Megachurches

[rojse]

What do the posters on RF think about the rise of the megachurch? Is it a spiritually identical way of obtaining religious nourishment contrasted to the traditional church setting? Does it turn religious worship into a cheap, commercially-run affair? Does it help to draw in people who might not have attended a church otherwise due to the stereotyped views of a church setting? What are your views?

BONUS QUESTION: Has anyone attended a service at a megachurch, or is a member of one of these churches, and wants to tell us about their experiences?

 

[te_lanus]

What do the posters on RF think about the rise of the megachurch? Is it a spiritually identical way of obtaining religious nourishment contrasted to the traditional church setting? Does it turn religious worship into a cheap, commercially-run affair? Does it help to draw in people who might not have attended a church otherwise due to the stereotyped views of a church setting? What are your views?

Personally I don't like megachurches, because it easy to get "lost" in it's structures. It is easier for error to enter such a church because people start looking up the Head Pastor, and when he goes of on his path he can take the whole church with him, as only the "head honcho" knows what is right.

Unfortunately this happens way to regular here in South Africa.

BONUS QUESTION: Has anyone attended a service at a megachurch, or is a member of one of these churches, and wants to tell us about their experiences?

I was part of few of these churches. One thing I hated about it, is it's superfluousness that can attach Sunday service. Going on a Sunday morning to church ans spend 2/3 of the time being told why we should give money to the church, and only 1/3 of the time being told why we should be "good christians".

BTW. I was very active in some of these churches. Mostly "behind" the scenes as sound technician. Giving me sometimes a ear to what the pastor is talking, and thinking.

"thinking" One of the pastors at the last "megachurch" that I attended, normally would go outside, and starting talking to himself, (he caught a few newbie tech. out. ) he normally left the mic on letting you hear what he is thinking.

 

[Wandered Off]

Its advantage is that, if people really believe that the secular world is full of evil influences, they have more opportunities to avoid those influences by using the church for social activity as well. Some churches I have seen have gyms, bowling alleys, skateboard areas, arcades, Christian bookstores, and the like. If you like socializing around the like-minded, this is the way to do it.

I grew up attending an early version of one. It broadcast services on a local television station, and the emphasis was always on growing more. It eventually was sued by the neighborhood association for the parking and traffic disruptions it caused.

I pretty much don't like any churches these days, but if I attended one, it wouldn't be a megachurch. I don't like crowds.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Nothing reaffirms faith quite like being surrounded by 50,000 jibbering zealots swaying around with their hands in the air and their eyes rolled back in their heads.

 

[Storm]

What do the posters on RF think about the rise of the megachurch?

I don't like them.

Is it a spiritually identical way of obtaining religious nourishment contrasted to the traditional church setting?

Nope.

Does it turn religious worship into a cheap, commercially-run affair?

Yep.

Does it help to draw in people who might not have attended a church otherwise due to the stereotyped views of a church setting?

Dunno. Even if it does, I don't think going to church is important in its own right, so I don't care.

What are your views?

From my (very limited) experience, it's all about the money. There was a non-denom congregation back in Lubbock that wasn't quite a megachurch, but dearly wanted to be one. For the offeratory, they had their congregants wave their offering above their heads. This served three purposes: generous congregants got to show off, those without offerings were shamed, and if you were next to someone without an offering, you were "encouraged" to provide them with one in addition to your own, increasing revenue.

This church took in millions annually, and gave none of it back to the community. No charity work, no community service. They did, however, pray for rain one year, and tried to tout it as a miracle when the storms finally broke. The fact that the rains came too late to save the crops they were praying for, and in fact ruined them, they simply ignored.

BONUS QUESTION: Has anyone attended a service at a megachurch, or is a member of one of these churches, and wants to tell us about their experiences?

God, no.

 

[tumbleweed41]

When I first came to Colorado Springs, I was invited by my new boss to attend New Life Church, a huge megachurch that at that time was run by the now infamous Ted Haggard.
Talk about crass commercialism. Snack bar, coffee shop, book store, lunch counter, gift shop...
Not to mention the auditorium that reminded me of a concert venue.

Then there was the thousand people caught up in the emotional manipulation of the music and dynamic sermons.
Disgraceful.

(BTW, not long after my boss realized I had no interest in joining his church, I was let go.)

 

[Muffled]

I lived in Montgomery, Alabama for a while and churches tend to be larger there. My church attendance is in god's hands so the church I was attending was a start-up church. (It seems God likes to send me to this type of church) Once in a while though I wouldn't have transportation, so I would walk to the Fraser Methodist Church which could qualify as a small mega church. Their services have been on national TV. I liked their breakfast buffet. I had my fill of biscuits with red eyed gravy and grits. I enjoy the worship with a large group and don't mind the anonymity.

In New Hampshire I started with a small congragation that grew into a megachurch by NH standards. The small group attributes of smaller churches was preserved by cell groups that met during the week.

