“We then who are strong ought to bear with…the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself….” (Romans 15:1-3)
Outside observers are often surprised to learn that in many cities after churches grow to a certain size, they cut off fellowship with all the other congregations in their area.
Pastors of those mega-churches pull away from the ministers of the small congregations in the same city, as though they now live in different worlds. They give the impression that they have been elevated to such a higher plane that the only ones who now speak their language lead churches of similar or greater size.
The truth, I sometimes suspect, is that they feel more comfortable with peers of similar status who also make the big bucks and do not feel guilty that their income is ten times that of the part-time preacher sitting next to them.
It’s utterly foolish, if you ask me. It’s prideful, egotistical, and completely counter-productive to the work of the Kingdom.
And it’s not just mega-churches. It’s not just the churches running 10,000 in their weekend services. As a rule, when the other churches in a county are small and the (ahem) First Church runs 800 or a thousand, the same holds true. The pastor and staff may as well be invisible or live on Mars regarding the other churches and their leaders in the area. Keep reading
Kites in tandem fly higher than a single kite.
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