Sources of attraction to the megachurch: Factors influencing the individual's decision to participate.

摘要

The rapid growth of megachurches is changing the way American Protestants "do church." This study explores the social factors that influence one's desire to participate in these churches of more than 2000 in weekly attendance. A 183 item questionnaire was distributed to persons attending worship services in 7 Southern Baptist megachurches. More than 1200 completed questionnaires were analyzed. A variety of theoretical models are tested. Attraction to the megachurch is operationalized via 3 measures: money given, time spent in activities, and "satisfaction" with the church. A final model produced a concise set of variables that optimally predict attraction to the megachurch. The megachurch is neither a cult nor a radical departure from the traditional, non-megachurch. Instead, at the core, what distinguishes the megachurch is not that it replaces traditional worship and ministry, but that it augments such activities with new opportunities for personal fulfillment.