question for christians?

Question

what do you think about the big megachurches with their multi-million dollar budgets, do you think that the best way for a church to spend its money is on itself rather than the people? most of the big pastors on tv are multi millionaires is this right? shouldnt he give to the people that need it most.. not line his own pockets, why go to a church like that?

Answer 1

While it is true that many of these pastors are multimillionaires, it is usually not because they receive that kind of paycheck from the church. Most of these people make their money from authoring books, etc. While I personally don't enjoy going to churches that large, I don't think there is anything wrong with it.

Actually, most of these churches spend more money on the people that need it the most than smaller churches do. Not only total dollar amount, but even percentage of their budget. Any church building, no matter how small, is going to cost several million dollars in most markets. If a preacher is getting $40,000 wages in a church of 100 people, then $400/year per member is going towards the preacher's salary. However, if a church has 10,000 members (small for many mega churches), and even if the preacher IS making $1,000,000 then only $100/year per member is going towards the preacher's salary.

Chances are in most mega churches there is a greater percentage of the budget set aside for missions, a greater percentage of the budget set aside for benevolence, and greater opportunities to help those who need it. A mega church can provide a lot of jobs for those who are unemployed, for example.

So, in conclusion, judge not, lest ye be judged! :)

God bless!

Answer 2

I definitely agree!! All these big mega-" churches" are in it for the money. The so-called pastors live the life of luxury and are multi-millionares. I believe most of our small churches with only about 30-100 members are the ones that are most pleasing to God. I mean, look at the way Jesus lived when He came to this earth. He was not rich, He didn't have the best things in this life, He didn't even have a place to lay His head, but He had joy because He knew what His purpose on this earth was. He gave of Himself so that other people could be helped and blessed. I don't have a lot of money, but I'm happy and full of the joy of the Lord. If it takes a lot of money to have a successful ministry or what have you, then I guess I will never be. But that is not what our Christian life is about. It is about helping others, whether that means giving them money, helping them get some food, giving them the gospel, or whatever.

Answer 3

I completely agree... It is obvious that the preachers in the bible days (Paul, Peter, Titus, John, etc) were told to take nothing other than what they needed (read Matthew 10: 7-10). Some people say that it isn't possible today, but that is not true. My religion has ministers that travel 2 by 2, and have no possessions at all. They travel from house to house, staying with the members of the church. They have no other jobs, and usually end up preaching until they die. It is not easy, and is not self-promoting, but it is exactly the same way it was done in the bible.

Mega churches have a lot of problems, the biggest of which is money. But what is even worse is the way large churches have to soften the message as to not offend groups. The bigger the congregation, the more loose the teachings are. After all, if the preacher says something that is offensive (like abortion is wrong), they will lose members, which means they will lose $$$$.

Answer 4

Its easy to look on the surface and judge. There is an enormous budget for a church like that, most support missions and some donate to locals through a food, clothing outreach. There is nothing wrong with a wealthy pastor as long as the board OKs his salary. Many major pastors in mega churches travel to speak at other churches and that costs a lot of money. God doesn't expect all Christians to be poor, we can prosper to, as long as we tithe and give to the Lords work.

Answer 5

I go to a large congregation church and a large majority of our budget actually goes out in ministry whether it is to missionaries in countless countries or to starting up new churches, or to the clothes closet and Hope center. We also have a job ministry that helps people find work as well as counselling services for members and non-members alike.

Honestly, I used to think the same thing you do. But I realized that this church wouldn't be growing and reaching so many people if God didn't have His hand in it. I'm very proud of my pastor and extremely blessed to be a member of my church.

Answer 6

I attend a large church but it would not be considered a mega-church. The large churches I see on TV are not asking for money. They may have an offer for you to purchase a DVD of the sermon after it is over, but that is not taking advantage of a person as it costs to make these DVDs and it also cost to get the word of God out on national television. And thank God they do appear on television, as they are reaching others who don't or cannot attend services. Our family has at least 2-3 favorites that we usually watch weekly in-between our own church services and they truly bless our family with their teaching. The TV preachers I don't care for are the ones that ofter you some key-chain or token gift if you send in at least $30, or agree to support them monthly.

Back to the original question. How does each person here who is criticizing mega-churches know what those mega-churches do with their money, and how do you know they are not supporting missions and helping others? Are you sitting on the boards of these churches? Unless you are, there is no way for you to state this for a fact and criticize them. I have heard of many mega-church pastors who reverse tithe, which means taking only 10% of their salary and giving back 90%. Does that sound like they are in it for the money?

Many large churches are also involved in Habitat for Humanity, getting people off drugs, grief counseling, divorce counseling, financial counseling, and the list goes on. In addition I know of some sending missionaries out every few months to the Katrina area to help rebuild homes and churches even though it has been over a year, as well as sending missionaries out to other countries to build clinics, homes, water wells, to bring doctors for the sick, to bring clothing and shoes, and to take care of orphans.

I can't deny there may be 'some' bad guys in the bunch that are in it for the money. However, I do believe God gave most of us a discerning spirit to know when we are being taken advantage of and when we are being nurtured through His word.

Answer 7

Churches that get focused on money will crumble. Church is a place to worship God, not make money. Church members, pastors, etc. should be concerned with telling others about God's word and helping the less fortunate.

Answer 8

One of the sad things about those churches is that they get their congregations from existing (smaller) congregations. Not too many new converts. There is more intimacy in smaller churches. Bigger isn't better. Things get lost. You don't get to know the people of your church.

There is also alot of distractions. I went to this church in Washington State that was really nice. They had a great stage with awesome sound and props, a great a/v team, etc. The foyer sold really cool t shirts and sold starbucks style coffee's, latte's, chai's, etc. It was great except: you had people wandering in late to service ordering up chai's and you had a pastor who had no problem talking about the cruise night and the dancing lessons, but thought that talking about tithing was a stumbling block. Nice big church with fancy props, but the very word of God was being watered down.

Answer 9

I don't and would not go to a church like that,People like Dr. Kennedy and coral ridge ministries are a non-profit, they get donations and keep it going,thus there are Genuine Christan people who do not pocket millions which they recieve.

Answer 10

i don't think anyone should tell anyone else how to live or practice, it is an individual choice.
i would not be able to follow a celebrity pastor and wish churches practiced the altruism they preach. but i respect that other people feel differently