to pastor. And it sounds about right to me.

I find it very encouraging that so many have spoken for a position that encourages people to follow the calling God has given us, rather than ranting against the solid servants who have a role they happen NOT to have.

Just an observation...it seems to me, being new to Christianity Today, that it seems to have a decisively anti-mega church bent...at least recently. Why is that?

Lastly, to Dave Datema, when does the bible say that we are just supposed to let flow whatever is in our hearts? Doesn't the bible speak ad nauseum about controlling our tongues? That our hearts are a fount of evil? That there is a way that seems right that leads to death? I just don't see that most people seek truth...it seem most people seek positions to backup their preferences...the spirit of our age is 2 Tim 4.

I, for one, though often a practitioner of the "rant", find that the bible does not speak well of those who do not utilize wisdom, discernment, grace, or truth within their speaking. I'm not trying to come down hard on Mr. Fitch here, but it seems that there have been a rash of graceless, extremist rants on Out of Ur that have nothing to do with wisdom.

(This is not directed at Mr. Fitch specifically, but rather to those who speak in this age.) Are we allowed to say that that words were sinfully or foolishly spoken? Do we always have to assume that they deserve a chance to speak? Some people converse wisely...others chatter foolishly. I find it highly hurtful to continue listening to the knowledgeless fools because we want to include everyone in the "conversation".

As for me, I find these one-sided rants tiresome. They remind me of typical academia where the only way to establish yourself as an expert is to present a "novel" view. No one gives a rip whether or not the view is true. It just has to inflame and cause a stir.

I couldn't help thinking that there was a lot of truth to the post, but I agree with the cases made for oversimplification and the straw man argument. It seems that it would be very easy for any pastor of a small church to agree instantly with Fitch, but Yay! for those of you who think clearly despite your position of small church pastor!

My experience has been that growing a small church (of 35 to 100+ in my case) was hard but what is even harder is to grow a body of believers from 10 to 100 and leaving that ministry in such good health that it is at least 100 + ten years later.

Sorry, I failed and many of my brothers and sisters have as well.

The "success" of all our "missional churches" will not be seen by this generation only the next.

How about the medium-sized church? I'm a worship pastor in a church of roughly 300. We have two services, and the smaller service is definitely more difficult to lead, preach to, etc. than the larger service.

But it's the Body of Christ. Whatever the size of a church, if it's effectively being the organic Body of Christ, then the size isn't important. If it becomes an organization whose primary function is self-preservation or self-glorification, it's on the wrong track.

My bet is that Fitch's response comes from hearing too many discouraged small church pastors say to him (as they have said to me), "I have read Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels, The Seven Practices of Effective Ministry by Andy Stanley and The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren. I have tried to implement all of that stuff. But for some reason my church is still under 200 in attendance. I guess I am a lousy pastor."

Fitch says, "No! You are probably doing fine. There are reasons why it is tough. This is work worth doing. Read more Eugene Peterson. Hang in there."

I like Fitch's piece as a response to small church pastors who feel lousy about themselves.

Most megachurch pastors I know would agree with most of what Fitch says. They would just say, "I agree with what Fitch says. But we need megachurch pastors who fight the consumer mindset. We are trying to do that."

I liked the article! My husband pastors a "small" church (125 - 175) we don't keep that close a count each Sunday.
I love the intimacy and friendships that develop in a small church.
People can hide in a large church, and get away with not serving in some capacity - (well, they can in a small one too), but I love the size of our church. It's a "hotter" environment - in the sense that people notice you more. (Were you there this week or not?) and the accountability factor goes up a lot in a smaller setting.

I've had the privilege of shepherding a house church, a small rural church, and a large urban church. To say one is easier or harder seems rather simplistic. To rant about it seems fruitless, perhaps even immature. I wonder if it's possible that God, in His immense patience with us, and mercy towards us, manages to use each wineskin, in spite of each one's limitations. Even large churches are able to serve their communities, do the hard work of truth telling and reconciliation, and lead people to Christ. Let's stop throwing rocks at each other please.

I think that in principal the post is right on. But, I don't think the difference lies in size, but in direction. A small church can be just as attractional, entertainment and numbers centered as the mega church. Indeed, when one considers that seminaries have been on the church growth fad for the past 20 years, it is hard not to have that mega-church marketing mentality ingrained into most leaders.

The difference--and the challenge--is whether or not a pastor of a small or a mega church chooses to be growth oriented or missionally oriented. If it's growth, there are a myriad of examples and how-to's out there to model your church after. But a true missional church is a tremendous challenge, a big step in faith, and a sure-fire way to split a church. To be successful missionally, especially if you are attempting to turn an attractional church into a missional one, is not for the faint-hearted or those without strong negotiating skills, nor for those who lack vision, and most definitely not for those for whom compassion and mercy are not among their most defining attributes. Such a pastor most assuredly has it tougher than your average attractional small, medium or mega-church rock star.

Wonderful article. I have pastored both kinds of churches...the smaller organic one I pastor now (www.3dff.com) is harder, and the rewards deeper.

When i read Jesus (John 10) talking about shhep knowing the shepherd/voice and vice versa...this feels more like that.

Because the large church I pastored is in the same town, I run into people all the time who say "Pastor Dave, your sermons chamged my life." But we both know we have never officially met..yet if I were to say "Tell me your name..." it would feel too insulting. I wrote a bit more on this
here.

Thanks for publishing this.

