Mega-churches and the Environment

I am currently not a pastor of a mega-church and I believe I never will be. I am a strong believer in the neighborhood church and feel my leadership personality best suits such a model. I thrive on close personal relationships. I love to really know the people whom I pastor and for them to know me.

Theologically, I think something is wrong when churches get so big that coming to church is like going to a concert instead of a gathered community of people who are seeking to know and love each other well. To be the church, we need to know each other.

Mega-churches are thriving in today's culture because of strong preaching and teaching. They draw those who want to follow a way of faith that is clearly prescribed. Often times people want to "get God" without having to really wrestle with faith tight knit communities where everyone's contribues to the local body.

But, until today, I had not thought about the connection between mega-church and our society's efforts "to go green" (which is indeed a very Christian practice) until I read a blurb in the Christian Century:

"The mega-church may represent the church's last effort to indulge the car culture of suburban America: large campuses located near interstates, surrounded by acres of asphalt and accessible only by car. With the high cost of gas and questions about the sustainability of such facilities and their environmental impact, churches may need to think about returning to the model of the neighborhood church that is accessible by walking or bicycle or public transportation." (October 7, 2008 Edition)

So maybe my love of the neighborhood church (which could be found in a urban, suburban or even rural community by the way), is a good idea for more reasons that just theological. Neighborhood churches help the planet!