In either case, small or large I have learned to be content.

 

[slave2six]

What do the posters on RF think about the rise of the megachurch? Is it a spiritually identical way of obtaining religious nourishment contrasted to the traditional church setting? Does it turn religious worship into a cheap, commercially-run affair? Does it help to draw in people who might not have attended a church otherwise due to the stereotyped views of a church setting? What are your views?

BONUS QUESTION: Has anyone attended a service at a megachurch, or is a member of one of these churches, and wants to tell us about their experiences?

I attended a megachurch for years and found that it was little better than attending a weekly MLM pep rally. As far as keeping connected with other human beings, it's a great idea. Anyone serious about "spritual nourishment" will not get much out of it.

 

[rojse]

(BTW, not long after my boss realized I had no interest in joining his church, I was let go.)

Coincidence, surely. :no:

 

[Zephyr]

Any church that expects donations is a tool of evil and its destruction is justified.

 

[Storm]

Any church that expects donations is a tool of evil and its destruction is justified.

How do you expect the to support themselves, then? Charge admission?

 

[Zephyr]

How do you expect the to support themselves, then? Charge admission?

Easy. My hof has no operating costs, and the godhi doesn't expect a salary for his work. Why should churches need money to operate?

 

[Apex]

Easy. My hof has no operating costs, and the godhi doesn't expect a salary for his work. Why should churches need money to operate?

Nothing is ever free.

 

[OmarKhayyam]

Easy. My hof has no operating costs, and the godhi doesn't expect a salary for his work. Why should churches need money to operate?

Why else do they exist? Tell me you are not so naive as to think that the operators of these businesses actually BELIEVE they stuff they sell?

Surely you not THAT gullible?

On 2nd thought maybe you ARE! There are millions of others just as uninformed.

I think somebody should hand out copies of Elmer Gantry in front of every church in America.
Then again, probably a waste of effort.

A fool and his gold are soon parted.

I wish MY $ came that easily!

 

[rojse]

Any church that expects donations is a tool of evil and its destruction is justified.

It depends on what the donations are put towards. What about a church that funds homeless shelters, for example? Soup kitchens?

EDIT: I see that others have interpreted this as being about the Priest's wages. What about the services that this priest performs for his parishoners?

 

[OmarKhayyam]

It depends on what the donations are put towards. What about a church that funds homeless shelters, for example? Soup kitchens?

EDIT: I see that others have interpreted this as being about the Priest's wages. What about the services that this priest performs for his parishoners?

Like selling forgiveness?

Until about 1870 the HRCC was the richest private organization in human history. You think they got that way giving alms to the poor?:areyoucra

 

[te_lanus]

You think they got that way giving alms to the poor?:areyoucra

I would say they still do it. Most churches will only give alms, only when they get any news coverage or when you are a regular tither.

 

[Storm]

Easy. My hof has no operating costs,

Well, then. It's hardly the same thing, is it?

and the godhi doesn't expect a salary for his work.

What does "his work" entail?

Why should churches need money to operate?

Because that's the way it works. They have mortgages and ministers to pay, before you even get to charity.

 

[keithnurse]

I have been to services at megachurches many times in my life. Most of them are fundamentalist, so I don't go to them now but I think large churches have a legitimate place. As long as they are giving back to the community, and many of them DO, it seems to me they can do many things small churches can't afford to do and that is a good thing. Of course there is a problem of anonymity and getting lost in the crowd and feeling like it is impersonal. In small churches I have found them often to be gossip clubs or that they are not friendly to outsiders or stuck in a rut and inward focused on the members and not on the community. The point is that there are potential problems no matter what size a congregation is.

 

[Zephyr]

It depends on what the donations are put towards. What about a church that funds homeless shelters, for example? Soup kitchens?

EDIT: I see that others have interpreted this as being about the Priest's wages. What about the services that this priest performs for his parishoners?

Soup kitchens and homeless shelters should be independent from churches. When you donate to a shelter, you should be donating to the shelter, not a middleman. Giving money to the church is an unnecessary stage.

Nothing is ever free.

You're right. The cost was the collective labor of getting the thing running, and the Godhi preaching pro bono. The only monetary costs are the opportunity costs since we aren't spending that time working.

Well, then. It's hardly the same thing, is it?

Both are houses of worship. I'm not entirely sure what you're getting at here, tbh.

What does "his work" entail?

Well, he's our priest. He leads the preaching and rituals. He's also our big bank o' knowledge. He also makes some *****in' mead.

Because that's the way it works. They have mortgages and ministers to pay, before you even get to charity.

A true man of god would not expect money for preaching. Also, buying big churches and such is wasteful. Church member's homes, or hell, the great outdoors are much better alternatives. Don't cost a thing to maintain (except what people would be paying anyways) and doesn't take up valuable land that could be better used to help the less-fortunate.