Is the Megachurch Era Over? Yes. And No. (And Other Contradictory Answers)

In recent years there’s been a lot of talk about the impending demise of the megachurch. But is the era of the megachurch really drawing to a close? I have four answers to that question: Yes No I hope so I hope not Let’s look at these four contradictory responses one at a time.

March 28, 2018

by Karl Vaters

Is the era of the megachurch drawing to a close?

I have four answers to that question:

Yes
No
I hope so
I hope not

Let’s look at these four contradictory responses one at a time.

Author

Karl Vaters

Karl produces resources for Helping Small Churches Thrive at KarlVaters.com.
He's the author of five books on church leadership, including his newest, De-Sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What's Next. His other books include The Grasshopper Myth and Small Church Essentials.
Karl also hosts a bi-weekly podcast,The Church Lobby: Conversations on Faith & Ministry, featuring in-depth interviews about topics that concern pastors, especially those who minister in a small church context.
Karl has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years, so he speaks and writes from decades of hands-on pastoral experience. He and his wife, Shelley have three children and two grandkids.

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