OK, so technically, this one’s true. My church can’t compete with megachurches.
Trying to do what they do on a Small Church scale would, did, and does lead to disaster and burnout.
What makes the statement a myth is that it’s built on a faulty premise. The premise that we’re supposed to be like megachurches, become megachurches, or win some kind of contest against megachurches. None of those are true.
Here’s the truth.
We’re not in competition with megachurches. And they aren’t in competition with us.
Imagine No More Megachurches
What would the world look like if all the megachurches disappeared tomorrow? Would it be a better place? Or worse?
I propose it would be worse.
Imagine the situation in our Small Churches if all the megachurches disappeared tomorrow. Would they be filled with all the people who don’t have a megachurch to go to anymore? Or would they be pretty much the same as they are now?
I propose our Small Churches would look pretty much the same on the Sunday after the megachurches disappeared as they did last Sunday.
Megachurches Aren’t the Reason My Church is Small
My church isn’t small because there are megachurches near us. My church is small because small is what works for us.
Most of the people in megachurches aren’t there instead of being in my Small Church. They’re in a megachurch instead of being at home in their PJs. Thank God for any church that can do that.
Megachurches haven’t stolen people from us. They’ve stolen people from Sunday brunch. From sleeping in. From watching TV.
And no, I’m not naive to the stats about transfer growth. But it’s not all one way. If everyone in our churches were new believers and seekers, we’d have a valid complaint. Otherwise, it’s just jealousy.
This Isn’t a Game
We have to stop looking at megachurches – and any other churches – as competition. Let’s take the word out of our vocabulary. This isn’t a game. And, if it was, megachurches and my church would be on the same team.
Megachurches bring gifts to the body of Christ that Small Churches don’t have. And Small Churches bring gifts that many megachurches are scrambling to regain.
We need them. They need us. A hurting world without Jesus needs us both. And it needs us working together, not tearing each other apart.
So what should we do instead of competing?
Do Quality Work
The appeal of megachurches isn’t their size. It’s their quality and consistency. Small Churches can do that.
It will be a different kind of quality. But that difference is what makes us matter.
Think Small
Thinking small is not the same as small thinking. And it’s one of the foundational truths of New Small Church.
Figure out what you can do well. What advantages do you have because your church is small? They do exist.
Stop trying to do a smaller-scale imitation of the megachurch model. You’re not mega. You’re small. Use it.
Ask yourself this: if every model for how church is supposed to be done was thrown out the window, what’s left that’s uniquely you?
Do that.
Personalize It
Take a look at your neighborhood. What do the the people in your neighborhood need?
Then match your strengths to their needs.
Even if there’s a megachurch next door to you, there are needs in your community that will not be met if your church doesn’t meet them.
Let’s keep our eyes and hearts where they belong. On Jesus. On the needs in our community. And in prayer for every church, as the body works together.
So what do you think? Have you been living as though you’re in competition with megachurches?
We want to hear from you. Yes, you!
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