Outreach Magazine’s new special issue focused on the largest and fastest growing churches in America is packed with information. While I always look at the lists of the 100 fastest growing and the 100 largest congregations (based on worship attendance), this year I was struck by the classification of the congregations making both lists. More specifically, both lists are dominated by churches characterized as nondenominational or interdenominational. They comprise
- 47 of the 100 largest churches, and
- 41 of the 100 fastest growing churches (p.56).
So What?
I have served congregations affiliated with four mainline (or as many now more accurately characterize their role in society, sideline) denominations. These groups together account for 2 of the 100 largest churches and 2 of the 100 fastest growing churches.
- Why do you think nondenominational/interdenominational congregations now account for more than 4 in 10 of the nation’s largest and fastest growing congregations? Do you think this percentage will continue to rise for the foreseeable future?
- What lessons should mainline congregations (and denominations) be learning from the growth of nondenominational/interdenominational congregations?