Being a Part of a Church in Louden County, VA

Choosing a Church in Louden County

Louden County is a unique place. We are one of the most populated counties in Virginia, and there is no shortage of churches just like there are no shortage of people. When it comes to choosing a church in a place like Aldie, Virginia or really any town in the area, you have have a few different choices: Old or New, Large or Small. If you are looking for a church, we have a few things that might help you make that decision.

Church Size

Benefits of a Large Church

Some people really like big churches. Big churches tend to have a lot of programming for a wide variety of ages and demographics. Also, some people like feeling a part of something “big.” Involvement in a large church provides both. Further, many times, large churches can afford to hire engaging speakers to teach on a regular basis and talented musicians to lead worship.

There is no question that there is a sense of energy and excitement in a lot of large churches, due to the large number of people and high production value every week.

Downsides of a Large Church

The downsides of a large church tend to come with the benefits. The larger size often means that you have to fit into the programming to find your place. If you don’t find a group that you fit into, you can easily get lost in the crowd. Admittedly, sometimes it is nice to hide in the back, hear some good music and teaching and go home, but that’s not church. If no one there knows you well enough to bear your burdens, speak into your life personally, and meet your needs while you do the same for others, then it may not be the church home for you.

Benefits of a Small Church

Small churches tend to be less program oriented and more familial. There may not be a program for your stage of life, but there is likely to be a person completely different than you who will joyfully treat you like family. Small churches tend to be connected by the teaching of the Word and fellowship of Christians, because there isn’t a lot of high production value or programming to attract people.

Downsides of a Small Church

The downsides of a small churches are that they tend to have less resources for programming and production value. Pastors in small churches don’t get to specialize in teaching or small groups. They are multi-purpose pastors that prep sermons, visit you in the hospital, counsel couples, and organize events. They are the “swiss army knives” of ministry.

Church Style

The “style” of church tends to refer to traditional or contemporary, but the reality is that church style has a lot more to it. A church could be multi-site, single-site, house church oriented, etc. They could have a variety of music styles, beliefs, etc. For the purposes of general consideration, we are going to compare contemporary and traditional. We just want to acknowledge that it is a lot more complicated than that.

Benefits of a Contemporary Church

Contemporary churches tend to be sensitive to what is happening culturally. They do sermons on hot topics and sing worship choruses that sound like top 40 radio hits. A lot of contemporary churches see visitors as guests. They make every part of the experience as comfortable and engaging as possible from the parking to the bathrooms to the security in the children’s ministry. Contemporary churches often are quick to post and respond on social media, and their websites tend to be pristine and updated.

Downsides of a Contemporary Church

Sometimes contemporary churches can become so focussed on your comfort that they neglect to teach important doctrine or follow-through on difficult aspects of ministry. Also, contemporary churches sometimes hire young and talented leaders over seasoned professionals. This can lead to programing that looks good but doesn’t always have depth.

Benefits of a Traditional Church

Traditional churches keep it old school. Recognizable hymns and classic three point sermons from the Bible are what you can usually expect. For some, this helps them feel connected to the faith ancient believers or just to their parents and grandparents faith. Also, you may find that traditional churches remain steady. They may not have an up to date website, but they tend to teach the Bible steadily. You may be surprised at what you learn and how much you grow in Christ. Also, traditional churches tend to have an older demographic that has a lot of wisdom (and good cooking) to share.

Downsides of a Traditional Church

Traditional churches can at times seem out of touch, because they don’t have their hand on the pulse of the culture. They also might not keep their website up to date (or even have a website). The buildings are likely to be older with dated decor, and they may not have a lot of younger people.

How Does This Relate to Louden County, VA?

Louden County is rich in churches. Often, the choice is between a large, contemporary church or a small , traditional church. We are bias, but at CrossPointe, we kind of have the best of both worlds. We are contemporary in style, but we keep our ministry simple. The music is contemporary and the teaching is engaging, but we also have a high value for God’s Word and for ministering to one another. Small groups are a key part of our ministry. We’d love to have you visit.

Also, if you want, check out our free download on how to choose a church!