Academic Dean Scott Thumma, an expert on megachurches, commented in a Detroit News story about a conflict between religious leaders and a bishop’s widow over the assets of a Detroit megachurch.
The article describes a “power struggle” over control of Detroit World Outreach and its holdings after the death of Bishop Benjamin Gilbert, its leader, at the age of 54.
“Megachurches that are built around the personalities of their leaders most of the time do suffer when there is an unexpected death or loss of that pastor, as do smaller churches,” Dean Thumma said.