The interior of Rev. Robert Schuller's Crystal Cathedral illustrates the stage lighting, space, audio, and seating facilities often found in a megachurch.

A megachurch is a large church, having around 2,000 or more worshippers for a typical weekly service. Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1162 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1162 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Robert Harold Schuller (born September 16, 1926) is an American televangelist known around the world through his weekly broadcast The Hour of Power. ... Crystal Cathedral The Crystal Cathedral campus is a Christian megachurch in the city of Garden Grove, within Orange County in Southern California. ... A church building (or simply church) is a building used in Christian worship. ...

Globally, these large congregations are a significant development in Protestant Christianity, challenging the roles of denominations as the primary sources of ministry resources and ministerial training. ^{[citation needed]} Most megachurches tend to be evangelical or Pentecostal. ^{[citation needed]} Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on Jesus of Nazareth, and on his life and teachings as presented in the New Testament. ... Note that this kind of denomination is not that of a coin or banknote. ... The word evangelicalism usually refers to a tendency in diverse branches of conservative Christianity, typified by an emphasis on evangelism, a personal experience of conversion, biblically-oriented faith, and a belief in the relevance of Christian faith to cultural issues. ... The Pentecostal movement within Protestant Christianity places special emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. ...

History

Although there have been large churches throughout history (for example, Charles Spurgeon's Baptist Metropolitan Tabernacle in London attracted 5,000 weekly for years and religious broadcaster Aimee Semple McPherson's Angelus Temple in Los Angeles was similarly large), the widespread megachurch movement, with a large number of local congregants who return on a weekly basis, began in the 1950s. Metropolitan Tabernacle The Metropolitan Tabernacle is a large Reformed Baptist church in the Elephant and Castle in London. ... In the USA and Canada, a televangelist (portmanteau for television evangelist) is a religious minister (often a Christian priest or minister) who devotes a large portion of his (or her) ministry to TV broadcasts to a regular viewing and listening audience. ... Aimee Semple McPherson (1890-1944) Aimee Semple McPherson (October 9, 1890 – September 27, 1944), also known as Sister Aimee or simply Sister, was an evangelist and media sensation in the 1920s and 1930s, founder of the Foursquare Church. ... Angelus Temple Angelus Temple is the central house of worship of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in the [[Echo Park]] district of Los Angeles, California. ... The 1950s were the decade that traditionally speaking, spanned the years 1950 through 1959. ...

Denominational links

Within the United States, more than half of these large church institutions are non-denominational churches; those that have ties to a larger body are most often members of the Southern Baptist denomination, which accounts for perhaps one in five megachurches. In the Independent Baptist movement, the First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana is the megachurch. The Assemblies of God claim approximately one in ten. Another one-tenth of the churches with congregations large enough to be included in the class are associated with historically African American denominations. Denominational megachurches generally have more in common with other megachurches than they do with smaller churches within their own denomination. Megachurches affiliated with the seeker movement do not include their denomination in their name or otherwise publicize their affiliation, so as not to alienate potential visitors. A non-denominational church (usually Christian) is a religious organization which does not necessarily align its mission and teachings to an established denomination. ... The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is a United States-based cooperative ministry agency serving Baptist churches around the world. ... A religious denomination, (also simply denomination) is a large, long-established subgroup within a religion that has existed for many years. ... The Assemblies of God is the worlds largest Pentecostal Christian denomination. ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black) is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ...

The City Harvest Church, Singapore's massive building cost S$48 million (US$26.6 million). It is the first titanium-clad building in Asia and is modeled after the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. Special limestone for part of the building was imported from Europe.

The exception to this rule is found in church movements begun by megachurches, like City Harvest Church,Christian City Churches or Hillsong Church. Churches in these movements tend to fit the megachurch classification while remaining very similar to other churches in the movement, maintaining a similar appearance, logo, worship style and vision. CCC Logo Christian City Churches International Christian City Churches are an evangelical, pentecostal church movement founded by Pastors Phil Pringle and Chris Pringle. ... The Hillsong Church Logo Hillsong Church is a Pentecostal and evangelical Christian church. ...

