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The first church in Jerusalem started with 3,000 members, while the first church in Philippi began meeting in a house. Clearly, God uses both large and small churches to accomplish His will.
In recent weeks, I've written about great churches I've visited and worked with over the past decade—rural congregations thriving in remote areas, urban churches rebounding after years of decline, and suburban churches growing in diverse, dynamic neighborhoods.
Each church stands as a testament to God's blessings, proving that faithfulness and devotion to His Word can yield growth and impact, regardless of size or location.
Last Sunday, I preached at Compassion Christian Church in Savannah, Georgia—one of my favorite megachurches.
I've been a frequent guest at Compassion over the years and have witnessed this congregation grow from an average weekly attendance of 250 to well over 10,000. The church now conducts services on seven campuses throughout the Savannah and Bluffton, South Carolina, area.
Despite this incredible growth, megachurches are not without their critics. In recent years, they have faced significant criticism, largely due to the moral failures of several high-profile ministers.
When the pastor of a large church falls, it makes headlines. Yet, as I've noted before, those pastors are the exception.
Many prominent pastors I've had the privilege of meeting have finished strong, remaining faithful throughout their ministries.
One such pastor is Cam Huxford, whom I deeply admire. Cam served as the dynamic lead pastor of Compassion Christian Church for 40 years before retiring two months ago.
He passed the senior pastor baton to Marcus Johnson, a long-time and highly respected associate pastor.
The continued growth of Compassion Christian challenges the notion that megachurches are destined to fade. Compassion continues to thrive, growing both numerically and spiritually.
It's a welcoming environment where believers love to worship and are eager to serve. The joyful atmosphere is contagious.
Here are some qualities I've observed that help make Compassion Christian a strong, healthy megachurch:
#1 A healthy church adapts methods but remains anchored in the unchanging Gospel.
Institutions—especially large ones—often drift from their founding principles over time. However, Compassion's leaders have remained steadfast in their commitment to the Restoration Movement's principle: "Where the Bible speaks, we speak."
While Compassion has adapted to cultural trends—such as adding satellite campuses and contemporary worship—it has avoided the pitfalls of over-centralizing authority. Its leadership culture fosters mutual respect: lay elders encourage staff to lead, while ministers respect the elders' oversight role. This balance results in a healthy partnership and harmonious culture.
The preaching at Compassion remains biblically sound and unapologetically courageous. Guest speakers are not restricted from addressing difficult topics, and the preaching staff does not shy away from biblical truths that might offend.
#2 A healthy church reflects its community while preparing for heaven.
Savannah is a city with a population of over 50% African-Americans, yet Compassion Christian historically reflected its Southern roots as a predominantly white congregation.
Recognizing the biblical vision of heaven as a place for "every nation, tribe, people, and language" (Revelation 7:9), church leaders took intentional steps to reflect the diversity of their community.
Three years ago, Compassion welcomed Terrence Gooden, a gifted worship leader with a passion for uniting people in Christ through music.
Terrence is an African-American and his leadership has enhanced the church's worship experience, fostering a sense of unity and inclusion that resonates with the congregation.
When I preached last Sunday, the worship team included musicians from varied backgrounds and age groups. This visible diversity on the platform communicates a clear and compelling message: everyone is welcome here.
The intentional efforts to reflect the community's diversity have borne fruit. The congregation now includes a growing number of Black, Asian, and Latino attendees, creating a vibrant and dynamic body of Christ that reflects the beauty of heaven.
#3 A healthy church discerns trends from fads.
One of the ongoing challenges for church leaders is distinguishing between cultural trends—worthy of adaptation—and fleeting fads, which often drain resources without lasting impact. Leaders of large churches can be tempted to prioritize being cutting-edge over being effective.
Compassion's leadership demonstrates wisdom by focusing on what works. One of its most effective outreach programs is the semiannual Christmas drama, Journey to Bethlehem.
This outdoor production, written and produced by Cam Huxford's wife, Sarah, recreates the environment surrounding Jesus' birth. Over the past decade, the program has been replicated by churches worldwide, including in Poland and Belarus.
Cam shares how young pastors often ask, "You're still doing that old Journey program?" He grins and responds, "Yep! And 30,000 people still came to it last year!"
That's an astonishing number, representing 10% of the Lowcountry region.
One attendee shared how Journey changed her life:
"A woman introduced herself and her two-year-old baby to me," Cam recalled. "She told me Journey saved both of their lives. She came to the last production pregnant, unmarried, depressed, and determined to have an abortion. But God touched her heart through the story of a courageous unmarried mother who was willing to honor God. Two years later, she is a member of Compassion, and her life is completely different."
Sometimes, the wisest choice is to stay with what works rather than chase the latest fad.
#4 A healthy church thrives through long-term ministry.
The single most common characteristic of healthy churches—regardless of size—is a gifted, godly preacher who has stayed put.
There is a wholesome sense of stability and harmony when a preacher "blooms where he's planted" for 15 years or more.
Cam Huxford became the minister of what was then First Christian Church in Savannah in 1984. The church grew slowly during his first decade of ministry, navigating leadership conflicts and challenges.
Cam stayed through those difficulties when he could have easily left for another opportunity. Over time, new believers and enthusiastic Christ-followers outnumbered skeptics, and the results have been spectacular.
#5 A healthy church is unapologetically evangelistic while prioritizing discipleship and missions.
Jesus taught that the church's mission is to "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). Compassion Christian exemplifies this mission.
The gospel is preached weekly, and lost souls are baptized into Christ. At the same time, the church offers numerous opportunities for spiritual growth through Bible studies and fellowship groups.
Compassion supports missions through a "Faith Promise" system, which encourages members to tithe and give additional offerings to missions.
As a result, 20% of the church's budget is dedicated to missions and benevolence. This commitment has fostered strong ties to missions in Poland, India, Africa, and beyond.
Two decades ago, futurists predicted that megachurches would become obsolete, giving way to smaller house churches.
They speculated that younger generations would prefer more intimate gatherings. Those predictions have proven false, partly because of adjustments made by megachurches like Compassion Christian.
Compassion Christian remains an example of how a healthy church—regardless of its size—can continue to thrive by adapting methods, remaining faithful to biblical truth, and serving its community with love and humility.
 | Bob Russell became the pastor of Southeast Christian Church at just 22 years old. That small congregation of 120 members became one of the largest churches in America, with 18,000 people attending the four worship services every weekend in 2006 when Bob retired. Now through Bob Russell Ministries, Bob continues to preach at churches; conferences throughout the United States, provide guidance for church leadership, mentor other ministers and author Bible study videos for use in small groups. Learn More » |
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