When pollster George Barna asked Americans
what would help them grow in their faith, they answered 'prayer,
family, friends, and reading the Bible.' But 'belonging to a church' didn’t even make
the top-10. Over half said church attendance was not important. 
Combine that with a recent poll asking Americans
to identify their purpose in life. A majority said “enjoyment and personal fulfillment,” which may explain why so many are leaving
smaller congregations (who rely on member
participation) for big ones that have plenty of parking, stadium-style seating,
rock-concert lights and sound systems, and a winsome, charismatic preacher. These mammoths offer almost everything and require nearly nothing. Let’s face it—megachurches are fun and stimulating. But they must not be very “salty” if half of all Americans don't think they can help them grow in their faith. Will someone please pass them the salt! (Matt. 5:13)
Greg,
ReplyDeletePerhaps the existing megachurches can take a lesson from the first megachurch--the Church at Ephesus--which Christian historians estimated to have been as large as one third of the city's entire population, making it potentially over sixty thousand strong. Having had Paul, Timothy, John, and (possibly) Jesus' mother as part of their spiritual pedigree they were singled out by the Lord of the Church as having left their first love, and in danger of having their "candlestick" removed out of its place unless they repented.
Pride, in any form, is very costly. And the potential for spiritual pride that can go with the visible successes of megachurches can be hypnotizing...and debilitating.
Stan
good insight Stan.
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