Intriguing Prediction: MegaChurch Merger in 2010

Posted on January 11, 2010
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(23) comments

My friend, Brad Lomenick, made an interesting prediction on his blog this morning. Brad predicts that in 2010 a major merger will happen between two large successful megachurches, and usher in a new trend of collaboration and partnership...

That's a great prediction. Do you think it would/could happen?

If it did, would it be a good thing?

And if it did, what two megachurches would you like to see merge?

Todd

Comments

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bishopdave on Mon, January 11, 2010

Someone earlier said it goes to motivation: why? Successful mergers are normally two congregations with a major struggle/issue—one lacks leadership but has facilities/resources, the other lacks facilities/resources but has pastor; i.e., your pastor, our building let’s get together. Will this be different than First Struggling Pastorless church approached by the mega church to bail First out of its debt in exchange for becoming a video-venue campus?
Fred on Mon, January 11, 2010

Are they going to spend 190 gazillion dollars to build a new building? Just think what good could be done with the money spent on buildings today. But if you say anything you are Judas?
Chip Anderson on Mon, January 11, 2010

I hope more churches split (get smaller). I mean this in a good and healthy way. Do we really need a new classification of churches (super mega gigantic churches) more than we need local indigenous communities of people transforming neighborhoods?
It would be great to see these excellent leader use their skills, resources and leadership find a ways to “divide and conquer.”
Carl Lodico on Mon, January 11, 2010

I read some staggering statistics that over that last 15-20 years across America, county per county, the church has actually declined in attendance by a small percentage…this included the counties where a megachurch has emerged during that time.

We put so much stock in megachurch or small church rather that WE are the church called to go out and save people.

If megachurches merge I will praise God if it advances the Kingdom of God because whether growing a small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large or mega it’s about growing the Kingdom of God one surrendered life after another.
Oliver on Tue, January 12, 2010

Prediction…mega churches will shutter their doors and the billions of dollars being flushed down the toilet each sunday on state of the art sound systems, visual orgasms for the white rich complacent suburban narcastistic americans will be instead used to provide clean water and food for millions of the dying in third world countries. Well…at least I can wish, unfortunately the hubris, greed, and self centeredness and materialism of most americans will never allow this to happen. (sigh…)
Jerry on Tue, January 12, 2010

Oliver, I understand there are people in this world who struggle mightily to obtain the necessities of life, but the mission field isn’t limited to third world countries - we have plenty of people in our own back yards that need to hear the gospel and see it in action. My own church dedicates quite a bit to overseas missions work, but there is much to do here as well.

I think that none of the mega church leaders said in the beginning “Hey, let’s build a mega church!” (Except maybe Robert Schuller and the Crystal Cathedral.) Most of them had humble beginnings, I’m sure. God blessed them with obedient leaders that loved the Him and preached the Word, so they grew. Have some lost their way and become very vanilla in what they preach? Sure. Have some mis-spent their money? I’m sure they have. (Haven’t we all at one time or another?)

You have to realize, a bonfire is easier to see than a candle, and visibility is important. If we (the church universal) are truly trying to reach people with the Good News of the Gospel, shouldn’t we be visible? If we want to reach them by helping them, don’t we need to have the resources available? Calling names and assigning behavioral attributes to the people who attend these churches is condescending and judgmental and doesn’t do much to encourage the body.

I don’t think I care if two mega churches merge or not. I’ll be faithful to do what God has called me to do and let others do what God has called them to do. Maybe one day we’ll meet at the foot of the throne as we lay our crowns at Jesus’ feet.
devin on Wed, January 13, 2010

How about a merge between Mars Hill Seattle and Lakewood Houston? Mark and Joel swapping pulpit time.
Fred on Wed, January 13, 2010

There are some mega-churches that use their resources to help in situations where smaller churches wouldn’t be able to. There are also some mega churches that have a team of “pastors” who only do pastoral care.
If the merger would mean that they would have more resources that would help and reach people more efficiently it could be a good thing.