They are self contained economic machines. They serve no other purpose than propegating an individual belief system. This could be achieved through many smaller, community churches, but the leaders of Mega churches tend to gain personal satisfaction, by growth.
Most MegaChurches actually steal faithful Christians from other Churches, and do little to help non Christians.
2007-04-26 06:48:53
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answer #1
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answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7
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It's a logical outgrowth of the "more is better" mentality. Or conversely, it's a result of a popular theology. I think Joel Osteen has a huge church because he has a message people want to hear, not the other way around.
Conversely, having an enormous church could be seen as advertising you just can't buy through any other means. If the purpose is to spread the message, and there's no way to avoid knowing about the enormous church just outside of town, well, half your job is already done.
Even mainline churches have some cult features - they may not actively try to prevent you from leaving, for example, but there's guilt/shame/etc. So I'd say it is cultish, just not very much so.
2007-04-26 13:52:58
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answer #2
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answered by Doc Occam 7
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Friend, I am against these muti-million dollars churches, Our church holds about 500, & if we have an overflow, we have another building behind the church that has a monitor in there where people can watch the services. We have no stain glass windowns, No steeple, The only thing we do have is the American flag & The Flag of Israel, No we are not a Jewish church, but we are for the restoration of Israel. We are very comfortable without all these expensive things, First of all a building is NOT the Church, Our bodies is the church. And yet our little church is known around this world.
2007-04-26 13:52:31
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answer #3
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answered by birdsflies 7
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I was once travelling through the countryside with a very nice man who was an assistant pastor at his church, but not the type of man who would spend time trying to convince you to join his church, etc. We passed a small frame white church on the side of the road and he simply stated "you know, there are more souls saved in little churches like that than in all the mega churches in the country put together."
The Mega Church does not meet a major need of people who belong to it, that is a sense of community, a sense of closeness. If someone died at the little frame church in the country, the whole congregation would be at the funeral. The same is not true in mega churches.
However you have to look at the human psyche - many people feel that the larger the congregation, the better preaching there would be - but that is not necessarily the case.
I am aware of one mega church close to me that requires all of its members to give the church permission to withdraw money from their private bank accounts - they make monthly withdrawals for tithing.
2007-04-26 13:51:41
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answer #4
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answered by Polyhistor 7
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It's not just bordering on cult, it's screaming it. More people could be cared for and reached through spending our money on helping others. Does a rich preacher get his flock into heaven easier than a poor one? Being rich is fine, as long as it doesn't come from offerings(living off others). Being power hungry is the real reason for mega churches. Common sense. Absolute power corrupts and I see a lot of that in the big churches today. Sad.
2007-04-26 13:54:31
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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When a local body of believers grows large, a large building helps them meet all together at one time.
I'm not a Baptist, but I've been attending a church planting conference at the First Baptist Church of Orlando this week. Its seats about 6,500 at once.
They have a small chapel which holds about 300 or 400 people where they hold weddings and funerals.
They also have over 1,200 students attending their Christian school on their campus, grades pre school plus K - 12.
1,700 church planters met there this week to learn how to better plant new churches.
And no, its not bordering on being cultish.
Pastor Art
2007-04-26 13:52:01
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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It's great that a church is able to get to that status, but as long as the heart of the church is still there... It's fine. The more money a church has, the more power the church has to HELP. If the church is only concerned with paychecks and appearance, then there's a problem.
2007-04-26 13:46:59
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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James,
It could but it seems that people want to be around others of the same "faith" and belief. With large buildings come large numbers. We have a very small groiup of about 200 that attend regularly and we are a close-knit group in a small town and every person there cares about the others of our little town. Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you for asking,
Eds, A simple Christian
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2007-04-26 13:49:15
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answer #8
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answered by Eds 7
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Megacurches are like CostCo. They represent greater spiritual purchasing power.
Seriously, I think that they appeal to the herd mentality. The more people there are there the more the herd feels secure.
What makes most sense to be is that it's like the principle behind the black tie fundraiser--have really expensive wine, food, etc. so you can attract the heavy hitters. If you make them feel ritzy then they'll shell out money for your cause.
2007-04-26 13:55:18
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answer #9
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answered by Peter D 7
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I concur with your questioning. I would like to add how do they minister to so many people. I feel that churches would benefit better if there were smaller congreations. I bet if you randomly picked 5 people they Could Not tell you the names of 10 -15 other people by name.
2007-04-26 13:48:06
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answer #10
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answered by Trenese 5
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