With the number of megachurches in America growing at an increasingly rapid rate, the largest of them all now have a new label: "gigachurches."
Topping this year's largest churches in the country is Lakewood Church in Houston, with an attendance of 47,000, according to Outreach Magazine's annual 100 list of America's largest and fastest-growing churches. While Lakewood remains on top, 36 of the top 100 draw 10,000-plus people each week (gigachurches). The rest have a weekly attendance of 6,000-plus.
Meanwhile, megachurches (2,000-plus attendees) now number an estimated 1,300. While that's only 0.4 percent of all U.S. Protestant churches, megachurches are growing rapidly as they pioneer new approaches largely to engage the unchurched population....
the biggest problem we have is trusting in our Pastor/Preacher just because he went to a Seminary somewhere and picked up a few Degrees in this and that. We give up our DUTY of critical thinking for our own Salvation and worship the Man who got a so called higher education. Evaluate everything you hear him say and you reserve the absolute right to do your own Empirical thinking on the matter and work out your own Salvation. Don't think for one moment that your preacher is a better person than you because he read a lot of books and has a piece of paper on the wall. I have those that I listen to but if MY BOOK says they are wrong on a matter then they are WRONG, Period. The Holy Spirit is our ultimate Guide.
Christ taught the masses and the masses crucified him. They eventually turned against him because his words were too hard. I have yet to see a megachurch that is teaching what Christ taught. They are preaching smooth deceptive words from the pulpit that make people feel good. They are not teaching what Christ taught.
Nathan wrote: "It is doubtful that any REAL TRUTH is taught in any of these churches.. Where truth is taught there will be few in number..." Perhaps that is why Christ only spoke to groups of 20 or less...or is it 12...we had better find out.
Christ spoke to massive groups of followers. What about when he feed the 5000 men (women and children notincluded)? Read the Word and you will seeon numerous occasions He spoke and taught the masses. I don't feel I would be comfortable in a Megachurch.It is difficult enough getting to know members in a congregation of 500. As long as these megachurches are grounded in biblical docterine then they are great to bring in some individuals that don't feel comfortable in a traditional church setting.
Your Post "I sit here and read one brother slapping and smearing another Christian brother because "you don't do it my way"! Grow up and move out. It's a sad commentary on us all that we entertain ourselves in this way. Sad but true."
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Do you think that everyone is right and can go to heaven with his own truth?
The word of God states we are to Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2Ti 4:2)
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (2Ti 4:3)
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2Ti 4:4)
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
David, It is NOT about doing it our way, it is about following God's word and preaching the whole counsel of God. I challenge you to sit in a megachurch and follow along in your bible. We are to follow Christ, defend His word, and persevere in the faith. Sounds to me like you are defending 'man'...
I sit here and read one brother slapping and smearing another Christian brother because "you don't do it my way"! Grow up and move out. It's a sad commentary on us all that we entertain ourselves in this way. Sad but true.
I highly recommend John MacArthur's 'The Truth War', it is geared at this very issue. Keep in mind, deception and apostasy are end-time signs. 2nd Timothy 3:13-' But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.' It is going to get worse before it gets better, pray for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, and hold fast to what you have....
Megachurches are growing rapidly as they pioneer **new approaches** largely to engage the unchurched population ???
CAN YOU SAY ITCHING EARS ???
L@@K at this Nation and the HELL that has beset "Us" --- OH YES "We" have ReLiGiOn, but very few HAVE RELATIONSHIP...
"We" WILL REAP "Our" JUST DESERTS -- BELIEVE IT -- IT IS COMING BACK TO "Us" LITTLE BY LITTLE BECAUSE "We" PROFESS ***THE TRUTH*** BUT WILL NOT STAND UP FOR ***IT*** !!!
Hmmm
What should be said for a people who forget themselves and their GOD ???
TRUTH IS LIKE *SALT* IN AN OPEN WOUND --- IT STINGS AND BURNS AND IS UNCOMFORTABLE !!!
TRUTH SHINES INTO the darkness AND REVEALS WHAT NEEDS TO BE SEEN !!!
"We" NEED TRUTH !!!
HAVING TRUTH AND ACTING ON IT ***ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS*** --- TRUTH IS ONLY "Ours" WHEN "We" IMPLEMENT IT IN "Our" LIVES --- THAT'S WHAT IT MEANS TO TRULY ***BELIEVE***
"We" AS A PEOPLE SAY "We" ***BELIEVE***, BUT "We" REALLY DON'T --- THE PROOF IS IN THE DIRECTION "Our" NATION IS GOING... HELL-BENT AND HELL BOUND
It's a hard cold reality to face THE TRUTH -- "We" have become the very thing that "We" ONCE DESPISED and "We" haven't THE SENSE TO ***REPENT*** AND TURN BACK TO GOD !!!
COMMENTS | 
tosh: "
lisa
john- my jesus sends no-one to hell.
acts 10.42
i don't..."
