Comments on: There Are No Megachurches

By: Ragamuffin Soul » How Big Is Your Chenis?

Ragamuffin Soul » How Big Is Your Chenis? — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:53:38 +0000

[...] life as he is with Buckhead Church and the thousands that show up. And I believe He IS pleased with microchurches and the thousands they reach. I would dare say that the percentage of authenticity in worship in [...]

By: MegaGroups with a MicroVision « Floating Axhead

MegaGroups with a MicroVision « Floating Axhead — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:51:41 +0000

[...] church we attend - a “microchurch with a mega vision” - defines small groups as “people who meet regularly in order to make a difference in [...]

By: Real Preachers of Genius - Megachurch Style « Floating Axhead

Real Preachers of Genius - Megachurch Style « Floating Axhead — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:03:09 +0000

[...] Real Preachers of Genius - Megachurch Style This might be funny to some, but I can’t relate at all since I go to a church that is a self-described micro-church with a mega vision. [...]

By: Joe Montano

Joe Montano — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 01:46:26 +0000

If we put it from the perspective of God’s church, there are no mega churches. There is only one church- so we all are His church. Blessed those who can bring more children to the Lord’s path. We have to build the mega church in our heart and make sure we honor God everyday in every way, everywhere and anytime.

By: lowercase » Blog Archive » there are no megachurches

lowercase » Blog Archive » there are no megachurches — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 07:45:08 +0000

[...] i came across this piece entitled, “there are no megachurches”, and i love it. it brings a little perspective to the mission at hand and whether anyone can really take the time to pat ourselves on the back for arriving. [...]

By: riddle

riddle — Tue, 22 May 2007 21:46:36 +0000

i really like this.
it’s all relative isn’t it.
When I think of big churches these days I’m going to think of someplace outside the US.

the four largest churches in the world are

1. Yonggi Cho Yoido Full Gospel Church, Seoul, Korea
253.000
2. Javier Vasquez Yotabeche Methodist P. Church, Santiago,
Chile 150.000
3. William Kumuyi Deeper Life Bible Church, Lagos, Nigeria
120.000
4. Mario Vega Elim Church, San Salvador, El Salvador
117,000

Now that’s a big of perspective. a Mega church of 2,000 people isn’t so mega in comparison I suppose.

thanks for the heart behind this Bobby!

riddle

By: Victor

Victor — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 23:41:25 +0000

Thanks for your answer Bobby, yes that was what I was looking for.

When I said we used attendance for “accountability” I meant that we actually have a listing of members and we mark off WHO attended, not just HOW MANY.

At the moment it is not too hard as our numbers are a little less than 100, however this will become very difficult to do when the church grows into the hundreds and thousands.

So from your answer I take it that you have not implemented this kind of “attendance tracking”. It would be good to hear what your thoughts are on this.

By: Bobby Gruenewald

Bobby Gruenewald — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:17:42 +0000

Not sure if you mean…how do we count attendance? or what tools do we use to see how our attendance is tracking over time?

I’ll try to answer both.

We count the old fashion way. People from our host team count the number of people who are sitting in worship during each worship experience and also the number of kids we have.

We use a web-based tool that we developed in-house that allows our campus teams to enter the attendance into our database using a browser or their blackberry during the weekend. We then have several reporting tools that help us extract the appropriate data.

Let me know if I missed the intent of the question.

By: Victor

Victor — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:07:58 +0000

That’s true.
Church should not be about quantity but quality.

Bobby, if you don’t mind, was just wondering what method do you use to track attendance? We use attendance at our church for accountability.

By: ST

ST — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:27:14 +0000

Ive never heard the term micro before in regards to the church, but I believe in a modern sense that it is fitting. I must say though, that the mega church phenomina( in the US)is a hotbed for trouble. I blame satan for the imagery cast by these suburban christian meeting houses. I am a Christian, and am presently pastor of a prominant church in the states, and I am constantly battling this charismatic operation of churches that call evangelism ministering to souls that are already saved. This has not effected our church, but Ive seen destroy churches that had a long standing in this and surrounding communities. Their are PLENTY of unsaved in the city where I pastor, but they stay that way until someone who understands the true meaning of evangelism ministers the gospel to them. I know this may come off as a jealous or envious rant, but I am deeply concerned that the church is getting lost in corporate building and clubhouse mentality. I mean really, can anyone say that the mega church Phenomina(n the US) has had a large social influence on what goes on in this country? Can any pastor of any of these churches be quoted in a major paper or article that they take stances on biblical issues regardless of how it effects their congregants, or audience, or market? I was so dissapointed to see Joel Olsteen punk out on natonal tv when asked about who goes to heaven. He curled up like a little kid and couldn’t answer larry king ‘only those who have accepted christ and confessed Him as Saviour’. Pleae understand me, their ‘mega’ pastors like Meeks in Chicago Il, who do proactive things in the community and engage their churches to do the same, but with that kind of a ptatform their should be more. In new orleans, la, a documentary was filmed called the day the levees broke, by spike lee. in it there is a small church chronicled that helped the communtiy and housed people for days. Actor sean penn helped in the effort. In one other article another church in the same city has a ministry purposed to help aids victims. the name of that church slips me, but it is a storefront church. In that same cty there are churches that seat thousans that go unmentioned by a famed producr, and renowned magazine. why? who knows. but my point is clear. Mega simply means big. Meta means change. I am striving to make the church God has given one with a metaspiritual mindset coupled with a microphysical process towards ministry.

