Megachurch
There was an interesting article on megachurches at Fox News today…
Ask Americans what Sundays are for, and many are likely to give you one of two answers: watching sports or going to church. These days, a growing number of “megachurches” may satisfy both camps, providing entertainment and an uplifting message to crowds so big they rival the attendance at sporting events.
I found this interesting because they interviewed the two different camps: pastors of megachurches, and pastors of nearby smaller churches.
“I think for years there’s been a lot of hellfire and damnation. You go to church to figure out what you’re doing wrong and you leave feeling bad like you’re not going to make it,” Osteen [Megachurch pastor -mh] said. “We believe in focusing on the goodness of God.”
hmm… on the other hand, you have a “20 year member of a small traditional church”
“Sin is in life and sin is everywhere, we are all sinners,” he said. “If you just leave church feeling good you are missing the whole point. The point is you need a purpose in life.”
hmm…
“It’s not a churchy feel,” Osteen, 40, said. “We don’t have crosses up there. We believe in all that…
I hope that’s not what he meant. Back to the traditional dude
“[People] can go and enjoy the service but really don’t have to participate,” said Wise. “But it’s that participation that really makes for a good Christian.”
Participation in what? the service? wrong…
I don’t know. I think the key isn’t gather large numbers to attend your service. The key is in what you do with them. And if all you are doing is getting them pumped up for their week, I think you are wasting your time. No matter how large your congregation is…
The way most articles portray mega-churches is by interviewing thise half-brain-lazy Christians.
I really don’t think that artcile was “fair and balanced.”