Is there a mini-church for me in Houston?

July 11, 2009 9:04 PM

In need of recommendations for mini-churches in Houston, would prefer near Sugar Land but will look into anything.

I heard a while back about mini-churches and mega-churches. I'm not into mega-churches like Lakewood Church here in Houston due to the crowd and it not being personal but I'm also finding that I'm not into medium sized churches either, ones that boast of 100 to 200 people. I like to be in small groups of people no more than 20 to 50 people. Even smaller would be a plus.

It would be nice to be involved like I am with a small Bible study where we aren't talked to too much and instead can interact with the discussion. Other characteristics I would like would be a church that is informal, laid back, non-denominational and of course open to new visitors.

Is there any church like that in Houston even near Sugar Land? I'm hoping there is one here that could fit me better than the medium and near mega ones I've been to in the past few weeks.

Thank you.

posted by grablife365 to religion & philosophy (8 comments total)

what makes mini? I am not churchy, myself, but I have been taken as a visitor to this church and they seemed nice. You might count it is medium but it seem smallish to me.

It is near the medical center-university area and it didn't seem denominational - but, again, I'm not churchy and may have missed something.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 9:35 PM on July 11

First Christian Church is a Disciples of Christ church. The chalice gives it away. That's my denomination, and I'd say they are pretty liberal, but they are not non-demoninational. Disciples' main idea is that Protestants should look at what we have in common rather than focus on differences.

My experience with non-demominational churches is that they are usually pretty much fundamentalist and evangelical, with literal interpretation of Scripture as the exact words of God. If that's what you're looking for, Disciples of Christ is probably not for you. Disciples have no creed, none at all. The thinking in this denomination is liberal and accepting. In fact, the "accepting" part is a big draw for some of its members, as you will see many people who worshiped in other churches, got married, and then looked for a denomination that accepted both people and "allowed" both people to worship in the way they think is right.

"The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), while founded on American soil in the early 1800s, is uniquely equipped to live up to its identity that it is a "movement for wholeness in a fragmented world." The denomination was born in the 1800s, and continues to be influenced by its founding ideals of our unity in Christ with openness and diversity in practice and belief."
posted by Houstonian at 10:43 PM on July 11

On the other hand, if the reason you want a church that is not affiliated with any denomination is because you want a looser set of "rules," don't rule out Disciples.

For example, with this denomination, it does not matter if you are gay or straight. Divorced or married or single. Believe in transubstantiation or not. Sprinkle babies or adult immersion baptism (although you'll see more immersion). Believe music is ok during service, or not. And so on. Pretty open and accepting, because that's the whole point of this denomination: More loving, less judging.

(I'm sorry I'm starting to sound like a commercial here, but I realized that saying "it may not be for you" is a little rude and presumptuous!)
posted by Houstonian at 10:57 PM on July 11

I like to be in small groups of people no more than 20 to 50 people. Even smaller would be a plus.

I would like would be a church that is informal, laid back, non-denominational and of course open to new visitors.

Have you ever attended a mega-church regularly before? Because I think that would actually be the best way to get what you're looking for. My parents attend a nondenominational mega-church in Illinois and the church compensates for its large size by encouraging members to join small groups of about 10 people (for Bible study and socializing) and by organizing neighborhood-based "Table Groups" where several families, or about 10-20 people, get together once a month or so for dinner and a sort of mini church service on the scale you're looking for. There are also groups within the church that bring together people with particular interests (i.e., in the "car ministry" people with auto repair skills get together to work on cars for people who can't afford to get their car fixed at a regular mechanic). My understanding of mega-churches is that this is par for the course: the size of the total congregation generates resources and opportunities a small church couldn't, and the small group programs and specialized ministries address the potential alienation individuals might feel attending huge, anonymous church services.

I'm not a church-goer myself, and I don't know churches in Houston, but since you point to the impersonal side of mega-churches as a problem, I wanted to be sure you were aware of the small group programs they're likely to offer.
posted by Meg_Murry at 8:43 AM on July 12

My brother just planted this church WordServe in Fulshear TX back in February, so it is still pretty small (maybe 60-80 regulars now). Technically it is Methodist but it is quite progressive and meets all your other criteria. They are very service-focused and also have a good plan for forming and using small groups as they grow. They really want to make people feel at home, but also not pressured. Check out their website - you can also listen to sermons online if you like and see if their take suits you.
posted by FuzzyVerde at 10:04 AM on July 12

I don't have an answer for you directly, however, I am a member of a LARGER church - not quite Mega in the grand scheme of things, but as one of 6000 attenders, it really is a Mega. Anyway, I constantly tell folks that it is surprisingly easy to find your place, Once you make the decision to get plugged in, with lots of opportunities to join a team, that serves during the weekends, or find a small group/home church meeting, and to get plugged in, you start making all kinds of connections. It really is fulfilling. You might re-evaluate some of the larger churches you've been to with regards to what types of these opportunities are available, frequently we have an "Exploring the Roadmaps" class (one hour or so on Sunday, free childcare, free lunch) just to give folks like you an chance to figure out how they fit into the larger "body".
posted by TuxHeDoh at 7:35 AM on July 13

Thanks for the suggestions guys.
I honestly do not want to be a part of a larger church at all.
I've visited and have been a member of churches of varying sizes, I know how they work, the resources they can have and I still prefer a small church with fewer than 50 members to start with though I wont put the links given out of mind before checking them out.
I know churches grow but joining a mega-church or even a medium sized church holds no interest for me whatsoever right now.
posted by grablife365 at 7:29 PM on July 13

Meant to post this a long time ago but a very nice small church is the Unitarian Universalists on Faninin. They have other congregations that may be closer to you.

Covenant Church on Caroline is a beautiful building. It's a Liberal Baptist congregation.

Ecclesia has small groups that meet all over town.

These are probably all very different groups. I've been to the UU on Fannin and really liked the open attitude there. The people were really nice. Sometimes I walk the labyrinth that's at the Covenant on Caroline. I've never been to a service but that place has a really nice feel to it. I really know nothing about Ecclesia. I think I remember a Houston Press article about their diverse congregation a while back.

Good luck!
posted by dog food sugar at 10:35 AM on August 17