This past week I had the opportunity to visit three mega churches (2,000, 3,000 and 7,000) within 25 miles of each other.
North Country Chapel, Post Falls, ID.
It is a Calvary Chapel Church with the very simple church style – Music and Verse and Verse Bible teaching. I attended the Friday night service and it was quite full (700). When I say simple style, I mean simple: only two different people every spoke; no media, except for the words to the songs; no bulletin or program; no ushers or offering (people put their offering in at the back). Service consisted of three parts: announcements to start the service, congregational singing and verse-by-verse teaching. They were working through Revelation. Also very limited programs in the week. It is a Bible teaching church and that about says it all.
I was pleased to see the number of men present. I think they mad up over 50% of the audience. All ages, but many in the 30-45 age group. I understand the attendance is a little over 2,000 in four services.
Real Life Church, Post Falls, ID.
This is an independent church, but has strong connection with the Christian Church Fellowship. It was also a simple church style, with a little more features. The message was theme based and very Biblical. Only two different people every spoke in this service as well.
The programs are a modified Saddleback and emphasis is placed on small groups. I attended the early Sunday morning service (they have five services each weekend) with about 1,200 present. I understand they run around 7,000 at this location each week.
They were promoting their newest church plant in North Spokane. Church Planting is clearly part of their DNA.
Life Center, Spokane, WA.
This Four Square church uses the seven-day-a-week (Christian Center) approach. There is something for everyone. It has very full programming throughout the week with something for everyone. The service was contemporary traditional with a great deal of production and media. It was not a simple church style. They were also working through a book of the Bible in their messages for the summer.
They have three services each weekend and I understand they run around 3,000. They also emphasize their church plants on the web site.
Observations:
1. Each had its own DNA. They were very different from each other, yet in the same general community context.
2. They fully lived out and celebrated their DNA. They knew who they were and went for it.
3. Each seemed to be reaching people for Christ.
4. The congregations of each church seemed to embrace their church.
Conclusion:
Be who God wired you to be!
