Question about "mega-churches"?

Question

A serious question.

Being a simple atheist from the northeast, I'm curious about these mega-churches (after re-watching the 30 Days episode - Christian/Atheist)

Are these mega-churches "regulated"? Meaning, is there an oversight committee that make sure that they aren't too close together? Do these churches form by consolidating smaller churches in the same area or do they build it and drive the other smaller "mom and pop" churches out of business?

Tealeaf - I'm using the business analogy becuase I think it fits my question.

Answer 1

I don't know, but they are disgusting perversions of the supposed message of "Jesus". There's one in every town, where all the rich white people go to socialize, and compare clothes.

We have a huge one here in my town, that looks like a pink version of the Emerald City in Wizard Of Oz. (Yes, it's pink). I lovingly refer to it as Six Flags Over Jesus.

Answer 2

There have been many studies of mega churches and in my opinion they are a mixed bag

Alot of strengths and also weaknesses
contemporary, attractive to gen X, bold programs
Some people mistake size for God working and "you cant count on numbers" as Gideon would tell you

sometimes on the light and fluffy side, where the bible calls us to depth and discipline, some church growth peoplle unwittingly dumb down sermons and trade away substance for fun... well intentioned...but no...not the right thing to do

yet, the board often do not express disagreement well and are driven by a strong figure who "built the church" and so they may be personality oriented

some people will get alot out of them for a while, they are good opportunities to serve but also good opportunities to hide and the sermans will not be disciplined exigetical and veer off into the shallow end without the people realizing because the drama and style may be very emotional

there are plusses and minuses ... it is not an all good or bad
I went to a mega wanna be and ow go to a church with about 100 and the sermans are terrific and I prefer where I am in the smaller church... but its not the size its the quality

Answer 3

I can't say for sure, but speaking as a christian and from church going experience,I don't know if mega churches are regulated, but i doubt it. Churches usually grow because people attend with their families, sometimes first and second generation families. Community churches grow because The church is the positivity in the community. The community grow, the church grow. The mom and pop churches you made reference to are some of the mega churches, its how the church got started.for the record the church is a representation of Jesus.The representation of what is good. So the mom and pop churches are not being driven out of business, They couldn't contain all its children so the church expanded....In some cases mega expanded.

Answer 4

Some mega-churches are part of organized denominations, i.e. Baptists, Lutherans, etc. Others are non-denominational and may be part of a larger organization or not. They follow the rules and policies mandated by their respective leadership, but no, there is no regulation of how far they can be spaced. Usually mega-churches grow from smaller churches. They are not planned as mega-churches or consolidation of a few churches. I haven't seen where they drive smaller churches to close. People tend to be loyal to their home church. Even with the mega-churches, there's still plenty of smaller churches with ample members. There are benefits to being in a mega-church as well as benefits to being in a smaller church. Different people have different needs and preferences.

A church of any size can teach falsehoods and not adhere to God's word. Mega-churches don't have the patent on that. My biggest issue with mega-churches is that I think you lose the closeness of a smaller church. How does a pastor know his flock if they number 10K or more? He has to depend on asst. pastors, deacons and ministers to minister to the needs of his people. I prefer a smaller church where I know my pastor and other members on a personal level.

Answer 5

As a christian, I see mega churches, and give a big sigh of sadness. I know that they do ministry outreach, and help all age groups. I mostly mind if their are hungry people in the area, or worse in their church. What good is a multimillion dollar complex, if your congregation and community are starving?

I believe so much in street ministry, in small store front churches. When we start to get big, we need to reevaluate, and see what the community as a whole needs.

I don't know about the making sure where they are in relation to each other, they seem to be growing.

I do like the six flags over Jesus.... they do seem to be a theme park atmosphere when you get inside. I hope that they remember that Jesus does want us to have fun, and laugh as Christians. We as a whole I find, take ourselves much to seriously!

Answer 6

I can't speak for every religion, because I only follow the Bible. There is nobody "overseeing" this congregation except the elders here. If we grew larger and larger, nobody would have the right to tell us to stop.

On the other hand, most of these 'megachurches,' starting with Saddleback, have gotten so large because they ask people what they would like for entertainment instead of preaching the gospel to them. So thousands and tens of thousands of people come for entertainment and hear 'warm fuzzies,' and leave no better off than before they came.

If people come to hear rock bands and skits, they'll leave if a bigger place up the road has a better rock band and a better theater. I preach the gospel; the only thing that will pull people away is more truth, and that's not going to happen.

Answer 7

The catholic church was the first 'mega-church', this new round of mega-churches are just more of the same. Personal interpretation, and entertainment. I preach the Bible, I use the Bible in my daily life, and nowhere in it does it say that bigger is better. It says that where 2 or 3 are gathered together, that means that smaller is better.

Answer 8

there became a time while a Minister or Pastor might make component to understanding the contributors of his congregation in my view, might circulate to the sick and close-ins and continually be accessible for counselling or in hassle-free terms a communicate. In those days the Church became respected even by ability of folk who weren't non secular and church homes had a solid status interior the community. this remains the case in some church homes in some communities yet all too usually in recent times church homes have come to resemble agencies with the television evangelists premiere the way in gouging the gullible. As for Mega church homes, nicely, Billy Graham confirmed the way along with his huge crusades interior the 50`s & 6o`s to save human beings. Now with mega -church homes that's an unholy alliance of sho-biz, faith and huge corporation - i assume God is accustomed to what they do with the money they rake in yet I doubt no rely if plenty is going to efficient charitable applications - greater probable to construct and safeguard greater mega- church homes. they might utter the words of God however the spirit is lacking.

Answer 9

I don't care much for mega-churches. They tend to be too big to fulfill all the spiritual needs of the congregation. All churches should be ran by elders, or councils.

They offer several programs, and services-and that's good. BUT, someone can get lost in the crowd way too fast.

Peace be with you.

Answer 10

I think some of them offer "cell groups" for their members, smaller groups meeting in people's homes. But i bet a lot of pastors with smaller churches end up feeling bad and in comptetion with them.