He had a radical mind shift.
Francis Chan, the former pastor of a prominent megachurch and founder of the We Are Church network in 2011, recently reflected on his decision to step away from the traditional megachurch format. He explained that a combination of concerns led to his departure, one of which was the unsettling realization that he might attract more followers than Jesus or the Apostle Paul if they were ministering in modern American Christianity.
Chan, who established Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California, in 1994 and led it for nearly 16 years before resigning in 2010, revisited this pivotal decision in a conversation with Christian rapper Lecrae on the podcast Deep End with Lecrae. During the interview, Chan shared a moment of personal conviction, saying, “I told my wife, ‘If Jesus or Paul had churches here in Simi Valley, I think mine might still be bigger. That really bothers me.’” He acknowledged his ability to attract large audiences and questioned whether that aligned with Christ’s example.
Despite suggesting that Jesus and Paul might not have maintained large followings, the Bible notes both engaged with vast crowds — such as the account of Jesus feeding thousands — through teaching, preaching, and miracles.
Chan also reflected on the culture within his church, expressing doubt that the congregation truly reflected Christ-like love. “I had thousands of people, but it felt like we were just going through the motions,” he said. He was particularly troubled by the absence of visible spiritual gifts within the congregation, especially when compared to the early church, where every believer contributed uniquely through the Holy Spirit.
His decision to leave, Chan said, wasn’t the result of a single issue, but rather a convergence of scriptural insights. “All I wanted was to remain faithful to God’s Word,” he explained. “I was ready to let go of attendance numbers, public recognition, and financial comfort if it meant staying true to what God desires.”
Eventually, Chan came to believe he might be doing more harm than good within the megachurch framework and opted to step away in search of a more authentic expression of faith. He acknowledged that his expectations for the house church movement may have been overly optimistic, especially when compared to underground churches in places like China, but said he has since found a sense of peace and fulfillment.
“Leading small gatherings where people deeply love each other and use their spiritual gifts might not look impressive, but it feels right,” he said. “These relationships are genuine, and I truly love these people.”
Though content in his current season, Chan admitted that he occasionally feels drawn to return to preaching before large crowds. “I’m naturally wired to teach in front of a lot of people,” he said. “Maybe I’ll return to that one day. But for now, I feel peace — and I think the megachurch model is becoming more difficult to sustain. Many of my friends who lead large churches are struggling. It’s a tough season for big church leadership.”