Any Mega Church Around Alexandria Area??? (Annandale, Manassas: eat, suburbs, non-denominational)

[Winter2010]

Originally Posted by CaliTerp07

Most of these extremely large churches offer multiple smaller services. The appeal of a large congregation is that it can offer all kinds of extras that smaller churches can't--classes, counseling, training, individualized services, etc.

My church qualifies as a "mega church" (2000+ attendees each week), but that's broken into 7+ separate services. There are traditional services, contemporary services, spanish language services, a college service, and a young adult service. Then there are small groups on top of that to get to know people even more. I've never felt overwhelmed because "my" little piece of the mega church is actually really cozy and tightly knit, especially for such a transient area.

What church do you go to? I am so there.

[Alltheusernamesaretaken]

Okay, my mistake then. Thanks for clarifying.

[slowlane2]

[quote=CaliTerp07;18115533]Most of these extremely large churches offer multiple smaller services. The appeal of a large congregation is that it can offer all kinds of extras that smaller churches can't--classes, counseling, training, individualized services, etc.

A megachurch near me, has support groups for
- cancer patients
- families of the military deployed overseas
- children of divorces
- bereaved spouses/ children

[Caladium]

I used to belong to a huge church that had a dating service. It was amateurish, but lots of couples hooked up through it. If you wanted to participate, you filled in a questionnaire that had about 50 questions, and then the volunteers who ran it would try to match you up with a few people who had similar answers. I went on a few dates through them, and even though none of them worked out it was nice to meet guys who went to my church. Similar religious interests are a good thing to have in common.

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

You should try Catholicism. It's kind of like the Olive Garden. No matter where you go, you're family!

Well, we are talking about several centuries of being a religion to fall back on . . . .

Originally Posted by CaliTerp07

Most of these extremely large churches offer multiple smaller services. The appeal of a large congregation is that it can offer all kinds of extras that smaller churches can't--classes, counseling, training, individualized services, etc.

Good point - churches these days reach out to the social aspects of a community, perhaps just as much or more than the spiritual side.

[Alicia Bradley]

What demonination(s) are these mega churches? Or are they non-denominational? I've always considered non-denominational churches to tend sort of fundamentalist (oh, like the 'Assembly of God' or lots of the other, smaller charismatic denominations, if you will, that you'll find in the South) - in fact, sometimes the terms 'non-denominational' and 'fundamentalist' are used interchangeably. However, I'm positive that many of these mega churches are *not* 'fundamentalist' in the sense in which that term is usually used - my brother attended one briefly in North Carolina (mostly to meet a potential date, I suspect.. hehehe), and he said there was a lot of Christian rock/R&B and socializing.

[The Heartbreak Kid]

Well, I am a member of Alfred Street and I love it. I am also a transplant via Mississippi. I will be frank and honest, I like my churches "black" not saying that I want an all black congregation. I just tend to favor certain traditions (traditions are not necessary for salvation, I know that before anyone says that) that are traditionally found in AA churches.

I grew up in a very Conservative Southern Baptist Church and I was looking for a church in the area that was still a bit traditional but young people friendly and had a younger pastor. Alfred Street was a good fit for me because everyone welcomed me in, they were doing some dynamic things in the community and there were a lot of Southern transplants.

I welcome anyone to come visit.

[Mr Idealism]

Originally Posted by Alicia Bradley

What demonination(s) are these mega churches? Or are they non-denominational? I've always considered non-denominational churches to tend sort of fundamentalist (oh, like the 'Assembly of God' or lots of the other, smaller charismatic denominations, if you will, that you'll find in the South) - in fact, sometimes the terms 'non-denominational' and 'fundamentalist' are used interchangeably. However, I'm positive that many of these mega churches are *not* 'fundamentalist' in the sense in which that term is usually used - my brother attended one briefly in North Carolina (mostly to meet a potential date, I suspect.. hehehe), and he said there was a lot of Christian rock/R&B and socializing.

It is my understanding that most of the mega churches tend to be a lot more conservative/fundamentalist. I think non-denominational is another way of saying "born again christian," without scaring people away.

[michgc]

Take this with a grain of salt since I'm Jewish and don't go to church. But I believe McLean Bible is a mega-church.

[Caladium]

The church that had the dating service was a catholic church. It was a fairly liberal church, as much as that's possible within the catholic religion.