U.S. megachurches are faring slightly better in the recession than smaller churches, findings from a new study show.
A Leadership Network survey of 555 mostly megachurch pastors found that only 7 percent of the executive church leaders said the economic downturn has had a “very negative” impact on their church.
Forty-nine percent said it has had no impact at all, down slightly from 56 percent six months earlier.
Larger churches are also growing more in attendance than smaller ones. According to the survey, which was conducted in January, 96 percent of churches with 3,000-plus attendances are growing compared to 70 percent of churches that have an attendance of less than 3,000.
Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of the country’s largest churches, has seen an upsurge in attendance during the tough economic times. In March, the 30-year-old megachurch had its largest every membership class with 2,400 new church members and baptized around 800 people.
Saddleback Pastor Rick Warren told CNN’s Larry King last month that during a recession people search for meaning and thus church attendance increases.
“[B]ad times are good times for churches in many ways, because people are much more open to spiritual truth than any other time. We’re seeing spiritual awakening at our church,” he said.
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May 11th, 2009 9:38 am
Oh course people are flocking to churches in dark times, they’re searching for an answer and get it from a false teacher who tickles their ear into believing everything will be alright. Wrong!