Debunking Megachurch Myths

“God doesn’t give churches to pastors, he gives pastors to churches.”

Megachurches they’re one of the greatest blessings to the Body of Christ and yet, they’ve faced one of the greatest smear campaigns in modern church history.

These vibrant, growing congregations—often criticized as being too big, too flashy, or too focused on numbers—are actually powerhouses of discipleship, evangelism, and kingdom impact.

In a recent Resurge podcast episode, Pastor Joby Martin of 11:22 Church in Jacksonville, Florida, unpacked the incredible work God is doing through megachurches, and it’s time we celebrate them for what they truly are: a divine gift to advance the Great Commission.

But first, we must ask two question, first, what is a “megachurch?” A megachurch is defined as a Christian congregation with a sustained average weekly attendance of 2,000 people or more in its worship services, counting all adults and children at all its worship locations.

And secondly, is there any Biblical foundation for a megachurch? Whilst the Bible often records Christians meeting in house churches, that doesn’t mean megachurches didn’t exist. One example is the church that formed in Jerusalem following Pentecost which initially had over three thousand converts (Acts 2:41) with greater numbers being added daily (Acts 2:47)!

FACT: The Bible never requires nor limits church services to a specific number. With this in mind, let’s delve into some of the most common myths about megachurches.
Busting Megachurch Myths:

Myth 1: “They’re Too Big and Impersonal”

Critics say megachurches are so large they can’t care for people, to this, Pastor Joby says: “We’re not a megachurch; we have a mega-lost city.” With 1.8 million people in Jacksonville, 11:22’s 25,000 is just scratching the surface of a harvest field ripe for the gospel.

Megachurches like 11:22 use their size strategically, with 18 multi-site campuses offering smaller, community-focused settings where local staff pour into discipleship and care. Far from impersonal, these churches create systems—like 11:22’s 688-strong care team—to ensure no one slips through the cracks.

One of the important points here is that they’re not turning people away; they’re making room for prodigals to hear the gospel and find a home.

Myth 2: “It’s Just a Personality Cult”

Some claim megachurches revolve around a charismatic leader. To this, Joby pointed out that 11:22 thrives because of their team of teachers, as well as a focus on their collective mission.

“The church doesn’t exist for me; I exist for the church,” he says, echoing a biblical truth from Jeremiah: God gives pastors to serve churches, not the other way around.
Megachurches amplify the gospel, not a person, by equipping thousands to carry the vision. At 11:22, 8,602 serve staff and volunteers prove it’s a movement of the people, not a one-man show.

Myth 3: “They’re a Waste of Money”

Skeptics balk at megachurch budgets, but Joby compares their investments to the alabaster jar broken for Jesus—extravagant worship that glorifies God.

When 11:22 renovated a 4,200-seat auditorium, critics cried, “What about the poor?” And yet, that facility enables 21,000 children to be sponsored through Compassion International annually, $12 million to be utilized in direct aid, and millions more in global missions.

Megachurches don’t squander resources; they multiply them, creating “perpetual motion machines” of discipleship that outlast generations.

As Joby notes, Judas complained about costly worship too, but Jesus praised the heart behind it. Be careful not to play for the wrong team.

The Megachurch Advantage: Scaling for Souls

Megachurches aren’t just big—they’re strategic. Pastor Joby’s story of 11:22’s growth from 3,364 attendees at its 2012 launch to 25,000 today shows how scale amplifies impact!

Here are five ways megachurches are a blessing to the Body of Christ:

Unmatched Evangelism: With 1,624 baptisms at a single beach event and 50,000 worshiping online, megachurches reach souls at a scale smaller congregations often can’t.

They’re not chasing numbers; they’re counting souls saved, marriages redeemed, and orphans adopted. As Joby says, “We’re all about the number of people saved.” This is Great Commission work in overdrive.

Discipleship at Scale: Megachurches don’t just attract crowds; they make disciples.
11:22’s centralized model ensures consistency, with campus pastors as vision carriers who disciple locally. Their 700 church plants and $2 million annual investment in strategic launches show a commitment to multiplying disciples, not just seats. Joby’s mantra—“Chase disciples, not dollars,” proving that when you prioritize discipleship, resources follow.

Cultural Relevance with Biblical Fidelity: Megachurches like 11:22 blend doxological excellence: top-notch worship, lighting, and sound, all with unwavering commitment to the Word.

Joby’s sermons dive deep into Scripture, and the church’s culture code (“Glorify God in worship and word”), keeps Jesus central. This isn’t a performance; it’s worship to an audience of One.

Community and Care: Far from impersonal, megachurches build armies of care.

11:22’s first hire was a chaplain, not a growth strategist, and their care team is the largest volunteer group. Whether it’s praying with Joby in the lobby or reaching out to their support team, these churches ensure no one walks alone.

Resilience and Rhythm: Megachurches model sustainable ministry through rhythms, not burnout. Joby emphasizes daily, weekly, and seasonal cycles of work and rest, inspired by God’s creation. This keeps leaders and congregations vibrant, avoiding the various forms of complacency that can sometimes stall smaller ministries.

A Call to Celebrate, Not Criticize

It’s time to stop throwing stones at megachurches and start praising God for them!
They’re not perfect, and what church is? But, they are powerfully used by God to reach the lost, disciple the found, and fund the mission.

As Pastor Joby warns, those who criticize growth often have “comfortable seats” at church and miss the heart of a parent praying for a prodigal to encounter Jesus in a packed sanctuary. Megachurches make room for those prodigals, and that’s a blessing we should all cheer.

In a world desperate for hope, megachurches like 11:22 are lighthouses, shining the gospel to millions. They’re not the only way God works, but they’re a mighty way.
As Joby puts it, “Big is not bad, small is not bad—bad is bad.”

As believers, we are called the “body of Christ,” and a body has many members. Each member has a different function and purpose and yet, they all work together. This is the mindset we should have when viewing church growth.

Megachurches are kingdom outposts, so as the body of Christ, let’s pray for their leaders and join the movement to make disciples of all nations.

The harvest is plentiful, and megachurches are reaping it for God’s glory!

Thank you for your support.

If you appreciate the work we do to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, please consider giving a gift to help us continue this work. Maranatha!