Mega Churches…A Different Perspective
This post is not to defend mega churches, but instead to rebuttal an article and negative feedback I am hearing.
This article from Yahoo has been floating around the last two days. Mostly negative feedback has been given. That negative feedback is saying, that this article points to the failure of mega churches. I have a little different perspective.
First of all, what is a mega church? It is a church that has a consistent attendance of 2000 or more. Of which there are a recorded, 1300+ mega churches in the USA. The article talks of a survey conducted of mega churches here in the USA. The article found many interesting things. Including the fact that most mega churches are younger than expected. The majority of attendees are between 18-44. But the main focus of all the negativity I have seen, are 2 items taken from the beginning of the article. #1 Mega church goers give less. #2 Mega church goers serve less.
Anyone who is less than supportive for large churches, can easily take those two things and run with them. They can point fingers and say the mega church fosters attenders and not participators. That the mega church is more about feelings than spirit. But I struggle with piling everything into one bag. Generally, these survey’s do, just that.
I am a Media and Worship Pastor at a mega church. We have between 2500-3000 in attendance on any given weekend. We are 12 years old this July. We started with 150 people. So, we have been through most all stages of growth. When I read this survey, I see very few similarities between our church and the mega churches this article speaks of. For instance…
“Nearly two-thirds of megachurch attenders are under 45, double the numbers in Protestant congregations of all sizes. The vast majority are between 18 and 44.”
We held a survey last year and we are divided evenly in thirds with about 55% over 45.
“Nearly a third of megachurch attenders are single, compared to 10 percent in a typical Protestant church. They also tend to be wealthier and better educated”
We have about 30% single and of those both single and married, we are not “well paid”. In fact, we are a very blue collar church.
“megachurch-goers give less money than other churchgoers.”
We actually have a very large percentage that give. I have heard many churches are held together by the 10-15% of people that actually give. We are at over 30% of our people that give. And that is only when we can account for checks. Cash giving, may add greatly to that percentage, as there is no way to determine who gave and how much.
But, more to the volunteering and giving. The negative posts and Tweets I have read, focused on this. According to this article, mostly young an single people are attending these churches and these young people are not giving and they are not serving. The negative comments are saying that young people are selfish, lazy and attenders…not participants. I wanted to respond to that, based on our area and the church I work in.
#1 These survey’s are based on a very small percentage of people that are actually involved in the organization they are surveying. Although they give us great info, it cannot be determined that this information should be held as truth across the entire organization. For instance. They surveyed 25,000 people. The article says there are 5 million that attended mega churches. Obviously, this will not account for all communities and regions of the country.
#2 As to young people, not serving. I am humbled weekly when I watch young people serve. But “service” is changing. It is no longer about handing out bulletins, or making sure there is enough coffee. It is about working at a local food pantry, or habitat for humanity, or raising funds for an organization battling aids. That is where young people today are serving. And, that is where they need to serve. I also contend that young people, single and married, are overwhelmed with schedules. Especially the young parent. School, home care, work, schooling, kids and often all these things together. I do not expect a person in that daily condition and pace, to come on sunday and pass out bulletins. I would hope they can come to take a breath.
#3 Regarding young people not giving. We know that there are different standards in churches as to what is appropriate giving. Is it what you have? Is it 10%. Is it everything? I know that young people (that I see and work with) are giving everything they can. Our community here in Southern Oregon is not wealthy. It is actually one of the lower income areas in the state. When a single mom who is working, going to school and feeding her kids, shows up on Sunday and puts money in the offering, I am blown away that she has managed to have anything left over to give, let alone make it the first thing she gives. I know there are many areas of the country that are wealthy, I can’t speak for them. But I think I can speak for most of the rest of the country that is sparse with wealth and more rural in it’s nature.
I hope that survey’s like this give us talking points. things to improve on. Ways to look clearer at trends and issues. But I would also hope that survey’s like this do not become grounds for church bashing and finger pointing. After reading so many negative tweets about this today, I saw this one…
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Obviously, painting all churches of a particular size with one brush is faulty logic.
