Because feelings play such a large part in the small congregation there is more of a tendency for fighting. The small church operates as a family, and families fight. It is one of the characteristics of caring. When the fighting does not get out of hand, it provides glorious opportunities for growth, new understanding and strengthening of the community. Conflict shapes the story of the congregation.
Conflict is a reality in all parishes.
Many of these conflicts later become part of the congregations story. Sharing pain, sorrow, joy and triumph, all help to building the family of faith in the small parish. The large church tends to treat everyone equally. They deal in numbers. The small church knows we are not all equal but that each person is an individual with unique God given gifts.