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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.

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>  Frequently, those megachurches that are denominationally-affiliated do not promote their affiliation to as to not dissuade people who oppose that denomination from attending or joining.

A more recent trend is the "multi-site church", where a megachurch has multiple meeting locations.  The general practice is for each campus to feature local music, but the main service to be simulcast (or re-broadcast) from the main location. An example involves Texas-based Gateway Church: the 4PM service from the church's main location in Southlake is live, and is simulcast or re-broadcast to the other locations (Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Frisco, Dallas, and Grand Prairie).

 

A substantial number of megachurches are non-denominational, and most that are associated with denominations are associated with those considered either [[Evangelical]] (such as the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]) or [[Pentecostal]] or Charismatic, as opposed to mainline denominations such as the [[United Methodist Church]].<ref>http://hirr.hartsem.edu/megachurch/definition.html</ref>  Frequently, those megachurches that are denominationally-affiliated do not promote their affiliation to as to not dissuade people who oppose that denomination from attending or joining.

 

==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 Southern 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 attendance. 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 attendance. Lakewood Church (a non-denominational Charismatic church) meets in 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>