Posted on 02/21/2006 2:17:28 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
THE head of the World Council of Churches has expressed concern about the spread of megachurches around the world, such as Hillsong in Sydney, saying they could lead to a Christianity that is "two miles long and one inch deep".
The WCC General Secretary Samuel Kobia said megachurches - huge Protestant churches with charismatic pastors, lively music and other services - mostly ran on a business model to make worshippers feel good and were shallow in their theology.
Megachurches, which pack in thousands for rousing Sunday worship services, are popular in suburbs in the United States. Most are evangelical or Pentecostal, with few or no ties to mainline churches such as the Lutherans or Episcopalians.
Mr Kobia said the megachurch movement, which is not represented in the mostly mainline Protestant or Orthodox World Council of Churches, broke down borders among denominations with a populist message.
"It has no depth, in most cases, theologically speaking, and has no appeal for any commitment," the Kenyan Methodist said at the WCC world assembly in this Brazilian city.
The megachurches simply wanted individuals to feel good about themselves, he said.
"It's a church being organised on corporate logic. That can be quite dangerous if we are not very careful, because this may become a Christianity which I describe as 'two miles long and one inch deep'."
Reverend Geoff Tunnicliffe, international director of the 400 million member World Evangelical Alliance, said at the assembly that "historical and deeply-felt issues" separated them from other branches of Christianity.
The largest US megachurches attract some 20,000 worshippers every Sunday. Abroad, megachurches have also sprouted up in Australia, South Korea, Britain, Canada, and other countries.
According to a report by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, there were 1210 US churches drawing more than 2000 worshipers, the official minimum for a megachurch. That was double the number in 2000.
The WCC groups nearly 350 Protestant and Orthodox churches that mostly broke away from the Roman Catholic Church in the Great Schism of 1054 or in the 16th century Reformation.
That's WorshipTainment!
Works for me!
THAT’S WORSHIPTAINMENT!®
You forgot about the Gulfstream jet, the Rolls Royce and the beach house in the Bahamas!
Never been to one...But if the WCCC is against them, I'm for 'em...
I have been to one -- and sorry to say, I feel the "two miles wide and one inch deep" comment is accurate. The theology often was shallow. I also felt that the megachurch's marketing strategy was to loot smaller churches of the same denomination rather than to enlarge the circle of believers.
I also indicated that my experience may not be typical -- so I am open to other views on the topic.
Funny you mention this. Just this evening I had a discussion with 'the band director' about these sorts of things.
He belongs to a rather large Southern Baptist Church. I think technically it could be considered a mega church as it seats 4000. Stadium Seating. The ministers at that church do not stray far from the Bible. Ever. I have heard two of the ministers from this SB chuch. While I disagree with their interpretation of the Wedding at Canna, they don't add all of the self-help, health and wealth, name it and claim it theology.
Anyway, TBD has had the opportunity to watch Joel. TBD remarked that Joel sold "feel good sinless theology" and little actual gospel. That is what makes so many mega churches so successful. Joel's wife hurt his image in the Houston area.
So is Vegas. But, WOW! What a show.
As a Catholic member of a Catholic "megachurch," I'm compelled to remind people that painting anything with a broad brush is likely to result in you being wrong about at least something.
My parish - a CATHOLIC parish - qualifes as a "megachurch." We have well in excess of 10,000 members and I read scripture to about 2800 people while serving as a lector during the 11:00 mass this past Sunday. Our theology is sound and we do have a honest priest who delivers Christ's message (we actually have two of them as well as two deacons).
Bigger doesn't always mean better, but it doesn't always mean "badder," either.
Well anyone would know about shallow theology it would be the WCC. I'm surprised to hear they have megachurches in Australia. BTW, I wonder if they sing Onward Christian Soldiers in that megachurch. LOL!
I missed the part in the Bible that set zoning and occupancy requirements for Christian churches.
"This Train don't carry no gamblers, no crapshooters, no (fornicating) midnight ramblers, this Train."
I grew up in a church that was WCC. I will never set foot in one again. There is no there, there.
Nothing about Jesus, and only those Gospel passages that allowed the tortuous justification of Marxism Lite.
Never. Never again.
I attend a Mega church now which is biblically based and uncompromising in its recognition of evil and its willingness to draw a line in the sand.
"As an Episcopalian, I think that's a terrible way to describe Sunday brunch after the service."
I agree, it is unkindly. Yet, may I inquire as to the accuracy of the statement?
I'm not a big denominationalist, and I have attended a megachurch (they had a terrific singles group...), however, in many churches (especially mainline) you will never really hear the Word, preached from the pulpit anyway. So it DOES matter where you attend church. Christianity is, and always has been, social, not JUST between you and God. (Though certainly a personal faith is vital as well)
I'm not really fond of mega-churches, and they can tend to be shallow...if they try to be all things to all people, and don't have a solid theological base, and the idiot liberal in the article is correct, many mega-churches are, by necessity, run on a business model.
Many non-denominational churches basically ignore streams of biblical interpretation through the centuries, and act as if they sprang fresh from the Bible... One Sunday an assistant may teach a Calvinist sermon, the next another preacher a Wesleyan--and the congregation doesn't know the difference. I'd rather it be revealed up-front what school of interpretation folks are coming from, and not have to guess from a non-denominational mega-church.
I also missed the part that you have to have IRS approval to be a church.
We have a 'mega' church in town and they are drawing in the people! A doctor, my daughter worked for, was invited to attend one of their 'get togethers'.
He said it lasted hours and they passed the money basket 5 times!! He thought he'd never get away, lol.
Not mention the mega soung system, custom made choir robes, the pipeless organ...blah, blah, blah.
It probably also has a certain timeless quality about it that the showplace megachurches don't. My parish also qualifies as a megachurch, even though the parish is over 100 years old. The church itself is beautiful and feels timeless. It's awe-inspiring - what a church should be. True crystal cathedral type mega churches are far more ephemeral.
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