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[[Image:LakewoodChurch.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The interior of Lakewood Church, the largest church in the United States]]

[[Image:LakewoodChurch.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The interior of Lakewood Church, the largest church in the United States]]

A '''megachurch''' is a large church characterized by weekly attendance of 2000 [[people]] or more, an active [[congregation]]al community, a large number of outreach and [[social]] [[ministries]], and several other criteria.  While some [[Catholic]] churches may fulfil most of the criteria for a megachurch, the term is usually only applied to [[Protestant]] churches. <ref>http://hirr.hartsem.edu/megachurch/megachurches.html</ref>

A '''megachurch''' is a large church characterized by weekly attendance of 2000 [[people]] or more, an active [[congregation]]al community, a large number of outreach and [[social]] [[ministries]], and several other criteria.  While some [[Catholic]] churches may fulfil most of the criteria for a megachurch, the term is usually only applied to [[Protestant]] churches.<ref>http://hirr.hartsem.edu/megachurch/megachurches.html</ref>

A substantial number of megachurches are non-denominational, and most that are associated with denominations are [[Baptist]], [[Evangelical]], or [[Pentecostal]], as opposed to more traditional denominations such as the [[United Methodist Church]].<ref>http://hirr.hartsem.edu/megachurch/definition.html</ref>

A substantial number of megachurches are non-denominational, and most that are associated with denominations are [[Baptist]], [[Evangelical]], or [[Pentecostal]], as opposed to more traditional denominations such as the [[United Methodist Church]].<ref>http://hirr.hartsem.edu/megachurch/definition.html</ref>

==Specific examples==

==Specific examples==

*[[Pastor]] [[Rick Warren]]'s [[Saddleback Church]] in Lake Forest, [[California]], is a leading Baptist megachurch in the [[United States]], with a weekly attendance of just under 20,000, making it about the eighth largest congregation in the [[nation]]. <ref>http://www.sermoncentral.com/articleb.asp?article=Top-100-Largest-Churches</ref>  

*[[Pastor]] [[Rick Warren]]'s [[Saddleback Church]] in Lake Forest, [[California]], is a leading Baptist megachurch in the [[United States]], with a weekly attendance of just under 20,000, making it about the eighth largest congregation in the [[nation]].<ref>http://www.sermoncentral.com/articleb.asp?article=Top-100-Largest-Churches</ref>  

*[[Joel Osteen]]'s [[Lakewood Church]] in [[Houston]], [[Texas]] draws 40,000 in weekly attendence. Lakewood Church is a former stadium equipped with lights and large flatscreen [[televisions]]. It manages a multi-million [[dollar]]  television ministry. The largest church in [[America]], it is also among the best examples of a megachurch.   

*[[Joel Osteen]]'s [[Lakewood Church]] in [[Houston]], [[Texas]] draws 40,000 in weekly attendence. Lakewood Church is a former stadium equipped with lights and large flatscreen [[televisions]]. It manages a multi-million [[dollar]]  television ministry. The largest church in [[America]], it is also among the best examples of a megachurch.   

*[[Crystal Cathedral]], in Garden Grove, California,, was built by a famous [[architect]] and is known for its [[music]]. It is constructed of thousands of panes of glass, holds nearly 3000 worshippers, and boasts one of the largest [[pipe organ]]s in the world.<ref>http://www.atlascom.us/bigpipes.htm</ref>

*[[Crystal Cathedral]], in Garden Grove, California,, was built by a famous [[architect]] and is known for its [[music]]. It is constructed of thousands of panes of glass, holds nearly 3000 worshippers, and boasts one of the largest [[pipe organ]]s in the world.<ref>http://www.atlascom.us/bigpipes.htm</ref>

==Outside Links==

==External links==

*[http://hirr.hartsem.edu/megachurch/megachurches.html]

*[http://hirr.hartsem.edu/megachurch/megachurches.html]

*[http://www.saddleback.com/index.html]

*[http://www.saddleback.com/index.html]