The Hartford Institute for Religion Research has a new study, available as a PDF, about megachurches. Here is the opening suggestive conclusions, and I'm wondering what you see here (or in the article itself)(HT: AR):
A FEW OF THE MOST PROMINENT FINDINGS:
- Young and single adults are more likely to be in megachurches than in smaller churches.
- Nearly two-thirds of attenders have been at these churches 5 years or less.
- Many attenders come from other churches, but nearly a quarter haven't been in any church for a long time before coming to a megachurch.
- Attenders report a considerable increase in their involvement in church, in their spiritual growth, and in their needs being met.
- Forty-five percent of megachurch attenders never volunteer at the church.
- New people almost always come to the megachurch because family, friends or co-workers invited them.
- What first attracted attenders were the worship style, the senior pastor and the church's reputation.
- These same factors also influenced long-term attendance, as did the music/arts, social and community outreach and adult-oriented programs.
- Attenders can craft unique, customized spiritual experiences through the multitude of ministry choices and diverse avenues for involvement that megachurches offer.
Add to Del.icio.us
Add to Technorati
Add to Digg
Add to Newsvine
Add to Facebook
Add to StumbleUpon
Subscribe
Michael,
Yes, yes, yes! I think focus on volunteering in the church because it is what we are often taught, at least implicitly.
Some years ago I realized that following this pattern leaves a great deal of other good undone. And for me, I realized that I had to give this up for the sake of my adopted son. That was the price of getting him out of an orphanage and getting him what he needs.
That should say, "I think we focus..."
Michael #14-
"I'd also like to know why it is that we think everyone in our congregations should be using the church as the primary venue for volunteering. For instance, what about the faithful attender of worship and other events who coaches a youth sports team in a city league, being Christ in the world?"
Amen.
...two critiques I have of Mega churches:
One is the tendency to pile up christians in one spot instead of spreading them out over the earth. This is of course a critique of small churches too. But the mega-church mindset of 'how many butts can we get in seats' tends to damper church planting...
Two is the promotion of the idea that numbers is the definition of success. My experience has been that the speakers at every conference, the regional overseers of every denominational area, the authors of every book, are the pastors with the largest churches. We count what we think is important, and I suggest we start counting some other 'success' indicators:
Here are a few suggestions, but I imagine that this crowd could easily improve upon it:
1) The number of languages spoken by people in the church
2) The comparison of ethnic mix in the church to the ethnic mix of the community (or socio-economic status, etc.)
3) The number of churches planted out of this church
4) The number of church plants that have subsequently planted new churches!
5) The number of cross cultural church plants sent out
6) The percentage of people participating in ministry
7) The percentage of people participating in some form of intentional community (discipleship house, etc.)
8) The percentage of people involved in a home group
9) The percentage of church income given to outside groups
10) ...
11) ?
Steve S.,
Very well said!
Post a Comment
By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.