Old denominations die. New ones begin. Mega-Churches flourish in suburbs across America. They are begun by intelligent men who are in “the business of saving souls”. They are Christian country clubs for the middle class. Lots of activities! “Keep ’em busy! Make ’em feel important! Make ’em think we care, ’cause we do! We care about you! And, Jesus, too!”
We can see how well the mega-church Marketing Plans have identified the markets and met the need to provide bargain-basement “Christian Country Clubs, without golf courses” for the less well to do:
Mega-Churches are doubling every few years! Each claims to provide “A personal relationship with Jesus!” (In the lower-end Mega-Churches, “Jesus” is pronounced “Jee-sus!”) Their Marketing Plans show the need for the founder to have an ever-larger staff. Each is laser-focused on their market specialty. Pastor Pete focuses on lower income people. Reverend Ralph, on the middle classes. Minister Michelle focuses on the Children’s Ministry. Brother Bob runs the restaurant. At the top, where a few big donors provide the bulk of the funding, an “inner circle” is established around the founder or his top assistant. All are great salespeople.
Everyone is given ways to “feel useful”. Their economies of scale provide recruiting advantages that the dying Methodist, Episcopalian, and earlier Marketing Plan Denominations do not have. Mega-churches recognize that lapsed Catholics are an important source of members. They separate less faithful Catholics from The Church with ruthless efficiency.
The same appeal that funded the Mainline Franchises of the past dozen generations is repeated more cleverly than ever: “We will praise you and promise admission to Heaven if you are a ‘good person’ who gives us money.”
The “Christ-centered Management Team” spends more time choosing which gourmet coffee should be served in their Fellowship Areas than discussing the need to obey the clear call to Catholic Communion that Jesus repeated FOURTEEN TIMES: “If you do not eat My Body and drink My Blood you do not have life in you.”
As they say along the Midway at the Fair, “You pays your money and you takes your choice.”
