Members SweetCharity Posted June 7, 2008 Members Share Posted June 7, 2008 Has anyone here ever gone to, or currently go to, a mega church? My husband took a new job out in Cali and we will be moving out there at the end of June from New England. The only IFB church in the area is HUGE! I mean HUGE! Thousands of people go there, they televise everything, have their own school, have their own bus system... The website even said they have security guards and escorts to direct the massive parking lots so people don't get lost! :puzzled: I'm really nervous about going there and don't know what to expect. The largest church I've ever been to had 200 people, so this one will be a huge change. Unfortunately the few people I know in person who have experiences with these mega churches do not have positive experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 I have been to several churches that would be considered "mega-churches". One started out very fundamental and remained gun-barrel straight for a long time. When My wife and i attended this particular church, we felt real out of place. There was no family atmosphere, and only select few even knew anyone. We were never greeted, never got to meet the "preacher" [ that is in quotations for a good reason, considering..] and it was like a "mill" so to speak. This ministry has removed the Baptist title from it's name, and had yoked up with the mainstream liberal agenda, that is cloaking itself in the terms of 'conservatives'. NIV, contemporary music, and unqualified, Christ denying, blood rejecting, devils are allowed to preach from it's pulpit. I expect the likes of Joyce M. to appear there before long. The other ministry started out in an old store front building. Since then, has grown into thousands of members. I've visited there several times over the past years. I have kin that attend there. The first visit was as if i had stepped into a small family type country church, very well recieved. met the Pastor and was made very welcome. Shook hands with what seemed like hundreds of folk I never met before. They had the right Bible [KJV, of course] and the right music, and the right preaching. Since then, upon later visits, I noticed drums and involvement with peolpe and places that they would not have brushed elbows with in the past. I still keep in contact with what's happening there for the sake of my kin folk who go there. Those are my two 'experiences' with "mega-churches". Notice, "my", not everyone will have the same story. I hope things will turn out good for you and your family as you relocate, may the Lord guide you to where He would have you be. :Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kayla Posted June 8, 2008 Members Share Posted June 8, 2008 Well. I go to one of the largest Independent Baptist Churches in the Midwest when I am at College it averages about 1500-2000 on Sunday morning. But it really doesn't feel like a large church, I don't know if it has something to do with the region of the country that the church is in...or the fact that we have such a down to earth pastor. But my experience has been great, although it is a large Church it is like a small church too everyone is like family. I think I know of which church you are referring and my roommate went to church there when she was at her first college. She really liked going to church there. I am not sure all the details about it. If you want I can ask her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlessedChristianlady8 Posted June 8, 2008 Members Share Posted June 8, 2008 No never been to a Mega Church and Never will because, my friend years ago went to one and told her father not to go in the service because he will disturb the show. He was only parking the car and wanting to sit with his family. He Had to sit and watch the service which they call the show on the moniter outside of the worship area. So I would feel out of place. The biggest Church I went to is the Catholic ones. The only exception of a Mega Church I want to go not to hear the sermon or anything but the Choir is the Crystal Cathedral in Anhiem , California. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Anon Posted June 8, 2008 Members Share Posted June 8, 2008 I was saved in a larger church, about 800-1000 members....I like it because there are plenty of people, so you can find your own circle of friends. Plus there is often alot of enthusiasm and organization about the ministries going on, and lots of opportunities to serve however you want. Of course small churches are more common, and it is nice you can know everybody in the small church and be involved in more, and have it feel more a "part" of you. I like either. I guess since I was saved in a large church, I kind of have a place in my heart for large churches and I enjoy visiting them when I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Flourgirl Posted June 9, 2008 Members Share Posted June 9, 2008 Yes... I attended FBC in Hammond while I attended HAC. Where we live now there are no "big" IFB churches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 There are only 2 IFB churches (that I know of) in California that fit the description you described. There aren't many good Baptist churches to choose from in California, so it's probably just best for you to get used to the church in the area you're moving to. A benefit of big churches is that you can get to know more people, and have more opportunities to get involved somewhere. I tend to be more comfortable in a small church, but that's because I'm not a really outgoing person. :ooops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Anon Posted June 9, 2008 Members Share Posted June 9, 2008 I dunno, I thought it worked better for a shy person to be in a big church where they can blend in...LOL... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 I dunno... I was less comfortable in the bigger church in California than I am here in a smaller church in Ohio. :cool Some small churches just tend to have less snobby people because everyone has to get along with everyone or they won't have any friends at church... lol. At big churches, it's easy to form cliques. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Anon Posted June 9, 2008 Members Share Posted June 9, 2008 ...however, at small churches, the cliques are so much easier to notice and easier to feel left out if you aren't in one... (Although our current church does not really have cliques, I've been in ones that have, and our church has in the past.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SweetCharity Posted June 9, 2008 Author Members Share Posted June 9, 2008 Thanks everyone. I noticed the lack of sound churches in California too I'm a pretty shy person so this huge mega church thing is either going to be wonderful for me or a living nightmare. Really so far my only options are to go to this mega church or go to a completely different denomination all together. Hopefully the mega church works out alright... I didn't realize there were so few mega IFB churches, now everyone knows where I'm moving to :ooops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jerry Posted June 9, 2008 Members Share Posted June 9, 2008 A large church isn't necessarily a bad thing. Look at Spurgeon's church. He was strong spiritually, preached sound messages (except for his Calvinism), and stood against the worldliness and compromise of his day. The term "mega church" is often used to indicate a church following the Willow Creek or other mentality - where they offer entertainment, CCM, low standards, etc. If a church was large but was still separated, sound, and sold out to the Lord, there would be no problem with it (in a general sense - you might always be able to find minor problems, but I am referring to reasons to separate from that church). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Thanks everyone. I noticed the lack of sound churches in California too I'm a pretty shy person so this huge mega church thing is either going to be wonderful for me or a living nightmare. Really so far my only options are to go to this mega church or go to a completely different denomination all together. Hopefully the mega church works out alright... I didn't realize there were so few mega IFB churches' date=' now everyone knows where I'm moving to :ooops[/quote'] Every mega IFB church is different... it's not the size of those churches that would bother me. I'm more concerned about other issues in churches, like doctrine and who's in leadership positions in those churches. My favorite "mega" church is Treasure Valley Baptist Church in Meridian, Idaho (close to Boise). That church has over 1000 people but they're very doctrinally sound and I know a lot of good Bible-believing people there. :smile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators HappyChristian Posted June 9, 2008 Administrators Share Posted June 9, 2008 I attend a large IFB church, but don't consider it mega...probably because when I think of "mega" churches, I think of what Jerry mentioned. When we first came here in 1989, I was kind of leery, because it is so large (and I am basically a shy person, too). But we weren't there very long before I felt that I knew most of the members - at least by name. One of the advantages of a larger church is that there can be more ministries to be involved in. We have many, so there is something for everyone - from the kids (there's a nursing home some of the kids go to, if they don't go with their families somewhere on Sat...our son always went with us on our ministries on Sat.) to the elderly, shy to the extrovert. It's exciting. Another advantage is that there are all kinds of people to befriend...and it is a blessing to know that we have such a large church family, any of which would help us if needed (we know that by experience). Our church is straight on doctrine - else we wouldn't still be here. If that church is straight doctrinally, just give yourself time to get to know people. One of these days, you will look back and be surprised that you felt it was as big as you thought. Our church really seemed to shrink as we got to know people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pep_3000 Posted June 11, 2008 Members Share Posted June 11, 2008 When I was a college I went to a large church. They did three services on Sunday morning last year and the year before that it was two on Sunday morning and one a Saturday night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.