The blunt truth of the matter is that large churches like Saddleback really don’t need a denomination to thrive. These days denominations generally exist to support their medium and small size churches. The fact that the SBC has several large churches in its stable is a testament to a century and a half of evangelisation and organisation. Whether it’s going to be able to use either or both to break out of its ethnocentric and respectability trap and reach out again in a meaningful way is a whole different issue.
It’s worth noting that many of the churches which have defected to the Global Methodist Church are the UMC’s larger churches. Although denominations primary serve their medium and small size churches, they need their larger churches for financial reasons. Given their structure and strength, the SBC, IMHO, is in a better position to survive the loss of one large church like Saddleback than the Methodists several.
Source: Giving Rick Warren the Final Boot – Positive Infinity