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As I write this post I'm so homesick for my own church, that my eyes are full of tears that refuse to overflow. The church we visited yesterday was a medium size church where the pastor sang while he played the piano during worship, gave the announcements and then taught the message. When the message was over he sat back down at the piano and let 3 more songs to conclude the service. His wife was working in one of the children's classes. They started the church 24 years ago and were enduring through the trials Covid 19 and state restrictions brought this year. They were full of joy, had servants hearts and loved every human that walked through their doors. Even though it wasn't a small church, they noticed us walk in and introduced themselves with smiling eyes. 

Our home church would be considered a large church with it's 3 weekend services and 11 pastors. It's the only church I've really ever served the Lord in so you couldn't really even tell me going to a large church has it's drawbacks. Home is home. Though I have been able to see the benefits of a small church as we have traveled and using my imagination of what I dream to be true, my home church has my heart, as many large churches could. Let me tell you why you should be thankful if you go to a large church. 

7 Reasons to be Thankful for your Large Church

1. Many opportunities to serve:

When there are a whole slew of ministries there are so many opportunities to serve. There is always a need and finding your place can come quickly and without effort. As an added bonus if the first place you are serving is a terrible fit for you, there are likely other opportunities to find your place. When I first gave my life over to the Lord's leading I served on a women's decorating team for our large annual women's retreat. For 3 years, I did what was needed and what I was told and helped create beautiful things for women to enjoy. I hated it. I wasn't great at it, but I loved the women I served with and I grew leaps and bounds along side them meeting after meeting. One day, in the midst of a detailed conversation about centerpieces I broke into tears. I just had nothing to offer the conversation and really didn't care in the least what would decorate the dinner tables on our retreat weekend. Off to Jr. High ministry I skipped. I served there until I was married with a child of my own. There was a place for me. Even after children and throughout the different seasons of life and motherhood there was often a place to serve, even if it was only once a month or managing a ministry from home. 

2. Lots of service times to choose from:

Oh I do love a church that has a Saturday night service, especially when you just happen to be close to church at the right time and get to just pop in.  We are 1st service Sunday folk though normally. With children that wake up at the crack of dawn there is no reason to not just up and go to church and spend the rest of the day lounging around. But if you happen to miss Saturday night and 1st service on Sunday the large churches generally have a 2nd service too!! The family can always go straight to lunch and enjoy the rest of the afternoon. I will say 2nd service is tough to sit through when you are really hungry. 

3. Special events:

When you go to a large church that hosts special events, you get first word on tickets, have opportunities to serve and often get to meet people you wouldn't normally get to. It's a perk for sure!

4. Pastor specializations:

I mentioned my home church has 11 pastors. Our senior pastor teaches the Sunday services. There are other pastors who oversee other ministries as well. When you are blessed to be in a large church the jobs can be spread out a bit leaving more room for a family/marriage pastor to meet the needs of those struggling in their marriage. Of course youth pastors and administrative pastors are more common, but in really large churches there can be pastors who handle military, first responders, home fellowships and so on. It's a blessing for sure to have leadership enough to meet the needs of the many congregants. 

5.Financial resources:

Let's face it; more people, more money, generally. I know we all hate to talk about money, but it's how there is money for resources the people in the congregation use to hire more pastors, give more benevolence and offer up more programs. 

6.Ministries by interest:

There is a special blessing that comes when like minded believers get to do things they love together. You can often find softball teams, fishing group, sewing ministries and book clubs at larger churches which makes it easier to do life together. There are also many outreach opportunities with ministries like this. 

7.Ministries by age group or season of life:

This is seen as a benefit to most people who love their big church. It's a double edge sword really. Breaking off by age or season negates the biblical responsibility the older women have to teach the younger women and I hate that. That being noted though, there is a great blessing in Moms groups, youth groups and young adult ministries. 

Don't forget last's weeks post on the blessings of small churches. Where ever the Lord has called you to be, there are blessings to be seen. These posts are meant to stir up a love for where you are and give you hope if you have not quite found your home church yet. I will tell you with all truth, there are good, God-fearing men out there pastoring churches well, both large and small. 

 We travel the country and see the need for pastors and their families to have a place to individually rest, restore family relationships and revive their ministry visions. God has given men across the country great callings in their communities. We take them to lunch, send them on date nights and overnight mini retreats while we raise money to prepare a place for them to rest in Montana. Should you feel led to join us on this journey you can donate here. We long for the body of Christ 

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This post was written by Nickole Perry, co-founder and Director of Operations at Cedar Creek Ministries. 

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