Small Churches Keep the Faith Despite Growth of Mega-Churches

Its a trend sweeping the country, even though church attendance is on the decline in the recent decade. You see it on Sundays, and if you live in an area of growth, most likely youre witnessing them spring up all around you. Theyre called mega-churches, and theyre growing bigger and bigger. "When people drive by and say why would they build this big church and go to that expense, we`d like them to think they might be doing it for me or my family," said Dr. Rex Horne with Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock. Mega-churches, like Immanuel Baptist, are considered grand houses of worship that draw in thousands on Sunday, and with their size comes additional resources. "They play video games, watch videos," said childrens ministry director, Donette Hill. But in an age when bigger may be better, some still opt for a smaller, more comfortable environment. Artherio Bonner was one such convert. "This has been the place that I found for me," said Bonner. Now a member of West Macedonia Baptist Church in Scott, Bonner left her big church in the city to find a sense of self among fewer peers. "The minute I walked through the door, I felt the small love that`s in a smaller church," said Bonner. "That`s what we`re trying to tell them that it`s not about the size of the building, but it`s how big your heart is," said pastors wife Gail Harper. With a membership of just 70, this 102 year old church feels little pressure to survive, knowing its youth will keep it strong for generations to come. Despite the growth in mega-churches, the overall percentage of Americans who get their religion in a big way is still smaller, compared to those who get it in a more traditional setting.