Mega Churches - Opinions?
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You aren't condemning me, you are condemning Jesus
Matthew 7
18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
Matthew 7
18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
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Many here worship at the alter of Hillsong
https://nypost.com/2021/01/04/more-hillsong-pastors-resign-amid-megachurchs-ongoing-scandal/
https://nypost.com/2021/01/04/more-hillsong-pastors-resign-amid-megachurchs-ongoing-scandal/
Im certain Jesus is proud of them.,.....
https://churchwatchcentral.com/2017/05/02/revisited-furticks-fake-baptism-scandal/
https://churchwatchcentral.com/2017/05/02/revisited-furticks-fake-baptism-scandal/
LIke I said---make sure your own church is staying on the straight and narrow ------
Don't be a Hypocrite -----
Catholic Church child sexual abuse scandal - BBC News
https://www.bbc.com › news › world-44209971
Oct 5, 2021 — A Church-commissioned report in 2004 said more than 4,000 US Roman Catholic priests had faced sexual abuse allegations in the last 50 years, in
.
How Protestant Churches Hid Sexual Abuse - The Southern ...
https://southernmarylandchronicle.com › 2021/04/08
Don't be a Hypocrite -----
Catholic Church child sexual abuse scandal - BBC News
https://www.bbc.com › news › world-44209971
Oct 5, 2021 — A Church-commissioned report in 2004 said more than 4,000 US Roman Catholic priests had faced sexual abuse allegations in the last 50 years, in
.
How Protestant Churches Hid Sexual Abuse - The Southern ...
https://southernmarylandchronicle.com › 2021/04/08
I wasn't aware of Mr. Furtick's information, thank you.
Lester Sumrall, Kenneth Hagin, Smith Wigglesworth, John G. Lake, Derek Prince, there are so very many great Generals of the Faith.
I believe it was one of these who shared that when genuine ministers fall it is almost always for the gold, the glory, or the girls.
Lester Sumrall, Kenneth Hagin, Smith Wigglesworth, John G. Lake, Derek Prince, there are so very many great Generals of the Faith.
I believe it was one of these who shared that when genuine ministers fall it is almost always for the gold, the glory, or the girls.
We have to Remember that all Churches spun off from the Catholic Church -----they were the first Church ---and they were so corrupt in their Practices -----that Martin Luther so disagreed with their practices that He put the 95 theses on the door of that Church - and because of that he was excommunicated and had death threats on his life for his trying to get God back in the Church -----
Did Martin Luther Nail His 95 Theses to the Church Door? | Time
https://time.com › History › faith
Five hundred years ago, on Oct. 31, 1517, the small-town monk Martin Luther marched up to the castle church in Wittenberg and nailed his 95 ...
I say -------Also -------Better check out --the corruptness in the Vatican ---and the Hypocrisy there
Vatican sex, money scandals subject of PBS documentary
https://www.ncronline.org › blogs › ncr-today › vatican...
Feb 25, 2014 — “The documentary tells the epic, inside story of the collapse of the Benedict papacy, from a far-reaching clergy sex abuse scandal, to money
I say
And Just for the record ----I give my Money to whoever and where ever I am directed by the Holy Spirit ---not by any Human person ------
Did Martin Luther Nail His 95 Theses to the Church Door? | Time
https://time.com › History › faith
Five hundred years ago, on Oct. 31, 1517, the small-town monk Martin Luther marched up to the castle church in Wittenberg and nailed his 95 ...
I say -------Also -------Better check out --the corruptness in the Vatican ---and the Hypocrisy there
Vatican sex, money scandals subject of PBS documentary
https://www.ncronline.org › blogs › ncr-today › vatican...
Feb 25, 2014 — “The documentary tells the epic, inside story of the collapse of the Benedict papacy, from a far-reaching clergy sex abuse scandal, to money
I say
And Just for the record ----I give my Money to whoever and where ever I am directed by the Holy Spirit ---not by any Human person ------
You aren't even DIRECTED TO GIVE MONEY; but I am sure A spirit would direct you to give money to the likes of Osteen, Furtick, Driscoll, Hinn, Hagin, Dollar, Jakes
But that is not THE HOLY SPIRIT, it is this spirit:
2 Chronicles 18:21
20 Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD. 21And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’
1 Timothy 4
1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
But that is not THE HOLY SPIRIT, it is this spirit:
2 Chronicles 18:21
20 Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD. 21And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’
1 Timothy 4
1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
Here is the Biblical Origin of Mega churches
Genesis 11
Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”
Hey, look at us, we are great, look what we built !
