Trend tracker and author Faith Popcorn sees this decade dawning with a “frown on all things big.” The anti-big swing reflects a souring on big corporations and organizations.
We’ve detected evidence of this feeling toward churches as well. We heard it when we polled non-church-goers. They’re less interested in the Super Churches of yesterday. They say they’d more likely be drawn to a smaller faith community. That would go along with Faith Popcorn’s observation of a “desire to connect on a deeper level.”
This yearning helped shape our design for Lifetree Cafe. It’s a nationally licensed venue that seats no more than 50. People hear stories and converse with friends around small tables. They explore intriguing life issues–from a spiritual perspective. They’re connecting on a “deeper level” that could never happen in an auditorium filled with 500 or 5000 people.
In 2010, think small.
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January 14, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Sophia Winter
Thom, I am a member of a small church (roughly 65 to 70 families) and I truly love the ability to form real relationships with the people I worship God with. I also love Lifetree and the ability to connect with former “total strangers” on issues of relevance and meaning in our lives. I am grateful for those intimate opportunities in life to really connect, and I feel truly blessed to receive that experience both from my precious church and my Lifetree experiences.