Megachurches Are Becoming More Mega

[Anti Federalist]

Research: Megachurches Are Becoming More Mega

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/slic...ming-more-mega

According to new research from the group Church Growth Today, America’s megachurches are getting even bigger. Founder John Vaughan began studying churches in the mid-‘80s when there were just 27 non-Catholic churches around the world that drew at least 6,000 people per week. Only 11 of those were in the U.S. Since then, the megachurch phenomenon has exploded—especially among evangelicals—and today there are more than 200 6,000+ non-Catholic churches across the country.

And, not only has the number of megachurches grown, so has attendance among the most mega. From 2000 - 2010, the 100 largest churches in the U.S. doubled in size. Currently, every weekend across the U.S. 1.6 million attend one of the country’s 100 biggest megachurches. 1.6 million.

The largest remains Lakewood Church in Houston, pastored by Joel Osteen, which alone, brings in more than 52,000 every weekend. (Though, the multi-site church Life.Church draws 70,000 in locations across seven different states.) According to the research, these churches are, for the most part, continuing to grow. The group wrote, “This newest research indicates that among the 100 largest churches 60 percent are growing, 20 percent have plateaued, and only 11 percent have decreased in attendance during the past five years.”

[Natural Citizen]

I wonder if these megachurches are actually preaching the Gospel. Some of these pastors have megamansions, helicopter pads, and a car for every day of the week.

[RJB]

I wonder if these megachurches are actually preaching the Gospel.

The Gospel of Prosperity.

[donnay]

I wonder if these megachurches are actually preaching the Gospel. Some of these pastors have megamansions, helicopter pads, and a car for every day of the week.

Indeed. I hope some of these clergy realize that judgment will begin with them.

1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

[TER]

Indeed. I hope some of these clergy realize that judgment will begin with them.

1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

QFT

[Natural Citizen]

Indeed. I hope some of these clergy realize that judgment will begin with them.

1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Mm hm. Problem is that some of these clergy tend to always think it's gonna be the other guy that'll have to answer and not them.

[heavenlyboy34]

Indeed. I hope some of these clergy realize that judgment will begin with them.

1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

+rep

[Schifference]

Be the head of some poor struggling church and be considered a saint. Head a mega multi-billion dollar church and be damned.

[donnay]

Mm hm. Problem is that some of these clergy tend to always think it's gonna be the other guy that'll have to answer and not them.

To their peril unfortunately. All of us will be judged, individually on our works. That's all we take when we leave this world, is our works.


1 John 2:15-17 (KJV)
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.


Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.


Matthew 10:28 (KJV)
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

[donnay]

Be the head of some poor struggling church and be considered a saint. Head a mega multi-billion dollar church and be damned.

Mark 10:25 (KJV)
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.


Matthew 19:24 (KJV)
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.



Luke 16:19-31King James Version (KJV)
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

[pcosmar]

The Gospel of Prosperity.

And there is truth in it.

but even truth can be twisted and distorted. and misused.

[TheTexan]

Maybe on Sunday mornings we can use football stadiums as churches

[TER]

And there is truth in it.

but even truth can be twisted and distorted. and misused.

So true. The Gospel promises a cross, but through the cross and by the cross, we find divine and eternal life. This is true prosperity, in the Kingdom, which awaits those persevere.

[heavenlyboy34]

Be the head of some poor struggling church and be considered a saint. Head a mega multi-billion dollar church and be damned.

From Matthew 20:
25But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. 26It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave

[fisharmor]

"The road to hell is paved with the skulls of priests, and the skulls of bishops are its signposts."

Attributed to various saints

[TER]

"The road to hell is paved with the skulls of priests, and the skulls of bishops are its signposts."

Attributed to various saints

Most notably, St. John Chrysostom.

Those who take people's trust and misuse it will suffer greatly.

[pcosmar]

It shall not be this way among you.

please check yourself.
before you wreck yourself

[hells_unicorn]

Heresy is both profitable and popular, I fear.

Be the head of some poor struggling church and be considered a saint. Head a mega multi-billion dollar church and be damned.

You'd prefer these money-grubbing charlatans who promote this country's corrupt government to see eternal paradise and for the poor to burn, maybe?

[Schifference]

[donnay]

I like this one...

[phill4paul]

Let me guess, they still qualify as 501(c)(3) when it comes to tax-exempt status?

[donnay]

Let me guess, they still qualify as 501(c)(3) when it comes to tax-exempt status?

You can bank on it. We live in such deceptive times.

That tax exemption literally strips them from their first amendment.

[hells_unicorn]

Let me guess, they still qualify as 501(c)(3) when it comes to tax-exempt status?

Of course they do, how else would Osteen keep that ridiculous "I'm screwing you and loving it" smile on his face every time he goes to his pulpit?

[oyarde]

Maybe on Sunday mornings we can use football stadiums as churches

Two football stadiums will fit into Bristol Speedway .

[hells_unicorn]

Maybe on Sunday mornings we can use football stadiums as churches

We've been doing that for decades, football is more important to Americans that Christianity anyway. How many times have you spoken to some zombie spew out sports statistics yet can't name the four Gospel authors? In my case, more than I care to say.