THREAD: I see posts which criticize “mega” churches or “mega” church pastors. Here are a few thoughts from my experience around or with a few of those churches and pastors.

1. Yes, they have flaws just like the church you attend or lead. None of them have ever claimed anything different.

2. Their gospel impact is humbling yet inspiring to me. They are able to do ministry in ways that no smaller membership is able to do. Yes, I’m very SBC, but the in house vision to mobilize a large group of people enables them to do things that I’ve rarely have...

...or never have seen on an associational level. Furthermore, I think this is the source of contention often. Pastors like myself see them do ministry on a level in which we wish we could do.

3. The pastors who lead these churches (again, my experience around such pastors is very limited) have expressed great humility, a team mentality and a DEEP affection for smaller churches. Of course, they aren’t perfect and neither am I, clearly.

4. One of the common, contributing factors to their growth and effectiveness...INTENTIONALITY! Nothing happens by accident and they know the WHY behind everything they are doing.

5. They want to be faithful to the Word of God, His church and the gospel just like you and I do. They are declaring a full gospel message with clarity.

6. Yes there are unhealthy at best mega church. Yes there are ungodly leaders of mega churches. However, that is true for every size church and every size church pastor. You just happen to know the name of the big ones.

Admittedly, I’ve never served on staff on any of those churches. If I had, maybe my views would be different, but I haven’t and they aren’t.

Now, this not to argue about ecclesiology and make up of the church. I don’t care what you think or what your opinion is about these “mega” churches and their pastors. I’m just expressing my learning from my limited experiences.