megachurches
Giant religious auditoriums
Megachurches are Protestant Christian congregations with exceptionally large memberships, typically defined as 2,000 or more weekly attendees.
They often feature campus-like facilities, contemporary worship styles, and charismatic senior pastors.
The term carries connotations of evangelical Christianity, suburban sprawl, and corporate-scale operations: The megachurch had its own coffee shop and bookstore.
Doctrine linking faith to wealth
- altar callSummons to public faith
- worship teamMusicians leading congregational singing
- praise bandChurch musical ensemble
- born againSpiritually converted anew
salvation · tithing · small groups · discipleship · outreach · revival · conversion · baptism
Assembled group of worshippers
- membershipState of belonging
- small groupsLimited gatherings of people
- volunteerUnpaid willing participant
- fellowshipMutual goodwill among companions
childcare · youth group · support groups · food pantry · community center · social services · belonging · networking
Protected sacred space
- auditoriumRoom for spectators
- stadium seatingTiered audience arrangement
- atriumRoofed central hall
- campusInstitutional grounds and buildings
parking structure · multiplex · jumbotron · stage · lighting rig · sound system · fellowship hall · bookstore
Chief clergy of congregation
- televangelistBroadcast religious minister
- board of eldersLeadership group of seniors
- successionFollowing in order
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
personality cult · brand · influence · scandal · accountability · congregation · flock · empire
Profit-driven market introduction
- spectacleVisually striking event
- consumerismPreoccupation with acquiring goods
- megabusinessEnormous commercial enterprise
- tax exemptionFreedom from governmental levies
political influence · culture war · exclusivity · homogeneity · suburbanization · sprawl · environmental impact · anonymity
Transmitted media signal
- livestreamReal-time internet broadcast
- podcastEpisodic digital audio series
- television ministryReligious outreach through broadcasting
- satellite campusRemote extension of a college
simulcast · social media · production value · camera crew · multimedia · app · online giving · radio
prosperity gospel
Doctrine linking faith to wealth
- altar callSummons to public faith
- worship teamMusicians leading congregational singing
- praise bandChurch musical ensemble
born again · salvation · tithing · small groups · discipleship · outreach · revival · conversion · baptism · scripture
congregation
Assembled group of worshippers
- membershipState of belonging
- small groupsLimited gatherings of people
- volunteerUnpaid willing participant
fellowship · childcare · youth group · support groups · food pantry · community center · social services · belonging · networking · parking lot
sanctuary
Protected sacred space
- auditoriumRoom for spectators
- stadium seatingTiered audience arrangement
- atriumRoofed central hall
campus · parking structure · multiplex · jumbotron · stage · lighting rig · sound system · fellowship hall · bookstore · gymnasium
senior pastor
Chief clergy of congregation
- televangelistBroadcast religious minister
- board of eldersLeadership group of seniors
- successionFollowing in order
dynasty · personality cult · brand · influence · scandal · accountability · congregation · flock · empire · spokesperson
commercialization
Profit-driven market introduction
- spectacleVisually striking event
- consumerismPreoccupation with acquiring goods
- megabusinessEnormous commercial enterprise
tax exemption · political influence · culture war · exclusivity · homogeneity · suburbanization · sprawl · environmental impact · anonymity · impersonal
broadcast
Transmitted media signal
- livestreamReal-time internet broadcast
- podcastEpisodic digital audio series
- television ministryReligious outreach through broadcasting
satellite campus · simulcast · social media · production value · camera crew · multimedia · app · online giving · radio · publishing
- religious organizationscongregations, parishes, dioceses, denominations, synods
- Modern ChristianityVatican II, ecumenism, evangelicalism, liberation theology, Billy Graham
- African PentecostalismPentecostalism, speaking in tongues, deliverance, born again, spiritual warfare
- churchnave, pew, pews, altar, altars
- religionChristianity, Islam, beliefs, Judaism, Hinduism
- American ChristianityBaptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Episcopalians
megachurcheshouse churches
Worship groups meeting domestically
home churches · chapels · storefront churches · village churches · parish churches
- megachurch pastorLeader of enormous congregation