MEGA churches

[McDLT]

In another thread the topic of mega churches was brought up and I'm curious to know what others think of them. Good, bad, indifferent? Is there Biblical references to support the mega church?

Thanks

 

[Paleoconservatarian]

I don't like them. I don't like not knowing who anyone is when I'm walking through the hallway at church. Plus, megachurches have a habit of being, well, watered-down.

 

[ebia]

Not my cup of tea, but if they work for others...

 

[ryanpw]

Really, mega churches are talked against in the bible, indirectly. Rather it says that when one gets to large to form a new one. But i suppose some people perfer to be in a big church where no one knows them...

 

[ebia]

Really, mega churches are talked against in the bible, indirectly. Rather it says that when one gets to large to form a new one.

Where?

 

[onajourney87]

I think it's a tough case to make from Scripture that mega-churches are wrong.

Though it is a very easy case to make from Scripture that at least 99% of the mega-churches out there have lost sight of Jesus.

Kyle

 

[indra_fanatic]

I don't like them. I don't like not knowing who anyone is when I'm walking through the hallway at church. Plus, megachurches have a habit of being, well, watered-down.

Amen, although you probably said it mildly. I'd say something like "they have a habit of saying whatever it takes to draw more people in".

 

[ebia]

That's a pretty big accusation to make.

 

[TheDag]

Mega churches can be good. They can do alot of things that smaller churches could never do. Of course the bigger the church the easier it is to hide if you don't want to be challenged. I personally could never go to a big church as I desire to try to know many people at my church. At the church I attend at the moment if everyone doesn't pitch in then nothing would be done as it is a small church plant so if your struggling then you know people are going to help you and follow up over the weeks ahead.

 

[butterfoot]

In another thread the topic of mega churches was brought up and I'm curious to know what others think of them. Good, bad, indifferent? Is there Biblical references to support the mega church?

Thanks

I don't think I would enjoy it much. I like the smaller churches that are just big enough to beable to have small activities but have a greater sense of community. I like the personal feeling of knowing the Pastor and Him knowing who I am and in knowing most of the congregation. I feel the personal touch is lost on big churches. Not saying that they can't get the job done but I wouldn't enjoy it.


-cw

 

[ChristianCenturion]

In another thread the topic of mega churches was brought up and I'm curious to know what others think of them. Good, bad, indifferent? Is there Biblical references to support the mega church?

Thanks

IMO - They are like people, they need to be considered on a case by case basis.
I don't know about what would be considered "mega" ( I was going to say =>1000, but that would be kilochurch wouldn't it? ), but I know that some of my favorite radio ministries are from very large churches and the sound doctrine teaching from those ministers has been very beneficial to my growth.

 

[meglovesyou98]

I personally dislike them greatly. I don't like it when you have to make an appointment and fill out forms just to meet with the pastor. I love small churches where you know everyone. AT mega-churches, there are more hypocrites and i don't like that. I also don't like having the video camera on the pastor. If you're not close enough to see him, you need to go to a smaller church. My church is perfect, it's like 150 people and we meet in a public high school, my high school! Mega churches are too large, hense the word Mega.

 

[bliz]

I don't like them. I don't like not knowing who anyone is when I'm walking through the hallway at church. Plus, megachurches have a habit of being, well, watered-down.

I think it's a tough case to make from Scripture that mega-churches are wrong.

Though it is a very easy case to make from Scripture that at least 99% of the mega-churches out there have lost sight of Jesus.
Kyle

Amen, although you probably said it mildly. I'd say something like "they have a habit of saying whatever it takes to draw more people in".

OK people - those are pretty harsh things to say about a church. Put up or shut up. On what basis can you say these things? Make your Scriptural case that mega-churches have lost sight of Jesus. Show me how teaching at mega churches is watered down - not at one of them, at the majority of them. Show me why you say that mega-churches say what itchy ears want to hear more than at small churches.

I do not belong to a mega church. I have attended a nearby one from time to time, and while I had heard all these claims, I found that they were quite unfounded at this particular church. The preaching and teaching were excellent and no punches were pulled and Jesus was front and center. Are there some mega-churches that are as you describe. Sure. But the majority?

Come on, boys and girls, make your case, or rephrase your attacks.

 

[McDLT]

I personally would like to see a little more scripture too, but I know I did ask for opinions too.

Is there anyone out there who attends a mega church? What size is it? What is the size of a mega church anyway?

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. I've attended what I think is a mega church (evening services only average attendance 1000) and have been a member at 3 small churches (150 members the highest).

 

[meglovesyou98]

I do to a mega church on Saturday nights. I go to Calvry and it's a loooot of people. There are so many people that they have directors like looking for empty seats in order to put people in it and that's just the Saturday 6pm service!

 

[AveMaria]

My church parish has about 3,000 members on the books, plus a fair amount of people who aren't members but do attend. On staff, we have between 4-6 priests at any given time.

Sundays, we have 5 Eucharistic services (7 am, 9 am, 9 am (not a typo, 2 different services at 9), 11 am, and 5 pm. Then, every other day, we have Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, plus a Eucharistic service. It's an amazing blessing to have the option of attending services daily, or of not having to wait a full week, if I'm sick on Sunday or have to work.

In my experience, our clergy do an amazing job of keeping track of the flock, and I've never felt like just a face in the crowd. They know who I am, what's going on in my life, my struggles, my hopes.

I don't personally feel comfortable in smaller churches - I enjoy the larger ones, and the greater variety of activities and ministries available.

And while I certainly cannot speak for many other churches, I can vouch that my church does not preach Christianity-lite! (I think, all too often, such a charge is leveled at larger churches as a way of dismissing them without actually examining them).

 

[wrldstrman]

Personally I like going to a smaller church every Sunday you have the opportunity to stand up and praise the Lord and give a testimony..also bible studys are more to my liking because everyone is part of the disscusion and can ask questions..Ive never been to a mega church so I dont know if they do these things

 

[knownbeforetime]

Personally, it would be too easy for me to hide in a mega-church. If I went to a mega-church, I would not feel any responsibility to help them. Whereas, a smaller church will not let me hide and I will have a responsibility to help their ministry bear fruit.

Being in a smaller church challenges you because if you stop coming, more people might stop coming and pretty soon that ministry could be dead.

 

[representative]

yeah, I could never go to one... I need fellowship... well I guess I would disagree with them then... fellowship is needed for a christian.... with out it, there is no body... its like walking down a new york sidewalk... you really don't care who is standing next to you....

they may even have a huge lack of love (just a theory though... never been to one)

 

[AveMaria]

Trust me, there's plenty of opportunity for fellowship and intimate bible study in a larger church!

Offhand, I'm not sure how many different bible studies or other forms of Christian formation are offered weekly. Too many to count, really. And nearly every day of the week, which is a big bonus for me, as I work in health care and my schedule doesn't always permit me to attend Sunday morning or Wednesday evening.

There are also various age-specific fellowship groups (20-30 somethings, married 30-40 somethings, 50+, SAHMs, mens, womens, teens, childrens, knitters, writers, you name it!).

True, one could get lost, but only if they didn't make the effort to show up or sign up for something. Of course, I do realize that lots of people are more comfortable in smaller groups and churches, but please don't dismiss larger churches as less spiritual, watered down, or impersonal, because there are plenty that are anything but!