An interesting article on Megachurches and our reaction to them

[Roy Richardson]

I find it interesting that he keys on the jealousy aspect with megachurches. I know I have occasionally wanted what they have - specifically musicians. I've never assumed that because a church is large that they teach a watered-down gospel. That is awfully arrogant to think that small is right and large is wrong.

It's a good read though.

http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors...you.html?print

[Pete Vecchi]

Interesting article. As the pastor of a very small congregation, I can't say that I really have experienced anyone "making fun of" the large "mega churches." (By the way, what size does a church have to be in order to be considered a "mega Church"? Maybe I haven't heard them being made fun of because I really don't know of any churches in the general area that are actually big enough to be "mega churches".).

I have, however, heard of the criticisms of larger churches, and the jealousy that people have of those churches--even if the people don't recognize it.

The "mega churches" can often tend to be the ones populated by the more financially "well-to-do" people, and those people (or more often--those churches) can have the reputation of being "snobby." Ironically, I have found that the reputation often comes from those who are jealous of what the big churches have.

Perhaps it's some of the small churches that refuse to change their methods and "take a stand" that are really the snobs...

[Susan Unger]

There's a megachurch and some very large RCC and ELCA churches in my area. This article does not reflect my viewpoint. But I do know of some folks who come across with the mentality that since the megachurch down the road does _____________ this way, then we in our smaller church must do it too. That irritates me. Why don't we do something the way God wants us to do it?

[Pete Vecchi]

There's a megachurch and some very large RCC and ELCA churches in my area. This article does not reflect my viewpoint. But I do know of some folks who come across with the mentality that since the megachurch down the road does _____________ this way, then we in our smaller church must do it too. That irritates me. Why don't we do something the way God wants us to do it?

Each congregation is unique. Each congregation should strive to be the unique congregation God has designed and called it to be.

[Susan Unger]

Each congregation is unique. Each congregation should strive to be the unique congregation God has designed and called it to be.

Exactly! Everytime I hear "LCBC does it this way so we should too", it is as if there are a hundred finger nails scratching on a chalkboard.

[Sarah Smith]

We have a notable mega church in our 1/4 of our state.

And in the smaller towns--think far less than 10,000 pop.--we have many who see themselves as mega church wannabes, and who will tell you that their 150-200 make them "the local mega church."

Cool, no problem, except when you move to town, are searching for a church home, and are told leaving church your one visit there that they enjoyed your visit but you aren't in their target demographic due to ethnicity or age or education level or whatever, so they are very sure you will be happier "elsewhere."

And no, I wasn't out of the target demo every time. I wanted to drop through the floor at one church years ago, where I was member, when I heard my pastor tell a lovely couple that. They had come in just before service started, seemed nice/clean/well behaved/whatever. But thing was they were just slightly too old for our target demo, and their clothing was so average middle class they were probably not weathy/educated/cool enough.

I decided right then and there neither was I.

[Greg Farra]

We have a notable mega church in our 1/4 of our state.

And in the smaller towns--think far less than 10,000 pop.--we have many who see themselves as mega church wannabes, and who will tell you that their 150-200 make them "the local mega church."

Cool, no problem, except when you move to town, are searching for a church home, and are told leaving church your one visit there that they enjoyed your visit but you aren't in their target demographic due to ethnicity or age or education level or whatever, so they are very sure you will be happier "elsewhere."

And no, I wasn't out of the target demo every time. I wanted to drop through the floor at one church years ago, where I was member, when I heard my pastor tell a lovely couple that. They had come in just before service started, seemed nice/clean/well behaved/whatever. But thing was they were just slightly too old for our target demo, and their clothing was so average middle class they were probably not weathy/educated/cool enough.

I decided right then and there neither was I.

my jaw just dropped so far I hit the floor!

[Susan Unger]

We have a notable mega church in our 1/4 of our state.

And in the smaller towns--think far less than 10,000 pop.--we have many who see themselves as mega church wannabes, and who will tell you that their 150-200 make them "the local mega church."

