The rise and fall of the megachurch movement in light of scripture

By Pastor Joel – Open Heaven Christian Church – Open Heaven Christian Church

The megachurch movement is a relatively modern phenomenon in Christianity. It rose rapidly in the late 20th century, reached a peak in the early 2000s–2010s, and in many cases has begun to plateau or decline. Below is a historical overview with growth numbers, methods used to grow, and the factors behind decline.

In this blog we will look closely at what a megachurch is, how they attract many parishioners, how they got started, and what is causing church attendance and financial decline in modern day megachurches.

We will also take a close look on how the Lord views the modern day megachurches in light of the scriptures and compare them to the first century church that Jesus instituted.

1. What Is a Megachurch?

A megachurch is usually defined as a Protestant church with 2,000 or more weekly attendees.

Typical characteristics:

• Large auditoriums or multiple campuses

• Professional music and media production

• Celebrity-style pastors

• Many programs (youth, children, counseling, etc.)

The average megachurch attendance in studies has been over 4,000 people weekly.

2. The Beginning of Megachurches (1950s–1980s)

The first megachurch-style ministries appeared after World War II, especially in the United States.

Early pioneers

Some influential early examples included:

• Robert Schuller – Crystal Cathedral (California)

• Bill Hybels – Willow Creek Community Church

• Rick Warren – Saddleback Church

These churches pioneered seeker-sensitive services, designed to attract people who normally would not attend church.

Cultural factors

Several social shifts helped megachurches grow:

1. Suburban expansion

   • Large populations moving to suburbs created big congregations.

2. Baby Boomer generation

   • Huge demographic group reaching adulthood.

3. Television evangelism

   • Churches learned mass-media communication.

4. Parking-lot churches

   • Large campuses with easy access.

3. Explosive Growth (1980s–2010s)

Megachurches grew faster than almost any other type of congregation.

Growth numbers

Despite being less than 0.5% of U.S. churches, they drew about 9% of all church attendees.

Attendance growth

Some megachurches reached enormous sizes:

Many churches reported 50–100% attendance growth within five years, and 13% doubled in size.

4. Strategies That Made Them Grow

Megachurches used several specific strategies.

1. Seeker-sensitive services

Services were designed for newcomers rather than long-time believers.

Characteristics included:

• Contemporary music

• Short sermons

• Less formal atmosphere

• Multimedia screens

2. Professional production

Many megachurches functioned like large events.

Typical elements:

• Concert-quality worship

• LED screens

• theatrical lighting

• video clips during sermons

About 75% of megachurches used large video technology in services.

3. Multiple services

Instead of a single Sunday meeting, churches ran several services.

By 2000, the average megachurch had over four weekend services.

4. Multi-site campuses

Instead of one building, churches expanded to many locations.

• 2005: 27% multisite

• 2015: 62% multisite

5. Branding and charismatic leadership

Many megachurches revolved around a well-known pastor whose preaching drew crowds.

These pastors often became:

• authors

• conference speakers

• TV personalities

5. Signs of Decline

By the late 2010s and especially after 2020, many megachurches started showing structural weakness.

Attendance decline

Examples:

Mars Hill Church once had over 12,000 attendees, but completely dissolved in 2014 after leadership controversies.

COVID impact

The pandemic accelerated the decline of megachurches.

Many megachurches now operate at about 50% of pre-COVID attendance.

Some churches dropped below the 2,000 attendance threshold, meaning they are no longer technically megachurches.

Overall numbers shrinking

After reaching about 1,600 megachurches, the number dropped to around 1,200 in the U.S. in the decade before the pandemic.

6. Reasons Many Megachurches Are Collapsing

Several structural issues have caused a decline.

1. Leadership scandals

Many collapses followed moral failures of leaders.

A few Examples:

• Hillsong leadership scandals

• Willow Creek sexual misconduct allegations

• Mars Hill leadership abuse controversy

These events caused mass attendance drops and campus closures.

