Mega churches - what do you think?

[angelosKD]

I am a member now of a small congregation - bigger than most in America that have less than one hundred in worship on a Sunday, but certainly smaller than some very prominent congregations.

One new congregation has formed in our county and it has a bowling alley and food court andeverything - is it a church?

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Business/story?id=617341

 

[Outrider]

There is nothing intrinsically wrong with a congregation that has large numbers as long as the church can provide the oversight that is needed to the members. The current mega-church movement, however, is based on vindication by quantity of attendees, that is, the numbers justify the "spirituality" and divine acceptability of the work. This is sinful in that it suggests that merit can be achieved by human device.

As for bowling allies and food courts, they are not intrinsically evil so long as they are kept separate from the intention of the institution of Church which is to present to God the increase of what he has given to us in grace, otherwise known as worship... a God-centered act of service.

 

[chanterai]

I think it is unnecessary for a church to have a food court, let alone a bowling alley. When one goes to church, they aren't there to have their choice between McDonald's Sbarro's pizza; nor are they there to bowl. They're to worship the Lord, and that should be the focal point of any church.

As for large congregations, I don't see a problem with that. Whether a church has lots of people or not so many, as long as they're worshipping the Lord in a respectful, praiseful, manner. I go to a small church, but I've been to larger ones and enjoyed them just as much. =)

 

[Naomi4Christ]

I think a mega-church is fine as long as you have the systems of pastorates, cell groups, home groups to nurture individual's faith on a more intimate level.

Saying that, I think when you outgrow your space, you should be planting new congregations elsewhere.

 

[Celticflower]

There is a church in this area that is trying to be a mega-church. They have 4 different worship areas--praise and worship, a coffee house, a rock club and a country service, all at the same time. The lone pastor delivers one sermon which 3 of the groups view on a jumbotron screen.The idea turns me off to no end. I do not go to church to be entertained. I prefer going to church with my family, sitting with my family and worshipping with my family. I wouldn't want everybody going their own way every week (it is bad enough that my son is in jr church and my husband teaches kindergarten church every third month -- but at least we are in the same building!)

 

[edie19]

I am a member now of a small congregation - bigger than most in America that have less than one hundred in worship on a Sunday, but certainly smaller than some very prominent congregations.

One new congregation has formed in our county and it has a bowling alley and food court and everything - is it a church?

Depends on the mega-church.

If it has the marks of a true church (teaches the word, prayer, rightful administration of the sacraments, and yes - church discipline) then to a large degree I have no problem.

If one of its focuses is to be like the world in order to draw in attendees, then, yes, I have a major problem. I truly have little patience for the rock concert atmosphere with the light and smoke shows, the drama that takes the place of Biblical exposition, the often circus like atmosphere. Too much of it reminds me of the Israelites worshipping the golden calf. Along the same line, mega-churches tend to come with mega-buildings. Is it really in God's plan that we spend $10million plus on a building?

One aspect of a smaller congregation that, at least for me, is a deciding factor. I know for a fact that my pastor spends time on his knees every day praying for his church family - and he prays for them by name. I can't fathom the pastors of the mega-churches being able to do this.

There's several seeker-sensitive mega-churches in my area, one that regularly draws 6,000-7000 people per weekend. Earlier this year there was an article in the local paper about these churches, with a large focus on one in particular. A couple of things in the article struck me - the church has the ~7000 attendees but only 679 members. Who holds the other 6321 people accountable? Also referenced in the article was the statement that on the past Easter weekend 381 people signed cards stating they had accepted Christ as their savior. Who talked to those same 381 people, who follows up, who provides the nurturing and guidance that new Christians often need.

As an FYI - my daughter has been attending the above mentioned mega-church with her college friends. She describes their worship service as a "rock concert." That's a far cry from the apostles preaching the foolishness of the cross, Christ and Him crucified.