Adjustments to cater for size

Coping with the large numbers of people who attend them requires many adjustments.

Worship in some megachurches tends to be formal in practice, though untraditional in tone. Because megachurches command resources that smaller churches cannot, they typically hire professional musicians who perform modern, upbeat praise music in a number of pop styles instead of traditional hymns. Despite the contemporary music, worship at a megachurch is a highly structured occasion. Some worshipers like the feeling of hundreds or even thousands of people worshiping together. In some, the worshipers are more an audience than they are participants, and the entire production is typically choreographed in minute detail. Worship usually refers to specific acts of religious praise, honour, or devotion, typically directed to a supernatural being such as a god or goddess. ... Music is an art, entertainment, or other human activity that involves organized and audible sounds and silence. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Choreography literally dance-writing, also known as dance composition), is the art of making structures in which movement occurs, the term composition may also refer to the navigation or connection of these movement structures. ...

The immense architecture of the megachurch requires that the entire congregation can see and hear. Large open spaces allow line of sight to elaborate video presentations and projections. To overcome the limits of acoustics, sound is amplified, with large PA systems and mixing desks. Words to hymns and songs are projected on screens, reducing reliance on the hymnals found in the pews of more traditional churches. Many newer churches use theater-style individual chairs instead of pews. The Parthenon on top of the Acropolis, Athens, Greece Architecture (from Latin, architectura and ultimately from Greek, αρχιτεκτων, a master builder, from αρχι- chief, leader and τεκτων, builder, carpenter) is the art and science of designing buildings and structures. ... Video is the technology of capturing, recording, processing, transmitting, and reconstructing moving pictures, typically using celluloid film, electronic signals, or digital media, primarily for viewing on television or computer monitors. ... Acoustics is a branch of physics and is the study of sound, mechanical waves in gases, liquids, and solids. ... A live sound reproduction system has two main forms: A sound reinforcement system enhances the volume of the initial sound and will be designed so that as much as possible the listener will not realise that an artificial system is being used to make it easier for them to hear... A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a god or other religiously significant figure. ... Pews in rows in a church A pew is a long bench used for seating of a church congregation. ...

The need for large parking lots to accommodate worshippers has often led these churches to be located on the outskirts of large cities, on tracts encompassing multiple acres (4,000 m²). A recent trend is for a megachurch to have one or more "satellite" locations away from the main church, which will have a small local staff. However, the main message is presented by the senior pastor via video presentation. This is referred to as the multi-site movement. A Multi-Site church is one church that meets at multiple locations, often through the use of satellite and video technology. ...

The ministry of these churches must also be adjusted for size. Much of the actual teaching work of the church is handled by committees and smaller meetings outside the weekly services themselves, which are almost exclusively meant for collective (sometimes enthusiastic) but passive worship. Congregational oversight is generally limited to an annual meeting (where a budget and "board of directors" is approved); in some cases, the senior pastor has complete authority over all decisions. This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ...

Many were launched by a single gifted pastor, a person who combines flamboyant sermons with the organisational skills needed to turn weekly worship into a production number. Some of the churches have grown using the Cell church principle developed by David Yonggi Cho. There is sometimes an element of a cult of personality within some of these megachurches, which can lead to divisions and organisational difficulties when the founder retires, dies, or in some cases resigns under clouds of suspicion. Some megachurches have been able to weather these difficulties (Lakewood Church survived the death of its founder); others have failed (when Robert Tilton left under cloud of suspicion, his church folded shortly thereafter). Main article: Minister of religion A pastor is the head minister or priest of a Christian church. ... A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. ... Cell church refers to a church structure based on the regular gathering of small groups. ... David Yonggi Cho is a Korean Christian minister. ... Billboard of Joseph Stalin. ... Lakewood Church Lakewood Church is a megachurch located in Houston, Texas. ... Robert Tilton on his television program Robert Tilton (born ca. ...

