|
TRAITS |
HOME CHURCH |
LARGE CHURCH |
|
Assumed lifestyle |
Communal |
Individual |
|
Care for the hurting |
Peers give correction and support |
Professionals apply therapy |
|
Church finances |
Sharing, meeting immediate needs |
Tithes and offering |
|
Communion |
Fellowship with God and the body |
Visual symbol in a church ceremony |
|
Corporate worship |
Informal, in homes |
Formal, in religious buildings |
|
Evangelism |
Natural, inviting friends and relatives |
Outreach, special events |
|
General purpose |
Get church into people’s homes |
Get people into the church buildings |
|
Growth pattern |
Groups reproduce themselves |
Add new members |
|
Imperative |
Go make disciples! |
Bring in new members! |
|
Legal status |
Usually private, sometimes secret |
Registered, complying with laws and regulations |
|
Love one another |
Practiced and experienced |
Preached as an ideal |
|
Main leaders |
Shepherding elders and deacons |
Priests, clergy, lecturers, board members |
|
Members’ attitude |
Secure in mutual support |
Anonymity, frequent insecurity |
|
Ministry goal |
Equip every believer to serve one another |
Manage church programs |
|
Ministry standard |
Effective service |
Excellent performance |
|
Missionaries |
Churches appoint members who go |
Missionary agencies recruit volunteers |
|
Motive and strategy |
Commands of Jesus, love for believers |
Guilt of inconsistent living, pride of tradition |
|
Outsiders’ reaction |
Relative comfort in homes of neighbors |
Relative discomfort in unnatural ceremonies |
|
Pastoral duties |
Compassionate care of a few |
Preach sermons, visit the sick, manage staff |
|
Reproduction |
Rapid as new believers come in |
Slow, due to expensive leaders, land and logistics |
|
Success measure |
New groups of growing disciples |
Number who attend and pay a tithe |
|
Teaching style |
Dynamic discussion |
Monologue sermons |
|
Type of group |
Small, intimate fellowships |
Big, impersonal meetings with a passive audience |
|
Use of the Bible |
Handbook for faith and practice |
Content, proof texts for preaching and teaching |
|
Workers’ salary |
Most are self-supporting |
Most require budgeted salaries |
Speak Your Mind