Mega-church hypocrisy?

[fj1200]

Then, no offense to wealthy church attendees, they are fools.

Possibly but that's not necessarily what makes them foolish. Live by the prosperity gospel, die by the prosperity gospel.

[Abbey Marie]

I have no issues with preachers/pastors who live a luxury life--if that life is supported by a career outside the church, not because of the church.

A pastor who can spend the time to earn that kind of money outside the church is not going to have time for his congregation's needs. There are only so many hours in a week.

[KitchenKitten99]

A pastor who can spend the time to earn that kind of money outside the church is not going to have time for his congregation's needs. There are only so many hours in a week.

Not necessarily. There are plenty of careers or ways of earning the income level for a life like that which don't take up more time than the average job, and some even less. One could have started a business well before they became a pastor... and that business took off, and was then sold or any number of possibilities.

I know plenty of pastors who have full time jobs outside their church. My ex and I were married by one. He is a good friend of the family as well. He certainly doesn't live a lavish lifestyle, but he is very comfortable and is always able to tend to his congregation's needs.

[gabosaurus]

A pastor who can spend the time to earn that kind of money outside the church is not going to have time for his congregation's needs. There are only so many hours in a week.

The nation's largest mega-church is in Houston. Lakewood Church meets in a refurbished sports area that can seat around 16,000.
If you ever listen to the pastor, Joel Osteen, you will find his messages have very little to do with God and religion. They are more about hope, understand, love and peach.
Lakewood Church has been described as "Jesus Light," or church for those who are undecided about religion.
Osteen is fabulously wealthy, and stays that way be being very ambivalent about most issues. Like the Sandy Hook massacre.

Osteen also appeared with his wife, Victoria, on the "Today" show to discuss the Newtown shootings. Host Matt Lauer asked Osteen whether he felt a responsibility, given the reach of his ministry, to take a stand on gun-control policy.

"No I really don't, Matt," Osteen said, "because political issues divide us."

http://www.chron.com/newtownshooting...up-4151901.php

[gabosaurus]

I prefer to attend a church where the pastor knows every regular member (about 300 or so) on a personal basis.
I doubt someone like Joel Osteen has ever met the vast majority of his congregation. Though he is known to socialize with the wealthier ones.

[aboutime]

A pastor who can spend the time to earn that kind of money outside the church is not going to have time for his congregation's needs. There are only so many hours in a week.

Abbey. I think you really hit on something there. REPLACE the word 'pastor' above with 'President', and it makes much more sense. Unless those many hours in the week are spent ON A GOLF COURSE...in Hawaii!

[KitchenKitten99]

The nation's largest mega-church is in Houston. Lakewood Church meets in a refurbished sports area that can seat around 16,000.
If you ever listen to the pastor, Joel Osteen, you will find his messages have very little to do with God and religion. They are more about hope, understand, love and peach.
Lakewood Church has been described as "Jesus Light," or church for those who are undecided about religion.
Osteen is fabulously wealthy, and stays that way be being very ambivalent about most issues. Like the Sandy Hook massacre.



http://www.chron.com/newtownshooting...up-4151901.php

I believe that Mac Hammond serves on the board of that church. It might be a different church he serves as a board on but the name rings a bell from an article I came across...

Honestly I really don't care about their material wealth and possessions. It's HOW they are obtaining them I see as immoral.

As far as Osteen's response to the Sandy Hook tragedy, I commend him for staying out of the political aspects and just doing what he SHOULD be doing. He has a far outreach, yes. But that outreach can be overstepped when interjecting into something you weren't asked to do. If one side or another wants his help and wants to utilize his resources, it is up to him to say ok. It is not conducive to be where he's not wanted and speak when no one wants to hear.

Kind of like a Hollywood celebrity refusing to comment on politics (regardless of their 'side') as well. Then again, most liberals look to Hollyweirdos as if they are preachers. Nevermind most of them make a living creating fiction.

[Robert A Whit]

A pastor who can spend the time to earn that kind of money outside the church is not going to have time for his congregation's needs. There are only so many hours in a week.

We have many Mormon Bishops who are very wealthy and they have plenty of time to attend to the needs of the church.

Being AT church need not consume as much time as to do it full time.

[Robert A Whit]

I prefer to attend a church where the pastor knows every regular member (about 300 or so) on a personal basis.
I doubt someone like Joel Osteen has ever met the vast majority of his congregation. Though he is known to socialize with the wealthier ones.

In our Mormon church, oru Bishop knows every person that attends that ward. And those who have money earned it at some job. Our Bishops get a lot of help from the members too.

[Abbey Marie]

We have many Mormon Bishops who are very wealthy and they have plenty of time to attend to the needs of the church.

Being AT church need not consume as much time as to do it full time.

Our pastor knows us, and will come to the hospital, etc., or just to pray with us, if we need him. Not to mention the time he spends on ministries. Pastors who work outside cannot just leave their jobs to do these things when they are needed. Especially the kind of jobs that produce lavish lifestyles.

I wouldn't think of staying at a church where I couldn't rely on our pastor to do such things when needed. But everyone is free to go where they like. At least for now.

[Robert A Whit]

Our pastor knows us, and will come to the hospital, etc., or just to pray with us, if we need him. Not to mention the time he spends on ministries. Pastors who work outside cannot just leave their jobs to do these things when they are needed. Especially the kind of jobs that produce lavish lifestyles.

I wouldn't think of staying at a church where I couldn't rely on our pastor to do such things when needed. But everyone is free to go where they like. At least for now.

Hospitals allow visits qute late in this area. Our Bishop also has plenty of help. Patients don't go ignored.

[gabosaurus]

There are many who attend church services to seek the word of God. Or to seek comfort in their time of need.
This is my main beef with churches who emphasize stewardship, or regular contributions. I have heard Mormon leaders state that you can be a good member without giving 10 percent of your income to the church. To be fair, other churches and religions state the same thing.

Gordon B. Hinckley, prior President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said: “Our major source of revenue is the ancient law of the tithe. Our people are expected to pay 10 percent of their income to move forward the work of the Church. The remarkable and wonderful thing is that they do it. Tithing is not so much a matter of dollars as it is a matter of faith. It becomes a privilege and an opportunity, not a burden.

[darin]

That's the part of your post that would worry me. So many of these megachurches have pastors who are doing wild sex orgies, sometimes homosexuality as we have read in the papers. If anything like that is going on, I would suggest not getting involved in such a church!!

I couldn't get past this logical fallacy to continue reading - what is 'so many'? If you can tell us what 'so many' equals, I'd like to know how you've done your research. Is 3 'so many'? 15?

What's your baseline? What's a "megachurch" and how many are there in the USA? In the world? What percentage do the things you describe?

[Robert A Whit]

There are many who attend church services to seek the word of God. Or to seek comfort in their time of need.
This is my main beef with churches who emphasize stewardship, or regular contributions. I have heard Mormon leaders state that you can be a good member without giving 10 percent of your income to the church. To be fair, other churches and religions state the same thing.

Any Mormon can be a good Mormon and not pay tithing. But the church does have a lock on you should you want to do work in the Temple. They also won't perform certain things for you if you won't tithe.

They do so much good with the money that at least it is not money spent to pay for leaders.
We don't pay leaders. We don't supply them with fancy homes or cars.

[Trinity]

Just a thought....why do you feel that you need to attend or belong to a church?