2. Celebrity pastor dependency

Many megachurches revolve around one personality.

When that leader:

• resigns

• dies

• is exposed in scandal

the church often rapidly declines.

3. Consumer-style church culture

Some critics say megachurches created a consumer model of Christianity.

People attend for:

• music

• social atmosphere

• programs

but do not stay committed long term.

Research shows weekly attendance among megachurch members dropped from 91% in 2000 to about 68% in 2020.

4. Online church replacing physical attendance

Livestream services allow people to watch from home, reducing in-person crowds.

5. Generational shifts

The megachurch movement was heavily driven by the Baby Boomer generation.

As that generation ages, the model struggles to attract younger people.

7. Financial Pressure

Megachurches are extremely expensive to operate.

Typical megachurch budgets:

• millions of dollars annually

• large staff

• massive facilities

When attendance drops, finances quickly collapse.

Example:

• One megachurch lost 40% of donations after scandal.

8. The Future of the Megachurch

Experts say the megachurch movement is not disappearing but transforming.

Possible future trends:

1. Smaller campuses

2. House church networks

3. online congregations

4. multi-location micro churches

The huge growth curve seen in the 1980s–1990s is unlikely to repeat.

9. Summary Timeline

✅ In short:
Megachurches grew through media-driven, large-event church models that appealed to massive audiences. But dependence on celebrity leadership, financial overhead, cultural shifts, scandals, and declining attendance have caused many to plateau or collapse.

Listed below are some of the most significant megachurch collapses or major declines in modern church history. These cases illustrate the structural vulnerabilities of the megachurch model—particularly leader-centric governance, rapid scaling, and reputational risk.

1. Mars Hill Church

One of the fastest megachurch collapses in history

Founder: Mark Driscoll
Location: Seattle, Washington

Growth

• 1996: church founded with ~12 people

• 2006: 4,000 weekly attendance

• 2012: ~12,000–13,000 weekly attendance

• 15 campuses across 5 states

• 230,000 podcast downloads per week

Mars Hill became one of the fastest growing churches in America.

What they did to grow

• Heavy podcast and online sermon distribution

• Highly charismatic preaching

• Strong branding around masculinity and culture-war themes

• Rapid multi-campus expansion

Collapse

In 2014, the church abruptly dissolved.

Major issues included:

• leadership abuse allegations

• authoritarian leadership structure

• financial transparency concerns

• accusations of manipulating book sales rankings

Decline numbers

Over 230 staff members lost jobs and 15 campuses closed or split into independent churches.

2. Willow Creek Community Church

Founder: Bill Hybels
Location: South Barrington, Illinois

Willow Creek pioneered the “seeker-sensitive” megachurch model.

Growth

• 1975: church founded

• 1990s: 15,000+ weekly attendance

• 2000s peak: ~25,000 weekly attendance

It became a global model for church growth, training pastors worldwide through the Willow Creek Association.

Collapse factors

In 2018, multiple women accused Hybels of sexual misconduct.

He denied allegations but resigned.

Attendance decline

That represents roughly a 60% drop in weekly attendance.

Financial impact:

• major donor withdrawals

• layoffs

• ministry restructuring

3. Hillsong Church

Founder: Brian Houston
Global headquarters: Sydney, Australia

Hillsong became a global megachurch empire.

Growth

• 1983 founding

• Churches in 30+ countries

• Music ministry producing global worship hits

Peak numbers:

• 150,000+ global weekly attendees

• 16 U.S. campuses

Collapse issues

Beginning around 2021–2022, multiple crises occurred:

1. leadership scandals

2. financial transparency concerns

3. moral failures among pastors

4. leadership resignation

Brian Houston resigned in 2022.

Decline numbers

U.S. campuses declined dramatically.

Several U.S. campuses completely shut down.

