Especially the ones that have McDonalds, starbucks, and crispy creme donuts...It is downright awful that there are starving people out there and children who will not have a Christmas, and these people are spending multi-million dollars building these ludicrous and extravagent theme parks.
What makes it even worse is that these people who call themselves "Christians" Love these things!
Am I the only one getting it or does anyone else see this? What's your thought?
2006-12-21 05:29:41 · 28 answers · asked by Rosebee 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Now I don't know whether I'm more appalled at the Christian mega churches or those Christians who justify spending millions on these buildings as "God's Wealth"
According to the Christian bible, Jesus said prayer should be a private affair devoid of public display: "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret..." Matthew 6:5-6
2006-12-21 06:55:53 · update #1
I'd also like to point out to those who think that money is God's Will, that Jesus clearly states that:
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.Luke 18:25
2006-12-21 06:59:53 · update #2
I don't believe that churches should have businesses in them....it takes away from the whole idea of church for me.....my church recently had a coffee shop added to it and they serve star bucks coffee and they also told the congregation that the coffee shop was so that when new people came to church they would have a place to welcome them properly and have the opportunity to talk with them one on one and feel more comfortable.....but it has turned out to be a hang out before and after services and the church profiting from this.....I left my church after 18 years due to changes like this.....the church needs to get their ideals back and their focus needs to be turned back to God not money.....I never thought I would say this about my church but I'm very sad to say I am.....I believe Jesus frowns on this...
2006-12-21 05:40:02 · answer #1 · answered by shiningon 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Is anyone angry with the multi billion dollar companies that do absolutely nothing but receive tax breaks and raise prices? How about millionaire heiress's that walk around basically naked while all of the world watches and loves it? Anyone angry with Starbucks, McDonalds, and Krispy Kream Donuts for establishing their apparent support of Christian churches by putting their stores in these mega churches? Oh by the way, nothing remotely religious can be spoken of while on the job working for any one of them! How is it that it is ok for everyone in the world to become overwhelmingly-almost embarrassingly wealthy except Christians or Christian organizations? Christians have always been at the forefront of giving to impoverished countries and famine stricken regions. No other group of people has a track record like the Christian church from it's creation so why is it such an offence when the world see's Christians doing well while continuing to give? And just so you know, the vow of poverty is a bunch of malarkey that was made up by people who didn't understand that God wants all His follower's to be rich in one form or another. If it were not so then why would God bless Abraham, Job, King Solomon, David and many more the way He did? I'll say this, when the billionaires and millionaires of this world are willing to give up every bit of their riches to see poverty, hunger, and homelessness come to an end will be the day that Christians supersede that endeavor by the power of God!!
2006-12-21 05:50:56 · answer #2 · answered by drivn2excelchery 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Assembly of God is a pentecostal denomination that has many smaller fellowships or congregations associated with it. The number of members in mega churches vary. Some say it's 6,000, and some say the number is greater. Personally, I prefer small fellowships because I can interact with the members individually. There are some mega churches that are indeed great places to grow in Christian maturity. Pastor Rick Warren's Saddleback Community Church is an example.
2016-05-23 05:46:47 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not appalled at them. I've been at a church that serves Starbucks in the lobby and engaged the services of a volunteer that used to work professionally for a theme park and built a beautiful play area for the children. I wouldn't call this bad. I would call this customer relationship management, which facilitates worship rather than hinders it.
Making a comparison between a cup of coffee at Starbucks and giving to the poor instead gets into an area of philosophy having to do with who owns the rich person's money. But the offering plate has not gone away, and if the money for the cup of coffee was even part of a donation in conjunction with the coffee company, then guilt doesn't have to be as much of an issue.
So, let the kids go to their "theme parks" and get a children's lesson mixed in with the fun, with more focus and intensity given to those more spiritually mature. It's a system that works, even though it's not for everybody.
2006-12-21 06:05:31 · answer #4 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I was thinking this very question last night.
