Mega Church?
From June 3, 2007
For me, the “mega church” we visited on Sunday wasn’t really exceptionally “mega” at all. Coming from a church with a congregation of at least four times that size, the experience was not overwhelming at all. I was expecting a much larger and more technologically advanced building with at least a few jumbo television monitors, an assortment of bibles, elaborate walkways, and a band with numerous musicians. When we arrived, the location of the church was surprising to say the least; it is located in the middle of a rough neighborhood and as a result has bars on the front windows. The location of the church puts them in a very interesting social position, they more than likely feel a responsibility to the surrounding community to give back to those around them who are in need.
In terms of the service, I feel that it was a very open and thoughtful sermon that was geared towards not only the adults in the audience but also all of the youth. The message of not looking to Michael Jordan, or basically any worldly person, but instead to biblical figures like Daniel, was very effective and eye-opening. This message was more universal while the one from 16th Street Baptist Church was more specific. Seeing a black woman preach was nothing incredibly groundbreaking for me as that is a relatively common practice at my church. For many of my classmates, however, it is apparently very unusual and perhaps even prohibited to allow women to preach to the congregation. I feel like this is something that puts a lot of perspective on my views of women’s status in religion. I used to feel that women were sometimes put down in my church and considered second-class to men. However much that perception may be presented in my congregation, it seems that this patriarchic view is carried out more so in other religions. I think that is an issue that should be addressed in all religions as it clearly identifies some of the few inequalities that can develop based on religion.