Jim and Casper Go to Church - An Interview with an Atheist

[James Nored]

Matt Casper & Jim Henderson talk about their church visits together as part of the research for the book, Jim and Casper Go to Church. What does an atheist think about some of the most prominent churches in America? Watch this and find out!

After watching the video- Do you think that large churches can foster true community?

[James Nored]

Adam, I seek to be flexible in the "form" of the church, without an inherent bias towards or against megachurches, mid-sized congregations, small congregations, house churches, etc. There are probably things that each does really well. The previous church I was at grew from 220 to 320 or so. It had a very close, family feel to it. It was easy to identify visitors and make sure that they were welcomed. Where we are now, the church is 800 or so. Visitors are harder to identify, and it is easier for people to get lost. But we are able to do some strategic things that smaller churches might find difficult to do, like start a whole Latino church planting movement (www.genalliance.org).

I think that singing amidst 10,000 people can be a great and unique experience, like at a convention. But what if I were really hurting, would I feel even more alone from this? Would I feel insignificant, as you indicate? I might. So what, then, is the appeal of megachurches? Obviously, many people go to them.