Category Archives: Megachurches

Church Leadership: Recent Study on Megachurches

Christianity Today recently published the results of a broadly based study on megachurches (churches with attendance over 2,000) by Leadership Network and Hartford Institute, including comparisons with smaller churches. Even though there are very few megachurches within the Churches of … Continue reading

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Leadership Network Megachurch Salary Survey

The Leadership Network has published a salary survey of megachurches, which is very interesting. The most interesting part, to me, is the staffing ratio. The churches, on average, hire one fulltime person per 45 members. “Staff” is anyone on the … Continue reading

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American Megachurches: Ministerial training & post-denominationalism

Ministerial training The report finds — On the other hand, 7% more megachurches (47% in 2000 to 54% in 2008) were sponsoring Pastors or ministerial conferences. Additionally 69% have internship/ residency programs to train potential staff and ministerial candidates. So … Continue reading

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American Megachurches: Private Schools

Another area where some shifting of emphasis within megachurches can be seen is around the effort to train other religious leaders. In 2000 42% of churches surveyed said they operated a Christian elementary or secondary school, whereas in 2008 only … Continue reading

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American Megachurches: Church planting

… the number of megachurches who are planting new churches is also rising according to our studies. Megachurches planting or helping to plant other congregations rose from 68% in 2000 to 70% in 2005 to 77% in 2008.Interestingly, those churches … Continue reading

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American Megachurches: Finances

No church leaders will be surprised to learn that contributions in megachurches are essentially flat from 2005 — even a little down when adjusted for inflation — meaning that more churches are feeling the pinch. Even the largest churches have … Continue reading

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American Megachurches: Vision

Megachurches have always been marked by a strong sense of mission and purpose. That has only become more so —

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American Megachurches: Small Groups

Another aspect of congregational life that has dramatically changed in the past 8 years is the increasing emphasis on small groups. While small groups have always been seen as important to megachurches, they haven’t always been central to how many … Continue reading

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American Megachurches: Radio and television

Modes of interaction and publicity with the broader relationship to the public have also shifted in 8 years according to our research findings. In 2000, 44% of megachurches reported having a radio ministry and 38% a television ministry. However, in … Continue reading

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American Megachurches: Community Service

An area where significant proactive change clearly seems to be taking place among megachurches is within social ministry and community service programming and involvement. In 2000 a third (34%) of megachurches affirmed their congregation was “working for social justice.” By … Continue reading

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