 

[Chadsly]

Look at the early church. You have a church at Phillipi for example. How big do you think that church? What they did was have we often consider "house churches", small groups that met in homes. There were several of these, but the church at Phillipi would all come together and worship. The church at Phillipi was a local church with (I'm sure, but no real numbers) thousands of Christians. So the "mega" part is not a problem as long there are several men to lead and disciple each of these "house churches".

While the idea of mega-church can make on a bit nervous, you can't say that in and of themselves they are not honoring to God. While I can't say it is wrong, I don't understand the need for restaraunts and bowling at a church. Then again, (I'm asking myself) why do we gyms at a church? It's used for outreach and fellowship.

 

[dignitized]

seems to me that Mega-churches are more about ego than ministry and care for the body of Christ. No man can properly minister to THOUSANDS. Any one else notice that these mega-churches also tend to have TV programs and 6+ figure incomes for the "pastors?"

 

[Harlan Norris]

I am a member now of a small congregation - bigger than most in America that have less than one hundred in worship on a Sunday, but certainly smaller than some very prominent congregations.

One new congregation has formed in our county and it has a bowling alley and food court andeverything - is it a church?

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Business/story?id=617341

It seems to me that the more creature comforts and pleasure activities a church offers. The more worldly it's doctrin. If a church caters to our fleshly desires, and not the spiritual need, it is in error.It is a business, not a church.

 

[yhshua]

Yahshua said, "the good shepherd knows his sheep by name." How can a mega church have any good shepherd that knows all his sheep by name?

As I study the feeding of the 5,000 it seems to be a type of the Church age, where the feeding of the 4,000 seems to model the milliemum reign of Christ on the earth. In the feeding of the 5,000 He Commands the people to sit by ranks in groups or congregations of 50's and 100's. When a congregation reaches 50 persons is it time to sit in rank or to pick Elders/Pastors (always 2 or more), and when a congregation reaches 100 members is it time to divide up into two congregations of 50 and multiply itself?

In Christ.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

The concept of a large gathering is biblical enough - it talks of large, medium and small gatherings.

It's reasonable to have 3 types of gatherings in the modern church: a celebration of many hundred where you can experience great worship and witness the majesty of God. This may be one church meeting every Sunday or several churches getting together a few times a year; a congregation, which would be no more than a few hundred, and where you can get a sense of being a church family, but with enough people to get a good sense of the body of Christ; then cell groups which are small, intimate gatherings of Christians. Some churches have pastorates - maybe a group of around 50 (which is more a small congregation) where they actually have clergy or a pastoral assistant as part of the group.

So, while mega churches are OK, it's important that they break their numbers into smaller groups.

 

[HumbleMan]

I currently attend a church where there are two service of maybe 500-600 each. The senior pastor preaches and oversees everything, and his door is always open. He makes a point to stand in the reception area after each sermon so that he can meet new members, talk to current ones, and just be available. There are about 6 associate pastors for different types of ministry (missions, pastoral, outreach, etc), and each of these are heavily involved in the general church, also. Then we have about ten different Sunday School classes, which emphasize fellowship and teaching.

The word is preached unashamedly. The pastor calls a sin a sin. And he also tells you how you can be cleansed of that sin.

I used to go to a small (100 on a Sunday morning) church, and I liked it, but I'm comfortable in this big church, also.

 

[holdon]

Luke 9:14 "for they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down in companies by fifties."

 

[A Brother In Christ]

mega churches are two easy to hide in the crowd and do nothing...aka spiritual gifts

hard to love brethren if you do not know them

 

[Davis]

I think it is unnecessary for a church to have a food court, let alone a bowling alley. When one goes to church, they aren't there to have their choice between McDonald's Sbarro's pizza; nor are they there to bowl. They're to worship the Lord, and that should be the focal point of any church.

As for large congregations, I don't see a problem with that. Whether a church has lots of people or not so many, as long as they're worshipping the Lord in a respectful, praiseful, manner. I go to a small church, but I've been to larger ones and enjoyed them just as much. =)

I agree 100%.
Rep points coming your way.

