Researchers Launch Extensive Survey

[Keith]

Researchers Launch Extensive Survey on U.S. Mega Churches

A new study found there are at least 1,200 MegaChurches in the United States

[Keith]

What does everyone think of these MegaChurches?

To be honest, they concern me greatly. If you've ever been to any of them, have you seen how they can become little cities unto themselves? It's as if they are seperating themselves from the rest of the world.

If there is interest in this discussion, I will gladly continue. I'm sure they aren't all cause for concern, but I think many of them are. Big time.

[Qun Mang]

They are not all like that Keith. Even though my church has over 2000 attendees per week (the criteria listed to be a mega-church), not including children, it doesn't feel anything like a little city. I can say though with certainty that it delivers the truth in each message, calling us, as James would say, to be doers of the word rather than hearers only. It has its hands in ministries both inside and outside the church walls, including one that serves the local (mostly Hispanic) workers at the nearby racetrack and one that serves in jails, and it sponsors many missionaries as well. Students from Junior High on up, as well as adults, are encouraged to go on short-term mission trips.

This church is serving Christ, no worries there.

[Christ's Free Servant]

They are not all like that Keith.  Even though my church has over 2000 attendies per week (the criteria listed to be a mega-church), not including children, it doesn't feel anything like a little city.  I can say though with certainty that it delivers the truth in each message, calling us, as James would say, to be doers of the word rather than hearers only.  It has its hands in ministries both inside and outside the church walls, including one that serves the local (mostly Hispanic) workers at the nearby racetrack and one that serves in jails, and it sponsors many missionaries as well.  Students from Junior High on up, as well as adults, are encouraged to go on short-term mission trips.

This church is serving Christ, no worries there. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think it's like anything. There are good ones and bad ones. There is one here that has probably 2,000 to 3,000 people that really teaches the word and has lots of Bible studies. The people are not the most friendly in the world, but I think that happens with really big churches. It is a PCA church.

Then, we have two Baptist churches with about 1,000 to 1,500 each. I think they are more socially oriented though one of them had at least one really good Sunday School class. The messages from the pulpit are watered down and the focus seems to be a lot on "the show" but I'm sure they reach a lot of people.

This is not a very big town, maybe 87,000 people, and we have three mega churches and they are all on TV.

[Leonard]

I sort of feel like megachurches are to the Body of Christ what Orson Wells was to pole vaulting......

[Willow]

I will respond even though I live in Canada, since I go to a so called MegaChurch.

My church has about 3,500-5,000 people. We have so many services to appeal to different ages and types that it is hard to keep that accurate. Our pastor once talked about this, he was concerned that we were getting people from other churches.....there is nothing wrong being called to another church. God will do that. But his point was, how many churches are closing up because the congregation got up and went elsewhere? He doesn't want our nice church to woo others away from churches that may just need a fresh breath of the spirit there and they should be filling their pews to overflowing.

I would be interested to know the stats about how many have closed in light of all these Megachurches and their growth.

If you've ever been to any of them, have you seen how they can become little cities unto themselves? It's as if they are seperating themselves from the rest of the world.

I like my church. We are missions focused, community focused....and every now and then when we seem to be looking to much at our own lives and becoming like little cities unto themselves.....God sends us a reminder, or speaks to our pastor who addresses us.

But I hear what you are saying Keith - cause I have been in other Mega churches. And it is a concern. A large church is also not for everyone. Some people just aren't suited for that. Nor should everyone be. Church was meant for the gathering of believers.....do you know people who like small parties and not big ones with lots of people? Why should that be any different with church??

My main prayer is that with the big churches, is that their finances are being used responsibly. With that many people and all those who tithe, after the operating expenses, they could do an awful lot of good with what is left over. I hope that they are!

Blessings,

Willow