EMQ » January–March 2021 » Volume 57 Issue 1
Edited by Stephen Hunt
Handbooks on Contemporary Religion, Volume 19
Brill, 2020
348 pages
USD $165.00, Hardback
Note: The electronic version is offered free by the publisher. Download it at: https://brill.com/view/title/54948.
Reviewed by Dennis J. Horton, Associate Professor of Religion and Director of Ministry Guidance, Baylor University, Waco, Texas.
Megachurches evoke a wide range of sentiments. Many Christian leaders and scholars see them as antithetical to deep, committed discipleship. They view these supersized churches of 2,000 or more in weekly attendance as simply large gatherings of people who listen to shallow, entertaining messages, resulting in weak disciples. Those who attend megachurches clearly have a different opinion, seeing these churches as welcoming communities that connect with them and meet their felt needs in ways that smaller churches do not. Those who become involved in the small groups associated with these large churches would also argue that megachurches do provide significant opportunities for spiritual growth, as well as opportunities for a multitude of other ministries. Stephen Hunt in his edited volume, Handbook of Megachurches, provides an in-depth examination of megachurches, exploring a variety of perspectives through the work of nineteen different researchers. The resulting fifteen essays offer a spectrum of insights about megachurches in various parts of the world.
Hunt divides the essays into three sections: (1) megachurches in historical and cultural perspective; (2) the nature and dynamics of megachurches; and (3) the global environments and globalized aspect of megachurches. Despite the belief that megachurches are a modern phenomenon, the first two chapters note that megachurches have deep roots in the centuries-long history of Protestantism. The remaining three chapters of the first section explore the cultural perspective through various lenses: analyses of denominational affiliation, size, location, and theological perspectives; the tension between “enclaving” and “encroaching”; and a critique of the megachurch’s ability to fulfill the Christian mission. The second section explores the nature and dynamics of megachurches in detail by examining the consumer-driven nature of these churches along with the challenges of transition in leadership. The authors in this section note that while megachurches create an enormous amount of energy and offer a wide variety of groups and ministries, the pressures increase with the expansive size of the churches as leaders attempt to meet greater and greater expectations. The emphasis on constant growth is a natural result of the high value placed on size and numbers. Despite the negative aspects that accompany such large-scale churches, the larger size and numbers also enable megachurches to have a measurable impact in their communities through their various programs and ministries.
This volume proves valuable to those with a strong interest in missions, especially the third section. This final section examines the growth and impact of megachurches in Britain, Canada, Russia, India, and Africa, reflecting a significant portion of Christian numerical growth in these regions. Some of the authors highlight the role of megachurches in “reverse missions,” meaning that Christians in the global south and east are now helping Christianity grow within the original mission-sending countries. Moreover, their emphasis on social programs that serve the local communities enables these churches to show the value that Christians can bring to society. Not only does this volume highlight the role that megachurches are playing in global missions, it also provides needed insights about and from majority world Christianity.
For Further Reading
Thumma, Scott and Dave Travis. Beyond Megachurch Myths: What We Can Learn from America’s Largest Churches. Jossey-Bass, 2007.
Kim, Jinbong, and Dwight P. Baker, et al., eds. Megachurch Accountability in Missions: Critical Assessment through Global Case Studies. William Carey Library, 2017.
