It isn't as popular as "The Purpose Driven Church," but it should be read by every church leader who is tempted to go the megachurch route, if for no other reason than to be conscious of the pitfalls.
Posted on 02/03/2006 4:49:33 PM PST by LouAvul
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A new survey on U.S. Protestant megachurches shows they are among the nation's fastest-growing faith groups, drawing younger people and families with contemporary programming and conservative values.
The number of megachurches, defined as having a weekly attendance of at least 2,000, has doubled in five years to 1,210. The megachurches have an estimated combined income of $7.2 billion and draw nearly 4.4 million people to weekly services, according to "Megachurches Today 2005."
The study, released Friday, based its findings on 406 surveys from megachurches. It was written by Leadership Network, a nonprofit church-growth consulting firm in Dallas, and the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, which did a similar survey in 2000.
Leadership Network's clients are large churches in the U.S. and Canada looking to grow or maintain growth with new ideas and methods. The Hartford Institute for Religion Research is part of the nondenominational Hartford Seminary in Connecticut.
"When you add up all that megachurches are doing from books to video to the networks of connection across the nation, you can't say this phenomena of more than 1,200 megachurches is anything but really one of the most influential factors of American religion at this point in time," said Scott Thumma, researcher for the study and sociology professor at Hartford Seminary.
The South has the most share with 49 percent, including Texas with 13 percent. California led the nation with 14 percent but is part of a declining western region with 25 percent, seven percentage points lower than five years ago.
While large churches have flourished throughout history, early records show that the U.S. had about six large churches in the early part of the 20th century. That number grew to 16 by 1960 and then in the 1970s, they began to proliferate and draw public attention.
(Excerpt) Read more at modbee.com ...
Many of the Megachurches do not apply Harvard Business Principles, but simply apply good management, or good stewardship.
Others succeed despite themselves.
You're trying to paint with too broad a brush. Megachurches are not at all from the same mold. Mine is very tight doctrine:
Beginning sentence from a sermon two weeks ago:
"The trouble with most marriages is..........the husband".
He asked the husbands to stand, which we did, and said "This sermon is for you. For some of you this is the last time we will see you here".
And then he laid into us.
I was under the impression that the church was to forgive people for their sins. If the pastor only laid into the husbands and provided no absolution, you're right, I wouldn't go back. Of course, I probably wouldn't have been there in the first place. Was there any Gospel?
It isn't as popular as "The Purpose Driven Church," but it should be read by every church leader who is tempted to go the megachurch route, if for no other reason than to be conscious of the pitfalls.
I agree. One of the biggest problems of contemporary churches today is that Jesus Christ has been relegated to the balcony -- it's nice to have Him around, and we'll all occasionally give Him a nod during the services, but He really isn't presented as having much to do with our current life situations, other than to give us a few principles for living life. The problems with most marriages is that....husbands and wives are trying to live a caraciture of "Christian marriage" in the power of their own flesh and sincerity. Unless I'm completely reading the New Testament in the wrong way, we are to live our lives by the power of the resurrection life of Christ who resides within us. A message that doesn't point the church to the power and resources of the indwelling life of Christ isn't a message of the gospel.
If you want sound expository Bible teaching, this is the place for you.
Pastor David Rosales is simply the finest teacher of the Bible this side of a conservative evangelical seminary. And that's what is offered, on Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday night. Systematic study of God's word. And nobody does it better.
The philosophy of the church is based on Ephesians 4:11-12. If you're looking to work out your problems, enhance your self-esteem, meed your future spouse, or any other touchy,feely, liberal, Dr. Feelgood agenda, STAY AWAY! This is not the place for you.
What this church does better than almost any other, is equip the believer for spiritual warfare. If you've been to Parris Island, SC or Fort Benning, GA you'll be able to relate. It is literally a boot camp for pastors. And it is predicated on the sobering realization that we're engaged in spiritual warfare, that the devil knows his time is short, that he is a defeated enemy, but can do a lot of damage on the way down.
The Grace of God lives in this church, and the power of His Spirit is poured out, the evidence of which is plain to see in the work of the Spirit in the believers who attend.
In addition, there are rigid standards of conduct, none of which are subject to negotiation. Adultery is not tolerated. Neither is divorce. So your marriage better be solid. If you're single, better plan on staying that way. You're there to serve God, not troll around for your next ex.
This church has changed my life. I went from being a nominal believer to someone who is genuinely committed to my faith. I struggle at times. And struggles are recognized as the inherent weakness of guilty man combined with satanic attacks to exploit those weakness. There is plenty of support among the body of Christ for believers so afflicted.
Pastor David has been powerfully annointed to teach God's Word. And it is evident in everything he does. Anyone who is serious about their faith is encouraged to attend. I'm sure it will mean as much to like-minded Christians -- not to mention those who hunger for God, but haven't found Him yet -- as it has for me.
Check it out, You'll never regret it.
It was all based upon The Gospel.
It was a job description for husbands taken from the Gospel.
Our pastor spends a great deal of time with the kids during the summer vacation and every year he comes back infuriated with the husbands.
The sermon was sobering and I hope many husbands renewed their committment to biblically based marriages. It made me sweat.
And by the way, your kids know what's going on in your marriage. Fairly accurately.
TTTC
If you are part of Dr. Ed Young's church--he is a fine man.
Ed Young is a great Pastor.
I have learned so much from him, it is hard to describe.
He left a mark during that sermon.
Thank you for the lead on that book.
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