Cool, no problem, except when you move to town, are searching for a church home, and are told leaving church your one visit there that they enjoyed your visit but you aren't in their target demographic due to ethnicity or age or education level or whatever, so they are very sure you will be happier "elsewhere."

And no, I wasn't out of the target demo every time. I wanted to drop through the floor at one church years ago, where I was member, when I heard my pastor tell a lovely couple that. They had come in just before service started, seemed nice/clean/well behaved/whatever. But thing was they were just slightly too old for our target demo, and their clothing was so average middle class they were probably not weathy/educated/cool enough.

I decided right then and there neither was I.

my jaw just dropped so far I hit the floor!

I have not personally encountered that statement, but from some that I have heard, this does not surprise me. AT ALL.

[Billy Cox]

I have not personally encountered that statement, but from some that I have heard, this does not surprise me. AT ALL.

The attitude is not surprising, but the fact that someone outside of the pastoral staff was allowed to hear it IS. People complain about the hypocrisy in churches, but then they complain when someone in authority doesn't protect people from the truth.

[Gina Stevenson]

my jaw just dropped so far I hit the floor!

Would you believe that at a particular church Danny's hair was apparently too long, and an older guy .... (yeah, was a Naz one)

Funny thing tho ... the "suggested" church was already on our "check it out" list and it is where we ended up. The old guy did know they did not mind hair (one of pastor's sons had even longer hair ) -- and probably knew where he was held definite prejudices -- but it was a rather surprising thing to happen, for sure!

During the time we were there, that same old guy (he was friendly in spite of this strange occurrence) visited our church several times.

[Jim Chabot]

Good article.

My mom attends a large baptist church in Florida. Not sure just how many attend, but it does seat 4000 and they have four services and sixteen pastors. It's a good church, the messages are usually spot on, the people are very friendly, they support missionaries, hold various bible studies and they reach out in various missional activities. They pretty much do everything that a good small church does, just on a larger scale.

The larger scale lets them do more, they have four seperate music genres represented with two traditional services, a country service and a rock service. They also hold a smaller contemporary service in the old sanctuary during the rock service. On the visitor card there is a place to have "dinner with a pastor". Dinners are arranged during the week in groups of 12 or so. They also have a midweek service where dinner is served before the message instead of music.

One thing that really stuck out with me is that they have four choirs and many opportunities for musicians and special music. Something that many smaller churches no longer offer because they want to look polished.

[Pete Vecchi]

One thing that really stuck out with me is that they have four choirs and many opportunities for musicians and special music. Something that many smaller churches no longer offer because they want to look polished.

I'd like to see if we might take this part of Jim's statement in another direction, so I'm going to start a new thread that take off from these two sentences from Jim.

[Roy Richardson]

one issue is defining mega church. we have 2 nearby COTN that are >1000 in attendance. I have sent people there because I know my tribe of 75 does not offer the services they need, especially for teens. I am taking my own daughter to another church because we haven't had a youth group per se, for 6 years. I've been here for almost 2 and am still looking for someone to lead a youth group. So I am grateful to have the larger churches nearby.

[Sarah Smith]

Let me add I was once blessed to be part of a little church of less than 200 in a town of nearly 5,000.

That church took off and grew like wildfire, ending up at over 2,000.

For the area, that is REALLY a mega church.

We did set a target demographic: everybody.

We did try to find out about folks, meet them where they were, lead them to Jesus, and provide meaningful worship in a variety of styles to meet their needs.

Quite a difference.

[Susan Unger]

Let me add I was once blessed to be part of a little church of less than 200 in a town of nearly 5,000.

That church took off and grew like wildfire, ending up at over 2,000.

For the area, that is REALLY a mega church.

We did set a target demographic: everybody.

We did try to find out about folks, meet them where they were, lead them to Jesus, and provide meaningful worship in a variety of styles to meet their needs.

Quite a difference.

Sounds like the best way to do things.