USA Today has us an interesting article on their perceived decline in "Mega Churches" in America. They classify any church of more than 2,000 people a Mega Church. The most interesting statement in the article is:
"The megachurch story is not really about growth, it's about shifting allegiances. People want to feel good about who they already are," says Philip Goff, director of the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University in Indianapolis. "If church is too challenging or not entertaining, they'll move on."
I really don't agree with this opinion. The shift I see away from churches is more from people who don't feel challenged. I wonder if this is just the difference between those who are "seekers" and those who are already "believers".
I think you're right. Willow Creek's shift recently was for exactly that reason, the people wanted more gospel, more Bible, more teaching, more challenge, not less.
YanıtlaSilMy experience has been the same as that of Nick and CRChair. Most of the people I see moving away from a mega-church is for lack of good teaching, and/or lack of a personal connection. Very few left because church was "not entertaining" or "too challenging."
YanıtlaSilThen again, USAToday is looking at a cross section of the entire population including Christians-in-name-only who only attend on Christmas and Easter, vs my experience which is with committed Christians who attend daily and are generally inside the "Evangelical wing" of Christianity.
I question whether USA Today can really appraise the spiritual stance of anyone. The press does not have a good understanding of these things. Although they can run a reasonable poll.
YanıtlaSilI don't think they were accusing mega-churches of not being entertaining, but being big on entertainment. That is how I see them, at any rate.
I want not acquiesce in on it. I think polite post. Especially the title-deed attracted me to read the whole story.
YanıtlaSilGenial dispatch and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Say thank you you seeking your information.
YanıtlaSilI think Goff's got it about right. There are plenty of people in church who seem to resist leaving their Sunday comfort zone.
YanıtlaSilAnything too challenging, or anything that speaks to there own conscious may require them to do too much work (change). The entertainment factor makes it more tolerable.
Sadly, Goff's comments make sense to me.