http://adamsnider.com/blog/edmonton-mega-churches-whats-the-appeal/ Adam Snider is an Edmonton-based writer. This is his personal blog. He writes about his life, his city, and a variety of topics that are of interest to him. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:44:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://adamsnider.com/blog/edmonton-mega-churches-whats-the-appeal/comment-page-1/#comment-223 Michelle Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:27:52 +0000 http://adamsnider.com/blog/?p=512#comment-223 This may be very cynical of me, but I have a sinking feeling that people may be attracted to mega-churches for the same reason why people are attracted to big-box chain stores - convenience and laziness, and not much else. Another reason might be that - excepting people who are naturally introverted, I think it can be argued that Western society in general is becoming increasingly isolated. For example, a person can go to Superstore to buy everything and doesn't miss the interaction that generations before them would have had with the local baker or greengrocer. After all, besides worship, church used to be very much about community interaction and mutual support. This may be very cynical of me, but I have a sinking feeling that people may be attracted to mega-churches for the same reason why people are attracted to big-box chain stores – convenience and laziness, and not much else.
Another reason might be that – excepting people who are naturally introverted, I think it can be argued that Western society in general is becoming increasingly isolated. For example, a person can go to Superstore to buy everything and doesn’t miss the interaction that generations before them would have had with the local baker or greengrocer. After all, besides worship, church used to be very much about community interaction and mutual support.

]]> http://adamsnider.com/blog/edmonton-mega-churches-whats-the-appeal/comment-page-1/#comment-222 Adam Snider Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:44:39 +0000 http://adamsnider.com/blog/?p=512#comment-222 That makes a lot of sense, actually. I'm generally introverted myself, so that explanation should have been more obvious to me. I can definitely see that as a large part of the appeal of the mega-church. That makes a lot of sense, actually. I’m generally introverted myself, so that explanation should have been more obvious to me. I can definitely see that as a large part of the appeal of the mega-church.

]]> http://adamsnider.com/blog/edmonton-mega-churches-whats-the-appeal/comment-page-1/#comment-221 Mike Gravel Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:04:26 +0000 http://adamsnider.com/blog/?p=512#comment-221 As an introvert, a small congregation would likely scare me more than a large one, i.e. with a large group, there's less chance of having to actually interact with people. I realize that goes against the main reason why people attend church (community). For a certain group of people--perhaps larger in numbers than you think--the idea of honouring their faith while being with people, but not necessarily interacting with them, is appealing. It would be easier in a large congregation. As an introvert, a small congregation would likely scare me more than a large one, i.e. with a large group, there’s less chance of having to actually interact with people. I realize that goes against the main reason why people attend church (community). For a certain group of people–perhaps larger in numbers than you think–the idea of honouring their faith while being with people, but not necessarily interacting with them, is appealing. It would be easier in a large congregation.

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