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Has the Megachurch Lost Its Luster?
The Aquilla Report ^
| December 11, 2013
| Barton Gingerich
Posted on 12/11/2013 9:44:41 AM PST by Gamecock
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Barton Gingerich is an IRD Fellow. He graduated in 2011 from Patrick Henry College with a B.A. in History. He now attends Reformed Episcopal Seminary and serves as a Fellow at St. Marks Reformed Episcopal Church in Pennsylvania.
1
posted on
12/11/2013 9:44:42 AM PST
by
Gamecock
To: Gamecock
I never did like a church that got much larger than say 400 families, 150 or so regular attendees. Gets hard to know your church members.
To: markomalley; DocRock; del4hope; Alex Murphy; Gamecock; Dr. Eckleburg; jude24; Ottofire; fishtank; ..
YBPDLN Ping List Ping!
The YBPDLN Ping List is generally published infrequently, but based on the exploits of the megachurch pastors, posts can spike for a period of time. If you would like on or off of this list please FReepmail me.
Because 18,000 People Cant be wrong!
3
posted on
12/11/2013 9:46:36 AM PST
by
Gamecock
(There are not just two ways to respond to God but three: irreligion, religion, and the gospel. (TK))
To: Gamecock
4
posted on
12/11/2013 9:47:25 AM PST
by
Salvation
("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
To: Gamecock
...what will be the future ecclesiastical landscape? I think that the megachurch will be a fixture in religion for the foreseeable future. However, it definitely wont be hailed as the definitive way of the future in any sense. Some will continue to function as normal. In the larger scheme of things, some of these will act as feeders to other Christian congregations in the area, thus furthering Christs kingdom in a more roundabout way. I saw this firsthand in the DC area. Seekers, the curious, and nominal believers can come to enjoy a show, hear a sermon, remain unperturbed in the enormous crowds, and enjoy the energy and facilities of a megachurch. However, if these same people want depth, they will be referred to small groups. But, more often than not, hungry Christians will begin to attend smaller congregations with more robust, less open theologies and more engaged membership care. I honestly don't see this happening. What I see happening (and in fact is already happening) is mega-churches going into a multi-site model, i.e. turning into their own nondenominational denomination, wherein locations act as feeders into other locations.
5
posted on
12/11/2013 9:50:32 AM PST
by
Alex Murphy
("the defacto Leader of the FR Calvinist Protestant Brigades")
To: Gamecock
As a Catholic, looking in, the problem with with many of these megachurches is that they are basically non-denominational and family run affairs-—like the Hagees, the Osteens, Joyce Meyers, the Schullers. They may have great preachers, great followings, and great buildings. But what they don’t have is an enduring INSTITUTION. Once the great pastor retires or passes, the great megachurch tends to follow suit. Case in point: The Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. Now going to be converted into a Catholic Cathedral and the seat of the Catholic Orange County Diocese.
To: Gamecock
Are we allowed to talk about this, or is this supposed to “be behind the closed doors of a church,” where, I gather, nobody ever discusses anything?
To: Gamecock
The collapse started back in ‘99 and will continue in all religions.
A Church is a group of people, not a building.
8
posted on
12/11/2013 9:57:56 AM PST
by
Zathras
To: Trapped Behind Enemy Lines
Jesus People Church in Minneapolis used to be huge and did great work.
It collapsed into a black hole starting in ‘89 as costs of running it became the primary goal.
9
posted on
12/11/2013 10:02:35 AM PST
by
Zathras
To: Gamecock
Some people like megachurches, others like small churches. Simple as that.
The first church had 3,000 male members plus their families.
To: Gamecock
Mega-churches never held any luster for me. After becoming a Christian in 1994, I sought out small churches where the pastor would actually know who I am. Real Christian growth is best achieved in small groups.
11
posted on
12/11/2013 10:03:55 AM PST
by
Dr. Thorne
("How long, O Lord, holy and true?" - Rev. 6:10)
To: Gamecock
They were always a little light on the theology, this is how they attracted so many
12
posted on
12/11/2013 10:07:20 AM PST
by
GeronL
(Extra Large Cheesy Over-Stuffed Hobbit)
To: Gamecock
In the future, the 1990s and early 2000s may well be called the Megachurch Era by ecclesiastical historiansWhy? I don't think they ever came any where near a majority
13
posted on
12/11/2013 10:08:00 AM PST
by
GeronL
(Extra Large Cheesy Over-Stuffed Hobbit)
To: Gamecock
I’m thinking that the Church of Bong Hits For Jesus is going to become very popular in WA and CO.
14
posted on
12/11/2013 10:09:50 AM PST
by
Jack Hydrazine
(Pubbies = national collectivists; Dems = international collectivists; me = independent conservative)
To: Gamecock
Prestonwood Baptist in Dallas/Plano AKA "PrestonWorld" is so large it has 2 coffee shops
15
posted on
12/11/2013 10:10:31 AM PST
by
GeronL
(Extra Large Cheesy Over-Stuffed Hobbit)
To: Salvation
I never had a desire to attend a Megachurch with a pastor who only cared about how many people they could get to give them money!
16
posted on
12/11/2013 10:11:45 AM PST
by
Red_Devil 232
(VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
To: Alex Murphy
The near-mega-church we were going to decided to do this - they call it “church planting.” They have several sites. You watch the pastor on the TV screen if you don’t go to the main site. By the time it gets to that I feel like I may as well just watch TV at home.
We went to that church for a long time, but despite our efforts we could never get involved. Finally we left for a smaller church and immediately have gotten connected in.
To: Salvation
18
posted on
12/11/2013 10:30:09 AM PST
by
Gamecock
(There are not just two ways to respond to God but three: irreligion, religion, and the gospel. (TK))
To: Doctor 2Brains
19
posted on
12/11/2013 10:31:08 AM PST
by
Gamecock
(There are not just two ways to respond to God but three: irreligion, religion, and the gospel. (TK))
To: Trapped Behind Enemy Lines
I agree. It is personality drive, not connected to anything else.
Look at churches that have been in the same locale for generations and that is where the action is. Regardless of denomination.
20
posted on
12/11/2013 10:34:04 AM PST
by
Gamecock
(There are not just two ways to respond to God but three: irreligion, religion, and the gospel. (TK))
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