Problems with Megachurches
JeffD wonders if there is study showing that smaller churches are closing their doors as megachurches grow. Yes.
William Chadwick has written a book, Sheep Stealing: The Church’s Hidden Problem with Transfer Growth. Blogger Tim Challies says, “Chadwick writes about the dark side of church growth. Having done extensive research and having examined the fruits of his own early ministry, the author came to the startling revelation that the church growth movement has succeeded far better in pulling believers from other, smaller churches than in reaching the lost. ‘Great effort is being expended, but few are actually turning to Christ for the first time. Instead, the faithful are mostly just changing churches’ (from the back cover).”
I read Chadwick’s book, and I urge all to read it, even though I don’t agree with one of his central claims. He thinks when churches take transfers from other churches this is stealing in the ethical sense. I can’t accept that, because it implies that churches OWN their members. But there is a moral problem, when the church is structured mainly to appeal to existing Christians and is not reaching non Christians.
According to Barna, small churches have their own problems, including being more theologically liberal and full of low-involvement members. David Charlton agrees from personal experience “Overall attitude is TOTALLY different. In a larger “church”, there’s much more TEAM in everything, while smaller churches overall attitude is apathetic towards involvement and commitment… Clarity of vision or lack of in smaller churches. It seems like every ‘gimmick’ under the sun is talked about but action rarely gets done-talk is cheap, and people know that.” And, “While you’d think as a servant you’d get pastoral care and guidance in a smaller church, what’s true is just the opposite.”
But Barna also says tens of thousands will close in the coming decade in Revolution (a book I didn’t like at all). And I’m racking my brain to remember where I read extensive research on how the number of small church closings in America is reaching shocking proportions. If anyone can find this research, give it up in a comment. I’m going to have to work on this and get back.
Related Links”
Bill Muehlenberg’s commentary
David Charlton
Tim Challies