In the “Jesus Bloggers” segment on the Drew Marshall Show, they raised the point about how the economic crisis, recession, what-have-you, will lead to the demise of the mega-church.  Darryl Dash, Bill Kinnon and Michael Spencer were all on, weighing in.

I don’t know about that opinion, for a number of economic reasons.  Yes, I expect to see especially amongst the more nominal Christians (who often flock to these mega-churches to get lost and avoid accountablity) a drop-off in tithing as times get tough.  However, people do look to the church for answers when they are facing hardship.  I have read various economists say that clergy are one of the most recession-proof occupations.

But what they followed with was a question as to why we are even building new church buildings.  The question was asked, “There are so many, why do we need them?”  Their answer was “consumer mentality”.  I think that’s too simplistic.

Yes, some churches are building “bigger, better” for consumer reasons, but I wonder if these bloggers and Drew really realize how much of a move against Christianity is already beginning to occur in our society.  On the ground, I am hearing more and more stories about church planters having a hard time finding space to meet.  City zoning laws prohibiting church buildings.  School boards refusing to rent to church groups, or reserving the right to pre-empt your regular meetings whenever they want for sports tournaments, etc.  Theatre operators declining to rent to faith groups, or not allowing this or that to make things so difficult as to become untenable as a location.  In my little corner of the world I know of two new churches who have faced these exact realities as they seek to find space to meet.

What is the answer?  Are house churches the answer?  Aren’t there things that churches need to do as large groups?  Are there not reasons to have large venues as churches?  I think just suggesting that “we have enough church buildings” does not recognize that we have bigger issues that are starting to ride up on new church development.

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