Have you ever seen a big church? Some call these “mega-churches”. Do you ever wonder what makes so many people flock to one place? How does that happen? A man named Jerry Cook was one of the first pastors to experience this phenomenon, and even though different geographies require different forms of ministry, he says that there were key ingredients that brought his congregation from under 500 to over 4,500 in just three years.
Jerry defines the Church as “people redeemed, filled with the Holy Spirit, equipped to serve, meeting needs everywhere in Jesus’ name.” He claims one of the mistakes we make is seeing the church as a field instead of a force. See the table below:
Church as a Field Church as a Force
Goals Are: Goals Are:
1. Numbers (attendance) 1. Wholeness (of oneself)
2. Budget 2. Equipped (to minister)
3. Facility (Building Programs) 3. Released (to minister)
Church as a Field Church as a Force
Emphasis On: Emphasis On:
1. Visibility 1. Worship
2. Organization 2. Training
3. Programs 3. Fellowship
4. Promotion
Jerry is convinced that the elements of seeing the church as a force are the things that will produce spirit-filled people who can meet others needs in Jesus’ name.
This tells me that the idea was never to create a “mega-church”. The idea was to be the church and becoming “mega” was just a byproduct. Because people gather where they want to don’t they? People will gather at a place because they like it – not just because it’s “mega”. What a better reason for people to like a church other than getting a sense that it is a part of the Church? The way to be a part of the Church is to direct the church away from ultra-professionalism, shifting the control and power away from those “in charge”, and to put great responsibility into the hands of those who have no idea what they’re doing.
We aren’t a professional/client-patient business. We are together as equals. Sometimes what attracts professionals to the “mega” are the very things that will keep them from ever getting there.
