We are not a mega church nor do we feel that God has called us to be one. We have our own DNA and God is constantly developing us in our short life to become the church He wants us to be and not what any of us want LPC to be. We know that Life Point Church exists to develop fully devoted followers of Jesus. We do that by Loving Others, Investing in people, Following Jesus and Engaging culture. We seek to be Real, Rockin, and Relevant.

But that does not mean we can't learn from Mega Churches. Leadership Network recently released some interesting research on who actually attends a mega church. Their findings are interesting.Findings in the survey stretch from pure demographics to the nature and quality of mega church attenders' spiritual life. Among the most significant discoveries are:

• The average age of mega church attenders is 40, compared to nearly 53 at a typical Protestant church. Nearly two-thirds of mega church attenders are under 45, double the numbers in Protestant congregations of all sizes. The vast majority are between 18 and 44.
• Nearly a third of mega church attenders are single, compared to 10 percent in a typical Protestant church. They also tend to be wealthier and better educated.
• Nearly all those surveyed — 98 percent, including visitors — described themselves as a "committed follower of Jesus Christ." Nearly a quarter hadn't been in any church for a long time before coming to the mega church.
• Sixty-two percent of mega church attendees said they had experienced much spiritual growth in the past year. But that does not always translate to behavior churches expect of members: nearly 45 percent of mega church attenders never volunteer at the church and 32 percent give little or no money to the congregation.
• "The ethos of the megachurch is to say 'You can't just sit there and spectate, that's not enough, you've got to do this or do that,'" said study co-director Scott Thumma, a sociologist at the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. "But a lot of people said 'I'm perfectly happy coming here and doing that.'"
• Divided loyalties also might play a role: just three-quarters described the mega church they were attending as their "home" church, and many said they were attending more than one church.

• The majority of mega church attenders are not necessarily new to Christianity, but nearly a quarter had not recently been in another church before coming to a mega church.

• While newcomers almost always attend a mega church at the invitation of family, friends or co-workers, the real attraction tends to be the church's reputation, worship style and senior pastor.

• Long-term attendance flows from an appreciation for the church's music/arts, social and community outreach, and adult-oriented programs.

• 45 percent of mega church attenders never volunteer at the church.

Now lets "Dumb" that down for us, a new church plant:

1. The average age is 45 and under.
   
2. 30% are single
3. More educated and affluent
4. Not new to Christianity but either never been in church or been disconnected from church for a long period of time
5. They come almost EXCLUSIVELY by PERSONAL INVITATION
6. They come back because of Church's Reputation, Worship Style, and Senior Pastor and His teaching.
7. Long timers keep coming because of church's music/arts, social and community outreach, and adult-oriented programs
8. 45% NEVER volunteer

Now at LPC, our average age is 50 and under with the real average closer to 45. Around 30% of LPC'ers are single and are more educated but not so affluent (current economy). Almost EVERYONE came from a personal invitation. And I believe people keep coming back for worship, teaching, and fellowship.

What do we have to work on to GROW...

1: INVITE, INVITE, and INVITE

2: Excellence in Worship, and Teaching

3: We need MORE social and community outreach

4: We need MORE adult programs

5: We need MORE people VOLUNTEERING

All in all, LPC is poised for a movement of God to reach this area for Jesus. As we pray and I mean please really pray, that all we do at LPC furthers HIS kingdom and we get people excited about the person of Jesus again. This will make any church grow