tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13004974.post112274754962386533..comments2023-11-02T09:08:06.306-05:00Comments on ktrayn78: Willow Creek Community Church in the NewsKimberly Cangelosihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739099899201439587noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13004974.post-1123367237352096182005-08-06T17:27:00.000-05:002005-08-06T17:27:00.000-05:00I think churches have a natural life cycle as bodi...I think churches have a natural life cycle as bodies much like human bodies do. In part because the gospel is a movement....and it keeps moving forward at a much faster pace than when something that is institutionalized does.Friar Tuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18404281343475373969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13004974.post-1122771058403659522005-07-30T19:50:00.000-05:002005-07-30T19:50:00.000-05:00Thanks Scott, I'm glad that I'm not the only one i...Thanks Scott, I'm glad that I'm not the only one it sounded a bit funny to!<BR/><BR/>Hi Clint! Great to hear your perspective on this 'cause as a pastor you're a lot more qualified to evaluate the list. <BR/><BR/>Do you really think churches have a half-life? Or is it more likely that churches try to keep doing what worked thirty years ago and don't understand why it doesn't work today?Kimberly Cangelosihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00739099899201439587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13004974.post-1122766865541046042005-07-30T18:41:00.000-05:002005-07-30T18:41:00.000-05:00OK, a few more thoughts after looking over the lis...OK, a few more thoughts after looking over the list.<BR/><BR/>1.) Most of these churches are in California, Texas and Georgia.<BR/><BR/>2.) Some of these churches are influential, but on the decline as well.<BR/><BR/>3.) No two megachurches are alike. I would find it difficult to lump together Willow and Fallwell's church for example.<BR/><BR/>4.) In order to get on this list you have to have increased your churches visibility often times in one of the following ways.<BR/><BR/>a. Write a book that people really like a lot, or at least ministers resonate with.<BR/><BR/>b. Have a TV ministry of some sort.<BR/><BR/>c. Get involved in partisan politics OR<BR/><BR/>d. Hit the conference circuit really hard as a speaker.<BR/><BR/>OR<BR/><BR/>e. Be Southern BaptistFriar Tuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18404281343475373969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13004974.post-1122766004825670402005-07-30T18:26:00.000-05:002005-07-30T18:26:00.000-05:00I think everyone is right.There is a certain sense...I think everyone is right.<BR/><BR/>There is a certain sense in which declining churches, like the one I am in need to do more in the way of outreach, or simply get out of the way.<BR/><BR/>There is also a sense in which people leave smaller churches for megachurches because they call for less commitment and personal interaction. I have seen this in many ways. And, to be honest, this is a major drawing point for my sister in considering attending Saddleback. She says, "I want to go to church, but I do not want to have to get involved or know anybody."<BR/><BR/>George Barna also hints at something else that is helpful. Demographic patterns. Most megachurches are enmeshed in the matrix of suburban, consumer culture (even if the eventually return to urban centers like Joel Osteen's church recently did)and are thus strategically situated for numerical growth. <BR/><BR/>There are two issues that are left out in this whole discussion.<BR/><BR/>One is the role of leadership. In my mind, most megachurches are spurred on by top notch leadership. Look at Willow. Look at Mars Hill in Michigan, and Saddleback. I contend that most of them are where they are today because they have entreprunurial wizards like Hybels, Bell (although he is loathe to admit it), and Warren.<BR/><BR/>Also, most of the most influential churches in America were started in the last 30 years. Many of the struggling churches are simply later on in their life cycle--a life cycle that all churches have.Friar Tuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18404281343475373969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13004974.post-1122754304325311022005-07-30T15:11:00.000-05:002005-07-30T15:11:00.000-05:00However, the bottom line is this. If there are now...<I>However, the bottom line is this. If there are now tens of thousands of seeker-friendly churches, who are attracting the unchurched, why has the number of unchurched Americans nearly doubled, according to pollster George Barna, from 39 million in 1991 to 75 million in 2004?</I><BR/><BR/>The wording of this question basically insinuates that the reason for the supposed decline in church attendance is caused by the seeker-friendly churches. It's a pretty baseless accusation.<BR/><BR/>Good commentary Kim.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06748025048481866622noreply@blogger.com