4. Harvest Bible Chapel

Founder: James MacDonald

Growth

• 1988 founding

• 13 campuses

• ~13,000 weekly attendees

• national radio ministry Walk in the Word

Collapse

In 2019, MacDonald was fired after:

• financial misconduct accusations

• abusive leadership allegations

• leaked recordings of threatening statements

Decline numbers

Roughly a 45% attendance loss and several campuses closed.

5. Gateway Church

Founder: Robert Morris
Location: Southlake, Texas

Growth

Gateway was one of the largest megachurches in America.

Peak statistics:

• 100,000+ attendees across campuses

• $100M+ annual budget

Decline signals

Recent controversies and financial scrutiny caused major instability.

Reported changes:

• attendance decline near 25%

• donor reductions

• campus restructuring

6. Crystal Cathedral

Founder: Robert H. Schuller

This church was one of the first megachurches ever built.

Growth

• 1970s–1990s peak

• ~10,000 weekly attendance

• global TV broadcast Hour of Power

The glass cathedral building became iconic.

Collapse

After leadership transitions and declining donations:

• 2010 debt: $55 million

• 2010 bankruptcy filed

Outcome

In 2012 the property was sold to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange.

Attendance collapsed to under 1,000 before the sale.

Key Patterns in Megachurch Collapses

Across these examples, the same structural patterns appear repeatedly.

1. Founder-centric leadership

Many megachurches depend heavily on a single charismatic leader.

When that leader:

• resigns

• dies

• is involved in scandal

the entire organization destabilizes.

2. Rapid expansion

Megachurches often grow faster than governance systems can handle.

Typical expansion includes:

• multi-campus launches

• massive staff hiring

• media production departments

This creates high financial overhead.

3. Financial fragility

Large campuses create enormous operating costs.

Typical megachurch expenses include:

• large mortgage payments

• dozens or hundreds of staff

• broadcast media production

• facility maintenance

Even a 20–30% attendance drop can cause serious financial crisis.

4. Reputation shock

Megachurches rely heavily on public trust.

When scandal hits:

• donors withdraw

• volunteers leave

• campuses close

Decline can happen very quickly.

The Overall Megachurch Trend

Growth phase

1970 → about 50 megachurches

Peak

2020 → about 1,750 megachurches

Early decline indicators

Some researchers estimate hundreds have fallen below megachurch size since 2020.

Additionally:

• average in-person attendance dropped significantly after COVID

• many churches operate hybrid (online + in person)

A Deeper Observation

Sociologists studying megachurches often point out that the model functions more like a large organization than a traditional congregation.

It requires:

• corporate-style management

• brand identity

• media presence

• constant growth

When growth slows, the structure becomes unstable.

✅ In summary:
Megachurches grew through media, charismatic leadership, and large-scale event services. But the same factors that produced explosive growth—centralized leadership, rapid expansion, and large financial structures—also made many vulnerable to sudden collapse.

Large megachurches often apply organizational growth strategies similar to those used in large corporations, entertainment venues, and marketing systems. Sociologists who study church growth (especially since the 1980s) have identified several recurring psychological and structural techniques used to attract and retain large crowds.

Listed below are the 7 psychological and marketing techniques megachurches use to attract and keep huge crowds (some of them come directly from corporate growth strategy and are rarely discussed publicly).

Below are seven commonly observed methods, based on church growth research and megachurch operational models.

1. Seeker-Sensitive Services

One of the most influential strategies was pioneered by Bill Hybels at Willow Creek Community Church.

Concept

Design services specifically for unchurched visitors rather than long-time believers.

Typical features:

• contemporary music

• conversational preaching style

• casual dress

• minimal traditional liturgy

• relatable topics (family, stress, purpose)

Psychological effect

This lowers the “barrier to entry.”

Visitors feel:

• less intimidated

• less judged

• more comfortable returning

This model helped Willow Creek grow from a few hundred people to about 25,000 weekly attendees at its peak.

2. High-Production Worship Environments

Many megachurch services resemble large live events.

