A new decade of mega churches - 2011 Report from Hartford institute

Hartford Institute regularly researches and reviews the trends with Mega Churches.  They have identified 27 Lutheran churches that fall in the category of Mega Churches in the USA.  


Executive Summary
Last weekend, about 56 million Americans worshipped at a Protestant church.1 Most of those churches drew fewer than 100 people each, a size that’s characterized the “typical” church for centuries. But in the last few decades a new class of church has emerged: the very large church, often called a megachurch. And last weekend over 10% – or nearly 6 million – of these worshippers were part of congregations that each drew 2,000 or more in total attendance. If this group of churches were a Protestant denomination, it would be the nation’s second largest such group. 

In recent months we surveyed this group of very large churches and made some fascinating discoveries. 2 The following list highlights some of the most important findings. We will also be releasing more of findings from this survey in the coming months.

•  These churches are wired.
•  Multisite interest has grown dramatically.
•  Growth is steady.
•  The leader at the helm makes all the difference.
•  Worship options extend beyond Sunday morning.
•  They are both big and small.
•  They have a high view of their own spiritual vitality.
•  Newcomer orientation is constant.
•  The dominant identity is “evangelical.”
•  The vast majority do not have serious financial struggles.
•  Staffing costs are comparable to those of other churches.
•  They are not independent.

To read the report in full visit http://hirr.hartsem.edu/megachurch/New-Decade-of-Megachurches-2011Profile.pdf

What we can learn about the demise of a mega church?

Gordon Moyes the former pastor of Wesley City Mission and a NSW Legisaltive Council politician recently wrote an article called Cracks in the Crystal Cathedral....the main focus of the article is to highlight seven areas of why Crystal Catehderal difficulties that we can learn from You can read the article at http://www.gordonmoyes.com/2010/10/27/cracks-in-the-crystal-cathedral/

A list of MEGA Lutheran Churches

Some people believe it or not are attracted to big churches....and it appears every denomination has them.

They are not the norm, however they exist and God is using some of them to deliver the Gospel into people's lives.

Below is a list of various Mega Lutheran churches and if you take the time to look at them you will find that they are as diverse as there are people. They also offer some resources online that you may find helpful. And you may even pick up a thing or two from them to inspire you....

Calvary Lutheran Church Golden Valley MN
Christian Family Lutheran Church Omaha NE
Community Church of Joy Glendale AZ
Concordia Lutheran Church Fort Wayne IN
Faith Lutheran Church Troy MI
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Nassau Bay TX
Hales Cornes Lutheran Church Hales Corners WI
Hope Lutheran Church Fargo ND
Hosanna Lutheran Church Lakeville MN
King of Kings Lutheran Church Omaha NE
Lutheran Church of Hope West Des Moines IA
Mt Bethel Lutheran Church Mount Bethel PA
Prince of Peace Lutheran Burnsville MN
Mt Olivet Lutheran Church Minneapolis MN
North Heights Lutheran Church Roseville MN
Saint Andrews Lutheran Church Mahtomedi MN
Saint John Lutheran Church Ellisville MO
Saint Lorenz Lutheran Church Frankenmuth MI
Saint Philip The Deacon Plymouth MN
Shepherd of the Valley Apple Valley MN
Upper Arlington Lutheran Church Columbus OH
Upper Arlington Lutheran Church at Mill Run Hilliard OH

If you have any to add please feel free to email me