Genesis 11
Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”
Hey, look at us, we are great, look what we built !
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It was always intended that we be in relationship with the Father by the infilling of the Holy Spirit, no ones church ever died for their sin.
Constantine created a church modeled after the Roman form of government, they taught "if you want to get to heaven you have to go through us".
Lutheranism is pretty much R.C. Light. Anglican, Episcolpal, and many others.
This turned Christianity into a "spectator sport" when God intends us to be His hands and feet, warring against principalities and powers.
He is calling His own out of all religions and into personnal relationship at this time from around the world.
Blessings
Constantine created a church modeled after the Roman form of government, they taught "if you want to get to heaven you have to go through us".
Lutheranism is pretty much R.C. Light. Anglican, Episcolpal, and many others.
This turned Christianity into a "spectator sport" when God intends us to be His hands and feet, warring against principalities and powers.
He is calling His own out of all religions and into personnal relationship at this time from around the world.
Blessings
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No one really knows what secrets their Church is really hiding ----and no one knows what their Pastor ---Minister ----does in the booth in the back in the dark ----they can present themselves as whitewashed on the outside and be greatly defiled on the inside ------
God is the only one who knows what is on the inside of any of us ------and that is what God is interested in -----if your right on the inside --your outside will show it ------
Abraham was a wealthy man -and he was chosen BY GOD ------
Job was a wealthy man who God praised for being Righteous -----and when He allowed Satan to torment him and he lost everything -----He restored Job with twice as much as he had in the end -----
It is not money and possessions that God has a problem with Folks ---it is your heart God is interested in ----If your Heart is connected to God you will do everything you can to please Him not yourself -----
ALL Religions are Man Made --and there are False Prophets in mainstream Ministry that keep people tied back from advancing in their walk with Christ by man made rules and regulations and Preaching False Doctrine ----
Jesus never --ever said Follow my -----Judaism ---Catholic ---Protestant --Baptise ---Islam ------Calvinism ----Lutheran ----7 Day Adventist ----- Mormonism ----or any other Religion -------Jesus simply said ________Follow MY WAY ------
And that is what all people should be Following -----The Right WAY ----WHO IS JESUS ALONE --Not a Man Made Religion ---
Religion need to die and be banned as far as I am concerned ------ and many Churches are Closing due to LACK OF MONEY ______go figure that -----Churches because of their FEAR of asking for money are now EMPTY and Abandoned ----
Churches have shot themselves in the foot by Preaching and Teaching money is evil and not needed in Churches ------and now they are reaping what they sowed ------I personally know a few Ministers who were told NOT to Peach ON Money at all as they were afraid they would loose their regular Clientele -----and 3 of these Churches have now closed and one is in serious debt as they just renovated parts of the Church -----
Man trusting Man ------No Trust in God --Who will provide what is needed to advance His Kingdom here on Earth -----
God is the only one who knows what is on the inside of any of us ------and that is what God is interested in -----if your right on the inside --your outside will show it ------
Abraham was a wealthy man -and he was chosen BY GOD ------
Job was a wealthy man who God praised for being Righteous -----and when He allowed Satan to torment him and he lost everything -----He restored Job with twice as much as he had in the end -----
It is not money and possessions that God has a problem with Folks ---it is your heart God is interested in ----If your Heart is connected to God you will do everything you can to please Him not yourself -----
ALL Religions are Man Made --and there are False Prophets in mainstream Ministry that keep people tied back from advancing in their walk with Christ by man made rules and regulations and Preaching False Doctrine ----
Jesus never --ever said Follow my -----Judaism ---Catholic ---Protestant --Baptise ---Islam ------Calvinism ----Lutheran ----7 Day Adventist ----- Mormonism ----or any other Religion -------Jesus simply said ________Follow MY WAY ------
And that is what all people should be Following -----The Right WAY ----WHO IS JESUS ALONE --Not a Man Made Religion ---
Religion need to die and be banned as far as I am concerned ------ and many Churches are Closing due to LACK OF MONEY ______go figure that -----Churches because of their FEAR of asking for money are now EMPTY and Abandoned ----
Churches have shot themselves in the foot by Preaching and Teaching money is evil and not needed in Churches ------and now they are reaping what they sowed ------I personally know a few Ministers who were told NOT to Peach ON Money at all as they were afraid they would loose their regular Clientele -----and 3 of these Churches have now closed and one is in serious debt as they just renovated parts of the Church -----
Man trusting Man ------No Trust in God --Who will provide what is needed to advance His Kingdom here on Earth -----
I dont really know much about how much it costs to have a church mortgage and maintain a building I suppose thats operational costs. Some churches gather in huge warehouses on commercial sites as its cheaper.
some churches have op shops where they sell donated goods.
