This post is part of the series “Exposed But Not Infected”
Ok, as I promised, I’m going to list for you several reasons why mega-churches, with all their big budgets, slick marketing, and flashy programs struggle to produce conversion growth to match their transfer growth.
1. Complacency – The excitement resulting from the ongoing transfer growth and the resulting sense of “doing well” distracts from the urgency of being intentional in reaching the un-churched and non-believers among us. Hence, a church situation where little effort to produce conversion growth produces what you might expect – little conversion growth!
2. Weakened Doctrine – I don’t want to sound like I’m stereo-typing here, but in many mega-churches, part of their strategy of “church growth” has been to tailor the preaching to be less offensive – not just in style, but also in substance. Along with that in many cases, comes an de-emphasis on doctrine. Given the fact that the Gospel is the most offensive message there is, and the content of the Gospel is doctrinal in nature, these factors without a doubt affect the communication of the Gospel. My theory is that this explains to a great degree, why we see so little true conversion growth in these churches. Isn’t it a no-brainer that if the Gospel is not preached, there will be little if any opportunity for conversion to take place? God doesn’t just randomly zap people to produce spiritual conversion. The Bible is clear that the way people are converted and come to faith includes the use of means – the Holy Spirit works, performing regeneration of hearts, in conjunction with the Word of God (in particular the communication of the gospel). The natural result of this scenario will either be less attempt to communicate the gospel or a watered-down version of the gospel which, in reality, is not really the gospel at all. A complete communication of the Gospel includes some very specific doctrinal concepts, and I have doubts that anyone can be converted apart from grasping these things (see my series on Repentance). And when a weakened emphasis on doctrine begins to affect our understanding and communication of the Gospel, is it any wonder why we see far more transfer growth than we do conversion growth ? (see Romans 1:16-17 and 10:
3. Over-emphasis on methodology – the Sunday morning show becomes the main focus, consequently demanding the bulk of resources, energy, and attention. The result too often, is that little thought or attention is given to God’s methodology (see #2 above). The natural human tendency is to gradually place more and more trust in our own methods and abilities than we do in God’s. As we drift in that direction, the outcome is never a good one. Hence, more transfer growth than conversion growth.
4. Lack of Accountability – In many larger churches (with some exceptions) there is a breeding of a disconnected anonymity. This is what actually attracts some people to a larger church, where they can just blend in. I believe that the reason for this is not just because they want to be left alone and be anonymous, but they want to avoid what comes along with being known – and that is accountability. How does this relate to the issue of conversion growth?
Well, for a church to see conversion growth beyond the occasional one here and one there, there has to be intentional effort by a great number of people – an effort to pray, to engage non-believers, to spend time walking people through what the Bbile teaches about how to be right with God (the Gospel). All this takes effort and requires something of us. Given the fact that many mega-churches naturally breed the anonymity that eliminates accountability, the result is what studies have revealed – that the average “Christian” rarely if ever attempts to share their faith by communicating the Gospel. Hence, the mega-church where transfer growth is far greater than the percentage of conversion growth. And sadly, in many cases, a place where man’s kingdom is out-growing God’s kingdom. God help us – all of our churches large and small – to get a grasp on the message of the gospel and by God’s grace have the courage to communicate it with fullness and clarity!
Instructive. Rings true. No argument to add. Thank you.