Judy Long O'Neal, associate pastor for congregational care at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood has made adjustments since leaving Centenary United Methodist in North Lawrence.

United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood.

In a lot of ways, it was culture shock.

The Rev. Judy Long O’Neal had been working in various capacities at Centenary United Methodist Church in North Lawrence for 10 years. It’s a small church with a long history and members who are older and generally working-class.

Then, two years ago, she was appointed to a new church. It’s the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, the largest congregation of its denomination in the United States. Its members tend to be more wealthy, and the church is much younger, having been founded in 1990.

“The numbers allow for everything big – including worship,” O’Neal says of her new church. “It’s all on a grand scale. There’s anonymity if you want it, which doesn’t exist at Centenary.”

O’Neal, who was formally ordained by the United Methodist Church last month, has seen first-hand the benefits and drawbacks of both large and small congregations. Much of the difference, she says, depends on personal preference.

She’s lived around Lawrence for much of her life, and currently resides near Vinland. She uses an analogy with Lawrence bookstores to compare Centenary and Church of the Resurrection.

“It’s like the difference between Borders and The Raven,” O’Neal says. “We need both, because different people have different needs. But how much longer can The Raven maintain its niche?”

‘Time for a change’

O’Neal worked in music ministry at First United Methodist Church, 946 Vt., before she entered St. Paul’s School of Theology in 1992.

She was at Centenary as a student intern, associate pastor and full pastor at various times. She completed her master’s of theological studies in 1997 and her master’s of divinity in 2002.

By 2005, she says, she felt “it was time for a change” and requested another church appointment. The bishop sent her to Church of the Resurrection as one of 12 associate pastors there.

Specifically, she’s a pastor of congregational care, and is a contact for about 4,000 members whose last names begin with the letters “D” through “I.” She does counseling and performs weddings, baptisms and funerals, and she serves as worship leader and preaches occasionally.

Church of the Resurrection has about 14,000 members and expects 8,000 to attend its five services on any given weekend. Its sanctuary holds 3,200 people.

By contrast, Centenary has about 175 members and averages 50 to 80 for Sunday worship.

‘Incredible’ resources

Though the numbers may seem like the biggest contrast, O’Neal says the culture of the megachurch is what stands out for her.

She describes North Lawrence as the “poor little sister” of the larger city in many ways, including the fact it doesn’t have a grocery store or fire station. She notes the church was damaged in the massive 1951 flood and was a victim of arson in the 1960s.

“It’s a community of survivors,” she says. “It’s full of steadfastness, being there through generations and being on the margins.”

By contrast, Church of the Resurrection has the funds to supply many perks for members. Those include a rock-climbing wall for youths, a coffee shop in the main entrance and even a hot-air balloon rented for vacation Bible school.

Because of the size of the church, it also can offer a large number of volunteer opportunities and small groups for members. O’Neal, who helped found the interfaith group Martha and Mary’s Way in Lawrence – now WomanSpirit Connection – can pursue her own interests at Church of the Resurrection, which include new groups for environmentalism, interfaith dialogue and women in transition.

“The resources here are incredible,” she says. “There are so many things people can do both here and through this church.”

Church members, she says, volunteer by the thousands in Kansas City each day. And food-drive totals are measured in tons, not pounds.

The downside

Still, she says, there are disadvantages to a larger church.

She misses being involved in the lives of all members – most of her interactions now are with adults. And being an associate pastor limits her role.

“I miss having more of an impact on the direction of the church itself,” she says.

Personal connections matter, too. O’Neal says she used to see members of her congregation in Lawrence more; now, she rarely sees fellow Church of the Resurrection members outside church.

“If someone’s missing (at Centenary), they’re missed,” she says. “The disadvantage here is you can feel like you’re indispensable.”

Of the people

Despite the differences, O’Neal’s supervisor, the Rev. Karen Lampe, executive pastor of congregational care, says O’Neal made a fairly smooth transition from a tiny church to a large church.

“I think there was some mourning for a little bit, just because the Lawrence culture is so different than Overland Park or Leawood,” says Lampe, who, like O’Neal, attended Kansas University. “Being here is stretching – the culture is so demanding. There, she probably had less stress. This is very, very demanding.”

And Lampe – who also attended seminary with O’Neal – says both of them tend to fall on the more liberal side of the spectrum, while many members of Church of the Resurrection are fairly conservative.

“To fit here,” Lampe says, “you have to appeal to the demographic.”

Feeling of ‘energy’

Though it might not seem like a natural fit, O’Neal – who prides herself on “edgy” theology that explores other faith traditions – says she’s even happier at Church of the Resurrection than she thought she’d be.

Despite her duties of speaking with members who are going through difficult life situations such as divorces, domestic violence and the loss of loved ones, she remains hopeful. Her position also involves marriage counseling, and soon she’ll baptize 25 members at one Sunday afternoon service.

“I feel a spiritual energy,” she says. “There’s a lot going on here. I would say the same thing about Centenary, but it’s different.”