I am concerned about a potential bubble as well. I attend a mega church and like it or not, many people follow a personality. Our primary pastor is 54, so probably has 10-15 years max of high quality leadership and preaching before a transition needs to happen.

On the positive, I think that the satellite model is actually better than a large central church model because it can potentially be spun off into smaller independent churches.

The current political and economical state of our country makes mega churches possible. If that were to change church structures would need to become smaller, more flexible, lower maintenance, and highly adaptable. This could be difficult for the large church.

Adam, I agree with you that in many situations the satellite model is better and potentially more sustainable. I also think that large churches that implement small groups and build community we be longer lasting.

It appears that the younger generation is approaching church with more participation mindset vs. a spectator than the previous generation. This generation is also highly social/relational and not as interested in structured systems. This generational shift will call for any church to consider how it does church. So far, it appears that mega churches have done well with facing cultural changes, otherwise they would not be mega churches.

Many aspects of current evangelicalism are simply not sustainable. One of them being the mega-church, celebritification of a few pastors and models to a neglect of more established and historically sustainable perspectives. We have seen, historically, what happens when a super-apsotle/pastor ends his ministry and his followers enter the later stages of life. The ministry struggles, at best, to carry on.

I'm not certain how much stock I put into the congregational survey above. In our area (southern metro) the churches that are growing are largely multi-racial and all post-denominational. Yet their attendance patterns are not consistent. As well most of these churches talk a good game about small groups ministries but only average sub-25% attendance per week, and not much better over the month.

It seems many of these established mega-churches end up surrendering to the personality cult of a man that only validates what he sees as important for ministry. Another issue behind this is matter considers the attendance patterns of 20somethings. The ones who attend after college are consistently absent church though still attending once or twice a month. Yet they have flocked to these mega-churches and are leaving their smaller church heritage behind.

So in considering sustainability we must realize that evangelicals, while one of the only aspects of the Church that is growing, are facing difficult times.

As long as the money is out there, mega churches will continue to expand. The Bible is out there, but it is read by believers less and less. It has always been very low. That is why what the Bible say's about God's design for the gathering of believers is 99% ignored. Even when 25% of institutionalized believers actually struggle forward in their obedience to get into a small group, there is very little true, prepared "one another" life, because all their "leader example setters" are setting the an example of one-way communication and never model any "one another" dynamic.

Two Sunday's ago, I walked into a mega church in Corona, CA, past the little bowl of available ear plugs, to hear the pastor preach a very power message about intimacy with God. Unfortunately his example before the people of God was totally one-way communication - zero intimacy with God's people - zero mutuality. So much for leading by example. It's all considered normal for Americans. People really like this comfortable convenient version of doing God's will. They actually think they are called by God to do it. I once felt this way. Just trying to pass on the grace I received.

As long as getting the good news to those who have never heard and have no one within 1 - 5 days journey to tell them is considered to only be worth 16% of the giving, then there is lots of dough for mega buildings and staff, or small buildings and one man. Either way dumbs down the great commission in favor of goodies for us.

A challenge I see is that the megachurches become 'consultants' to the smaller churches. Average churches look to these megachurches as a standard, but they are an anomaly. Yet average pastors continue to read the books of the megachurch pastors in search of 'the answer' while sound preaching and leadership would go much further in building their church. If a pastor adopts a vision that is not their own passion, but takes the latest idea from the megachurches, in my opinion, it will not fuel the fire of the church.

American Christians need to begin taking a look at what they believe about the church, it's purposes, and it's structures. The church is about people, not a business. Many megachurches look and sound like a business.

We should all remember that God himself determines the rising and falling of a church and not our strategies. It's not our job to consider sustainability; it is solely God's. The church must fix its eyes squarely upon Christ. Only then will we be able to truly fulfill God's design and purpose.

The mega church is often an expression of a deterioration of denominations. You can no longer expect to keep people in a particular church because of the brand/denomination. Megas are growing because they are often reaching for excellence in their programs and outreach events. Sure, many from smaller churches have, and will continue to leave. But these churches are at the forefront of evangelism and missionary work. Perhaps the smaller churches or denominational structures should be more open to change and adaptability, something the megas have been able to do for the most part.

Mega churches have become a reflection of American culture: a mile wide, an inch deep, and enormously expensive. I agree mega churches have become more personality cults than an effective model for advancing the gospel. Mega church pastors call their congregations to sacrifice financially with anti-materialistic messages, while themselves spending tens of millions of dollars on lavish facilities, 90 db worship given by frustrated rock n rollers, coffee shops, yearly all expense paid trips to Israel, 6-8 weeks of yearly vacation, real estate deals, and fat-cat country club compensation packages for pastoral staffs. Mega churches and their pastors have become an end unto themselves with top priority given to sustain the model and the enormous cash flows required. As such, it has become necessary to avoid messages that might offend members of the congregation that might reduce "revenue". Thus, sustainment of the the model becomes the end goal that subordinates the advancement of the gospel and the making of disciples. In the city where I live, the preponderance of "God's call" to plant churches has been in the affluent suburbs, rarely in the poor, desperate inner cities. Why? Because that's where the money is to sustain and propagate the model. Mega churches are unbiblical and unsustainable in the times that are not only coming, but are indeed upon us.