Common elements include:

• concert-level sound systems

• theatrical lighting

• large LED screens

• professional music bands

• cinematic sermon videos

Church researchers note that this creates an immersive emotional experience similar to concerts or conferences that focuses on making people feel “emotionally” good about themselves and their relationship with God.

Psychological effect

Strong sensory environments increase:

• emotional engagement

• memory retention

• perception of importance

3. Charismatic Leadership Branding

Megachurches frequently center around a highly recognizable leader.

Examples include:

• Rick Warren

• Joel Osteen

• Mark Driscoll

The pastor becomes the primary brand identity of the church.

This often involves:

• bestselling books

• conferences

• podcasts

• television appearances

Psychological effect

People often form parasocial relationships with influential speakers, increasing loyalty, attendance, and financial commitment to support their ongoing ministry.

4. Program-Based Community Structure

Large churches organize members through many specialized programs.

Typical examples:

• small group networks

• men’s and women’s ministries

• youth ministries

• financial counseling

• parenting classes

• recovery groups

Why this matters

In extremely large congregations, personal connection can be difficult.

Programs create smaller relational circles within the larger church.

This helps maintain retention despite the large mega size of the church.

5. Multi-Campus Expansion

Instead of building one enormous building, many churches replicate services across multiple locations.

A well-known example is Saddleback Church, founded by Rick Warren.

How it works

One sermon is delivered:

• live at the main campus

• broadcast by video to satellite campuses

This allows growth without overcrowding one location.

Growth impact

Multi-site expansion allowed some churches to reach tens of thousands of attendees across regions.

6. Strategic Location Planning

Megachurch campuses are usually placed in rapidly growing suburban areas.

Typical characteristics:

• large parking lots

• near major highways

• near large residential developments

Strategic reason

Accessibility dramatically increases attendance.

Studies show many people will not drive more than about 20 minutes to attend church.

7. Continuous Outreach Funnels

Megachurches often implement structured systems to move visitors toward deeper involvement.

Typical process:

1. First-time visit

2. Welcome center contact

3. New member orientation

4. Small group placement

5. Volunteer roles assigned

6. Leadership development

This functions much like a membership pipeline.

Psychological effect

Gradual involvement increases commitment over time.

Why These Techniques Work So Well

The success of megachurches is partly explained by network effects and scale advantages.

Large churches can offer:

• professional music

• extensive programs

• childcare services

• social opportunities

• counseling services

These benefits create a strong value proposition for families, especially in suburban areas.

Important Observation from Researchers

Many sociologists note that the megachurch model often mirrors organizational structures used in large institutions, including universities and corporations.

This includes:

• executive leadership teams

• strategic growth planning

• media departments

• marketing campaign strategies

The Main Structural Weakness

The same features that produce rapid growth can also create vulnerabilities.

Common risks include:

• dependence on a central leader

• high operational costs

• reputation sensitivity

• organizational complexity

When attendance or trust declines, large systems can contract quickly.

✅ Summary

Megachurches often grow through a combination of:

1. seeker-friendly services

2. high-production emotional worship experiences

3. strong charismatic leadership branding

4. extensive programs for community

5. multi-campus expansion

6. strategic suburban locations

7. structured member involvement pipelines

Together these strategies helped many churches reach tens of thousands of attendees, though the model has shown signs of strain in recent years.

Theological shifts that happened inside many megachurches that also contributed to both their growth and later decline.

The Biblical Contrast

Below is a structured biblical analysis contrasting the methods and structures commonly associated with modern megachurch movements with the model of ministry found in the New Testament. All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

The goal is not to condemn individuals or organizations, but to evaluate methods, priorities, and doctrinal foundations in light of what Jesus Christ commanded His apostles to preach and practice during the first century.

Listed below are the 5 most common doctrinal shifts that occurred in megachurch movements.

1. Christ’s Model of Ministry Was Not Built on Mass Attraction

Many megachurch strategies focus on attracting the largest possible crowd through presentation, production quality, or entertainment-style environments that focuses on emotional experiences.

