From the moment these churches open, they offer attendees more than the average community church. Why call them ‘Big-box Churches?’ For years, we have watched large chain stores like Lowe's, Home Depot, and Walmart arrive in cities, towns, and villages, offering ‘more for less.’ It doesn’t take the average consumer long to realize that the motto is true; more can be purchased for less. And thus the switch is quickly made from hometown hardware store to the global purchasing power of the chain. Clothing shops, hardware stores, variety and specialty venues start closing because they cannot compete with the streamlined, cut-down, mass appeal of the chain store and its slick advertising. Over the years, these large-scale operations managed from HQ, with their cheap, imported goods, have been nicknamed ‘Big-box Stores’ because that is how they receive their large quantities of imported goods. I have observed parallels between this phenomenon and that found in some in the mega-church movement — orders from HQ, instant funding, slick marketing, aggressive competition, and imported preaching and/or doctrine. There you have it, Big-box churches. Before the doors open, the competition for attendees and members begins. They boast of a full staff, programs for everyone, big budgets, and buildings from the very first Sunday, when it took most local community churches decades to build what they have.  

When I was a child, I enjoyed watching the old TV show The Little Rascals. If you are age forty or older, The Little Rascals needs no introduction. For those not familiar, the storyline was filled with the hilarious antics of a small gang of typical poor American children growing up in the mid-to-late 30’s in San Francisco, California. Despite their terrible poverty, these children managed to get into lots of exciting situations. In my favorite episode, the little darling of the gang, Darla, falls for the little rich boy who is moving into the neighborhood. The whole club gathered to watch as the big moving truck was being unloaded into the beautiful home. The newcomer boy had it all, the clothes, the hair, the house, but the thing that caught Darla’s attention was the bright red firetruck the movers just placed on the drive for the little boy! This wasn’t a small toy fire truck. It was a fire truck that a child could pedal and drive. The truck sat two, and Darla noticed. Leaving Alfalfa, her regular interest, Darla approached the new kid quickly, acquiring the second seat for herself just behind the driver. Alfalfa scorned, and the others of the gang humiliated, they were not deterred! They decided to build their own fire truck and make it long enough to seat the whole club. The result is fifteen minutes of hilarity!     

When I observe the Big-box churches as they enter a community, this scene comes to mind. The new kid moves in with a big budget and a smug invitation, which, unfortunately, has the same effect on some of the Lord’s people that the fire truck had on Darla — better toys means better boys! Let’s go!

By this time, you may be thinking, “Are you just crying bitter grapes?” Not at all. My thoughts go to Philippians 1:15-18, rejoicing in the proclamation of the gospel! Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. (ESV)

Paul was encouraged that, despite the wrong motives and methods of these people, the message of salvation from sin through Jesus Christ was being preached. But, this is not to say that all was well, nor that Paul agreed with the people he references. Far from sour grapes, my aim about the Big-box churches is not to pick on them or envy them, but instead to emphasize what the average church can offer, which is very often missing from the mega-church. Perhaps you are part of a smaller local community church, and you feel discouraged that the things talked about above are or may happen to your congregation. Maybe you are asking yourself, What can our church do when people are pulled away by the hundreds, being lured with the attraction/competition model? Most likely, there is very little the average church can or should do. But beloved, all is not lost! 

Christ our Lord has not called His churches to compete with one another. He has called us to holiness, to worship, to preach the gospel, to baptize those who believe, and to teach them to obey Christ’s commandments. Let’s put our attention on these things. Notice the early church’s practice, When they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:6-10 (ESV)

What do we have to offer, you ask? We have everything — everything that matters!

• We have the Word of God taught and preached.
• We have the Gospel of Jesus.
• We have Biblical worship.
• We have the Communion of the church.
• We have Genuine Prayer.

As we grow in numbers, we will add ministries of all sorts, but these make a church. Christ calls His churches to be faithful disciples, live godly lives, and take the gospel to the lost. 

Let’s Pray Together, 

Pastor Scott