Loading ...Worried About the Mega-Church Movement
This weekend I was sent a free copy of Outreach Magazine. This magazine use to impress me. The conferences looked incredibly interesting and helpful. The speakers looked so cool in their up-to-date hair cuts. The magazine was selling the dream of the mega-church. If you could grow a culturally relevant church, then you could be profiled in this cutting edge article. There was a time when this seemed to be the measurement of success for the minister. Grow a big church and God will be glorified. Today I disagree with this model completely. As I flipped through the magazine I did not see success but shallowness. In fact, it could be that the mega-church movement has hurt the church more than helped. It has brought into the mindset that Christians are consumers. If you have the best worship program, the best youth ministry, the best preacher, the best building, then you will attract the most people. Some even in the church buy into this methodology. Whatever happened to the questions of does this congregation need me? Does this congregation need more Bible class teachers? How can I contribute to this congregation? There is nothing wrong in attempting to have the best ministries, but there is something wrong with people in the church that are looking for congregations to serve them without them desiring to contribute in return. The size of a congregation does not make it more or less important in the eyes of God. It is the quality of the congregation that counts, not just the size of it.
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- Can You Be “Church Growth” and “Missional”
About The Author
Hi Matthew
I agree with your conclusions about what the church is to be like.
I think Outreach Mag helps with some things most of us are not too savvy about … how to get the word out. Ultimately we have to let people know who we are and what we’re doing. That’s BEST done by word of mouth … but it’s not all bad to cast the net out occasionally and see if you can catch someone you haven’t encountered.
Good thoughts.
I argee that we need to cast the net out as far as possible. I was using this magazine because it got me thinking about the mega-church movement. We have to be careful of marketing to needs to people, but I guess this is a way of getting them in the door, I just want to make sure that once we do, we must be growing these people to be servants and not consumers
I think that the mega-church movement is on it’s way to self-destruction. Willow Creek (the big daddy of mega-churches) recently admitted that they had found that their methods, while effective for getting rears into seats, were not effective for growing disciples.
Many churches are finding that the most attractive programs, the loudest worship, and the most photogenic preachers don’t necessarily = growth or effectiveness. Now they just need to admit it.
I think you are right, you can get people into the seats, but this not mean you can get people to grow into christlikeness. Great point.
Off the subject, but, Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Matt. And again, you continue to post great insights.
You have wisdom, beyond your years. Thanks for your good insights.
Thank you everyone. I look forward to the new year and new challenges ahead.
This is a great article. It is very tempting for preachers to get caught up in the “grow a church” agenda without ever growing the church. Could I have your permission to reprint this blog entry in our church bulletin?
Matthew said:
“…there is something wrong with people in the church that are looking for congregations to serve them without them desiring to contribute in return.”
This problem is rooted in a narcisistic (sp?) approach to Christianity which is quite common and not surprisingly, in a consumer oriented nation.
Rex
Ithaca Church of Christ
Ithaca, NY
Jonathan, certainly, and I am honored that you would. Thank you.
WOW! I am in agreement. I think this would be a great prayer for our church to concentrate on the quality not quantity. I Love it! Just like in your personal life of “keeping up with the jones’” The church should also not be trying to out do or have the newest or best! Thank you for reminding us of the true importance.