1/2 of one percent is a statistically viable sample, albeit a small one. But those 25000 people came out of only 12 churches. So the HI got a very sizable sample from about 1% of megachurches. There are some vaild points coming out of this survey.
I would agree – based on my own experience and anecdotal evidence – that *as a percentage* people are less likely to serve in a large church. But less face it, each person in a large church is less a part of the whole.
If a sixty member church has three deacons, then 5% of the members are deacons. If a 3000 member church has ten deacons, then 1/3 of 1% are deacons. It’s just a matter of scale. A large church likely has more total volunteers, but less volunteers per capita. But imagine if mega-church goers served at the same rate as small church members!
I think surving outside the church is outside of the scope of this survey. While you and I might say working for Habitat is serving the church, an outsider might not. I believe the survey is looking at people activly serving *in* their own congregations.
As to point #3, I would say that income is irrelevant in giving. But then, I stongly believe in the tithe. Apparently so do about a third of all church-goers, because those giving 10% or more are about even in all churches. What’s interesting is that the larger the church, apparently the less the average congregant is contributing financially as a percent of income.
For my own part, when I visit churches I am not tithing to, I am more likely to put more money in the offering of a small church with a few people and little resources than a big church with a million-dollar building and two thousand people. Maybe it’s a perceived need thing.
I agree that this survey should not be an indictment of large churches. Why not? Because my evaluation of a church depends on the church itself. Near me we have large and small churches who do amazing things in their own congregations and in the community, and we have large and small churches who are spiritually dead. That’s what I judge on.
Mike Mahoney´s last blog post…Setting Up Our Podcast- The Audacity of It! Part 1
“I agree that this survey should not be an indictment of large churches. Why not? Because my evaluation of a church depends on the church itself.”
That’s my main point.
“As to point #3, I would say that income is irrelevant in giving. But then, I stongly believe in the tithe”
I agree with the tithe as well…except I agree with paul more
But, I would say that income has a huge part of it. In our area, it is very hard to find living conditions under $500 per month. Food costs on the low average are $100 a person a month. If a person cares for two kids, works a job (that they probably need transportation to) and makes minimum wage (which is our median income for single people in our area), They are going to have a very hard time consistently giving…if ever 10%. But I watch those people, every week, give everything they can.
“If a sixty member church has three deacons, then 5% of the members are deacons. If a 3000 member church has ten deacons, then 1/3 of 1% are deacons. It’s just a matter of scale. A large church likely has more total volunteers, but less volunteers per capita. But imagine if mega-church goers served at the same rate as small church members!”
Depends what those people are actually doing when they are “serving”. If it’s more bulletin stuffers, then I am not too thrilled about it. But if it’s more people getting out into the community (which I contend they are doing to a large degree, but they won’t include that in this survey) then I love what that could do!
I attend and serve at a HUGE church and because it’s mega the jobs get done, the people get served, and the gospel gets out.
I went to relatively small (between 150-300) churches for years and was more frustrated at the lack of volunteers and waning giving. It was the same people serving at all the events.
This church I attend wouldn’t run without volunteers…literally. I can’t believe how people step it up and serve when they believe in the calling of the church. Yeah, yeah, there are consumers in every church, but that’s how it works.
If anything the Church should be mega! It should be growing out of control! I pray to God that someday, one of our super huge, or small for that matter, churches would see what they saw in Acts…3000 come to Christ in one day. Now, that would be Mega!
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Inherently, mega churches have an issue with size. With size comes more issues and responsibility and the ability to cover up or get lost.
Inherently, small churches have issues. They come with history and tradition. With small groups of people come the ability to stay the same and maintain.
One of my main points was that size, really doesn’t matter. The individual church speaks for itself. Mega or small, they is good and bad. because, there are people in both places
Like, Mike was saying, it’s all in scale. When we were 200 people we had 30-40 people helping. we now have over 500. I think we are doing just fine. Percentages don’t mean much in this capacity, because the job burden doesn’t necessarily get larger in a big church.
