Mega churches - what do you think?

[Faith.Man]

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.

I am not necessarily disagreeing with you, but I left a mega-church who forsake the Gospel message for a "Name It and Claim It" message, then incorporated New Age methodology for achieving it. They were driven more by the need for money to sustain their growth, and the Gospel message drifted off-track because of this more often than not.

 

[MamaZ]

I am not against large assemblies IF they preach the word and have the fruits of the Spirit.

 

[LST 1154]

I live in a small midwestern town of about 10,000 and we have over 1000 members in our church. This particular church in our denomination is about 50 years old. While this may not be mega to most it ain't too shabby! PTL.

LST

 

[marklbernard]

I would begin by defining for yourself exactly what is the "church", how do you define it? Then once you have wrestled with that, take your (biblical) definition of the church and apply it to this church. Beginning with an understanding that in the eye of scripture the essence of the meaning of Church is "Community". Then how did that community exist in Scripture and how where they commanded to exist together ???????

 

[blessedmomof5]

I actually see nothing wrong at all with mega churches, Didn't jesus say to go out and Preach the Gospel to everyone? well they look like they might have a large following because they are doing what the Lord commanded.
they have Bible study classes, womens ministries, and so much for the youth of today to do that is within the community of Christ, NOT of this world.
so i see nothing wrong with a cafe, and a bowling alley and what ever they have for their flock, as long as it is not inside the House of Worship, but in building outside of it.
who can say their freinds and children do not just sunday worshippers? is that what God intended?
Maybe we should all Open our eyes and see that maybe this Church is growing for a reason.
i for 1 attend a church that is not of a Large size, but do i know everyone in it? No way. but we do go to peoples houses and study Gods word their also. as my children are also very involved with the youth ministry their.
and Yes today on Resurrection day we are at a large facility to gather up Gods Children so they can hear the mesage that the Lord has to give.
May Gods Blessing be upon you all as you go about this Resurrection Day and remember what He did for all of US ...Sinners.

 

[blessedmomof5]

Wow did i Just get sign from our Lord and savior?
as i sat here and watched the Christian channel and saw this teaching, at the end it said his name was Jack Graham, the same one of this church that is posted here the MEGA church, I thought he was right on the POINT....and he alaso discussed how it is not about US>>>>

Thank you Oh Lord, You are always Just in showing me the things that i need to see...Amen and all Glory to you Oh Lord

 

[WaltonM]

I like big and small and medium size churches. I am thankful for the variety. They all help the body of Christ grow.

 

[Lyndie]

I don't have an issue with big churches. The church I attend has about 400 members. They are more Godly people and the word is preached there much more than the two churches I attended previously that only had about 40 members, thos two were far from God. As far as involvement, that is my responsibility to seek out where I can be needed.

 

[Hismessenger]

Man's invention. Not of God

hismessenger

 

[dies-l]

I have always thought that if my church ever grows to 1000 members, either it should split at that point or I should. From what I have seen, when the local church exceeds about 1000 members, it generally ceases to function well as the local church.

As for serving food and having things like bowling alleys, I don't necessarily see a problem as long as this is well thought out to meet the biblical goals of the church. For example, my church is building a "multi-purpose building", which is essentially a gymnasium/auditorium. The purpose is to provide a place for our growing youth and children's ministries to meet and to engage kids in activities that will meet them at their own level and to provide a safe place in the community for kids and adults to meet for various activities during the week. We live in a small town that has very little for kids and young adults to do, which often means that they find things to do that are immoral and/or illegal.

 

[Ryan Collins]

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 respectfully disagree with you on your first paragraph. Yes, the church gathers to worship God and learn more about him, but the other important and key aspect (equally important) is the communal and fellowship relations that occur with other believers. A food court allows Christians to gather together outside of worship and enjoy each other and fellowship, something that is so key to the faith yet so overshadowed. The Christian faith is not an individual faith. It was meant to be community oriented and shared...it is fellowship based faith.

As for mega churches, while I am not a fan, I see no problem as long as the needs of the congregation are being addressed in a timely manner. I do not like the celebrity status of Pastors the mega church has produced. Pastors should be available for their congregants instead of escaping out the back door so that they don't have to talk to anyone. Pastoring is much more than just preaching on a Saturday and Sunday. Sure, it must be dreadful talking to the crazy cat-lady on Sunday about eschatology or some forty-five minute prayer request week in and week out, but that is one part of the calling you are in. Mega churches can be good because of the resources they offer to communities and global outreach, but it's bad if there is a lack of community fellowship within the church (small groups, house groups, church plants, etc.) and if the Pastor is a distant celebrity only showing his face two days a week. Also, most mega churches compromise the Gospel and water down their messages into canned motivational speeches that make people feel good. Church is to worship, to learn, and to fellowship...not walk out feeling like you can obtain your destiny after being given a 5 step program to financial freedom. Haha.

 

[WandererOfTheWastes]

Having went to a megachurch (not that there's many churches here that you couild call "mega") for a few years I'd say the only real problem I have is there's a bit of a tendency to waste money on things that aren't really needed. Does the cafe area really need to be so lavishly furnished? Does the PA system really need to be that top of the line (the sounddesk was absolutely crazy at one of them)? Obviously smaller churches spend money on completely pointless things too, but Megachurches seem to be rather bad at it. They could certainly spend more money on better things, whether it's hometown outreach, helping the homeless, aid, missions etc etc.

Things like a bowling alley aren't the sort of thing I'd want in a church, but when it's all said and done, if it's an effective witnessing tool, and assuming they weren't spending an extravagant amount of money on it then I don't see what's wrong with it.

Finally, the whole super-structured service these sort of churches have annoys me to no end. But again, that's a big church for you, and some people appreciate that sort of thing.

 

[MamaZ]

Why do people call what is in the house of God pointless? Pointless is who's eyes may I ask?

 

[WandererOfTheWastes]

The church isn't a building, and pastors aren't infallible. Our religion has a long and proud history of spending money on things that are completely pointless.

 

[MamaZ]

The church isn't a building, and pastors aren't infallible. Our religion has a long and proud history of spending money on things that are completely pointless.

Pointless maybe in the eyes of man. But God can even use a donkey to get His word across to those who need to hear..

 

[WandererOfTheWastes]

sure god can use anything, but I'm sure he'd prefer us buying some sort of witnessing tool as opposed to, say, upgrading the already quite good coffee machine in the cafe. Or the pastor buying a brand new BMW. Or the church making a movie about the horrors of secular music. so on and so forth. Not every purchase at a church is automatically a useful, god-ordained thing, that much is obvious.

 

[dies-l]

God needs a bowling alley in his house. How else is He going to make thunder?

(Sorry, I couldn't resist; this thread just reminded me of the days when I was a kid and thought that thunderstorms were bowling matches in heaven).

 

[MamaZ]

sure god can use anything, but I'm sure he'd prefer us buying some sort of witnessing tool as opposed to, say, upgrading the already quite good coffee machine in the cafe. Or the pastor buying a brand new BMW. Or the church making a movie about the horrors of secular music. so on and so forth. Not every purchase at a church is automatically a useful, god-ordained thing, that much is obvious.

I don't see anything wrong with the coffee machine. nor the movie. The BMW I really cannot judge for he will have to answer to God for his works. I guess if God wants a pastor using His BMW I don't have a prob with it.

 

[MamaZ]

I do not look at the things that are seen. LOL. They are here and gone tomorrow. But His word is what will never pass away. This is what I look for in a body of believers whether mega or dinky

 

[Echetus]

Glory is a good thing. Mega Churches are a good step for the Kingdom.