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Church influence: Making a list and checking it twice

by: Rebecca Barnes, editor

I recently spotted a list of today's "50 Most Influential Churches" in an Agape Press story, based on the original report in the June issue of The Church Report magazine. I dislike it when media comments on media and makes itself the news (I don’t think who got kicked off a Survivor island or booted out of American Idol competition is worth headlines.) Still, I'm blogging about this anyway, because insider news is the point I’m trying to make.

Now, this top 50 list was compiled by surveying 2,000 church leaders of the largest non-Catholic congregations in the United States. Among other things, the Report noted that 40 percent of these churches aren't affiliated with a denomination. It also said the consensus of these pastors was that while they don't share a universal view of biblical doctrine, they represent "the passion and sense of missions mandated in the New Testament." We're talking behemoths; topping the list are five megachurches that average more than 16,000 in weekend attendance. Their comment seems predictable and may be interesting to churches of like-kind. But should a bunch of mega-church pastors commending one another's ministerial influence interest anyone else -- namely, any other church leaders?

Not that it isn’t good to influence church leaders. That’s what Church Central is all about. But the church's ultimate influence should be felt in the world. If we are interested in making an impact on the world, the ultimate top 50 list would have to come from people outside the church. Or, at least people formerly outside the church.

Sadly, when I turn to George Barna’s research for proof of world-changing church work there is little to be found. For the past 20 years his studies have shown that world is changing the churches much more than churches are changing the world.

Furthermore, I’m pretty sure no typical Americans—even Christians—could come up with the names of 50 churches, much less naming 50 that had influenced them. So the pastoral survey is artificial at best. At worst it is a look in the wrong direction. Sure, Christians should encourage one another, influence one another—especially Christian leaders and their churches—but, ultimately, the task of churches is to step into the world.

In the world, the influencers are different. Among the top 100, as listed this May in Time magazine were only a couple religious leaders—Pope Benedict and Nigerian Anglican Archbishop Peter Akinola. Politicians, entertainers, everyday newsmakers, philanthropists, business entrepreneurs and others rounded out the list. It would make me happy to see more Christians on the list, more church leaders. But I don't think you have to make the news, publish a book, win an election, get a quote on a Starbucks cup or fit your face into a television screen to have an influence.

As a church leader, a more impressive list than the top 50 most influential churches might be the top 50 people your church most influenced this year. Did you have 50 new believers? Fifty baptisms? Did you inspire 50 people to start new ministries or cross-cultural missions? What about 50 people who read through the Bible because of your influence? Were there 50 people who got involved in worship, study or service at your church this year? The list I would like to see would be 50 people who were impacted by the love of Christ this year because of your church. Now that’s a list.

Blog here.