Most outside observers might think it is commonplace to mix religion and politics in megachurches (which are defined as Protestant Christian congregations with 2,000 or more weekly attendees). After all, much of the religion coverage in this election has centered around two high-profile megachurch pastors ”” Jeremiah Wright with Obama and John Hagee with McCain ”” who no doubt created long, nagging headaches for both nominees. (I’m guessing Obama’s was closer to a migraine.)
But such high profile incidents distort the reality of the role of politics in a majority of America’s megachurches. My national research and experiences with these very large churches since the late 1980s tell a very different story. The research data refute a number of myths that are prominent in society’s perception of political activity in megachurches. Here are three doozies….
[i] After all, much of the religion coverage in this election has centered around two high-profile megachurch pastors — Jeremiah Wright with Obama and John Hagee with McCain — who no doubt created long, nagging headaches for both nominees. (I’m guessing Obama’s was closer to a migraine.)[/i]
That’s because, unlike Hagee and McCain, Wright actually had a pastor-mentor-friend relationship with Obama. Hagee merely [i]edndorsed[/i] McCain’s candidacy. Quite a bit of difference.
Peace
Jim E. <><
My church is 13-14K ASA. I believe that overt political activity or endoresement would not be well received by the congregation.
Palagious, I remember a list of things about “real episcopalians” years ago in the “Anglican Digest.”
Among my favorites was the observation that “real Episcopalians will not tolerate the mixing of Church and politics -as long as the pulpit is solidly Republican.”
(hints of a different time!)
I have no empirical research to back this up. I am in fact speaking only from admittedly limited personal experience. That said, I have yet to encounter one of these so called mega churches that did not strike me as more big business than church.