Popular People at church?

[Lamb]

In high school, there were the popular people. Has that spilled over into church where certain people are more popular than others?

 

[Albion]

In high school, there were the popular people. Has that spilled over into church where certain people are more popular than others?

You bet. However, I don't necessarily see this as a failing.

From my experience, the more popular people have been the more active and outgoing members of the congregation while the quieter and more reserved people are less "popular." This does not mean that the "popular" ones are therefore seen to be better people or more highly respected.

 

[tango]

I largely agree with Albion in that the people who are more involved and more outgoing are naturally more popular. The person who shows up for the Sunday service and leaves the moment the last amen is said can hardly be surprised at being less popular than the person who attends more events and stays after the service to chat with people.

It can be a problem if people who are more popular end up wielding disproportionate influence but even then it's natural that the people who are more popular because of being more involved are more likely to have a bit of influence because they are, well, more involved in stuff. Whether it becomes a problem or not depends on how they use the influence.

 

[Faith]

In high school, there were the popular people. Has that spilled over into church where certain people are more popular than others?

Yes.

 

[Faith]

You bet. However, I don't necessarily see this as a failing.

From my experience, the more popular people have been the more active and outgoing members of the congregation while the quieter and more reserved people are less "popular." This does not mean that the "popular" ones are therefore seen to be better people or more highly respected.

I agree with you 100%.