AND YET LOOK AT ...

...the influence they have over the American church in general.

A new study found there are at least 1,200 MegaChurches in the United States – 50 percent more than previously thought by most religion researchers – and the number may be growing. ... .

Preliminary analysis of the project shows that the 1,200 churches account for more than four million weekly attendants and possibly as many as eight to 12 million members, though they make up only three-tenths of one percent of all congregations.

Not one Christian seminary, publishing house, worship service, Internet site, educational program, denominational decision, church furniture manufacturer, missions agency, or practical theology course goes unaffected by the success of this "three-tenths of one percent." They, rather than the first-century church, have become the standard.

If you don't believe me, pick up one Christian magazine or newspaper, one church furnishings brochure or look at your church mail, visit your local religious bookstore, and, more importantly, ask your favorite Christian college to send you one of its catalogues.

What bugs me is this: out there on the battlefield, where the other 99.7% of our churches minister, real miracles are happening, real power is being witnessed, real lives are being changed, and real unsung heroes are giving their all to ministries that will never be noticed. But then maybe that's the way God wants it?

HT: Christian Headlines