Myths of the Megachurch
I have had a love-hate realtionship with large churches. We currently go to a 1,600 member church and love it. Growing up, my wife and I both attended small churches. I have always had a jaded opinion of any church larger than 200 or so, but my view has been changing over the last 5 or 6 years.
I think this article provides good news for those who are leery of large churches.
Here are a few of the positive things it talks about, I'll let you read the whole thing on the site it's hosted on.
The conclusions were based on an eight-month survey of 400 megachurches undertaken by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research — a research arm of the seminary — and the Leadership Network, a church growth consulting firm based in Dallas. The findings are based on answers supplied by the churches themselves.
The survey reveals that virtually all megachurches share common traits of a dynamic senior pastor, emphasis on conservative values, and building small groups to offset its size.
Among the megachurch myths that the study "debunks," Thumma said, are:
— All megachurches are nondenominational. Reality: Most are affiliated with a denomination.
— Megachurches water down theology. Reality: Most have high spiritual expectations.
— They are extensions of the Republican Party. Reality: The majority are not politically active.
The survey also says megachurches don't dwell on raising money, except when engaged in a building or capital campaign.
"We don't get up every Sunday and show a thermostat and say this is how much we raised," said the Rev. Michael Youssef, senior pastor of The Church of the Apostles. "Our focus is on worship. We don't know who gives what. We trust God. He's going to provide."
One of the results that most surprised Thumma, however, was the survey's findings on diversity. Most megachurches said they were serious about becoming more racially inclusive and 36 percent reported having a 20 percent or more minority presence in their congregation. Ten percent claimed to have no majority racial group.
Thumma said the size of megachurches may actually help build diversity.
HT, James....
I think this article provides good news for those who are leery of large churches.
Here are a few of the positive things it talks about, I'll let you read the whole thing on the site it's hosted on.
The conclusions were based on an eight-month survey of 400 megachurches undertaken by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research — a research arm of the seminary — and the Leadership Network, a church growth consulting firm based in Dallas. The findings are based on answers supplied by the churches themselves.
The survey reveals that virtually all megachurches share common traits of a dynamic senior pastor, emphasis on conservative values, and building small groups to offset its size.
Among the megachurch myths that the study "debunks," Thumma said, are:
— All megachurches are nondenominational. Reality: Most are affiliated with a denomination.
— Megachurches water down theology. Reality: Most have high spiritual expectations.
— They are extensions of the Republican Party. Reality: The majority are not politically active.
The survey also says megachurches don't dwell on raising money, except when engaged in a building or capital campaign.
"We don't get up every Sunday and show a thermostat and say this is how much we raised," said the Rev. Michael Youssef, senior pastor of The Church of the Apostles. "Our focus is on worship. We don't know who gives what. We trust God. He's going to provide."
One of the results that most surprised Thumma, however, was the survey's findings on diversity. Most megachurches said they were serious about becoming more racially inclusive and 36 percent reported having a 20 percent or more minority presence in their congregation. Ten percent claimed to have no majority racial group.
Thumma said the size of megachurches may actually help build diversity.
HT, James....
posted by Bobby's blog at 12:05 PM
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