I once went to a mega church. Upon arrival in the parking lot there was a vistors center where we were poeasantly greeted and registered and then walked what seemed to be amile to the front door where we were greeted by name again. I thought that odd sincee the person who geeted me had never seen me before. I finally figured out the walkie talkies the greeters sere wearing made this possible.
As a small church pastor I enjoy my congreagtion. However just looking at the schedule most big churches keep makes me tired. Oh by the way my 25 yrs experience as asmall church pastor makes me an expert doesnt it.

In my perch at a denominational headquarters, I see lots of the big church vs. small church dynamics. Not all big churches are alike, and not all small churches are alike. Among the big churches, you'll find some arrogance and condecension--but not always. And among the small churches you find plenty of pettiness. At the district level, I've seen good initiatives from large churches get voted down by the smaller churches, who normally have (collectively) a lot more delegates, and often I have to conclude that it's just spite--putting it to "the man" (the big church).

Me? I attended our second-largest church for nine years, but left to "restart" a small urban congregation. We have 100 people. That's where I belong. I went unused in the large church, and needed to get my hands dirty in ministry. We're doing good ministry. But do you want to compare conversions and baptisms? The large church (like the other large churches in our denomination) is way ahead of us (and it's not just a proportional thing).

Churches of all sizes have good things and bad things about them. Which is harder? That particular question strikes me as silly.

I've been a Salvation Army officer for 22 years and have had 5 appoints where we have averaged 20-50 on a Sunday morning.

It is very difficult work and can be very rewarding when someone begin's to understand the changes that Jesus can make in a person's life.

I'm glad there are folks out there that understand how tough small church ministry can be

David - some great thoughts here, but frankly, its all difficult! I currently pastor a church of 200 and prior to here I was on staff of a church of 8000+. Both ministries are/were incredibly rewarding and difficult and God absolutely uses both systems to draw people into God's Kingdom. Some of your points struck a chord with me - I'm a better preacher now, but my smaller congregation responds less. The venue and atmosphere of the megachurch simply created that. My ministry now is tough because of the needed multiple hats. (I miss my 1.5 secretaries and huge volunteer staff!) I love the organic nature of my current role and seeing particular people connect with God. I also have great respect for my previous senior Pastor and never once envied his role. He dealt with daily huge, unending pressure and critical issues always at his door. We have quite different ways and means, and I prefer my current place, but I see no need to show my obvious preference by generalizing and dismissing the other way. More difficult? Who could possibly judge? Not you or I.

I agree with what Pastor Fitch writes about the difficulty of pastoring a "small" church. But I disagree with his premise that the job of the small church pastor is more difficult than the "mega" church pastor.
As the pastor of a small church I am convinced that we have a better chance to "get it right" than any of the mega churches.
I know that my church will never thrive because of our ability to cater to Christian consumerism. We can't afford it.
We will never thrive because of any sort of social dynamics. There aren't enough of us.
And we certainly will never thrive because of the strength of my personality or my talent as a preacher.
We will only thrive as result of the power of God at work in us.

Steve Cuss

Great thoughts.

There is however another system than the two you refer to. Even 200 is huge and whole nother world compared to most of my friends and i whose congregtraions are under 70..and if its a church plant, that increases the difficulty a ton

The post is a response to the beating that small church pastors seem to take not from their congregations but from the church at large. Obviously one can not be a "success" if you serve a church under 100, or maybe even under 1000. Can't remember the last time I went to a seminar where the leader was from a small church. Among the first questions one gets of course is "how big is your church?" Telegraphs an evangelical attitude to small church pastors that may not be a biblical one.

Thanks for the post….”good stuff”. I have pastored 3 churches for a total of 30 years and each of them were small (under 80 people) when I first went to them. I soon discovered that the task of taking a small group of people to their next level of growth was a slow and difficult job. I longed for the days of having multiple staff members that shared a common goal and had the same heartbeat for ministry as I did, rather then take the effort to get a small group of volunteers to find enough time and extra energy to reach the community. I managed…but it wasn’t easy.

There were times when I wanted to kick myself over and over again for turning down that church of 1,400 that called me to be their pastor, yet I stayed where I was and preached, taught and modeled “disciple making” to my church of now 125. I’ll never forget the joy and rush I received as I open the Word to that large church that wanted me to come and be their pastor. The board and 4 other pastors called to encourage me while I considered my decision.

Finally I said, “No!” What was I thinking? The church I was pastoring at the time had 6 Mega Churches within 5 miles each way…yet it was growing. Maybe that’s what made me stay. Maybe it’s because I thought that God had called me to something harder then preaching to a multitude, having high-powered staff strategy meetings and collecting a big salary. (That’s not a slam on big churches, it’s simply what I turned down). But I think the bottom line is, I was right where God wanted me to be and he gave me a burden for caring for a smaller congregation.

Today after 33 years of ministry, I now consult and work with pastors and small churches all over the country. Why? Probably for the same reason I stayed at my last church for 16 years…to take it to the next level. I have discovered that there are thousands of pastors all over this nation that feel like they are sinking and watch their people run to the big show. I’m here to throw them a lifeline and give them hope, strategy and encouragement.

Wow-
It's amazing to me that some of the bloggers here are so rude. No wonder there is a lack of civility in our country. I didn't hear anything in the article against "mega churches." I will tell you as a Pastor of two small churches that he is right on target with my experience. I chose the smaller churches that needed revitalization after Pastoring a mega-church. In the end, I've decided that I don't like people. I do, however love persons, and I love it when God is able to make people into persons. I needed this article today because it was a difficult day.