India’s megachurches are growing and tend to be housed in huge, luxurious buildings, are based on networks of cell groups, and show strong leadership from the senior pastor, reports an article in Lausanne World Pulse (January/ February), an evangelical newsletter on world missions.
The article provides case studies of three Indian megachurches (without reporting on how many such congregations exist in India): the Mark Buntain Memorial Assembly of God Church in Kolkata, the Full Gospel Assembly of God Church in Bangalore, and the Bethel Assembly of God Church, also in Bangalore. The large and ornate buildings these churches are housed in “provides attendees with a psychological boost in a place where belonging to Christianity makes one a minority,” writes Imchen K. Sungjemmeren.
The numerous cells or small groups of these churches tend to “multiply mitotically,” with a new group breaking off after its parent group reaches 20 members. Along with having a strong senior pastor who draws visitor to these churches, they also are strongly seeker-friendly, for instance, using the term “Jesus’ followers” for believers as a way not to offend those who associate Christianity with its colonialist legacy.
(Lausanne World Pulse, http://www.lausanneworldpulse.com)