Megachurches more sociable than small churches
By Jacqueline L. Salmon
Washington Post
WASHINGTON — Members of the nation's largest churches go to worship services more often and have more friends in the congregation than those who attend very small churches, according to a new study of American religious beliefs and values.
Far from offering an anonymous worship experience, the report by Baylor University's Institute of Studies of Religion suggests, megachurches with more than 1,000 worshipers offer a surprisingly personal environment for the faithful who flock to them weekly.
Megachurches have a reputation of having "all sorts of flaws," said Rodney Stark, co-director of the institute. "They're big ... they're kind of cold, they (have) kind of theater audiences — all wrong."
Researchers also found that megachurch members are more likely to attend church weekly than members of small churches.
The findings are among a number of revelations about what Americans believe that emerge from a biennial survey:
Researchers said the results make clear that many Americans feel a close contact with the divine.
"Mystical experiences are widespread," Stark said.
