Myth #5: Large churches grow like Walmart, killing off small competition.
Many large churches do not grow (primarily) by transfer growth, but through conversion growth or prodigal growth (growth from those who have drifted away from church). They are heavily focused on evangelism, and strategies for reaching an unchurched population that were not attending anywhere. In fact, large churches serve more as “feeders” to smaller churches than “eaters” of smaller churches. So, not only do large churches send people to smaller churches, they can teach smaller churches the best in evangelistic methodology and mindset.
Myth #6: Large church staff are corporate types without a true heart, or understanding, for authentic pastoral ministry.
While it is true that many churches hire from within, and from people who were once in the marketplace, these men and women are frequently among the most deeply committed and called of all. They were often won to Christ through that church, discipled by its leaders, embodied the Great Commission because they were a direct result of it, and left higher-paying jobs in the marketplace to give their lives to the cause. From this, they have much to offer us all, blending both a pastoral heart and marketplace savvy.
Myth #7: Large churches are cold and impersonal.
Large churches can’t be impersonal and cold. Think about it: They wouldn’t be large if they were! Most large churches are, in fact, exceptionally friendly. They work on it with enormous intentionality, doing everything they can to serve first-time guests at every point of need. They throw open the doors every weekend with guests in mind, often with entire ministries devoted to the guest experience. From this, they can teach many churches how to exude a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Myth #8: Large churches have abandoned orthodoxy in order to get warm bodies.
There is a difference between what is said and how it is said; between the method and the message. Most large churches are actually very conservative theologically; they have simply removed certain cultural barriers in areas related to method, style or communication strategy in order to connect with contemporary hearts and minds. Churches that might be bound more to traditionalism than authentic tradition would be well served to see this dynamic in play.
Myth #9: Large churches have a back door the size of Alabama.
If there wasn’t some serious relational “Velcro” in play at large churches, they would never have become big. Most large churches do a very good job at connecting people to community through such things as small groups and serving teams. In fact, they are keenly aware that if someone doesn’t connect with four or five others within six months or so, they will start to drift. That’s why they work so hard at getting people involved in small groups or serving teams. The real lesson of large churches is how quick and easy they have made it to get involved.
Myth #10: The motivation of large churches is pure ego and hubris.
Most large churches did not set out to get large. They simply had a vision to be a biblically functioning community, a passion to fulfill the Great Commission, and a heart for the least and the lost. Some may have succumbed to ego along the way, but that wasn’t the genesis of their efforts. Make no mistake — a large vision matters. But the vision of most large churches was, and is, to reach as many people for Christ as possible, not a personal pedestal.
There are ten learnings from large churches tucked away behind ten of the more common criticisms. Without a doubt, each of the criticisms can be true of some large churches. But the greater truth may be how few of these criticisms actually stick, and how much they might actually reveal about what can be learned.
