tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8883907342870204095.post6520305852407003881..comments2023-10-31T11:57:39.387-04:00Comments on Authentic means REAL: Problems with MegachurchesDennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18077345966570168113noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8883907342870204095.post-7927169497124424692009-11-11T18:18:22.321-05:002009-11-11T18:18:22.321-05:00A problem with many megachurches, and many small c...A problem with many megachurches, and many small churches, too, is a sense of elitism, that our church is ever so much better than others. We look down with disdain at those who don't quite have what we do. I see that haughty attitude mostly in abusive churches, but it's creeping into many that I hadn't previously thought of as abusive.Provenderhttp://pureprovender.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8883907342870204095.post-66634807238162943672008-01-28T02:55:00.000-05:002008-01-28T02:55:00.000-05:00This is s a good question, and probably deserves a...This is s a good question, and probably deserves a post of its own. We find that if the church is serious about <I>reality</I>, including discipleship, witnessing, and real community, these church hoppers flee like roaches when the light comes on.Dennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18077345966570168113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8883907342870204095.post-74742692506611711062008-01-28T00:19:00.000-05:002008-01-28T00:19:00.000-05:00So, in order to transform wine tasters into wine s...So, in order to transform wine tasters into wine stewards, the word needs to get out about this issue. What else can be done to reverse this major problem?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8883907342870204095.post-10916966049443111272008-01-27T23:56:00.000-05:002008-01-27T23:56:00.000-05:00Anonymous, you are quite right that many people vi...Anonymous, you are quite right that many people visit multiple churches for legitimate reasons. That's a good point to remember, and should cause us to be welcoming and open-minded when people want to transfer.<BR/><BR/>At the same time, there are thousands of "wine-tasters" in each metropolitan area who make a regular habit of hearing which church has the hottest worship team or the hippest teaching, etc. These are usually looking for a place they can take, rather than where they can give out.Dennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18077345966570168113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8883907342870204095.post-54801351912796858982008-01-27T23:42:00.000-05:002008-01-27T23:42:00.000-05:00People who are genuinely responding to God by seek...People who are genuinely responding to God by seeking a group that follows Jesus Christ may visit several or possibly many churches until they settle on a home. However, I suspect that many get involved somewhat ignorantly, only to find a better option a year or two later. For various reasons, Americans must have the best. Acquiring top-notch clothing, entertainment items, foods, cars, homes, degrees, spouses, careers, etc., are primary objectives in our society. Thus, an excellent condition is applied when seeking church membership, rather than God's leading. Nonetheless, if any person were to use such particularism in choosing a spiritual group, along with wisdom from the Lord, I think they would do well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8883907342870204095.post-15091089699731433482008-01-27T21:06:00.000-05:002008-01-27T21:06:00.000-05:00I definitely believe we have to give a clear messa...I definitely believe we have to give a clear message out that the church is not here to meet it's members' needs, but to equip them for service. <BR/><BR/>I think we need to make it clear that transfers are welcome to stay as long as they get in line with out mission and don't cause trouble.<BR/><BR/>I think they need to be told that they are not special, and they need to establish credibility with others through a proven life of service and love.<BR/><BR/>We may need to offer to re-equip them under a new paradigm. Transfers often think they know more than they do because their knowledge may be academic and not service-oriented.<BR/><BR/>Our meetings and practices need to be suited to accomplishing our mission, not pleasing transfers.<BR/><BR/>We find that if we follow these steps, few transfers every stay around. In our church only 13% are transfers from other believing churches.Dennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18077345966570168113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8883907342870204095.post-30505206193165526252008-01-27T16:58:00.000-05:002008-01-27T16:58:00.000-05:00So, what do you do with chronic "church shoppers?"...So, what do you do with chronic "church shoppers?" It seems that most folks these days are looking to have their ears tickled, as Paul wrote to Timothy. Do you think that simply doing away with many of the things that typically draw experience -oriented people would be enough?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8883907342870204095.post-16932120209239636552008-01-27T16:43:00.000-05:002008-01-27T16:43:00.000-05:00I agree that there is an upside to larger, vital c...I agree that there is an upside to larger, vital churches drawing people away from dead smaller churches. That's where I don't agree with Chadwick. I know we've had people come here from dead churches, and I don't feel bad about that at all. If their church isn't going to feed them and disciple them, they <I>should</I> leave.<BR/><BR/>The problem comes when large churches aren't winning people from the world, and are just going to settle on getting people from other churches. That's where I agree with Chadwick. Most churches consciously try to compete with other churches in town to capture church-hoppers. That stinks.Dennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18077345966570168113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8883907342870204095.post-9035341298949293632008-01-27T15:06:00.000-05:002008-01-27T15:06:00.000-05:00So, from what you've written here, there is also a...So, from what you've written here, there is also an upside to larger churches drawing people from smaller churches (more team efforts). Could it be that the majority of people who are moving from small churches to larger ones are moving because they want to be more involved in reaching people and their smaller churches weren't doing that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com