The Next Wave?

Last night Pastor Rick Warren was on Larry King Live. As usual he did a good job of representing the church - dodging the odd trap, and speaking articulately and graciously on a range of topics. Good job Pastor Rick!

I don't know a lot about him or about his church, but the tidbits I do know: the church and it's ministry is remarkably large; his influence is far reaching, his leadership - well respected. In America there are a number of people like him - as well as a number of churches like his. Big ministries, and big churches.

I've been thinking about these big ministries and big churches. In some ways it seems as though megachurches are the new denominations. Megachurches get so big that they launch international ministries, they publish their own innovative curriculum's, and their pastors inevitably publish a bunch of books. Whereas denominations were once spawned out of doctrinal differences or emphases, now various megachurches cry out to local pastors on a more practical level: "here's how we got so big", "no, HERE'S how WE got so big", and "over here is why you are so small."

I'm not out to bash megachurches - but I say all that so say this. God has a big thing going on in the Church, only a lot of the time we can't see it because we're so mired into our small corner of it. At the denominational level - it's apparent that there is an awful lot of overlap in our efforts. I understand differences between churches and doctrinal positions and whatnot. And I'm not suggesting all out ecumenicalism. But take one example: distributing food and clothing to poor people (oversees or here at home). Every denomination (I hope) has an administrative wing that takes care of those efforts. My guess is that combining efforts and resources interdenominationally would likely increase effectiveness = more people ministered to. AND - with minimal doctrinal issues to dance around. Jesus: "There are poor people - - help them."

But imagine if every church went mega. The overlap would be exponential. Everybody competing for a larger international ministry, a bigger piece of the pie, a larger corner on the Christian publishing market . . .

I know my suggestion isn't new, and sounds kind of simpleminded. My point is more this: instead of founding new denominations, or the next megachurch, maybe the next wave of leaders in the Church will spend their energy finding creative ways to cooperate and work together with other groups in the Church to really maximize everybody's efforts. Or more broadly - to build unity across the fractures and the splinters. Or more simply - instead of building more organizations, teaming up what we got. It'll take a lot of good communication, and patience, and love, and hard work. And it won't be easy.

But I'm pretty sure growing a megachurch isn't easy either. Ask Bill Hybels.