Why not mega homeless shelters, and daycare for single moms and dads? Lets put some of that money into landscaping for elderly. So many things that could be done, the list is endless.
I don't see anywhere in the bible that mega churches are correct. If anything a stumbling block to those who need Christ, but see the money demands as churches first thought.
In our small church, less than 50 members, there are 15 up and coming preachers. Waiting to be a seed church. I know that mega churches have to have preachers and teachers, waiting to work in their gifting.
The world is hungry, feed them the Word. Don't build another wing....
2006-12-21 05:36:27 · answer #5 · answered by 2ndchhapteracts 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I not sure how I feel really about it. I go to a small Church and I love the fellowship and everybody knows everybody. I think in a big Church you would get lost in the crowd. As far as having restaurants, I know many Christians like to go out to eat after Church so that is why they probably have a restaurant right in the building. Ya, there are starving people in the world, but how do you know that Church doesn't help out with missionaries and sending food or money. Its just not good to judge, because you are only looking at the size of the building and not what is actually going on inside.
2006-12-21 05:40:58 · answer #6 · answered by angel 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't really like a big congregation. So I don't really like the concept of a mega church. But I had no idea there were McDonald's and Starbucks and other "shops" in a mega church!! Oh my goodness!!! Makes you wonder if they didn't understand what Christ did when He threw the money changers out of the temple. Church (whether a Christian Church, a Jewish synagogue, or a Muslim mosque) is a place where it needs to be free of worldly things like places of business!
Oh my goodness! I'm still astounded at this whole McChurch thing!!
2006-12-21 05:52:44 · answer #7 · answered by Tonya in TX - Duck 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A large church can be bad and good. The type you are talking about, with all the businesses involved, sounds like the marketplace that Jesus was angered in. A large church is a good sign, a sign that there are many believers. When they start to lose sight of why they are a church, that is when it is a problem. I love small churches, and I wish all people would attend them. The tough thing is lack of leadership and starting one. Large churches, to an extent, are probably doing good. But when you have a congregation of 10,000 plus, it is hard to minister to every single person who needs it. I feel their money would be better spent planting smaller churches and training good leaders.
2006-12-21 05:53:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
...I really hope that those who criticize the churches are helping to meet people's needs themselves.
...And here is question for any critic - how much money is too much for a church to have - is it when a church has more than you? Be careful your complaints don't come purely out of envy.
...I am not sure what churches you are talking about. When I think "mega-churches", I think of large churches near us in the Washington area; none of these churches I am thinking of have McDonald's, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks, or theme parks on the same lot as the church, but maybe nearby you would find the businesses. These churches might have a Bible book store, which is convenient for the members.
...By the way, our church (an evangelical church) has a food pantry and we minister to local people in need every week.
...And at various times in my life I have given food to hungry folks I have met, since I believe it is unwise to give out money to strangers. (Watching a person's reaction to the offer of food can help you catch a phoney, too).
...But tell me, what is a true Christian? A true Christian is one who has trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ alone as Savior.
...The main ministry of a church which honors Jesus Christ is meeting needs. Churches can always do better meeting needs, but a person's deepest need is salvation, to be sure of Heaven. People need to hear and respond to the Gospel, and become Christ's disciples - and this is most important. To only feed the starving but neglect or ignore people's need of the Gospel message is being irresponsible and disobedient to Christ's Great Commission. To die without Christ is a tragedy with eternal consequences.
...I hope that you will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.
...Whosoever will, may come.
2006-12-21 06:05:00 · answer #9 · answered by carson123 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
First off, the Scriptures shows us what a “Church” looks like, operates like and what it really is about. Todays Mega churches focus on a lot of things, “Funds”, growth, etc.
All the things the Original Assemblies did not focus on.
It is a sad witness to how far from the Truth “Christianity” drifted...
Shalowm
2006-12-21 05:36:38 · answer #10 · answered by obadyahu777 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