However, the ministry of Christ repeatedly shows the opposite priority: truth over popularity.

Jesus often reduced crowds rather than expand them.

John 6:66 (KJV)
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”

Jesus never focused on how many followers he can attract, his focus was on how many followers he could minister “truth” about repentance, sin, and obedience to God.

After teaching difficult truths about eating His flesh and drinking His blood (John 6), many followers left. Christ did not soften the message to keep them, He told them the truth.

Instead He asked the apostles:

John 6:67 (KJV)
“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?”

Biblical principle

The Gospel is not designed to maximize audience size but to call people to repentance and obedience.

Matthew 7:13–14 (KJV)
“Enter ye in at the strait gate… because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

This directly contrasts with systems built around continuous expansion and crowd growth. Anything other then proclaiming truth found in scripture is misleading. While emotional experiences can be pleasing to our senses, it should never replace truth spoken of in scripture.

Motivational speeches that many megachurches are using release serotonin to makes one feel good when attending “church” is not the method in which God intended for anyone. Jesus preached repentance from sin, not motivational speeches.

2. The Apostolic Church Was Built on Doctrine, Not Production

Many megachurch environments emphasize experience-driven worship with large productions, lighting, and concert-style music.

The early church was structured around something entirely different. The first century church did not need emotionally driven concerts to keep them coming back to church, they continued in the apostles doctrine (teachings) from the word of God. Doctrine was the single most thing that kept them interested and engaged in the church, secondly was fellowship in prayer with like minded people.

Acts 2:42 (KJV)
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

The four pillars of the early church were:

1. Apostles’ doctrine

2. Fellowship

3. Breaking of bread

4. Prayer

Notice what is absent:

• stage production

• entertainment

• branding

• media spectacle

The authority and attraction of the early church was truth found in scripture, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit ministering to people, not presentation or cultural branding to attract the masses using emotional methods to keep them coming back so they can gather in what they call church.

Jesus said this about church:

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

The church that Jesus founded was built on the Apostles, and the method God intended to reach people was the Lord Himself ministering to them by the Holy Spirit who can teach them truth that will make a person free.

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36

3. Scripture Warns Against Turning the Gospel Into a Market System

Many modern church growth strategies borrow heavily from business and marketing models.

The apostles strongly warned against this because it corrupts the message of the gospel.

2 Corinthians 2:17 (KJV)
“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God…”

The Greek word translated “corrupt” refers to peddling or commercializing something for profit.

The apostle Paul is saying the Gospel must never become a commodity to sell or package in any form. In fact, when people tried to “buy” the power of God the Apostles always rejected their money and told them to repent of thinking that way.

“But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” Acts 8:20

The Apostles always focused on preaching the word of God, repentance of sin, obedience to God, and fellowship with like-minded believers.

4. Christ Did Not Establish Celebrity Leadership

Megachurch systems often revolve around one central personality whose influence drives attendance and participation from congregation.

But Christ explicitly warned against elevating leaders.

Matthew 23:8–10 (KJV)
“Be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.”

The biblical leadership model is servant leadership, not celebrity status.

1 Peter 5:2–3 (KJV)
“Feed the flock of God… neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”

The shepherd is to feed and guide, not build a personal platform. In scripture we find that a one man show is actually sorcery (witchcraft) and is against God and His Word. In the book of Acts we read about a man whose name was Simon that portrayed himself as a great one, but was deceiving an entire city. Many gave heed and were following this man and even said that he has the “power of God” but in reality he was deceiving all of them. They were so deceived that the entire city held that man called Simon in high regard. This is exactly what many have done and are doing today.

Acts 8
9But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 12But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 

The Bible explicitly warns that in the last days there would be false teachers that will use feigned words (False: Counterfeit, Manufactured, Unauthentic words) to deceive many and make merchandise of people.

