Beyond Megachurch Myths
A Lecture and Book Signing
With Scott Thumma, Ph.D.
Listen to the Podcast of this lecture (1 hour 9 min. 63.4mb mp3 file - this may take a while to load)
Megachurches are one of the most innovative congregational developments on the American religious landscape in the past three decades and yet very little is actually known about them, their success and their characteristics. The picture most people have of these massive churches has been constructed by the media and not based on research or through investigation. A new book, Beyond Megachurch Myths, written by Hartford Seminary Professor Scott Thumma and Dave Travis, of Leadership Network, dispels those misperceptions. Come hear the author and megachurch expert, Scott Thumma, discuss the book and explain why the myths arose and what the research really shows about these highly influential Christian congregations. He will suggest megachurch lessons and techniques that congregations of all sizes can apply to their ministry context.
Scott Thumma is Professor of Sociology of Religion at Hartford Seminary and co-author of “Beyond Megachurch Myths: What We Can Learn from America's Largest Churches.” He is a member of the Seminary’s Hartford Institute for Religion Research and Director of Web, Technology and Distance Education. Thumma will sign copies of his new book at this event.
Copies of Beyond Megachurch Myths: What We Can Learn from America's Largest Churches may be purchased at the Seminary bookstore in advance (860-509-9527) or the evening of the lecture. You also may order the book through the Seminary online bookstore, www.hartfordseminarybookstore.org.