By: Nathan Schmalbach

Nathan Schmalbach — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 22:13:54 +0000

I agree this is very true. Why do we have to label each other as mega churches? I don’t think it matters if your big or if your small as long as you are reaching those who are lost. While a large church may be able to bring 1000’s to know Christ a small church might only be able to bring 10. But that’s 10 more people who will enter heaven. We must try to reach everyone that we can no matter what size we are.

Nathan

By: Steve Waite

Steve Waite — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 23:42:33 +0000

Bobby:
Are there any “quantum” churches out there? That’s what I’m searching for! :)

By: Bobby Gruenewald

Bobby Gruenewald — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 14:30:43 +0000

What I am proposing with the post is that we are all “micro” churches. I’m not saying that so-called “mega” churches are not effective and growing, but instead I am saying that the current use of the term “mega” is a limiting term for all churches.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 11:50:58 +0000

Food for thought: a church of 75 in a small town of 1000 people. That’s almost 10% of the local population connected in the church. Would you call that a mega-church? I come from a church in Australia, just south of Sydney. It’s a small coastal town next to the beach. I oversee the youth which is around 100 young people. According to the latest statistics, there’s only 600 young people in our area. Do you call that a mega-youth-ministry?

Also i agree with previous posts, that the term ‘mega-church’ can sometimes bring negative conotations, but personally, i view these ‘mega-churches’ as inspirational and empowering. Churches such as Hillsong in Sydney for us, probably Australias largest church, run a conference each year ‘to help the local church’ and i’ve never met anyone who wasn’t inspired, encouraged and empowered to go back to their church and help build their local church. I personally look at larger churches around the world and see what they are up to, to be inspired about what God is doing around the world. Like Kyle said, these churches are mega because what they are doing is working.

That’s my 2.5c

By: chris

chris — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 03:35:13 +0000

i believe the term for churches with 75 or so is ‘midget-church’, lol!

By: djchuang

djchuang — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 16:53:31 +0000

Good thoughts, labels are often such a hindrance to understanding. So, if a church with attendance over 2,000 is called a micro-church, what are churches that have a weekend attendance of 75 called? (75 is still the overall average for church attendance for the 300,000 churches in America.)

By: Kyle Sexton

Kyle Sexton — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 03:15:43 +0000

I totally agree. Many churches view “Mega” Churches with a Jealous eye. What they dont realize is that the reason these churches are so “Mega” is because something is happening at that church. Jesus Christ is changing lives and people see that and are attracted to that. Now thats awesome and thats Mega-cool in my book.

By: davetilma

davetilma — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 23:18:30 +0000

Here, here. Having worked at two large churches, the term “mega-church” has always rubbed me the wrong way. I uess at the deepest level in conotates pride or arogance. I love the micro-mega distinction. When people start talking negatively about “mega-churches” I typically reply. Churches are churches, some are simply more effective. This usually gets the discussion into high gear. LOL Great post. dt http://www.davetilma.com

By: Steve Waite

Steve Waite — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 21:22:40 +0000

Bobby:
I share your frustration with the terminology used to describe churches. For what it’s worth, I view LifeChurch.tv as a network of disciples and/or potential disciples - a network that has vast potential to grow and bring people closer to Christ throughout the world.
In my view, LC.tv is using advanced technologies to connect people with Christ. And that’s a beautiful thing! It’s not about “micro” or “macro” or anything else. It’s simply all about connecting people to Jesus.

May God continue to bless you and your innovative colleagues.

Steve

By: Tommy Bailey

Tommy Bailey — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 18:09:42 +0000

This is very true. Once a church considers themselves “mega” I believe a stagnation starts to occur, almost like the church has “arrived” at it’s peak. I’ve seen this on many occasions.