As megachurches continue to sprout across the country, a new study concludes that many of the common assumptions about these large houses of worship are simply not true. The study, Megachurches Today 2005, also concludes that they are not a passing religious fancy. The number of congregations of over 2,000 members has increased by nearly 50 percent since 2000.
As megachurches continue to sprout across the country, a new study concludes that many of the common assumptions about these large houses of worship are simply not true.
The study, Megachurches Today 2005, also concludes that they are not a passing religious fancy. The number of congregations of over 2,000 members has increased by nearly 50 percent since 2000.
The story said:
The conclusions were based on an eight-month survey of 400 megachurches undertaken by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research -- a research arm of the seminary -- and the Leadership Network, a church growth consulting firm based in Dallas. The findings are based on answers supplied by the churches themselves. The survey reveals that virtually all megachurches share common traits of a dynamic senior pastor, emphasis on conservative values, and building small groups to offset its size. They also know how to make worship entertaining. Roughly 80 percent use electric guitars and drums while nearly all use visual projection equipment for sermons and song aids.
The conclusions were based on an eight-month survey of 400 megachurches undertaken by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research -- a research arm of the seminary -- and the Leadership Network, a church growth consulting firm based in Dallas. The findings are based on answers supplied by the churches themselves.
The survey reveals that virtually all megachurches share common traits of a dynamic senior pastor, emphasis on conservative values, and building small groups to offset its size.
They also know how to make worship entertaining. Roughly 80 percent use electric guitars and drums while nearly all use visual projection equipment for sermons and song aids.
See the report's profile of 1200 megachurches nationwide.
The report says this is where the big churches are:
REGION
PERCENT
NorthEast
Average attendance of all megachurches: 3,612 persons Median attendance of all megachurches: 2,746 persons
I found this idea on the Society of Environmental Journalists Web site.
For years, it's been generally known that larger urban areas can be 5-10 degrees warmer than the nearby countryside. The increased simmer can cause problems such as higher energy use for cooling, heat stress on humans, and increased pollution as airborne chemicals cook. Now NASA researchers have come out with more hard information about viable solutions. Based on the results of a study conducted in 2002 of many areas of New York City, they have concluded that two of the simple solutions proposed in years past -- increased use of light-colored roofs, and increased planting of trees -- likely will be the most effective in damping down the heat. They presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American Meteorological Society, held Jan. 29-Feb. 2, 2006, in Atlanta. But planting appropriate trees is critical. EPA researchers have found that emissions from a number of species, such as oaks, maples, cottonwoods, pines, citrus, and eucalyptus, can significantly increase ozone.
For years, it's been generally known that larger urban areas can be 5-10 degrees warmer than the nearby countryside. The increased simmer can cause problems such as higher energy use for cooling, heat stress on humans, and increased pollution as airborne chemicals cook.
Now NASA researchers have come out with more hard information about viable solutions. Based on the results of a study conducted in 2002 of many areas of New York City, they have concluded that two of the simple solutions proposed in years past -- increased use of light-colored roofs, and increased planting of trees -- likely will be the most effective in damping down the heat. They presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American Meteorological Society, held Jan. 29-Feb. 2, 2006, in Atlanta.
But planting appropriate trees is critical. EPA researchers have found that emissions from a number of species, such as oaks, maples, cottonwoods, pines, citrus, and eucalyptus, can significantly increase ozone.
Other urban heat island and urban forestry resources include:
Employers Charging Smokers More for Insurance
USA Today carried a story from the AP wire saying:
Smokers squeezed by soaring cigarette costs and workplace smoking bans are increasingly being hit with another cost increase -- this time for health insurance. A growing number of private and public employers are requiring employees who use tobacco to pay higher premiums, hoping that will motivate more of them to stop smoking and lower health care costs for the companies and their workers. Meijer, Gannett, American Financial, Pepsi and General Mills are among the companies already charging or planning to charge smokers higher premiums. The amounts range from about $20 to $50 a month. "With health care costs increasing by double digits in the last few years, employers are desperate to rein in costs to themselves and their employees," said Linda Cushman, senior health care strategist with Hewitt Associates, a human resources consulting and services firm. She said the practice of smoker surcharges is becoming such a significant trend that this year, it will be part of Hewitt's annual survey of companies' current and future health care plans. We are always looking for your great ideas. Send Al a few sentences and hot links. Editor's Note: Al's Morning Meeting is a compendium of ideas, edited story excerpts and other materials from a variety of Web sites, as well as original concepts and analysis. When the information comes directly from another source, it will be attributed and a link will be provided whenever possible. The column is fact-checked, but depends upon the accuracy and integrity of the original sources cited. Errors and inaccuracies found will be corrected.
Smokers squeezed by soaring cigarette costs and workplace smoking bans are increasingly being hit with another cost increase -- this time for health insurance.
A growing number of private and public employers are requiring employees who use tobacco to pay higher premiums, hoping that will motivate more of them to stop smoking and lower health care costs for the companies and their workers.
Meijer, Gannett, American Financial, Pepsi and General Mills are among the companies already charging or planning to charge smokers higher premiums. The amounts range from about $20 to $50 a month.
"With health care costs increasing by double digits in the last few years, employers are desperate to rein in costs to themselves and their employees," said Linda Cushman, senior health care strategist with Hewitt Associates, a human resources consulting and services firm.
She said the practice of smoker surcharges is becoming such a significant trend that this year, it will be part of Hewitt's annual survey of companies' current and future health care plans.
