BENEFITS OF A SMALL CHURCH

Hi, I''m Matt.  My family and I are among the newest members of Salem United Methodist Church and absolutely love it.  We came to Salem from a larger church and I am often asked why I like it better.  Please allow me to explain...

STRONG SENSE OF FAMILY...

A small church is one where almost everyone knows each other an are genuinely glad to come together. Typically small churches serve a small, tight

knit community. I find that face to face interactions are much easier and that in a very short time I felt like part of a family. Even if I forgot someones name, I was able to remember their face. My children are also learning to relate to others besides their normal peer group and are benefiting strengths of other members of the church. 

I have attended much larger churches but felt that they were cold or impersonal.  I always felt like I was just another face in the crowd. I used to envy the others in the church hierarchy that seemed to be on the "inside".  That is just the opposite at Salem.  From the moment my family and I

walked into the church building we felt like were were among friends.  Eve

ryone welcomed us with open arms and welcoming smiles.  In a small church you just feel more love.  

Even the larger congregations recognize the value of small groups. That is why we find cell groups, prayer groups and area fellowship groups and support groups, etc. as part of the timetable for many big churches. Close fellowship with people who we know very well is of enormous value. Here we can share our hearts, our joys and our troubles, without the whole world knowing the intimate details of our lives. Here we find friends who understand us, who will keep confidences and will pray for us. It is just not possible for everyone in a large church to have that depth of intimacy with one another. But it is in a little church. And because of that closeness there is often a richness of shared life which is very special in a congregation with lesser numbers. Sometimes quality does win out over quantity.

GREATER OPPORTUNITY TO GROW...

Unlike a larger church which has many people to spare, a small church needs you.  The roles that need to be fulfilled in a small or large church are not that much different.  Roles such serving in public worship, Bible classes, decorating, etc need to be filled.  Whether in a large or small church, the numbers of teachers, preachers, song leaders, etc that are needed are about the same.  The difference is that the ratio of roles to members is usually much greater in small churches.  Small churches do not have a large pool of members to draw from, therefore there is a far greater chance to be involved in a small church.       

My personal experience has been amazing.  Within a few short months of joining the church my wife was voted in a secretary of the women's group and my oldest daughter was voted in as the vice president of the youth group.  I serve as a lay speaker, the president of the men's group, leader of the praise band, and as the chief electronic evangalist.  If you have a talent or an interst you can definaly persue it and expand it in a small church.  This is often very hard in a large church simply because there are so many others competing for positions.

YOU ARE MISSED...

Large churches are ... well ... large.  This makes it virtually impossible to keep track of who comes and who is missing.  It can take weeks, or even months, before they miss you.  In a small church you will receive phone calls from concerned friends and that Pastor if you miss a Sunday service.  If you are ill a pot of chicken soup will miraculously appear.  If you need help the entire church will lend a hand.  This feeling of being wanted and cared for really makes it easy to bond with a small church.