Megachurches often face their fair share of criticism. Detractors commonly raise concerns about whether their vast size, highly produced services, and specific leadership styles can hinder genuine discipleship, community building, and accountability among members.
In the latest episode of “Live Free,” Josh Howerton, who is both a host on BlazeTV and a pastor at Lakepointe Church, a megachurch in Dallas, Texas, engages with Joby Martin, another megachurch pastor from Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida. They tackle some prevalent myths about megachurches.
Myth #1: If the senior pastor doesn’t know you personally, he’s not really your pastor.
Some critics argue that true pastoral care demands personal connections between the pastor and congregants. However, Howerton and Martin disagree. Martin emphasizes that in Greek, the terms pastor and shepherd are interchangeable.
He raises an interesting point: “Jesus is referred to as the good shepherd in the Bible. And, let’s be real, have you ever physically shaken hands with Jesus?” he says.
Yet, Martin acknowledges that while he doesn’t personally shepherd everyone, it’s essential that everyone is guided. “We fulfill the shepherd’s role,” he insists, indicating the importance of support staff and care teams. Howerton adds that even the apostle Peter managed a congregation of 5,000, noting, “There’s actually scripture that contradicts this claim.”
Myth #2: Large churches should prioritize planting more churches instead of growing larger.
Another common grievance about megachurches is their focus on size rather than the establishment of new congregations.
Martin urges people not to buy into the idea of “either/or,” suggesting instead that God operates in the realm of “and.” He points out the reality that many church plants actually come from larger churches.
“By the end of 2028, we plan to have planted 1,000 churches globally. Interestingly, the number of attendees at these plants already exceeds those at Eleven22,” Martin mentions.
Howerton reflects a similar sentiment regarding Lakepointe Church, stating, “By year’s end, we will have funded, coached, and established over a hundred churches in challenging urban areas across North America.” He further emphasizes that planting new churches doesn’t mean a drop in attendance at the original church.
Myth #3: Megachurches sacrifice depth in discipleship for growth.
Cynics often claim that large churches compromise deep engagement for sheer numbers.
Martin passionately challenges this: “I’d love to introduce you to our hundreds of disciple group leaders and have you voice that criticism directly to them.” He mentions his current series, where he’s examining the book of Matthew verse by verse, asserting that he’s not striving for human approval but rather for God’s.
Howerton reinforces this with a biblical reference: “Galatians 1:10.”
Myth #4: Megachurches revolve around dominant personalities.
Given that some megachurches are led by well-known, charismatic figures, critics often label them as personality cults. Martin acknowledges that there can be instances of this, but he attributes it not to the church’s size, but rather to the shortcomings of certain leaders.
He admits, “Yes, there are certainly some who have not been wise stewards of their influence. Unfortunately, there’s a long list of these cases.” However, he also emphasizes that many lesser-known churches are thriving quietly without making headlines.
After contemplating the parable of the talents, Martin shares his uncertainty about whether he aligns more with a “two-talent” or “five-talent” person, but he’s adamant he won’t be a “one-talent” individual. “I have one chance at this life. What do you want me to do, preach less?” he questions.
Myth #5: Megachurch pastors are secretly greedy and hypocritical.
A prevalent accusation against megachurch pastors is that they are charming in public but deeply flawed behind closed doors. Martin acknowledges that there are indeed some bad apples that tarnish the church’s reputation.
“There’s no denying it. It impacts the perception of the church community,” he admits. Howerton adds, expressing concern for those pastors when they face divine judgment.
However, both leaders agree that many well-known pastors are genuinely decent and altruistic in their personal lives. Howerton insists that there are countless untold stories of compassion and generosity among these pastors that would astonish their harshest critics.
To catch the full conversation, check out the video linked above.
