A number of theologians and noted ministers have been stating that there are churches that grow because their main purpose is to entertain the people and they fail to be a Bible church. Christ said in Revelation 3:15-16 “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” It sounds to me that a church must meet both, the church’s purpose and its mission.

My Bible tells me that the purpose of the church is to worship and glorify God and teach the Bible. The church’s commission is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Having been a member of a number of churches, it seems that it is difficult for a church to do both. A traditional church fulfills the church’s purpose, but most fail to spread the gospel and they lack growth. Churches that believe their mission is to spread the gospel emphasize a service that reaches the un-churched non-believer. To reach these people, it is to some degree, necessary to have a service interesting enough for them to want to continue returning. Thus, they are now stating that these are entertainment churches.

Mega churches, those of 1000 attendance and more, are often criticized by traditional Christians. They are often called self-help services, very liberal, seeker friendly or an entertainment church. What they are called is not as important as the results they are obtaining. Many of these churches stress small group meetings for Bible study, witnessing and building one’s faith. In addition, they have recovery groups that meet with people suffering from all kinds of addictions. They are financially able to help individuals who are having difficult times both in and outside the church.

Many have outreach programs, such as God Behind Bars where they bring the gospel to inmates. Most small traditional churches are unable to financially or have the volunteers to have adequate outreach programs.
There are many of us that believe we are in the last days before the seven years of the Tribulation. There is a time, according to the Bible, when the Holy Spirit will be withdrawn from this earth. The chances of people being saved, without the Holy Spirit, will be slim. How important is it that the churches stress our Christ given commission to spread the gospel so that none shall perish? Should we not use church services that draw people to accept Christ?

We, as a church of 470, decided that we would accept the commission to spread the gospel and this Christmas weekend we reached 70,000 people. Which church pleased God the most: Our 470 legalistic traditional church or our missionary church reaching so many more?

We all agree that a Christian that is not missionary-minded would find going to a traditional church more to their liking. We believe God can use all types of church that teach that Christ is the Son of God and our redeemer. Let’s let God be the judge and stop criticizing Mega churches with a different mission than yours.