{"id":32505,"date":"2022-09-10T16:12:09","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/6-traits-most-megachurches-share\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:12:09","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:12:09","slug":"6-traits-most-megachurches-share","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/6-traits-most-megachurches-share\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Traits Most Megachurches Share"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Aaron Earls <\/em><\/p>\n

American megachurches have one obvious commonality: They\u2019re mega. But that\u2019s not all that unites these sometimes disparate congregations.<\/p>\n

According to analysis by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, megachurches in the U.S. have several traits in common.<\/p>\n

Southern<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Almost half of all American megachurches (49 percent) are in the South. According to Lifeway Research and Outreach Magazine,<\/em> 53 of the 100 largest and 63 of the fastest growing megachurches last year were in the South.<\/p>\n

Evangelical<\/strong><\/h3>\n

According to the report, virtually all megachurches have a conservative theology\u2014even those within mainline denominations. More than 7 in 10 megachurches (71 percent) say they are evangelical.<\/p>\n

Moderate, the next most common theological orientation, was chosen by 7 percent of the churches. Only 0.5 percent of megachurches consider themselves liberal. Twice as many (1 percent) say they are fundamentalist.<\/p>\n

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Nondenominational<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While most megachurches belong to a denomination, Hartford\u2019s research found \u201cnondenominational\u201d was the single most popular type of megachurch.<\/p>\n

A full 4 in 10 megachurches considered themselves nondenominational. At 16 percent, Southern Baptist was the only denomination in double digits.<\/p>\n

Growing location<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Hartford Institute\u2019s research found most megachurches are in the suburbs, near \u201crapidly growing sprawl cities such as Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Orlando, Phoenix and Seattle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shrinking buildings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As more megachurches have embraced multisite ministries, the need for a large sanctuary has decreased. The typical megachurch worship center now seats 1,200\u2014down from 1,500 in 2010.<\/p>\n

At a pivotal moment<\/strong><\/h3>\n

According to the Hartford Institute\u2019s research, megachurches tend to grow quickly and under the leadership of a single senior pastor.<\/p>\n

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See also  Americans Open to Most Churches, Regardless of Denomination<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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What happens when that pastor is no longer leading the church? That will be the question many megachurches are facing in the coming years.<\/p>\n

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Aaron Earls<\/h2>\n

@WardrobeDoor<\/p>\n

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Aaron is a writer for LifewayResearch.com.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n