I've been in mega churches before. In fact, I have lots of friends that lead mega churches. I spent many years learning ministry around the world, so please don’t think I'm anti mega church. But the truth is that attending one may not necessarily be the right choice for you. Mega churches have a lot of benefits to attendees but they also have disadvantages.
Big isn't always better. My favorite restaurant isn't a 30,000 square foot warehouse. It's a little local French restaurant with a very intimate atmosphere. It's not like you're looking for the biggest phone you can find. Big isn't always better. Wal-Mart is great for a bargain but I'd rather see a doctor if I'm sick. We all have different needs and a mega church might not necessarily meet them for you. Here are some reasons a mega church may not be for you:
1. Lack of community and friendships.
Let me share with you very quickly a story about one of my visits to a mega church in California. The facility was a multimillion dollar complex with couches, coffee bars and luxuries throughout the lobby. The auditorium seated over 15,000 and the music and speaking were dynamic. The church was nationally influential. Here’s the thing, in all of this magnificent beauty, my friend had no one at all reach out to have a conversation with him. Wow! He came knowing no one there and left knowing no one there. That’s not how church should be. Most people are extremely lonely. The truth is that the most people do not have 6 close friends, who are not family, to be a pallbearer at their own funeral. Church should be a place where you can develop life- long relationships. Mega churches aren't going to provide this for you. Sure you might disagree and say you have plenty of friends at your mega church but when was the last time you met a "first-timer" and asked them out to your favorite spot? Probably never. Want to find friends? You are most likely not going to find any at a large church.
2. You are unlikely to ever use your talents or gifts there.
It amazes me that a church of 5000 people can't find a drummer and so they come and get your church’s musicians, singers and dancers. Our worship leader on our team recently got asked to worship lead for a church of 20,000 people because they didn't have anyone else. Surely there has to be people in these huge congregations that can sing, dance, play an instrument, is good with children and so on. Most mega churches hire musicians, have paid staff for most positions and don't need people to use their gifts. Want to get involved and serve? It’s probably not going to happen for you at a mega church.
3. No one will miss you.
But if you attend a church, it is highly unlikely anyone will miss you if you skip a Sunday. What about if you skip two Sundays? What about ten or even a month or a year? If you don't believe me, just try skipping a Sunday at a mega church and see if anyone calls to see if you're ok. No one will miss you if you leave a mega church. Everybody wants to feel like they matter. That they are noticed, valued and appreciated—not just an envelope or a rear-end filling a seat. Why go to a church where the pastor doesn't know that you exist or your name?
A smaller church is not necessarily less successful. Success is not about being big or small. Big isn't always better—sometimes it’s just swollen. Remember if a body part swells, that is not a good sign and indicates something needs to be checked out and treated. If you want friends...real friends and real relationships--if you want to serve and use your talents--if you want to feel like you matter--if you want to be pastored by someone who knows you exist and knows your name, I would highly recommend finding a smaller church. A smaller church can offer things a mega church can't. So when looking for a place to belong, don't just head out to the biggest church you can find-- it might not be what you really need.
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