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This article presents evidence on some of the socio-economic forces operating on Christian Churches in a modern metropolitan area based on a case study from the city of Durban in South Africa. Evidence has been provided of some of the economic and planning problems facing Christian churches as a result of the rapid development of the metropolitan area in which they operate. The impact on the churches of social and economic forces associated with modern industrialization and its associated patterns of differentiation, specialization and organization, has also been given. There is a tension between a somewhat fundamentalist evangelism and a more secular concern with the welfare of communities and people within them and the contribution that the church can make in terms of the social gospel. Some Christians behave and speak as if they see a conflict between loving God and loving one's neighbour, whereas many church leaders see loving one's neighbour in terms of Christian community-involvement as an integral part of loving God. There is increasing concern about duplication not only within but also between the different denominations, certainly as far as the churches composing the natal Council of Churches is concerned.