Mega Churches
In my last post I talked about the multi-site part of the current edition of Outreach Magazine. Today I want to make a small comment on the mega church which is the heart of this issue. Note: I have put the list of the top ten largest churches and the top ten fastest growing churches for 2007 on our home page and in our FAQS.
If you look at each of these churches you find one thing missing from the list most of the time- liberal churches. I have my theory about why the vast majority of liberal churches tend to be declining. I’m sure you have yours. Here’s mine, what’s yours?
One of the common denominators in almost every thriving church I’ve worked in over the years has been they are NOT liberal. Why is not being liberal almost a given in thriving churches? I have my theory- it is because liberals are seldom passionate about personal salvation and when that passion is missing the primary dynamo for reaching people with the Good News is missing.
Liberal pastors tend to put more emphasis on social justice without the personal redemption part, doing good, and serving the community much like the lions club. Often liberal pastors assume that since God loves everyone there is no need for personal redemption.
The pastor who replaced me at Colonial Hills Church (appointed by the United Methodist Bishop) told the music staff at the very first meeting that she would not tolerate any songs that referred to blood or the atonement because she did not believe in the atonement. And what happened? the church lost 3/4 of its attendance in five years. You see God will not honor those who scorn the basic work God has done in this world. However you interpret the cross, biblically it is central to the Christian story and experience.
November 6th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
I’d be curious to hear your commentary on the book “Why Liberal Churches Are Growing” by Martyn Percy and Ian S. Markham. The title seems to suggest there are ways that liberal churches can and do grow.
January 25th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Bill,
I totally agree with you on this point.
On the list of top 10 fastest growing Churches. #2 Mark from Calvary, AZ. I was on vacation a year and a half ago in AZ. My wife’s aunt and uncle took us to this Church.
I didn’t know anything about it. We got there and tried to walk into the service and what looked like guards told us we couldn’t bring our new born in. So they escorted us to a small room in the back with a TV. On our way ther,e frustrated and feeling like I wanted to leave Mark saw us. He looked empathetic and said “banished huh?” Then took us back into the service and told the guards to let us in. They did and then I saw him get up front to “teach”. When he did it brought tears to my eye’s because it was like having God say I care.
SO IT WAS NO DOUGHT TO ME WHAT MAKES THESE CHURCHES GROW. PASSION AND LOVE THAT COME FROM SURRENDER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Guy Richards
Guyrichards.us