Megachurch

The term megachurch has come to refer to huge Protestant congregations with an average attendance of more than 2,000 adults and children in all weekend worship services. The weekly attendance at U.S. megachurches accounts for more than 7% of all attendees at religious congregations each week. The largest megachurch in the United States, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, currently averages more than 40,000 in attendance at its four weekend services. The vast majority of mega-churches range between 2,000 and 4,000 weekly attendees, with less than 20% (less than 300 churches) having an attendance of more than 5,000. Additionally, significant numbers of megachurches are scattered throughout the world, especially in South Korea, Brazil, Australia, Singapore, and several African countries, including Nigeria and South Africa, although no exact count exists for this worldwide phenomenon. Many of these mega-churches, which generally range from 5,000 to 50,000 attendees, dwarf the U.S. ones, with several, such as Yoido Full Gospel Church in South Korea, claiming more than 100,000 attendees weekly.

Although very large congregations have existed throughout history, since the 1960s the rapid proliferation of churches with massive attendance indicates a unique contemporary appeal of this form of religious organization. The total number of U.S. megachurches has increased from fewer than 50 in 1970, to 350 in 1990, to more than 600 in 2000, and now more than 1,300. Similar, although not as dramatic, growth of large churches is evident throughout the globe. Scholars suggest that the megachurch congregational form is a distinctive response to contemporary cultural shifts and changes in societal patterns throughout the industrialized, urban, and suburban areas of the world.

[Page 776]Although size is the most immediately apparent characteristic of these congregations, the Protestant megachurches generally share many other traits. Virtually all these megachurches have a conservative evangelical theology, even those within mainline denominations. Roughly two thirds of U.S. megachurches are denominational, but globally, significantly more are nondenominational.

The majority of U.S. megachurches are located in the suburban areas of rapidly growing sprawl cities such as Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, and Orlando, with the states of California, Texas, Georgia, and Florida having the highest concentrations. Most megachurches outside the United States can be found in densely populated urban centers such as Seoul, Korea; São Paulo, Brazil; and Lagos, Nigeria.

Megachurches often grow to their great size under the tenure of a single senior pastor within a very short time. Nearly all megachurch pastors are male and are viewed as having considerable personal charisma. The senior minister often exhibits an authoritative style of preaching and is the singular dominant visionary leader of the church. Leadership teams of dozens of assistant ministers, hundreds of staff, and thousands of volunteers often support these senior pastors.

Megachurches generally have contemporary praise-style worship, including drums, electric guitars and keyboards, huge projection screens, and robust sound systems. These churches host a multitude of social, recreational, and aid ministries. Additionally, megachurches employ intentional efforts, including home fellowships and small-group gatherings, to enhance the community. These congregations promote intense personal commitment in many attendees but also support large percentages of less committed attendees among their ranks.

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