Do you think those mega churches in the south, like Texas, are abominations to the real Christian foundation?

Question

they just seem very arrogant and rude, even by appearance, than on the inside you have some guy wearing rich jewels and gold chains preaching about 'us being the soldiers of God, who need to be soldiers on a mission to make the entire world believers'

just seems like stuff Jesus wouldn't like, yet hundreds of thousands of people flock to these places, with concealed firearms, unreasonable prolife standpoints, a cheerleading perspective on us against muslims, and anti-gay agenda

Answer 1

While I agree that a mega church is not conducive to good koinonia fellowship, the way it was intended, they do some good.

As to your claim that "...some guy wearing rich jewels and gold chains preaching..." I would have to tell you, those are few and far between.

As to the concealed firearms issue, you might recall that there was a shooting at a church in Texas a couple of years ago, and if it weren't for a guy carrying a concealed weapon, the carnage would have been worse. It is legal to carry a concealed firearm with a permit in most states. Why criticize someone for being with their legal right?

And what pro-life standpoints to do find unreasonable? Christians (most of us) believe that all life is precious, and especially for those who don't have a voice in the "choice."

As to any preaching against Muslims, the issue is one of truth versus error. Christians know the truth, and are set free by it. Muslims are in bondage to a false Gospel. When a pastor preaches about these issues, it is against the Islamic faith. Not Muslims. We would love for Muslims to come to the truth. And, just in a way to say that your statement smacks of hypocrisy, Mosques and Madrassas preach routinely against Christians. So, at the very least, what is good for the goose, is good for the gander.

Lastly, about the anti-gay agenda, I say the same thing about that as I did the Islam issue. We believe that homosexuals are in bondage to sin. We want homosexuals to come to the truth and also be set free. Homosexuality is the only sin lately to have advocacy groups. There are no thieves or adulterers who want to be given an "equal rights" platform.

Christian churches preach the Gospel. We were told in the Word that this is an offense. Sorry. We have to tell it and preach it. You don't have to listen. You have a choice.

Answer 2

Very good question, and something I've pondered much this past year.

Our church is close by three of these mega-churches, and as for numbers, we can't compete. Why wouldn't they be tempting? Nice buildings, excellent sound system, video cameras, a youth room that operates like a game show. It even tempted myself to leave where I was at...many times.

In their defense, anyplace you go there will always be a percentage of church population that just doesn't get it. Their tongues say "yes", but their hearts say "no". They show up, do their works or penance for Sunday morning, then return to their miserable lives, having applied nothing learned.

There are two simple commandments that Jesus told us to follow. When asked, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" he replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." (Matthew 22:36-38 NIV)

He then continued in verse 39, "And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Jesus wasn't talking about Jewish or Christian neighbors, as was illustrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Samaritans being loathed by Jews at that time).

With this in mind, now you see why hundreds of thousands of Christian churches have failed; their hearts full of hate for Muslims, gays, etc. Two very SIMPLE commandments to keep, and we have failed our God over and over. We do not love our God, we love money, cars, jewels, and fancy buildings. The mega churches have failed Him...but not all. Certainly the ones you mention.

As for myself...I stay at the smaller church, learning and growing closer to God. I hope you have found that, or if you are searching, you find it.

Answer 3

I kind of favor those kinds of flamboyant churches.... They seem to lean much more toward secular issues and ideas than the traditional "Bible-beating / Praise-the-Lord" churches. They have broad appeal and attract all kinds of people... They're fun to visit. At the ones I've visited, there's a great emphysis put on entertainment, food service, childcare service, health care issues for older people, exercise and activities, professional counseling, family planning.... etc. and some of these churches have put the god-idea so far to the rear that belief or non-belief doesn't seem to matter in the least. (I like that a lot.)

I'm hopeful that churches like these will sprout up all over the world and become civic centers where people can gather without belief getting in the way. And, my guess is that they will all turn more and more into atheistic/agnostic/secular orginizations as time goes by... (I'll bet on that, too.)

Salvation and the god-idea may be the calling card of churches right now... but, through my eyes, the future looks quite different.

(LOL... You have quite an active immagination, don't you? "...conealed firearms..." LOL)

[][][] r u randy? [][][]
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Post Script: Two answers down, there is a mentionm of Willow Creek Community Church - That place is KOOL.

Answer 4

Sore subject.

These places shouldn't be called places of worship. They are nothing more than auditoriums for Christian entertainment.

I've seen that Olsteen fellow speak. He doesn't exactly preach Christianity, does he? And he completely evades the "big questions" during interviews.

He's preaching a sort of pseudo Christianity with a rather New Age "feel good" spin on it. Which makes him very popular.

Jesus said Christianity is not easy. If anyone tells you it is, they are lying to you.

Answer 5

Well,

I can understand your point of view, and do not disagree with it necessarily.

They are spreading some gospel, I would not call them the anti-Christ, but like all Protestant groups, they are subject to the interpretations of the Scripture by one man, or a few men. This leaves them in dangerous spiritual waters, and subject to extremism, just like in Islam, there is no central leadership to define beliefs and study doctrine. There is no way to reign in rogue leaders.

But we as Christians are not to judge the heart of others, we can point out what we feel are flaws, and that is what you are doing.

Not bashing Muslims or Protestants, I used to be a Protestant and have great respect for them and have studied Islam and do not believe that all Muslims are terrorists.

I am just really happy to have found the Catholic Faith.

Peace and God Bless!

Answer 6

I didn't know that Texas was a mega church LOL. Back to seriousness. Jesus talked to crowds of over 5000 people at least twice. I think it is alright to have a big congregation, but most of your congregation probably wants some health and wealth sermon that tells you how to be healthy and get rich quick. I think there are problems with mega churches, and they don't always follow the Bible, but that doesn't mean they're all bad. To be honest, I don't think Jesus is very happy about the American church, we are loosing our grip on faith and his message, but their are a lot of great American churches who follow God's will as closely as they can. The great churches are slowly dying out, China probably has far more underground churches and more faithful people than America will ever have.

Answer 7

Why do you pick on the south? There are "mega-churches" all over the place. The second largest church in America is in suburban Chicago.

"Willow Creek's auditorium is truely state of the art. it is estimated that the auditorium alone cost over $50 Million dollars to construct and furnish with all of the technology. it continues to be one of the worlds most state of the art churches in technology."

That being said, I think "industrial churches" are more interested in the quantity of its parishoners than in the quality of its ministry. Dazzle them with techno-gadgets and maybe they'll be too busy going "ooh" and "aah" to worry that the message they're receiving is superficial at best. It's sad, really, because I think that people who are looking for spiritual guidance deserve something better than "pop culture wrapped up in an impressive package".

Answer 8

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Answer 9

The abomination is that these mega churches make millions and contribute nothing to our society. You have millionaire pastors not paying a penny in taxes while the local McDonald's worker not only pays his share of taxes but gives 10% to the church.

Churches disgust me. Remove the tax exemption immediately! Tax Joel Osteen ASAP!

Answer 10

Many aren't following the Word appropriately, but size really doesn't have anything to do with it. There are many very small churches that have the same attitudes.