The first mega church you know had 3,000 members. I have often heard this number pointed to when discussing mega churches. Three thousand is pretty mega if you ask me. You know I really have no quibble with the size of any group of believers. I can not argue with the fact that it says that 3,000 came to Christ that day and I can’t argue that they continued to meet together.
I’m not sure that fact was recorded to justify fellowship size but even so I have no issue. I have even heard people discuss their small group gatherings in the context of what Acts 2 says that those 3,000 did. Okay, sounds good to me.
This is my question though, what did those three thousand do? What attitude did they have and what was their focus? How did they measure success? Here is where I struggle and maybe it is just jealousy. It seems to me that the 3,000 didn’t get together to build coffee latte bars and bowling allies for hours of personal entertainment. The text says they sold their belongings and shared the proceeds with those in need. Does the fact that the need is a free karate class matter?
Later we find Luke recording this about that mega church. “All the believers were of one heart and mind, and they felt that what they owned was not their own; they shared everything they had” and later “There was no poverty among them, because people who owned land or houses sold them and brought the money to the apostles to give to others in need” (Acts 4:32-35).
Now I know of people who have sold houses so their mega church could become more mega. I know of people who have sold land to finance gymnasiums and theaters but maybe it is just me, this seems a little different.
Is that the case? Is it cultural? Helping the needy in Acts 2 required helping people live but helping the needy in the United States means insuring they have Starbucks Coffee that is hot and served at their fellowship?
Maybe it is just me, maybe I am the one with the issue. Maybe it is good that 3,000 believers gather in a mall like structure with all the stores accept maybe the Gap. Maybe my problem is I didn’t grow up in the Bible belt where everyone went to large churches. Maybe if that was my life experience it would seem more normal.
Am I being a jerk about this because if you follow me you know this gets under my skin? Were the 3,000 who came to Christ in Acts 2 doing so to build a big building with a fitness center and basketball gym? Does it even matter?
Help me out on this one.
