Megachurches Continue to Grow

Quote from AgapePress:

A new survey shows Protestant megachurches continue to grow quickly and draw younger Americans and families through contemporary programs and conservative values. The study says there are now more than 1,200 megachurches, defined as those having weekly attendance of 2,000 or more. That is twice as many as there were five years ago. The research was published by the Dallas-based Leadership Network and a research institute at Connecticut's Hartford Seminary that conducted a similar survey in 2000. Common megachurch traits include defined growth goals, orientation classes for new members, programs serving varied demographic groups, contemporary worship styles, multiple services through the week, and emphasis on evangelism propelled mostly by word of mouth from enthused members. The South has almost half of the nation's megachurches and California alone has 14 percent.

There is obviously nothing sinful per se in large congregations, though I believe that the whole congregation should come together to worship at once and not at staggered times or schedules (to be fair the article does not say that these congregations are doing this). My personal preference would be a much smaller group (approximately members or less because I would want to know each member individually). Notice, however, that the trend seems to suggest that people are hungry for the word. These seems evident not only in the growth of these "megachurches," but also in the fact that the people joining these groups are responding to, and apparently want to participate in personal evangelism, to wit: "defined growth goals, orientation classes for new members, emphasis on evangelism propelled mostly by word of mouth from enthused members." "Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" (John 4:35)

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