This weekend Glen Eira Christian Community Church is looking at our history, our ethos, and possible futures. One of the dimensions of our life together is our understanding of ‘Who We Are’ as a family church: we’re almost a classical case.

(Of course, assuming that churches equate to models like Corner Store/Family churches, Franchise/Boutique churches, Megachurches etc. is over-simplistic, but let’s play with these paradigms for the sake of the exercise, eh?. I hope the columns make sense… )

MEGACHURCHES

Small Large

‘Give everyone a go’ Restrict public ministry to specialists

Important to know everyone Impossible – except in small groups

People want personal relationship with pastor People relate to pastoral associates/ other leaders

Technology/excellence not so important Technology (eg. data projectors) – the latest

Few resources Lots of resources (bookshop, tapes etc.)

Struggle to get ‘numbers’ to events (‘survival’ focus) Rarely embarrassed (‘mission’ focus)

Many visitors don’t return (‘needs not met’) More people come back (‘needs met’)

Each person has significance Sometimes individuals are disposable

Each person more ‘power’ Only leaders have real ‘power’

Pastor = ‘father’ of the family Senior pastor = CEO of institution

Pastors are relational/ may organize details Pastors are entrepreneurial/visionary, delegate

Key concern: keeping everyone together Key concern: incorporating visitors

Buildings – if not attractive that’s OK Buildings ‘preach’ so must be attractive

Often monocultural Multicultural

???? ????

Shalom!

Rowland Croucher