Lausanne World Pulse – Perspectives Articles – Indian Megachurches' Centripetal Mission

By Imchen K. Sungjemmeren
January / February 2011  

Therefore, the activities or characteristics of a church which attracts or brings attendees (thus making the church grow in attendance) can be considered its centripetal mission. Below are ten characteristics these churches display.

  1. They are strong in giving. They believe that a giving church grows; thus they put a strong emphasis on giving. These churches are able to collect huge sums of money. They also believe that a growing church gives. And so they give away major portions of the offerings to help the needy. They also sponsor seminarians, give aid to church planters, manage children’s homes, maintain their huge buildings, pay full-time workers, and pay the bills of different projects and programs (like the production of CD-ROMS and TV programs and the publication of tracts and books for evangelism and other church-related ministries).
  2. They have magnificent buildings. These Indian megachurches have outstandingly huge and magnificent buildings. For an aam admi (average Indian), these buildings appear luxurious. The one in Kolkata is like a theatre where seats are cushioned. The two in Bangalore have enough chairs for everyone who comes to the worship service (this is unlike some churches in India, where according to gender, age, caste, or class, some or all sit on the ground). Worshipping in a huge congregation provides attendees a psychological boast in a place where belonging to Christianity makes one a minority, and highly susceptible.
  3. They are focused on developing full-time ministers. The Indian churches sponsor seminarians who become full-time ministers. Some become full-time ministers in the megachurches; others become church planters and pastors in areas beyond the megachurches.
  4. They have networks of cell groups. These churches have numerous cell groups of twenty members each. The senior pastor of the English congregation of one of the megachurches in Bangalore emphasized that these cell groups multiply mitotically after it has maximum strength. After attracting twenty members, a group divides into two of ten each. Both groups begin to function as separate units and continue to attract non-believers. The senior pastor of the Malayalam congregation of the same megachurch explained that each church member tries to be sensitive and look out for people in need. Anyone in need is attended to quickly. If they respond to this initiation, then they are asked to join a cell group. After attending the meeting several times (and if they want to continue), they are incorporated into the church.
  5. They focus on the participation of lay people in mission. The word-of-mouth form of witness plays a significant role in advertising Jesus in unreached India. Lay people invite neighbors and friends to their cell groups and Sunday worship services. They are also quick to help neighbors and friends who may be seekers or non-believers. Many who need healing and deliverance respond and are ultimately incorporated into the church. A sensitive cell group can achieve much, even in a religiously-plural country where people who are needy still look for divine help and guidance. Cell groups and lay persons become missionaries, carrying the good news of Jesus.
  6. They focus on training volunteer leaders. Many lay persons in the churches are interested in studying theology, but do not have time to go to a residential program. To such people, these churches offer courses on theology and leadership. They are given a certificate or diploma from a seminary with which the church is associated. For example, the South Asian Bible College identifies those who have taken courses from the Full Gospel Assembly of God Church in Bangalore. These certificate or diploma holders can join their seminary when they can find time, or they can become leaders of different cell groups or used elsewhere in the megachurch. Volunteer leaders range from youths to senior citizens. This is the strongest centripetal mission force found in the Indian megachurches.
  7. They have a strong emphasis on the senior pastor. The senior pastors are strong attracting agents. One said that it took many years to overcome many obstacles and discouragements to come to a point where his church (located in a mixed residential and commercial area) cannot accommodate more people, even after six worship services are held in a Sunday. He believes in prayer while the attendees look to him for meeting their needs. In the other two churches, the senior pastors were not the founders, but their charisma has been found to be the source of attraction. Their gift of preaching, leadership, healing, and blessing are highly sought after.
  8. They emphasize fasting and prayer. In secular India, where advancement in medical research provides some hope, even those who belong to other faiths seek help and healing from these churches. In fact, it is prayers that sustain the growth of the churches, said the senior pastors of both megachurches in Bangalore.
  9. They emphasize charity and meeting physical needs. When a tsunami struck the southern part of the country, one of the megachurches in Bangalore was one of the quickest churches to respond. Attendees emptied departmental stores, loaded goods in trucks, and sent the items to the people in distress. Homes for lesser fortunate children are built to provide education and proper care. Trainings are offered to help the least fortunate stand on their feet.
  10. They have seeker-friendly worship services. The reduction in the use of offensive words is one of the centripetal forces. The megachurch in Kolkata calls believers “Jesus’ followers”, “Jesus’ disciples”, or Yesu bhakt rather than “Christians”. India was colonized for many years and the experiences of the people by the dominating power is not forgotten by many Indians. Moreover, although baptism is a must to avail membership, anyone can attend these churches. They wait for a seekers to make their own decisions to be baptized. The reduction of pressure on seekers to get converted or baptized helps them feel at home.

 

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Imchen K. Sungjemmeren (Meren) was a missionary teacher for two years at South Bank Baptist Mission in Assam, India. After which he and his wife joined the Par Terok Mission, which supports a church in Arunachal Pradesh. He is now on faculty in the Department of Missiology at Union Biblical Seminary in India.