Demographics

Megachurches appeal to baby boomers and others who enjoy the polished nature of the services, and who find the size of the organisation and the upbeat style of these churches appealing. Typically, such churches offer a wide variety of special-interest opportunities and outreaches; e.g., sports, music, dance, foreign languages, pre-schools, mission groups, and support groups, allowing members to be involved with others of similar interests or needs and a similar faith. Some worshippers like the size because it allows them to retain more anonymity if they choose than would be possible in a smaller church. The large numbers of worshippers is not for these believers a problem of scale; it is a demonstration of the dynamism of the institution. Due to the dynamics of a large group worshipping together, some participants feel that the Holy Spirit or "spirit of worship" is manifested better and the worship experience is therefore more rewarding. Demographics is a shorthand term for population characteristics. Demographics include race, age, income, mobility (in terms of travel time to work or number of vehicles available), educational attainment, home ownership, employment status, and even location. ... A baby boom is any period of greatly increased birth rate within temporal and usually geographical bounds. ... This article or section may be confusing or unclear for some readers, and should be edited to rectify this. ...

Controversy

See also: McChurch

Concerns have been expressed about the orthodoxy of a number of churches and their popularization of evangelical and pentecostal Christianity. They are seen by some as being middle of the road, avoiding unconventional or controversial doctrinal positions, ignoring asceticism, exclusively using euphemisms for traditonal terminology such as sin and salvation, and evading the topic of hell altogether. Particular concerns have been expressed about megachurches including the Crystal Cathedral, Willow Creek, Saddleback Church, Prestonwood Baptist Church, and others. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Megachurch. ... The word orthodoxy, from the Greek ortho (right, correct) and doxa (thought, teaching , Glorification), is typically used to refer to the correct theological or doctrinal observance of religion, as determined by some overseeing body. ... Middle of the road or MOR is a broad term encompassing a number of musical styles. ... Ascetic redirects here. ... Crystal Cathedral The Crystal Cathedral campus is a Christian megachurch in the city of Garden Grove, within Orange County in Southern California. ... Willow Creek Community Church is a large American nondenominational church in the suburb of South Barrington, Illinois near Chicago, Illinois. ... Saddleback Church is a large Evangelical Christian church in Lake Forest, situated in southern Orange County, in Southern California. ... Prestonwood Baptist Church at 6801 W Park Blvd, Plano, TX is one of the largest megachurches in North America. ...

An illustration of the divergence from evangelicalism and pentecostalism that occurred recently was the failure of a number of US megachurches to hold worship services on Christmas Day in 2005 where it fell on a Sunday. However, many of these churches preferred to hold a service on Christmas Eve, as they discovered that it was more convenient for the people as they were able to spend Christmas Day celebrating with their family and friends.[1]. The word evangelicalism usually refers to a tendency in diverse branches of conservative Christianity, typified by an emphasis on evangelism, a personal experience of conversion, biblically-oriented faith, and a belief in the relevance of Christian faith to cultural issues. ... The Pentecostal movement within Protestant Christianity places special emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as shown in the Biblical account of the Day of Pentecost. ... Joseph and Mary with baby Jesus, at the first Christmas Christmas (literally, the Mass of Christ) is a holiday in the Christian calendar, usually observed on December 25, which celebrates the birth of Jesus. ...

Critics have raised issues with the application of secular business models[2], e.g., from Walmart, a humanist or seeker-friendly approach, intensive market research and heavy reliance upon opinion polls, polished advertising targeted at affluent young professionals, unconventional worship styles, and Eastern influences. This article concerns secularity, that is, being secular, in various senses. ... The term business model is relatively recent. ... Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ... Humanism is a system of thought that defines a socio-political doctrine (-ism) whose bounds exceed those of locally developed cultures, to include all of humanity and all issues common to human beings. ... A Seeker is: a traditional term for a religious pilgrim or one who aspires to enlightenment, Nirvana, Salvation, or God Realization. ...

