Loved by some and derided by others, evangelical megachurches have unquestionably changed the landscape of American Christianity with new technologies, cultural adaptations, and philosophies of ministry. At the same time, megachurches themselves have evolved over the last forty years, moving beyond early “seeker service” experiments to pioneer new forms of evangelistic worship and community outreach. This session—both an appreciation and a critique—combines case study fieldwork with insights from musicology and the social sciences to reflect on the unexpected ways megachurches continue to influence worship in American churches of all sizes.
Recent Media Resources
Schooling Our Hearts in the Things of God
Psalm Talk by Amanda Benckhuysen, recorded at the 2026 Psalms 150 conference, with a visual prayer and embodied response from Dea Jenkins.
Story of the Book of Sacred Songs
A Psalm Talk by Terry M. Wildman and Darlene Wildman on the creation of the First Nations Version of the Bible, with a visual prayer and embodied response led by Dea Jenkins.
An Interview with Joel Schoon-Tanis About “Psalm 1: Growing Trees”
An interview with award-winning artist and celebrated painter Joel Schoon-Tanis on the process and creation of his painting "Psalm 1: Growing Trees" at Psalms 150: A Conference Experience.
Schooling Our Hearts in the Things of God
Psalm Talk by Amanda Benckhuysen, recorded at the 2026 Psalms 150 conference, with a visual prayer and embodied response from Dea Jenkins.
Story of the Book of Sacred Songs
A Psalm Talk by Terry M. Wildman and Darlene Wildman on the creation of the First Nations Version of the Bible, with a visual prayer and embodied response led by Dea Jenkins.
An Interview with Joel Schoon-Tanis About “Psalm 1: Growing Trees”
An interview with award-winning artist and celebrated painter Joel Schoon-Tanis on the process and creation of his painting "Psalm 1: Growing Trees" at Psalms 150: A Conference Experience.
A Soundtrack for the Soul: Singing the Psalms with Wendell Kimbrough
This chapel worship service was led by Wendell Kimbrough at Calvin University as part of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship’s “Dwelling in the Psalms” year.