One thing about the day of Pentecost. That, arguably, was the ENTIRE Christian church. 100’s of people for the first time gathering and being saved. Now, imagine we have a service with the millions that are Christian in this world and watch how many are saved. I believe there are many more than 3000 daily coming to know God. I believe God’s power is working now as it was then. We have to remember that we are globalized now, not localized. when we look at the local church, we only see one very small percentage of the greatness and work god is doing.
Great post, Brent. Well-thought-out and respectful, but still expressing your viewpoint.
My husband and I are members at a large church. Not a mega, but a large (1000 or so on Sunday morning). We have found it harder to get involved and find/keep a community than when we were part of smaller churches. However, there’s never a lack of options. So, really, it’s all a matter of what we put into it. You know what I mean?
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I think I do Mary. It truly is our responsibility to get involved. Even when there are lots of options, we sometimes still sit back. In a large church atmosphere, it can be easier for us to say, “it’s taken care of or paid for”. And do nothing.
good job with this post, brent! You’ve made your points well, with great respect to those who disagree with you as well as to those who are a part of your church. What I really love is what this reveals about the depth of your experience with your specific church. You really know your church… you. really. know it. You’re not over-hyping it, you’re reflecting what is true about the people there. I just love that. Thank you for sharing that perspective.
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Thanks Kim, I am learning about our church. I think it is teaching me better how to deal with people. Actually I know it is.
“But, I would say that income has a huge part of it. In our area, it is very hard to find living conditions under $500 per month. Food costs on the low average are $100 a person a month. If a person cares for two kids, works a job (that they probably need transportation to) and makes minimum wage (which is our median income for single people in our area), They are going to have a very hard time consistently giving…if ever 10%. But I watch those people, every week, give everything they can.”
Respectfully, is that what the tithe is all about? Giving God what is His, even when you *can’t* afford it, and letting Him pour out the blessings?
Looks like you and I agree on most of this stuff… for once!!
Mike Mahoney´s last blog post…Setting Up Our Podcast – The Audacity of It! – Part 2
“Looks like you and I agree on most of this stuff… for once!!”
A part for Macs vs Pcs, I think we see pretty closely
Technically, we’re all part of THE mega church…because there is only ONE Church and she belongs to Jesus.
Sadly, though, a lot of us are brought up seeing things in boxes and there isn’t a lot of unity across the board.
Love your article. I’m personally FOR any church that loves God and loves people and actually trains and equips the saints to do the same in real and practical ways.
I made an observation about the giving and volunteering which COULD have been taken negatively, but was not intended as such.
“Megachurch-goers volunteer less and give less $$ than other churchgoers. Makes sense: you look around and can easily think ‘they’ll do it.’
I just tagged the quote with the idea that a lot of people even ins smaller churches will come to a prepackaged spiritual “meal of the week” look around at all the other people and not dive in to serving and giving because they don’t feel compelled to. There is no urgency. That’s something that churches up and down the size spectrum have an issue with. How do we motivate people to look OUTSIDE of themselves to the body and those outside the church?
Personally, I don’t like the idea of becoming a megachurch with one exception: I know that there is the potential to impact a LOT of people. But at the same time, I’m very drawn to the idea of living out my “church” experiences in a small group setting primarily. It may be within the parameters of a megachurch, it may be just a home church.
I think when it all comes down to it if ANY church mega or mini isn’t making impact on a PERSONAL level with people, then what’s the point?
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“Technically, we’re all part of THE mega church…because there is only ONE Church and she belongs to Jesus. Sadly, though, a lot of us are brought up seeing things in boxes and there isn’t a lot of unity across the board.”
And my contention is that this survey comes from that angle. You and I see eye to eye on what church really is. These surveyors see church as Sunday AM and service in church as passing out bulletins. When that is the basis for understanding, we will never get the actual data and truth about who we are and who we are supposed to be.
Kudos for taking a stand, Brent. I get so tired of the megachurch bashing, and sometimes I just get tired of all the dumb surveys. Frankly, I don’t think Jesus took public opinion into consideration when it came to His ministry. And I’d much rather see young people (or ANY people for that matter) out there, serving in the community rather than passing out bulletins or singing in the choir, etc etc.