Another controversy that has arisen is concern from some communities about providing tax-exempt status to large churches locating on high-value land (especially near freeway exits). Some communities have reacted by abolishing property tax-exemptions from them to help pay for providing city services (such as emergency services).

Another criticism falls along cultural lines, including the fact that many megachurches are located in the United States. For example, in a December 2005 issue of The Economist, a British reporter who visited Willow Creek church suggested that megachurches reflected U.S. trends Europeans consider negative, such as urban sprawl and the proliferation of McMansions. The word culture, from the Latin colo, -ere, with its root meaning to cultivate, generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activity significance. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... It has been suggested that The Economist editorial stance be merged into this article or section. ... Urban sprawl (also: suburban sprawl), a term with pejorative implication, refers to the rapid and expansive growth of a greater metropolitan area, traditionally suburbs (or exurbs) over a large area. ... A McMansion in Needham, Massachusetts, emulating a modest farmhouse original construction on the right and a grandiose later addition to the left, simulating local historic buildings that evolved by accretion in the 18th and 19th centuries A California flat top McMansion with indefinite architectural references An Arizona McMansion incorporating extensive...

See also

• List of megachurches

This is a list of megachurches (Churches with an average weekly attendance of 2000 or more). ...

References

• Thumma, Scott; Dave Travis & Warren Bird (February 2006) "Megachurches Today 2005: Summary of Research Findings". Hartford Institute for Religious Research. Hartford Seminary, Hartford Connecticut.
• Thumma, Scott (March 2001) "Megachurches Today 2000: Summary of Research Findings. Hartford Institute for Religious Research. Hartford Seminary, Hartford Connecticut.
• Thumma, Scott (February 2006)

Overview of megachurches in the United States. Hartford Institute for Religious Research. Hartford Seminary, Hartford Connecticut.

• Thumma, Scott. (1996) Exploring the Megachurch Phenomenon, excerpts from Doctoral Dissertation entitled "The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: Megachurches in Modern American Society." Emory University.
• Kelly, Joyce and Michael Conlon. (November 22, 2005) "'Megachurches' draw big crowds". Reuters (accessed Nov. 22, 2005)
• "Jesus, CEO: Churches as businesses", (December 20, 2005). The Economist.

Reuters Group plc (LSE: RTR and NASDAQ: RTRSY); pron. ... It has been suggested that The Economist editorial stance be merged into this article or section. ...

External links

• Evaluating the Megachurch Movementby Charles Martin from Evangelical Ministries of Sylvania
• Interview with Gary Bryson, It’s A God Thing: The Rise of the Megachurch on Encounter ABC Local Radio, Sunday 24 April 2005
• Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life "Myths of the Modern Mega-Church", Monday, May 23, 2005, Rick Warren, Senior Pastor and Founder, Saddleback Church, Orange County, California and David Brooks, Columnist, The New York Times
• Seeker Sensitive, Purpose Driven Churches
• Joel Osteen, the Megachurch, and the Mini-Gospel by Justin Taylor
• Megachurches, Megabusinesses by Luisa Kroll (Forbes.com)
• The Church Growth Movement by Jack Sin
• Mega Churches: Postmodern Seeker Sensitivity by Craig W. Booth
• CHURCH GROWTH MOVIE Looking to "grow" your church? An animated tutorial.
• The Ethnocentricity of The American Church Growth Movement by Michael Horton
• John H. Armstrong at Reformation and Revival
  • The Modern Megachurch Phenomenon July 18, 2005, Further Analysis ... July 25, 2005 and A Few Final Observations ... August 1, 2005
  • “Church Growth, Dying Small Churches, and a New Strategy” August 8, 2005 John H. Armstrong
• The Purpose Driven Church (a critique) Michael J. Penfold
• Megachurch Association of America a satire of church growth philospohy by Frank Chase