A curious trend in large church construction has been building up in America for the last several decades. First built in the 1950s, megachurches began to spread across California and the Bible Belt in the '80s. The trend has continued into the 21st century and has expanded into other areas of the United States.

The concept of super large churches can include large auditoriums or amphitheaters, giant office complexes distinguished by crosses, gyms and playing fields of various kinds. Commenting on these religious "Wal-Marts," Scott Humma of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research said, "They're playing on a whole different understanding of religion. It's not something that looks like your parents' faith. They're tapping into the bigger is better, mall-like mentality of America" (The Financial Times, Oct. 25, 2003).

A growing number of these megachurches are nondenominational in outlook and embrace a mixture of conservative and liberal religious values. While supporting the Ten Commandments and decrying abortion, they may simultaneously accept Darwinism and reject creation. This modern approach to church construction is apparently bringing in the large numbers, but is bigger always better in the biblical sense?

God once told ancient Israel that they were "the fewest of all people" (Deuteronomy 7:7, KJV) and Jesus Christ said, "Fear not little flock" (Luke 12:32, KJV). The biblical Church today constitutes only the firstfruits of salvation, being the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16).

Many modern churchgoers do not even understand that the Church is the spiritual Body of Christ and not a physical building. They would be astonished by what the Bible itself says about the Church. Most have either forgotten or never known about the Church in Scripture. For further understanding, please request our free booklet The Church Jesus Built.