Rebecca Barnes has a interesting article on a study by the Leadership Network and the Hartford Institude for Religion Research. The “large church” phenomenon in North America is an easy target for religous anti-WalMart-esque commentary. Barnes notes that instead of bashing large churches we would do well to learn from what they might be doing right. I subscribe to the idea that we need all kinds of churches for all kinds of people in all kinds of places. So I am not suggesting that all churches must be mega; however, I do believe that studies like this counter the proclivity of outsiders to believe that anything BIG must be stained by compromise. It is interesting to note in the study that the trend is for megachurches to establish themselves in suburban areas. I would like to see a thoughtful article on the limits an urban setting creates on the mega-phenom. The eleven myths:
MYTH #1: All megachurches are alike.
REALITY: They differ in growth rates, size and emphasis.
MYTH #2: All megachurches are equally good at being big.
REALITY: Some clearly understand how to function as a large institution, but others flounder.
MYTH #3: There is an over-emphasis on money in the megachurches.
REALITY: The data disputes this.
MYTH #4: Megachurches exist for spectator worship and are not serious about Christianity.
REALITY: Megachurches generally have high spiritual expectations and serious orthodox beliefs.
MYTH #5: Megachurches are not deeply involved in social ministry.
REALITY: Considerable ministry is taking place at and through these churches.
MYTH #6: All megachurches are pawns of or powerbrokers to George Bush and the Republican Party.
REALITY: The vast majority of megachurches are not politically active.
MYTH #7: All megachurches have huge sanctuaries and enormous campuses.
REALITY: Megachurches make widespread use of multiple worship services over several days, multiple venues, and even multiple campuses.
MYTH #8: All megachurches are nondenominational.
REALITY: The vast majority belong to some denomination.
MYTH #9: All megachurches are homogeneous congregations with little diversity.
REALITY: A large and growing number are multi-ethnic and intentionally so.
MYTH #10: Megachurches grow primarily because of great programming.
REALITY: Megachurches grow because excited attendees tell their friends.
MYTH #11: The megachurch phenomenon is on the decline.
REALITY: The data suggests that many more megachurches are on the way.
Read the article from the Leadership Network here. You can download the whole study from leadnet at the same site by supplying some info and agreeing to answer a survey.
