Leadership Network and Hartford Institute for Religion Research just released a new study that indicates many of the most widely held beliefs about megachurches couldn’t be farther from the truth.
I was fascinated by the study because members of my team were working on it ... and after all, Leadership Network has historically been about building peer networks for connection of leaders ... many from megachurches.
But I was especially intrigued by the stats on multi-site in mega-churches - over 50% of mega-churches either have, or plan to have, in the very near future at least two distinct campuses. God is indeed up to something!
Check out the complete report at Leadership Network. You can also listen to a podcast with the authors that discusses the following 11 myths at Leadership Network MegaChurch Podcast.
MYTH #1: All megachurches are alike.
REALITY: They differ in growth rates, size and emphasis.
MYTH #2: All megachurches are equally good at being big.
REALITY: Some clearly understand how to function as a large institution, but others flounder.
MYTH #3: There is an over-emphasis on money in the megachurches.
REALITY: The data disputes this.
MYTH #4: Megachurches exist for spectator worship and are not serious about Christianity.
REALITY: Megachurches generally have high spiritual expectations and serious orthodox beliefs.
MYTH #5: Megachurches are not deeply involved in social ministry.
REALITY: Considerable ministry is taking place at and through these churches.
MYTH #6: All megachurches are pawns of or powerbrokers to George Bush and the Republican Party.
REALITY: The vast majority of megachurches are not politically active.
MYTH #7: All megachurches have huge sanctuaries and enormous campuses.
REALITY: Megachurches make widespread use of multiple worship services over several days, multiple venues and even multiple campuses.
MYTH #8: All megachurches are nondenominational.
REALITY: The vast majority belong to some denomination.
MYTH #9: All megachurches are homogeneous congregations with little diversity.
REALITY: A large and growing number are multi-ethnic and intentionally so.
MYTH #10: Megachurches grow primarily because of great programming.
REALITY: Megachurches grow because excited attendees tell their friends.
MYTH #11: The megachurch phenomenon is on the decline.
REALITY: The data suggests that many more megachurches are on the way.
"MYTH #3: There is an over-emphasis on money in the megachurches.
REALITY: The data disputes this."
Really, what data are you referring to???
...Bernie
Posted by: Bernie Dehler of FreeGoodNews.com | March 10, 2006 at 03:22 AM
Bernie,
The data I am referring to is contained in the full report located at the Leadership Network link in the early part of the post. Hope this is helpful.
Greg
Posted by: Greg | March 10, 2006 at 09:21 AM