In an article titled Real megachurches the brilliant Iyov writes about the South Korean megachurch Yoido Full Gospel Church in South Korea. Yoido is home to more than 830,000 people. When one contrasts that ridiculous number with Mr. Joel Osteen’s Lakewood attendance—which is around 50,000 depending on who is asked—it makes one wonder if the prefix “mega” needs an overhaul.
Each of the seven Sunday services at Yoido is a logistical challenge: apart from the 12,000 people in the main sanctuary, another 20,000 follow the service on television in overflow chapels scattered around neighboring buildings. Some 38,000 children go to Sunday school during the day. As one service begins and the next ends, around 60,000 comers and goers are ushered by white-jacketed traffic directors. If you want to attend one of the two services starring the church’s founder, David Cho, you need to be an hour early or you won’t get in.If you’re interested in the church’s structure and history you can read about it here.
And here’s another interesting bit from Iyov:
Women are crucial. Mr Cho’s right-hand woman was his mother-in-law, Jashil Choi, a figure known as “Hallelujah Mama”. Today Yoido boasts 68,000 female deacons—twice the number of male ones…Christianity advanced from an obscure sect to the official religion of the Roman empire by focusing on women. Christians stressed fidelity and marriage, which attracted women to the faith, who then bore Christian babies.I have had my gripes with megachurches in the past, and many of those were quelled by actually participating in them with a loving rather than critical mind; however, the numbers of Yoido aren’t at all typical of what we deal with in the United States. I can imagine what would be a minor annoyance in the US (i.e. parking) could become a major issue at the Yoido Full Gospel Church.
Also, just for fun take a look at this listing of U.S. megachurches (Warning this page might take a while to load) from the Hartford Institute for Religious Study. Using their data (and assuming my excel skills are up to snuff), Yoido’s attendance is still larger than the the top 60 U.S. churches combined!
I’d be interested if any of you have been to this church before, or even heard of it. Personally, I didn’t know it existed until today. Do you think the U.S. could sustain, or should have, a church this size? Can you see any advantages or disadvantages?
Loading ...
November 21, 2007 at 14:00
Unfortunately some parts of the Full Gospel Church aren’t really Gospel. Their teaching tends to be really prosperity gospel.
November 21, 2007 at 15:17
Yes, I’ve heard of this “gigachurch.” I heard Pastor Cho speak locally (Pacific Northwest, USA) over a decade ago. I also own a couple of Cho’s books, which I purchased after his services.
No doubt about it, he’s controversial. It’s been some time since I’ve followed his ministry, but I believe he’s been associated with the Prosperity Gospel. Charismatics seem to go down that road more frequently than other branches of Evangelical Christianity. (eg. Joel Osteen) And women are welcome in pulpit ministries among Pentecostals/Charismatics, so it’s no surprise they play a large role in Cho’s church.
What can I say? Is the Spirit moving in Korea? Absolutely. Yes, in wonderful ways. Do I agree with all of their doctrine? No.
Thanks for the links. I’ll check them out and bring myself up to date. Blessings.
However,
November 21, 2007 at 15:18
A good book was written on the issue of Mega-Churches and the problems they can get themselves into. It is “Dining With The Devil …The Megachurch movement flirts with modernity” by Os Guinness. I had heard that there were huge churches popping up in Korea but also never heard of this one till today.
November 21, 2007 at 16:08
Prosperity Gospel? I went to a Full Gospel church and nothing ever taught there had anything to do with “propserity teaching”.
The Bible is full of promises. “If you do this, I will bless you. If you don’t do this, I won’t bless you.”
“Prosperity Gospel” seems to be something people plaster on to churches and preachers they don’t agree with because of all the negative connotations associated with it.
Pick direct and specific quotes and references or don’t make such blanketed accusations. Period.
Personally, I’m not a fan of mega churches. Its hard enough for a pastor in a congregation of 400 to get involved personally with the lives of the congregation let alone thousands or hundreds of thousands of people.
I just don’t see how it is possible for a pastor to be intimately involved in the loves of 830,000 people. It seems that it would be very difficult to really get a voice in the church or get to know anyone.
Its not for me…
November 21, 2007 at 16:16
Wow. Nearly a million people. The amount of administration and overhead must be enourmous. That’s larger than my city!
So, if we want to go there… how does a church that says in its statement of faith that we are to “claim our right to health and divine healing” deal with folks in the congregation who die of cancer or heart attacks? Are the sick villainized as not having faith?
November 21, 2007 at 17:01
Hmm, seems to me everyone equates big with bad. Yet on the Day of Pentecost, thousands were added to the church. Don’t we want to see many brought into the kingdom? Isn’t that the point of evangelism? Parking problems? We should all be so blessed.
I appreciate the line where the writer suspended his critical attitude and loved. Certainly, a good example for all of us. We may not all agree on every aspect of doctrine, but can fellowship on the basis of knowing Jesus as Savior.
As long as we’re duking it out with each other, the enemy is having a field day with no opposition.
Jesus said unbelievers would know we were His disciples by our love for one another. On that note, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, my brothers and sisters in Christ.
November 22, 2007 at 02:26
My answer to above question even tho I agree the prosperity Gospel is pie in the sky.Is paul said “Rejoice if the Gospel of Salvation in Jesus Christ {1 cor.15 1-9} is preached even by foes.” The largest 11 churches out of 12 in the World are in South Korean and they are number Two after the USA in sending Missionarys (remember afghanistan recently?)they may be the ones God uses if the USA continues it’s immoral and hedonistic downward slide.(I am an American since Birth.)