I know quakers, who are often very good at doing business because they meet for worship at every business meeting, always have people staying and looking after their meeting houses. Usually as residents for a year or so.
I know one pastor doesnt stay at the manse near the church and rents it out while he lives in his own house far away in the country. But other ministers stay in the manse next door to their church buildings which they do have to maintain cos otherwise they fall apart.
if they have land some have daycares on them that pay rent, hire out the hall or use the carpark for carboot sales etc.
Some actually farm the land. It just depends. You do need to be a good steward of what youve been given
some churches have op shops where they sell donated goods.
I know quakers, who are often very good at doing business because they meet for worship at every business meeting, always have people staying and looking after their meeting houses. Usually as residents for a year or so.
I know one pastor doesnt stay at the manse near the church and rents it out while he lives in his own house far away in the country. But other ministers stay in the manse next door to their church buildings which they do have to maintain cos otherwise they fall apart.
if they have land some have daycares on them that pay rent, hire out the hall or use the carpark for carboot sales etc.
Some actually farm the land. It just depends. You do need to be a good steward of what youve been given
I do know of once church that split or felll apart cos the pastor tried to put a cafe in the church and skim the profits off that for his own gain. Instead of ministering he was being a barista! As well as asking for money all the time to fund whatever commerical venture
what happened was people left that congregation and just gathered in their own homes
what happened was people left that congregation and just gathered in their own homes
These churches are not bringing more people to Christ, they are making merchandise of the people of God. I see these more as cults of personality than real functioning churches. These churches preach feel good emotional messages carefully avoiding any controversy in order to bring in the most people and money possible. "Verily they have their reward."
During Katrina, Osteen closed the doors of his megachurch to refugees. By their fruit you will know them.
During Katrina, Osteen closed the doors of his megachurch to refugees. By their fruit you will know them.
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I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
This has something to do with a tree? Really, what?
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
This has something to do with a tree? Really, what?
Jesus is the vine ---we are the branches --we have to remain in Jesus so we the branches can produce good fruit ----
John 15---Jesus is speaking here
New International Version
The Vine and the Branches
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15---Jesus is speaking here
New International Version
The Vine and the Branches
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Mega. Kilo is the prefix for a thousand, mega is the prefix for a million. Are those serious? Sounds very Elmer Gantryish, very cult of personality oriented and just there to sell something. You know what I think? I think the church age is either over (as Harold Camping used to say) or that by rights it ought to be. The seminaries just aren't turning out the theologians. Everyone wants to be either a prognosticator or a storyteller, and the societies use both too much media, and too much social science. People want to be grammatical logicians and cunning linguists. I'm sorry, but every time I look at some preachers' stage set and presentation, all I see is an affable character who talks about his redemption from whatever it was by dint of taking out a Department of Education loan and getting an advanced degree. Where are these peoples Hermeneutics? Have they heard of exegesis?
Mega. I think its like those cup sizes that takeaway drinks come in
mini
medium
large
or
S, M, L, XL for clothes. Mega being large or extra large.
Or maybe its short for 'megalomania'
In the library we dont call massive books 'mega books' we call them oversize books. Or blown up books. Not literally.
I kind of picture a mega church as one thats got a huge ego. If a church can have an ego. It would have lots of people in filling up the pews like a rent-a-crowd all having their ears tickled by their wolf in sheeps clothings preacher leading them astray. The wolf in disguise then says buy a copy of my book (I mean resource) cos its better than the Bible.
mini
medium
large
or
S, M, L, XL for clothes. Mega being large or extra large.
Or maybe its short for 'megalomania'
In the library we dont call massive books 'mega books' we call them oversize books. Or blown up books. Not literally.
I kind of picture a mega church as one thats got a huge ego. If a church can have an ego. It would have lots of people in filling up the pews like a rent-a-crowd all having their ears tickled by their wolf in sheeps clothings preacher leading them astray. The wolf in disguise then says buy a copy of my book (I mean resource) cos its better than the Bible.