Megachurch: The New Liberalism

[stewstew03]

http://www.christianpost.com/news/is...eralism-74152/

Key points:

• From a sociological perspective, megachurches located in suburban areas will face challenges as the local population declines. Furthermore, cultural changes, demographic realities, and technological innovations have led to the development of megachurch modifications such as churches with multiple locations and video sermons.
  
• Theologically, most megachurches are conservative in orientation, but there is a risk of a "watered-down" gospel message as megachurches grow in size.
  
• The culture at large has become hostile to exclusivist truth claims such as the belief that faith in Christ is necessary for salvation. There is also social pressure to accept a more liberal stance on issues related to sex, in particular homosexuality. The fear is that homosexuality will become an accepted practice, much like the issue of no-fault divorce. "Holding to strict biblical teachings on divorce is extremely costly."
  
• There is an apparent tension between preaching "grace' and "truth" (the author provides a great example via Pastor Andy Stanley and a homosexual couple in his congregation). Pastors wanting to "grow their churches" face a temptation to change the gospel message in order to reach people.

[MacBP]

An interesting article. I think it is a mistake for a faith community to descend to the levels of the people they are trying to reach. Jesus certainly never compromised his moral authority in order to reach a bigger audience. In fact, he did a lot of things that tended to alienate the masses.

Perhaps that's a lesson for all faith communities: quality not quantity. If you can reach four thousand individuals by capitulating divorce or homosexuality instead of reaching four by staying true to the teachings of Jesus Christ should you do so? I think the four individuals who were faithful to the authentic teachings of Christ would be worth more than the four thousand who were not.

[Et Cetera]

Originally Posted by stewstew03

http://www.christianpost.com/news/is...eralism-74152/

Key points:

• From a sociological perspective, megachurches located in suburban areas will face challenges as the local population declines. Furthermore, cultural changes, demographic realities, and technological innovations have led to the development of megachurch modifications such as churches with multiple locations and video sermons.
  
• Theologically, most megachurches are conservative in orientation, but there is a risk of a "watered-down" gospel message as megachurches grow in size.
  
• The culture at large has become hostile to exclusivist truth claims such as the belief that faith in Christ is necessary for salvation. There is also social pressure to accept a more liberal stance on issues related to sex, in particular homosexuality. The fear is that homosexuality will become an accepted practice, much like the issue of no-fault divorce. "Holding to strict biblical teachings on divorce is extremely costly."
  
• There is an apparent tension between preaching "grace' and "truth" (the author provides a great example via Pastor Andy Stanley and a homosexual couple in his congregation). Pastors wanting to "grow their churches" face a temptation to change the gospel message in order to reach people.

I mean, if you don't like this church, just don't go to it.

[TheRealJuliane]

Originally Posted by stewstew03

http://www.christianpost.com/news/is...eralism-74152/

Key points:

• From a sociological perspective, megachurches located in suburban areas will face challenges as the local population declines. Furthermore, cultural changes, demographic realities, and technological innovations have led to the development of megachurch modifications such as churches with multiple locations and video sermons.
  
  
• Theologically, most megachurches are conservative in orientation, but there is a risk of a "watered-down" gospel message as megachurches grow in size.
  
• The culture at large has become hostile to exclusivist truth claims such as the belief that faith in Christ is necessary for salvation. There is also social pressure to accept a more liberal stance on issues related to sex, in particular homosexuality. The fear is that homosexuality will become an accepted practice, much like the issue of no-fault divorce. "Holding to strict biblical teachings on divorce is extremely costly."
  
• There is an apparent tension between preaching "grace' and "truth" (the author provides a great example via Pastor Andy Stanley and a homosexual couple in his congregation). Pastors wanting to "grow their churches" face a temptation to change the gospel message in order to reach people.

As far as I have ever heard or read, most truly "mega" churches are non denominational, hardly "conservative" theologically. I know the Osteen mega church is based around cheap entertainment, cheap theology that never mentions sin, and motivational speaking. He's a fair motivational speaker, I've heard better. Scripture is sprinkled into his speeches in order to make a point, not as the basis of the speech. There is no cross in evidence on his stage, just a big globe. He waves a Bible around but if you listen to him, he distorts just about everything Christ ever said into a positive uplifting prosperity gospel "Your Best Life Now."

[Scott_Lafrance]

Originally Posted by Et Cetera

I mean, if you don't like this church, just don't go to it.

You have to love what Martin Luther did to Christianity. He is the father of fast food theology. If you don't like what this church says, go to the one across the street. And if you don't like that one, then down the road there are bounds to be 3-4 that appeal to your fancy.

