摘要
基督教來台150年，其教勢的發展，在台灣社會不同階層皆投入相當心力，特別有基督教研究單位宣稱其發展有顯著效應，信徒人數是持續上揚，且超過千人以上，然而基督徒人口數在台灣總人口數中，至今一直呈現在百分3-4的數目。兩者之間的關係是值得進一步去探索，是否基督教會信徒成長的現象，並不是從台灣大眾為主的改宗新信徒，而是不同基督教會原本信徒的遷移，導致巨型教會呈現人數增長，但是台灣總基督徒人口數並無呈現顯著增長的跡象。本文以《台灣基督教會教勢報告》一書所提供的基本統計數據，參照美國大型教會基本型態，嘗試探索台灣大型教會形成因素的基本議題，作為第二階段研究基礎，並期待能以台北、台南、高雄等超過千人聚會的教會做為調查對象，通過實際參與觀察不同巨型教會的活動與成員相關背景資料的收集對此議題做分析，對於台灣巨型教會形成作詳盡解釋。
並列摘要
This paper examines the rise of the Megachurches and Changes in Taiwan. Megachurches are defined as large-congregation, evangelical Christian worship centers, which, in addition to regular church services, provide their members with an extensive range of secular amenities - social care and recreational activities. There are currently approximately 20 megachurches in Taiwan, with a demographic profile centred on middle-class families. Generally located in the urban periphery of rapidly growing Taiwanese cities, such as Taipei and Kaoshiung, and housed in large multi-purpose buildings, megachurches appropriate the built form of other suburban megastructures, such as shopping malls, and are largely used of modern architecture and design. This paper suggests that the megachurch provides a Christian alternative to secular public spaces and services within a privatized civic setting, enabling middle-class families to socialize within a secure, homogenous environment. As Durkheim argued, it examines the megachurch as an moral community that represents a collective representation of middle-class families in Taiwan. In final, it attempts to find out is the rise of the megachurches and Changes in Taiwan relevant to the population of Christian in Taiwan. The paper is going to draw original fieldwork conducted at three large-scale megachurch developments in Taiwan during 2011-2012.