Posted on Jul 14, 2023
Megachurches are getting even bigger as churches close across the country
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https://www.npr.org/2023/07/14/ [login to see] /megachurches-growing-liquid-church
Something clicked for Marlena Bhame when she first stepped into Liquid Church about four years ago. She'd been searching for something more spiritually dynamic and meaningful than the faith tradition she'd grown up in, or the various others she had tried out over the years.
When Bhame, who was raised in the evangelical Christian and Missionary Alliance tradition, arrived at the church in Parsippany, N.J., she was immediately struck by a feeling of belonging. The congregation mostly looked like her — a lot of millennials and Gen Z — and everyone seemed enthusiastic about being there.
Something clicked for Marlena Bhame when she first stepped into Liquid Church about four years ago. She'd been searching for something more spiritually dynamic and meaningful than the faith tradition she'd grown up in, or the various others she had tried out over the years.
When Bhame, who was raised in the evangelical Christian and Missionary Alliance tradition, arrived at the church in Parsippany, N.J., she was immediately struck by a feeling of belonging. The congregation mostly looked like her — a lot of millennials and Gen Z — and everyone seemed enthusiastic about being there.
Megachurches are getting even bigger as churches close across the country
Posted from npr.org
Religion
Faith
Christianity
Posted 11 mo ago
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Some of them play good rock and roll. I have been to somebody's churches. So even though I'm a catholic, I'm not that type of Catholic that the FBI thinks I'm the anarchist right-wing type. I can go to a non-denominational Christian church because I'm sure 95% of what they believe in I believe in as well.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel to each his own...
..."“Digital discipleship” is key
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Liquid, like many other churches, took a hit on attendance. But it was already better prepared than many to continue serving its congregation, having long crafted a digital presence designed to reach its members wherever they are. "A big piece of our strategy is really digital discipleship, realizing people watch, listen at home, in the car, on the Peloton," Lucas says.
Smartphones, too, are "absolutely vital," he says. There's an app that allows congregants to watch services online or just keep up with church happenings. "Everything we do is optimized for mobile. It's the new front door of the church," Lucas says.
David Ramirez says one of the things that attracted him to Liquid Church was that it is nondenominational. "Anybody can show up. Anybody's welcome. And, you know, it's a journey. We're going to figure this out together. We're going to walk through this together," he says.
But that ease of entry means megachurches such as Liquid are typically in a constant state of flux, Thumma says.
"You can just sort of wander in and be anonymous and worship there and be a spectator for as long as you want," he says. "But there's an almost equal number of people who are going out the back door because they didn't find their place."
Despite that flux, however, many have found reasons to stay. Among other things, Bhame is in demand for her skills as a singer. David is active in the worship and social media teams, while Katherine Ramirez has helped organize a women's conference and helps with Liquid Family, the church's equivalent of Sunday school.
"These churches became large for a reason," observes Ferguson. "The reason in many cases is because they've helped people find a connection with one another.""
..."“Digital discipleship” is key
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Liquid, like many other churches, took a hit on attendance. But it was already better prepared than many to continue serving its congregation, having long crafted a digital presence designed to reach its members wherever they are. "A big piece of our strategy is really digital discipleship, realizing people watch, listen at home, in the car, on the Peloton," Lucas says.
Smartphones, too, are "absolutely vital," he says. There's an app that allows congregants to watch services online or just keep up with church happenings. "Everything we do is optimized for mobile. It's the new front door of the church," Lucas says.
David Ramirez says one of the things that attracted him to Liquid Church was that it is nondenominational. "Anybody can show up. Anybody's welcome. And, you know, it's a journey. We're going to figure this out together. We're going to walk through this together," he says.
But that ease of entry means megachurches such as Liquid are typically in a constant state of flux, Thumma says.
"You can just sort of wander in and be anonymous and worship there and be a spectator for as long as you want," he says. "But there's an almost equal number of people who are going out the back door because they didn't find their place."
Despite that flux, however, many have found reasons to stay. Among other things, Bhame is in demand for her skills as a singer. David is active in the worship and social media teams, while Katherine Ramirez has helped organize a women's conference and helps with Liquid Family, the church's equivalent of Sunday school.
"These churches became large for a reason," observes Ferguson. "The reason in many cases is because they've helped people find a connection with one another.""
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These mega churches are not churches but a business model selling parts of the Bible for cash.
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