 

[sesom]

I feel that as long as the activities such as bowling, etc. are not available at the time of service then I see nothing wrong with it. If something will make church more desireable to people that are less likely to go- it may plant a seed in those people, when they start seeing the happiness of those that go for the service. For me, it was seeing the serenity on the faces of Christians, that made me want what they had- so I was attracted to becoming a Christian because I wanted the joy that I saw in others.

As far as churches that have multiple services that cater to different tastes, I think that is great too- as long as God is the focus and the service is scripturally sound. People have the free will given by God to worship as they see fit. Just because one person dont like a rock and roll themed service, doesnt mean they have the right to say no else can like it either. If the worship is of God, then it is no less praising then any other.

To dictate the kind of service other people go to, including your own family is selfish and does not serve the Lord. God wants us to enjoy worshipping Him, and when you and your family is at church- you are now amongst a bigger family, and there is no rule that says your household has to sit with you. The comment at least they are in the same building, it goes even deeper than that- at least they are attending a service period!

I can tell you that if I felt bound by the church that my grandmother would have me attend, worship for me would be very un-enjoyable. We dont glorify the Lord by just attending- we glorify the Lord by enjoying worshipping. First of all, I had to escape the Catholic church I was brought up in, because the Lord revealed to me through His Word, that I was in the wrong setting completely. If I had not escaped the clutches of Catholicism, I would not even BE worshipping God.

 

[A Brother In Christ]

.

It's reasonable to have 3 types of gatherings in the modern church: a celebration of many hundred where you can experience great worship and witness the majesty of God.

is this a soulish worship or a spiritual worship?

 

[Romanos]

Lotta great thoughts in this thread! I read the ABC News article, and it was quite interesting. The people really seem to like the mega concept. However I couldn't help but note the part featuring professor Randall Balmer:

"It is in many ways consumerism run amok." Balmer worries these mega-congregations are too isolated and emphasize consumerism over public service. "I worry about a congregation so enmeshed into say, for example, a suburban, white, middle-class mentality," he said. "I worry that the full gospel isn't being communicated to these people."

He has a valid point there. And while there may be nothing expressly wrong with extreme numbers and extravagant facilities, the central issue of the Gospel must be addressed just as in any other church. Can this be done effectively if a church is that focused on amenities and attendance? I don't know. I do know that certain people fall through the cracks at larger churches and don't get the pastoral care and accountability they need. And I know that larger churches do tend to have a program of "easy-believism", where not much striving toward holiness is required of members; it becomes more of a social club than a church.

I don't mean to be harsh, but this is my honest, real-life observation.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

is this a soulish worship or a spiritual worship?

 

[JC4Dude]

We have a couple churches near us with 1000+ members. In fact, one is probably 20,000+ and the other "only" 3-5000+. Both are able to bring people in, and provide MANY ministries which many other smaller churches cannot do. And yes, both sell coffee and bookstores and the like. No bowling alleys, though. But like someone said, if the bowling wasn't available during the service, then I see it as a good thing, getting people able to "center" on their church rather than something like a worldly mall. And I say, great for them to have something like that. Our church "only" has pingpong tables. Oh, and our pool table is now history.

Another poster said the purpose of church was to worship. And that is true to an extent. But we are also to be in community with one another. And so I see not only the "pulling power" of those bowling alleys and Starbucks kiosks, but also their "pulling together" power.

As to people falling through the cracks that is true to an extent also, but I know ones near us try VERY hard to get people plugged into one of more small groups or ministires. I think they fail at times, because it is hard to have "enough" people welcoming and inviting (or shoving) people into programs. And the other problem is that many people might go to the mega church in order to hide. I did that for a small time at a 1000+ church in our area. Initially we DID join a small topical Bible study held on site on Sundays, but when that was done, we all broke up and then it was hard finding something else which seemed exactly appealing. We also felt that was a "between churches" kinds of place (for us), so maybe that was "okay.".