The Economics of Everyday Things 107. Megachurches
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Sep 22, 2025 Scott Thumma, an expert on megachurches, shares intriguing insights into their rise and operations. He discusses how these religious institutions attract thousands of followers and substantial revenue through innovative marketing and large-scale programs. The conversation delves into the darker side, highlighting accountability issues, celebrity pastors, and scandals involving misuse of funds. Thumma also explores the growing popularity of small house-church alternatives as a response to the megachurch phenomenon.
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How Megachurches Grew Into A New Model
- Megachurches emerged from 1960s-70s movements and adopted seeker-friendly, consumer-oriented services.
- Their scale and amenities attract younger attendees and fuel rapid growth.
Size Enables Scale And Services
- Thumma defines megachurches as those with 2,000+ weekly attendees and estimates ~1,800 in the U.S.
- Large size enables many programs and facilities that small churches cannot offer.
Donations Power Massive Budgets
- Around 96% of megachurch income comes from member contributions, with median budgets of $5.5M.
- Spending concentrates on staff, buildings, programming, and some missions.