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I would say that we, as churches, are off base, if we say that “serving” at our church is passing out bulletins. Unfortunately, I see that all over the place.
I hope that lots of people open doors and pass out bulletins, but not in place of loving people realistically and caring for the community.
my little church will beat up your big church.
buchanan23´s last blog post…Good Morning!
Dude, after talking to you the other night…I believe you
yeah right… haha. I just can’t wait to come and visit this mega church of yours!
In all seriousness though, I have been actively involved in two different “mega churches” in my past and I am right in line with you, there is a lot of misconceptions about a “mega” ministry. Good thing to clear the air sometimes, so, well done! I think a lot of times the criticism comes from people who are jealous that they are not part of something big and cool so there is a temptation to criticize to make oneself feel better. Maybe?
buchanan23´s last blog post…Good Morning!
Ha!
And, I think your right. Negativity often comes from a “jealous” place. I also think that the “home church” is the most popular thing right now and there is a lot of criticism to the mega church, because it is “old ministry”. People criticize the organization, but they fail to look at individual churches and see who they really are. As, you know, I agree with the small and the big. But, I only agree when both are doing what God has commanded us to do. Love Hi and love people.
Well said!
buchanan23´s last blog post…Good Morning!
Wow, Dr. Megachurch! You make many valid and well informed points. I actually went to my first megachurch two weeks ago, and quite frankly was appalled. But my dismay had nothing to do with the fact that the church had 5000+ members, rather it stemmed from theological/philosophical issues. Trust me, I tried (really, really hard) not to be critical (as i tend to be in smaller churches as well), but the facts spoke for themselves.
Thus said, I am sure there megachurches that are bummers and mega churches that are right on, just as there are small churches that get it wrong, and small churches that get it right.
Nate´s last blog post…He’Brew Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A
I know many churches, I will never step foot in again. critical or not, there are times when you know that this is not a house of worship, or a place I would associate with.
Brent, Great post. I work at a “mega church” and we have a very high rate of people who serve. Our staff is small because we have volunteers which we call the dream team who pick up A LOT of our work.
Last night our Pastor said that if our church ever stops having souls won into the kingdom then they should find a new church. We are a mega church by all standards, but the community aspect comes in small groups and areas of the dream team.
Brent, i too am tired of mega church bashing because lives are being changed in small and mega churches. just because a church has more than 1500 members doesnt mean God stops working.
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Lynse, we are a church of 2500-3000 and we have a total paid staff (part/full time) of 18 people. That’s it! Everything we do around our church gets done, because of volunteers. By I am way more concerned about what they do away from our building and how they “volunteer” out there. I think what your Pastor said is right on.
Love this post and all the comments – it’s really helping me
We’re a small-medium church (membership just hit 500), and certainly want to join the ranks of megachurch through bringing new people to Christ – surely all of us should want to grow the Kingdom?
(side note…there’s only about 20 mega churches in Australia, which is a tiny number. If we had a similar number per capita as the US, there’d be over 90)
At the moment, we have 2 paid staff, and over 200 volunteers – which we know is skewed compared to most stats. Of course, some of those volunteers do a lot more than others (me included)…but the servant heart is there, ready for the continued growth we’re seeing as these guys impact the community…and as everything here is saying, surely that’s what loving God and loving people is about.
Thanks for being one of the many people who I’m learning from in this journey Brent!
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“At the moment, we have 2 paid staff, and over 200 volunteers”
I think this is awesome!
Our paid staff was about 5 when we were 500 and didn’t grow again till we were over 1000. Most of our paid staff now is under our children’s ministry as we also do some homeschooling and day care things.
But, I love that you guys are staying focused on involvement from others to get things accomplished. My challenge in all this would be that we aren’t encouraging people into passing out bulletins, but instead we are encouraging people to truly serve and love on people.
And it is awesome to be on this journey together. I mean “we” ARE the church. We are in this together.