[Scott_Lafrance]

Originally Posted by TheRealJuliane

As far as I have ever heard or read, most truly "mega" churches are non denominational, hardly "conservative" theologically. I know the Osteen mega church is based around cheap entertainment, cheap theology that never mentions sin, and motivational speaking. He's a fair motivational speaker, I've heard better. Scripture is sprinkled into his speeches in order to make a point, not as the basis of the speech. There is no cross in evidence on his stage, just a big globe. He waves a Bible around but if you listen to him, he distorts just about everything Christ ever said into a positive uplifting prosperity gospel "Your Best Life Now."

He's part of the "Name It and Claim It" Word of Faith movement that includes Joyce Meyers, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland, Marilyn Hickey, Ken Hagan, and many others, Benny Hinn, most of the people who appear on the Trinity Broadcast Network.

[TheRealJuliane]

Originally Posted by Scott_Lafrance

He's part of the "Name It and Claim It" Word of Faith movement that includes Joyce Meyers, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland, Marilyn Hickey, Ken Hagan, and many others, Benny Hinn, most of the people who appear on the Trinity Broadcast Network.

Yes, I know. I think it's playing to everything sinful in our natures, our egos, and also shockingly distorting of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. All it takes is one reading of Scripture to see that what these false prophets are preaching is NOT what Jesus said and did while He was on the earth.

[curlycool89]

Originally Posted by stewstew03

http://www.christianpost.com/news/is...eralism-74152/

Key points:

• From a sociological perspective, megachurches located in suburban areas will face challenges as the local population declines. Furthermore, cultural changes, demographic realities, and technological innovations have led to the development of megachurch modifications such as churches with multiple locations and video sermons.
  
• Theologically, most megachurches are conservative in orientation, but there is a risk of a "watered-down" gospel message as megachurches grow in size.
  
• The culture at large has become hostile to exclusivist truth claims such as the belief that faith in Christ is necessary for salvation. There is also social pressure to accept a more liberal stance on issues related to sex, in particular homosexuality. The fear is that homosexuality will become an accepted practice, much like the issue of no-fault divorce. "Holding to strict biblical teachings on divorce is extremely costly."
  
• There is an apparent tension between preaching "grace' and "truth" (the author provides a great example via Pastor Andy Stanley and a homosexual couple in his congregation). Pastors wanting to "grow their churches" face a temptation to change the gospel message in order to reach people.

That's because they're not really Church's; they're businesses. Their goal is to get as many people as possible, and from a marketing point of view that means you go for the lowest common denominator.

The other good way to do it (for those with large egos) is to develop a cult of personality. Although that usually blows up eventually.

[Scott_Lafrance]

Originally Posted by curlycool89

That's because they're not really Church's; they're businesses. Their goal is to get as many people as possible, and from a marketing point of view that means you go for the lowest common denominator.

The other good way to do it (for those with large egos) is to develop a cult of personality. Although that usually blows up eventually.

Yes, it blows up as soon as the founder dies or becomes incapabe of ministry. Look at Robert Schueller's ministry and the Crystal Cathedral (now proudly the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles)

[curlycool89]

Originally Posted by Scott_Lafrance

Yes, it blows up as soon as the founder dies or becomes incapabe of ministry. Look at Robert Schueller's ministry and the Crystal Cathedral (now proudly the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles)

Diocese of Orange, but your point stands.

[Scott_Lafrance]

Originally Posted by curlycool89

Diocese of Orange, but your point stands.

Tomato - Potato, Potato - Tomato. I knew it was somewhere out there.

[Pork Roll]

Yep, Luther is the father of relativism. I remember hearing about a mega-church in Tyler TX called Green Acres where the stained glass windows are inside implying they create their own light. Nevertheless, when asked about what their chuch taught, they had no answers or any books about their doctrine in their massive complex. It only offered feel good sermons and fellowship.

[oldcelt]

Luther was the father of absolutism IMHO....accept that the gathering of books we call the Bible contains all truth..or not...then came Jean Cauvin (Calvin) and the other who have claimed inspiration.

It all makes me very suspicious of any human who claims Divine Knowledege.

John

[curlycool89]

Originally Posted by Scott_Lafrance

Tomato - Potato, Potato - Tomato. I knew it was somewhere out there.

Well, the city is so big that it encompass several diocese. That's not exactly common in North America.

[TheRealJuliane]

Originally Posted by Pork Roll

Yep, Luther is the father of relativism. I remember hearing about a mega-church in Tyler TX called Green Acres where the stained glass windows are inside implying they create their own light. Nevertheless, when asked about what their chuch taught, they had no answers or any books about their doctrine in their massive complex. It only offered feel good sermons and fellowship.

That church is sometimes referred to as "Six Flags Over Jesus" because their approach is more amusement park than worship.