I agree it is hard to understand preachers talking so much of faith and “prosperity” but it came from the good ole USA and is now being pushed in Africa I understand
If that works there I may even bite.But South Koreans are hot and on fire for Jesus Christ, they grew up and live under the Guns and Nukes of N.Korea all their life.I believe most are Heavenly, minded far more than the American Church which Is Prosperous. Prosperity Gospel Or No! God Help Us.
November 22, 2007 at 02:46
Re submit This is an awesome Statement of Faith
From Yoido Full Gospel Church
http://english.fgtv.com/Gospel/main.asp
“Full Gospel” is not a new theology which has developed in recent church history, but is a gospel directly from the Bible in a literal sense. Full Gospel theology tries to understand the original meaning and purpose of the Bible as God had intended and to discover how to apply that knowledge to the lives of Christians. It is the hope of Full Gospel theology to take the Bible as it is written, and preserve the Gospel without any distortion, so as to revitalize the power of the Gospel.
(ThinkChristian.net Note: See this link for Yoido’s full Statement of Faith)
“5. Faith in Christ Who Carries Our Diseases
Full Gospel Faith firmly believes that Christ not only redeemed our spirits but also our bodies from the curse of disease, and that He continues to bestow that blessing on Christians today.”
I am not a name it and claim it charismatic of nay kind but the statement in #5 could be at least reasonably undestood by the passage in James
Jas 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
Jas 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
Jas 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
c. s. Ohio USA
November 22, 2007 at 19:14
One commenter wondered how a pastor could possibly be involved with that many people. This church uses cell groups to achieve meaningful relationships in the congregation. They have many pastors, not just one. The people are taught they are important in the Body of Christ and have a place to function. There is also a strong emphasis on fasting and prayer.
If you’re really curious about how such a large church can meet the needs to so many, go to their website and get some of their resources.
November 23, 2007 at 02:42
Dear Sir ,
I am happy to see your webpage this is gift of God we need to know more about who is lord and we need to have church so far we don’t have building but we have house fellowship , pray for us and our ministry ,
Thanks
Shyam
November 23, 2007 at 05:18
I noticed on your listing of megachurches that Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee is not listed as a megachurch. I wonder why. It is one of the largest churches in the country.
November 23, 2007 at 22:39
Yes, I’ve heard and read so much about this church. One very important thing that I remember reading about this church is that, the members say that they grew to such huge numbers only because they would pray with each other whenever they met. And one other fact is that they never intended to become a mega church. Its all planned by God is what they say.
If there are no churches of this size in USA, it shouldn’t bother us. Whether a church is small or big or mega is all depended on what the lord is accomplishing. I strongly believe that the lord is working with his church and size doesn’t matter to him.
One big church or many small churches, its all the same. But small churches means there are more chances of growth and development compared to big churches.
November 25, 2007 at 22:43
I heard about this church a few years ago. Korean Christians are doing mighty things for the Lord!!!
November 26, 2007 at 20:27
Hello Chris
I had the experience of visiting Yoido Full Gospel Church several times from ’94 through ’97. During this time I was stationed in Korea in the Air Force. I will not say that it is the perfect church but in my 8 or 9 trips to the church I was edified by the message and experienced worship in a unique way. The doctrine leans towards charismatic being associated with the Assembly of God background but was not something that was over the top. The history of the church and the way it came to the size it is was through active ministry to the people of Soul after the Korean War. The small group ministry is the center of the size of the church.
During my time in Korea I also went to “Prayer Mountain” which is part of Yoido, but further north. It is a retreat area with a basic housing and meeting place that can hold up to 5,000 by Korean code not American. It is a dynamic environment that was always nice to visit. I would spend 3 to 4 days up there about 5 times over the three years I was there. There were many locations to go a pray. There would be “Prayer Grottoes” around the area where you could go and pray in. I met many people from different parts of the world there.
Prayer is a focus of the church at Yoido and the small groups. Together they continue to reach out to people. Pastor Cho helps start churches also. While I was there their role dropped below 700,000 because he asked people from an area in Seoul to support the start up church. Turned out to be about 50,000 people tithes and all went to become a part of the new church. That is church planting in a way we don’t see in the United States.
If you have any more questions or would like to discuss more about Yoido please contact me.
Stay Strong
J.T.
November 26, 2007 at 21:46
I’m happy that 300,000 plus people are coming to hear the Word of God. I think it’s good and I’ll continue to pray that God uses whoever to get the Gospel out. Name it claim it or have what you say doctrine I believe and practice them and my walk has been strength by these biblical methods. Whatever the man preaches if it builds faith it’s the Word of God.
Prosperity is part of the gospel and so is being content. But this isn’t the time for that type of debate. I’m just glad that people are getting saved and are learning the Word. I never heard of Pastor Cho denying the fundamentals of Christianity. This is what I’m talking about why are we still arguing about doctrine? Prosperity, Healing, Baptisms and Deliverance they are all biblical. Walking by Faith? Wow who can preach against that? Let’s come together I’m in a war zone right now and all the Christians over here are happy to worship and fellowship together.
There are people over here that purchased a book from Pastor Cho and it changed their life forever. I supported Full Gospel / Word of Faith/ Pentecostal. Also I have friends that are Baptist /Evangelical / Assemblies of God (the kind of church I go to) and even Bible believing Catholic. Yes we need good doctrine and a good number of the people ridiculed on TV with big Churches give it. Remember JESUS said all things are possible to those that believe.Pastor Cho believed for thousands to come and they did.
Thank God that’s it 300,000 plus getting the Word rather than 300,000 dieing and killing people in the name of Allah.
Let’s come to together.