Christianity Today

'Come to me in spirit and in truth' - these words resonated when I was called from a very dark place into The Light. If our experience, discernment and response lead us forward in total surrender to God then so be it. God bless us all.

'Megachurches' do not function as a 'church' but as a 'club' when people just flock to get some 'experience.' In megachurches there is no real Sheep-Shepherd relationship taking place. If Church is defined as an 'assembly' of Christians, then the numerical volume cannot be set. If, on the other hand, Church is defined as the 'Flock' of God, then the Sheep-Shepherd relationship is inevitable. In megachurches pastors themselves may not 'know' the believers. The irony is that the Chief Shepherd says, "He knows His sheep and calls them by name." (John 10).

Myrna, God is not concerned with the style of the music but whether the congregation is worshiping in spirit and in truth. If the words of the songs are true and the people are really worshiping God, then it does not matter the style. Unless you are suggesting that we should only sing exactly the songs and styles that were sung in the Bible, I don't think we can complain about the styles.

I'm 26 attend a "mega-church". It used to be small, but grew. I've volunteered in some capacity since I became a believer 9 yrs ago. Our pastor teaches sound biblical truths. Yeah, there are people there who are consumer christians, but false believer-ism has been going on for centuries. And about "rock band" music... it's my style, so why judge how I worship God? Many hymn tunes came from songs that were sung in bars- can God not redeem anything? Why is the guitar evil? What about jeans? I have visited a strict denomination where dress was of the utmost importance- I wore black slacks and a blouse- and I got the evil eye and a talking to because I was not wearing a floor length skirt. Really? Did Jesus put those kind of restrictions on people coming to him? Was not the demon possessed man, um, naked? And the lepers he healed surely couldn't have been dressed to the nines. Jesus thought outside the box of "religiousity" of the Pharisees and if Jesus did, shouldn't we?

My experience is that most megachurches attract the young people because they cater to their generation's music - first and foremost. The praise and worship is like a rock concert. The Bible says "and be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed . . ." Secular style music has it's place but not in the church. I see people go to church dressed up like they're going to the beach or to a barbeque party. When a man is going to see a girl for a visit or on a date, he dresses up real nice for her. When we go to the office, we're all dressed up like professionals we are. But why can't these people dress up for God? Isn't God important enough to get dressed up for? I was born and raised in a small church of 300. The services are all invitiations to nonbelievers to come to Christ. In the mega churches today, there are no invitations after the preaching. If there is one worthy of solemnn praise and worship, fervent prayer, dressing up for, it is Jesus.