Mega churches

Mega churches are extra-large churches that can accommodate upwards of 2,000 people and

are common among members of the evangelical Christian faith. Mega churches use varying

degrees of video, contemporary music and drama in their services. Mega churches have been a

recent phenomenon of contemporary American pop culture. Mega churches are good

destination for socialization and group bonding. However, they are not completely good for our

culture and started commercialization of religion.

Megachurch worship styles are usually contemporary and professional-quality, although they

may have great variety between their different services. They use technology in the worship

service and are more likely to support a variety of artistic expressions of worship such as drama

and dance. State of art facilities are provided to the people. There are no financial issues to run

services and people flock to churches just by hearing its name. Quality of programs such as

musical/theater programs, videos, books, tapes, etc, that are presented to the community are

extremely high. It has become good point for socialization and group bonding. It offers dating

pool for like-minded people. It also discourages over indulgence in drugs and alcohol hence

promoting healthy lifestyles in the society. Mega-churches also often have a virtually complete

social environment, featuring sports and recreation facilities such as basketball courts, pools, or

roller-skating rinks. Some have movie theaters and retirement homes built into their complexes

(Href).

Many researchers say that mega churches should not be criticized as the rituals and activities

help in promoting important messages which ensures happiness and peace in the society. The

researchers hypothesized that such rituals are successful in imparting emotional energy in the
megachurch setting creating membership feelings and symbols charged with emotional

significance, and a heightened sense of spirituality. Messages and teachings of mega churches

provide a conventional moral standard, such as being a decent person, taking care of family and

forgiving enemies and yourself. Mega churches also encourage their members, such as by

saying Things can get better, you can be happy,(Wellman)

On the one hand, Megachurches promotes well-being and peace in the society by bringing

thousands of people together. However, they have been criticized as well. Critics say that the

mega churches are straying from their traditional religious mission by focusing on helping

parishioners get rich rather than worshipping God. Their enterprises are too entrepreneurial

and they don't focus enough on theology. Mega churches is not only bringing thousands of

worshippers together, but also billions of dollars in profit. They are Commercial, for profit entity

that are not taxed but makes substantial revenue. They divert money and resources from needy

to the greedy. They have also been accused of Funding programs to dilute or sabotage science

advancements and study. The CEO-type approach to church government was of particular

concern in mega churches where church members can easily be forgotten (Leonardo). The

pastor in megachurch isn't really pastoring anybody. People are watching a show on the stage.

When there is no service, behind the scenes the pastor is running the church like a business and

his assistant pastors are like middle managers. Critics argue that the messages megachurch

pastors are sending out often seem to be more about personal fulfillment and prosperity than

finding communion with Christ or promoting spirituality. University of Florida megachurch

critic Twitchell says megachurches clearly are meeting consumer demand. He says churches

don't like to discuss the notion that they are competing with each other for attendance, but
megachurches clearly have learned from modern marketing techniques. They have taken the

efficiencies of mass production into a realm that has always been competitive, but not quite

this effective.(Alan)"

Although, one may say that Megachurches have become a point for social bonding of people

and passing messages which may promote well being and moral standards in the society but

they have forgotten the true meaning of religion and became commercial entities generating

profits with religious leaders functioning more like CEOs than the true spiritual leaders. If these

churches are used purely for religious reasons and promoting spirituality, the technological

advancement and modernization of these churches may promote peace, tolerance and healthy

lifestyles in the society.

Works Cited

Blair, Leonardo. "Megachurch Pastors Running Churches Like CEOs Unbiblical, Says Former
Pastor." The Christian Post. N.p., 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 25 May 2017.

Greenblatt, Alan, and Tracie Powell. "Rise of Megachurches." CQ Researcher by CQ Press. CQ

Press, 21 Sept. 2007. Web. 25 May 2017

Href, Mailto, OLIVER.LIBAW, ABCNEWS.COM, and Oliver Libaw. "More Americans Flock to Mega-
Churches." ABC News. ABC News Network, n.d. Web. 25 May 2017.

Wellman, James K., Katie E. Corcoran, and Kate StocklyMeyerdirk. "God Is Like a Drug:
Explaining Interaction Ritual Chains in American Megachurches." Sociological Forum. N.p., 26 Aug.
2014. Web. 25 May 2017.