Introduction: Mega churches have become a hallmark of modern Christianity, often boasting congregations in the thousands and providing an array of services and programs. But beneath the shiny surfaces and impressive numbers lies a set of challenges that cannot be ignored. The rise of mega churches has had a detrimental effect on the health of the local church, particularly regarding personal relationships, biblical discipleship, and spiritual growth. Rather than nurturing a thriving community of believers, many large churches have become fragmented, impersonal, and centered around entertainment rather than the Gospel.
1. The Historical and Biblical Model for Church Growth: In the writings of John Pendleton, a 19th-century Baptist theologian, we see a crucial principle that many mega churches overlook: when a congregation grows too large, the pastor should not attempt to maintain a single large congregation. Pendleton advocated for starting new works, or planting new churches, when a congregation reached a size that made meaningful personal connections impossible. This model keeps the focus on intimate, relational ministry, where pastors can know and care for their flock, which is at odds with the mega church model where the sheer numbers often make that impossible. Pendleton wrote, “When a congregation reaches the point of unmanageable size, it is the duty of the pastor and congregation to send out another pastor and begin a new church.”
The Bible itself supports the idea of church planting and maintaining smaller, more manageable congregations. Acts 6:1-7 shows that the early church grew and multiplied rapidly, and the apostles addressed the issue of distributing resources by appointing deacons to help care for the congregation. This shows that as the church grows, it is natural to expand by planting new churches and spreading the ministry to different areas. The early church never envisioned one pastor overseeing thousands, but rather many pastors and leaders working together across multiple churches.
2. The Erosion of Personal Connection: One of the biggest dangers of mega churches is the loss of the pastor’s personal connection with the congregation. In a smaller church, the pastor can get to know each member, visit them in their homes, and provide tailored pastoral care. But in a mega church, even the most well-intentioned pastor can be overwhelmed with the sheer numbers and responsibilities. For example, I had the privilege of having Charles Stanley as my pastor during my teen years. Despite his stature and influence, I never once had the opportunity to meet him face-to-face. The size of the congregation made personal interaction impossible. This disconnect is not only a personal loss for church members but also a hindrance to the kind of biblical fellowship and accountability the early church emphasized.
The Apostle Paul’s instructions to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3:5 highlight the importance of knowing the sheep, as a pastor’s ability to manage his household is a reflection of his ability to care for the church. In a large church, this is significantly harder to achieve.
3. The Focus on Growth Rather Than Health: Mega churches often prioritize numerical growth over spiritual health. With large budgets, professional staff, and state-of-the-art facilities, the emphasis shifts to maintaining and expanding the congregation rather than fostering deep spiritual growth. This shift leads to a tendency to dilute the message of the Gospel to make it more palatable to the masses. The church becomes more like a business operation, measuring success by attendance rather than by the maturity of believers.
This focus on growth without considering the well-being of the congregation creates a system where members are expected to be passive consumers of a service rather than active participants in a living community. Pendleton’s model, on the other hand, emphasizes a healthy, relational church where growth comes not just from larger crowds but from spreading the Gospel through new church plants and strengthening smaller communities.
4. The Danger of Entertainment Over Discipleship: Another problem with mega churches is that the entertainment aspect of the service often takes precedence over solid biblical teaching and discipleship. Worship services in many mega churches are designed to draw crowds with impressive productions, contemporary music, and motivational speeches. While these can be inspiring and engaging, they often lack the depth and theological substance that is necessary for true discipleship.
This entertainment-driven model can lead people to view church attendance as a form of passive entertainment, rather than an active, transformative experience that deepens their walk with God. The church was never meant to be a spectator sport, but a community of believers who engage in the Word, prayer, and mutual encouragement.
5. The Impersonal Nature of Large Congregations: When churches become too large, the relationships between members can become impersonal. Small groups, Sunday school classes, and fellowship opportunities are often neglected or become too large to offer genuine connection. The sense of community that should characterize the church, where believers can support each other in their walk with Christ, becomes fragmented in a mega church setting.
In contrast, Pendleton’s model of church planting and maintaining smaller, more intimate congregations would have allowed for greater fellowship and deeper bonds among believers. Church members could experience a greater sense of belonging and mutual support, which would foster a stronger spiritual life and deeper relationships within the body of Christ.
6. The Financial Strain and Lack of Transparency: Mega churches often deal with massive budgets, leading to questions about how funds are being spent. While large churches may offer extravagant buildings and facilities, the financial priorities of these churches can sometimes be called into question. High salaries for pastors, massive media productions, and excessive spending on facilities may divert funds from more essential areas such as missions, local outreach, and community service. The financial strain that comes with mega church operations can create an atmosphere of secrecy and lack of accountability, leading to disillusionment and mistrust among congregants.
Conclusion: While mega churches may boast impressive numbers and reach, they come with serious drawbacks. The emphasis on growth at the expense of relational ministry, the prioritization of entertainment over discipleship, and the erosion of community are all significant challenges that must be addressed. John Pendleton’s emphasis on church planting and starting new works when a congregation becomes too large is a model that would encourage a healthier, more biblically faithful approach to church growth. Rather than focusing solely on size, churches should seek to build genuine relationships, invest in deep discipleship, and care for the spiritual health of their members.
As we look to the future of the Church, it’s important to reflect on these challenges and ask ourselves: Are we focusing on growing deep roots in the Gospel, or are we simply growing larger numbers for the sake of appearance?