The Mailbag

Every day, I receive hundreds of emails. Last week, when we announced the Most Influential Churches in America, it generated more email than usual and I wanted to share some comments, good and bad, that we recevied. Keep in mind, that when we published the list, it was clear that the list was a result of survey we sent to pastors from large churches throughout the counntry, not a staff vote.

Let's start with Brad Polley who says:

"This list is so disgusting that I’m not sure where to start. Why don’t you stop using the word “influence” and use the word “power,” because it’s what you imply anyway. Since when is power a biblical value? Last time I checked, Jesus seemed to gravitate toward the weak and powerless, and had rather harsh words for those who sought “power” and “influence.” The fault isn’t necessarily with these churches, because I’m sure they’re doing some great work for God’s Kingdom, the problem lies in articles like this one that put them on a pedestal because of their numbers and the popularity of their pastor. I know you probably won’t, but I’ll say it anyway: Please stop writing these kinds of lists. They are sickening and do no service at all to the Kingdom of God. They also make pastors of smaller churches look at their own small congregations and wonder what they’re doing wrong. You’re doing more harm than good by writing articles like this"

Elias from Oregon says:

"It can be readily seen why the USofA is in such an amoral & deficient Spiritual situation/condition by the enumerating of the '50' most prominent "churches" and their heads. Truly, "Narrow is The Way and Straight is The Gate that leads to Eternal Life and few there be that find it."


Lamar from Florida wants to know if I have a clue:

"It was interesting that Grace Community Church Pastored by John MacArhur was not listed this year. I wonder if your questions changed or perhaps why such a vibrant large and well known ministry such as that was not listed. In fact, some of the one's listed were certainly not as well known nor as well engaged in ministry as Dr. MacArthur's! Do you have a clue?"

Carol wrote:

"I was also very surprised that he was 28th last year of 50, but this year not even on the list?"


Lestra from San Antonio wrote:

"I am pretty surprised that Cornerstone CHurch in SAn Antonio, Tx wasn't named. IT's membership is over 17,000 and seems to be pretty influential in the country . This week , for example, there will be a meeting of CUFI in Washington DC showing its support for Israel and there are 4000 delegates, I think, it is. Last year there were 4000 delegates there."

This is merely a sampling of the comments we received. Remember folks, attacking the staff for the result of the survey will not change the result, the staff had no input on the list. Brad, maybe an amazing small church list is in the works.

Thanks for the mail.