New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has become a large church. While we rejoice over the way the Lord has blessed this congregation, some who are not familiar with a large church are intimidated by it. There is a misconception that a big church is cold and formal or will neglect its people and compromise its principles.

There are dangers that are unique to a large congregation, just as there are to a small one, but there are also many advantages about a big church that make it special.

The large church has been used of God to evangelize the lost, edify the saved, minister to those in need and be a conscience in the community. We invite you to join us as we seek to glorify God’s name in a big way.

 

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A large church is scriptural. The first church began with 3,000 members (Acts 2:41)! It grew every day until the number of men grew to about 5,000 (Acts 4:4). These people met in homes, but they also met together in the temple courts (Acts 2:46). Southeast Christian Church began with a group of 50 people who met for the first time in 1962, in an elementary school. Since then, the church has continued to grow every year. We believe that when the Lord’s hand is on His church, it will grow (Acts 11:21). That growth will vary according to the size of the community and the receptivity of the people, but the church was meant to be an expanding body.

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A large church can provide rich fellowship the first church began with 3,000 members and they continued in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship (Acts 2:42). They came to know and appreciate one another. In a large church, that fellowship is provided through many small group opportunities, such as women’s circles, sports teams, mini-vacations, Adult Bible Fellowships, and accountability groups.

A large church provides an excellent opportunity for evangelism. It is much easier to invite others to come to church with you if the church is large. There are many special services and quality programs that provide opportunities for Christian to invite friends and family members. Also, the unchurched are often more likely to attend since they do not feel threatened in a large group. Soon they begin to feel comfortable and the truths of the gospel sink in.

A large church provides many opportunities for service. Some people assume they are not needed in a larger body. That’s far from the truth. The large church has more opportunities to serve that in a small church because there are more positions to fill. For example, it takes nearly 2,000 volunteers to provide the best worship and study experience for our children’s department alone! Whatever God has gifted you to do, there will be an opportunity for your talents to be used in building up the Body of Christ.

A large church is inspirational. Most of us enjoy going to athletic contests when there is a “packed house.” There’s something about a large number of people that creates excitement and generates energy. Jesus said He wanted His house to be full (Luke 14:23). It’s inspirational to sing and share with thousands of Christians. It’s thrilling to hear a large choir or to enjoy an excellent drama.

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A large church has a positive influence. There is strength in numbers. One church of several thousand has an opportunity to witness to and influence in missions and world outreach. Our size enables us to provide meaningful support ministries to those who need special attention.

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A large church prepares us for heaven! In Revelation 7:9 (NIV), the Apostle John described his vision of heaven, “…I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne…wearing white robes…”