Is Bigger Better?

The English Standard Version of the Bible translates Revelation 6:14,  “The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up…”  The word translated “vanished” literally means “an extreme splitting apart,” which makes you realize that those who will witness this end-times event will certainly see something quite terrible and spectacular!

This Greek word, apochorizo, is used only one other place in the New Testament…in Acts 15:39.  That’s right, it’s the word used to describe the splitting up of Paul and Barnabas.  There was no subtlety or thoughtful suggestion that, “we should just agree to disagree.”  This was a complete splitting apart of two friends and ministry partners who had spent countless hours and numerous bonding experiences together.  In short order they “vanished” from each other’s sight and consciousness!

In hindsight we all know God’s purpose for this fissure was to multiply these two capable co-leaders into two powerful mission teams.  Yet, I have to wonder how many of us would have argued with them…”but you could be so much more effective if you would pool abilities and work together as a team of four, instead of two teams of two!”  In today’s world of mergers, mega shopping centers, and “too big to fail” institutions we’ve become conditioned that bigger means more resources, which certainly is best for everyone.

Are bigger churches better for everyone?  The truth is that bigger is better…for some.  Speaking universally bigger isn’t better and smaller isn’t better.  Bigger is different from smaller, and you could say that, “bigger is separated from smaller.”   In the beginning God created light and separated it from darkness.  He also separated waters above from those below, and land from water.  God separated all of the species and people from the animals, and men from women, as well as married couples were to separate from their families of origin.  Why?

Simply speaking, God separates to distinguish purposes.  You are unique/separated from every other person in this world.  This suggests purpose regardless of how significant or insignificant you believe your abilities to be.  The same can be said for every church that is led by Godly leadership and every church planter who has been called by God.  When Christians understand this it leads to a "team" attitude rather than one of competition.  We're all on the same team trying to win people to Christ and to teach them to follow Him.  Each person and each church regardless of size has a purpose to fulfill as a part of the "making disciples" team.