Difference between revisions of "Megachurch"
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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> | ||
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==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. | ||
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*[[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> | ||
| − | == | + | ==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] | ||
Revision as of 15:53, July 13, 2016
A megachurch is a large church characterized by weekly attendance of 2000 people or more, an active congregational 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.[1]
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.[2]
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.[3]
- 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 organs in the world.[4]