Their method is motivated by covetousness as they yearn for what others have. This greed is prevalent in many mega churches even today, one of the reasons is their high monthly overhead expense to keep their doors open must be met, and the main reason is that they do not want their luxurious lifestyle to cease so they must continue making merchandise of others as we read in 2 Peter chapter 2.

2 Peter 2

1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

The Lord sees all of these things happening and allows it because many are focused on earthly riches but verse three says “their damnation slumbereth not” meaning one day the Lord will send them to a place called hell.

5. The Apostles Preached Repentance, Not Comfort

Many growth-oriented churches focus sermons on topics such as:

• personal monetary success

• happiness

• life improvement and self-help

• emotional encouragement

But the central message preached by the apostles was repentance and transformation.

Acts 2:38 (KJV)
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”

Luke 24:47 (KJV)
“That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations.”

Repentance confronts sin, which often reduces popularity.

Yet it was the central command Jesus Christ gave His apostles and the church.

6. Scripture Warns That Many Will Prefer Entertaining Teachers

One of the most direct prophetic warnings regarding the church appears in Paul’s letter to Timothy.

2 Timothy 4:3–4 (KJV)
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. ”

This passage describes a shift where people seek teachers who:

• entertain

• affirm desires

• avoid difficult truth

When churches adapt their message primarily to maintain crowds, they risk fulfilling this warning.

7. The New Testament Church Was Simple and Spirit-Led

The early church operated very differently from modern large institutional systems.

Examples include:

House-based gatherings

Romans 16:5 (KJV)
“Likewise greet the church that is in their house.”

Shared ministry

1 Corinthians 14:26 (KJV)
“When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine…”

Participation was distributed among believers, not centralized on a stage with glamorous lights and feel good music that distracts from teaching and preaching what Jesus taught and preached.

8. God Often Brings Down Systems Built on Human Wisdom

Scripture repeatedly shows that God humbles structures built primarily on human strength or strategy.

1 Corinthians 1:27 (KJV)
“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.”

The kingdom of God does not advance primarily through:

• organizational power

• wealth

• popularity

but through obedience and truth.

9. Why Many Large Churches Collapse

When churches are built primarily on:

• personality leadership

• large financial structures

• mass attendance systems

they become structurally fragile.

When leadership falls or attendance declines, the system cannot sustain itself.

This reflects Christ’s warning:

Matthew 7:26–27 (KJV)
“Every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not… shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand.”

The collapse of institutions does not mean God failed.

Rather, it may reveal that the foundation was not fully aligned with the teachings of Christ and perhaps God was not the one building it to begin with.

10. The True Measure of a Church in Scripture

The New Testament does not measure success by crowd size.

Instead it measures:

Sound doctrine

Titus 1:9 (KJV)
“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught.”

Holy living

1 Peter 1:15 (KJV)
“Be ye holy in all manner of conversation.”

Faithfulness to Christ

Revelation 2:10 (KJV)
“Be thou faithful unto death.”

Final Biblical Perspective

Christ did not commission the apostles to build religious empires or institutions designed around human attraction. The Lord instructed them to go into all the world to teach others what Jesus commanded and recorded in the scriptures.

He commanded them to:

Matthew 28:19–20 (KJV)
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations… Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”

The mission is not to gather the largest audience, but to make true disciples who obey Christ’s teachings.

Where churches remain grounded in:

• Christ Jesus

• Scripture Alone

• Teach Repentance of Sin

• Teach Truth with Humility

• Sound Doctrine

• Discipleship Training

they stand on a foundation that does not depend on cultural trends or personalities.

And as history repeatedly shows, when movements drift from those foundations, God often allows circumstances to reveal the weakness of what was built.

The apostle Paul said it very clearly in scripture:

“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 2 Corinthians 2:2

When a “church” becomes anything else other then Jesus Christ and what Jesus did as a sacrifice for all of our sins that we all need to repent of, it will lead many to fables and destruction.

Philippians 3

17Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.