Megachurches not as ‘mega’ as one might think

When you think of megachurches, do you think of them as congregations that are homogeneous gatherings in huge complexes? Scholars who have just completed a study of congregations with weekly attendance of 2,000 or more say you may need to think again.

“They’re not so much an anomaly as they were a decade or two ago,” said Scott Thumma, professor of the sociology of religion at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut, was the principal investigator for the study, which was done in conjunction with the Leadership Network, a Dallas-based nonprofit that aims to foster innovation among Christian leaders.

Researchers found that the number of megachurches totals more than 1,200. Thumma said his database of megachurches included 600 five years ago and 850 in early 2005.

Investigators found that few megachurches have colossal sanctuaries. Just 5 percent have sanctuaries that seat 3,000 or more. More than half — 53 percent — have four or more services over the course of a weekend.

The findings were based on surveys completed by 382 churches with weekly attendance of 2,000 or more and 24 with attendance of 1,800 or more, supplemented by research to learn the latest totals of megachurches.

Researchers reviewing the total number of megachurches found that the states with the most megachurches are California (178), Texas (157), Florida (85) and Georgia (73).

The largest portion of megachurches — 34 percent — was nondenominational, followed by Southern Baptist (16 percent), unspecified Baptist (10 percent), Assemblies of God (6 percent) and United Methodist (5 percent).
(RNS)