Mega Churches - Opinions?

I've been seeing more and more of these mega-churches pop up that have become super-capitalized with stores and restaurants inside them. The pastors are multi-millionaires and often live lives of extreme luxury. What do you all think about this? I have mixed feelings. Didn't Jesus go into the Temple and throw over the tables of all the merchants and people who were selling things inside the Temple? And what about "it is easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven"?

On the other hand, if these churches are bringing more people to Christ, maybe its a good thing. What do you think?

I think if everything is done in taste, that is fine. For example, if they have a cafe inside that is okay but not a steakhouse as many people cannot afford this. I personally have not been to such a church. Whatever the church decides to do, they should do so where everyone feels welcome. I am fine with a pastor living in a nice part of town but living in a larger than needed house/mansion seems excessive. The multi-millionaire pastors apparently make their money from book sales. I think they should be able to provide a comfortable lifestyle for their family and their future such as college education, retirement, etc. (if they do make such money outside the church through book sales, conferences, whatever) and should donate the rest. In those cases, they should not draw a salary from the church.

I think the problem with a lot of these mega churches that are popping up is that they are just another social club.
There is little to no spiritual fruit being produced, there is little to no spiritual growth.
maybe I'm wrong on that, as I don't know and have no way of knowing every person who attends one of these places or listens or is affected by them, but I say that as observation on a whole level.
As a whole- for the large size of these places there should be much more fruit being produced.

There is to much ear tickling going on in these places.
By that I mean that the gospel is being watered down- heck some of them aren't even using watered down gospel, but rather man made psychological words and catch phrases that make people "feel good" wrapped up in "Chrisitanese" terms. If the place is not stirring up conviction and causing repentance then R-U-N!!! And I don't just mean conviction and repentance for that 45ish minutes or so that the speaker is speaking either.

I am not a betting person, but sometimes there are things i'm willing to say "I bet" to; this is one of those times.
I bet if you took these smiling, super happy, make you feel good preachers out of the picture and replaced them with real preachers of the gospel- who will get up and preach with conviction, and preach repentance, preach without holding back about the burden removing, yolk destroying truth of the Word of God that within 2 weeks that congregation would be split in half, and that by the end of the month only a small handful would still be there.


A far as preachers and wealth goes....
I know of a few people who are ministers and who, by the worlds standards are super wealthy. But you would never know it by looking at them or there homes/cars/etc. They have it because they are blessed by the Lord. They are blessed and they know it, and they sow (give) it. They don't have to hold "megathons" to raise the money to help family Jones have a blessed holiday with food AND gifts for the kids. The entire community doesn't know about the backpacks that were packed and ready for the kids to go back to school with.

To many mega church and prosperity preachers get hung up on this verse:

Galatians 6:7
"..............for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

But let's look at the beginning of that verse BEFORE those words it says:
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked.

Then it goes on in verse 8:
For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

I agree, and thanks for sharing that Galatians verse, its very powerful.

My thinking is that only God knows their heart and if God wanted to He could take any of them out. I think an ideal example of a virtuous Pastor is one that earns his pay, has a paid off nice but not extravagant home, is growing business' to support the homeless, prisoners and opening churches in other countries where help is needed. That is one of my Pastors. Good question!

First of all I would say ----let God be the judge of the Mega Churches and the Pastors who have them ----each of us should be more concerned with what we do with our Money and Ministering to others -----

God I see in Scripture does not have a problem with His People having wealth Spiritual or material ---Job was a rich prosperous man Lost it all and God restored it all back to him by twice as much -----Abraham was a wealthy man ------as were many others of God's chosen people ------

Money and possessions Folks is not the problem ---it is what you do with God's money and His possessions -----you see we own nothing -----it is all God's were are just stewards of God's possessions --

So unless we ourselves know the personal background of the Pastors who are running these Mega Churches and know for sure they are just hoarding money for themselves and are not giving any of their financial resources to prosper God's Kingdom as they should be ---then we are just judging them on what we yourself see and want to think ---

God's Promise is --He will provide the resources needed to sow into His kingdom ----if one needs a plane to sow into God's Kingdom then GOD will provide the plane ------You can't out give God Folks -----

So our judgment of these people is wrong when God is the only one who knows their hearts and what He has provided for them to do His work for His kingdom ------

We need to be concerned of our own Pastors and if they are preaching the right doctrine to their Church --Many of our Pastors today are not Born Again and are Teaching and Preaching False doctrine to their Church sending them straight to their eternal death and are not concerned about it ------

It is so important for people to know the scriptures so they can tell if their Pastor is a False prophet or not -----so they can ---run Forest run --out of the Church ----

Great piece of Scripture here ==Jesus is teaching about money increase here -----he who does right with little gets much -----


Matthew 25:14-30 NIV

The Parable of the Bags of Gold

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.

15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more.

17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more.

18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.

20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?

27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags.

29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.

30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
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i say ------This scripture below again says God will Bless you abundantly in all things --having all you need -----

We don't know what resources these Mega Churches need ---but God does ----and He will deal with the the Pastors who are unrighteous in their deeds in their end ------we need to keep an eye on ourselves and make sure we are doing the right thing with what God has given us ------


8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 NIV

Generosity Encouraged
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

9 As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”[a]

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

I think mega churches are exactly what God wants except the corruption that seems to come with them. The mega churches God's property, as long as they still have faith in the Savior of humanity. If they side with corruption, they will pay a steep price. They must repent before it's too late. In time, with God's mercy and grace, they will reside in God's presence.

There's no need for mixed feelings. If they are violating the commandments of Christ, then they are failing as churches. Each church will give account, and each individual will give account.

I have been to stingy churches and generous churches...

The stingy churches actually do not encourage much giving while the mega churches actually are quite generous and generate a lot of income (though I do think some of it can come across to some as extortion)

as for pastor being a multi-millionaire I dont think so it would only be on paper he actually doesnt own any of it, he and his family would just be the stewards of it. I think God will judge on whether each church has been a good steward of what they have, and how spiritually enriched the lived are of those who belong.

as for stores many churches do operate op shops (they are given donations) though Ive never really seen them operate restaurants its more community meals where you go and meals are free.

Churches are not businesses though they still have to keep financial records and be accountable. Someimes pastors seem to adopt business practices but if they are only thinking of the bottom line they forget that the numbers are only that...they may be missing out on the fruit of lives changed etc and on,y judging on whether they are solvent. I think that property wise churches arent exempt from some things they still have to conform to rules and regulations handed out by the govt that determines what they are allowed to do.

One hs to be careful of wolves fleecing the flock and that is probably easier and more attractive for a wolf to fleece a mega church than a smaller church as they would gain more from it. If preaching for personal financial gain, it will become obvious that is really what they are about.

Mostly mega churches are places where prosperity preaching dwell. I say mostly because there are good megachurches as well but very few, for example the Korean mega church.

Imo, a small church is good you'll get to know your members like friends. When you guys plan for any Church activity it'll feel like a family event and you will have personal relationship with your pastor. That's a very important thing knowing your Pastor meeting his needs and he can help you with your spiritual life too. Above that things will be more transparent unlike in mega churches you have no idea where all the money is going (mostly to the pastor's packet).

Also you won't live a sunday Christian life if it's a small church because members do most church work instead of hiring someone. So you'll always have a connection with the church.

And the other question "are mega churches good if they bring more people into God?" A church is a good church if it not only bring souls to God but also guide those in the path of Christ. So like Jesus said you can find them with their fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Matthew 7:18 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.7.18.KJV

I'm definitely different. I see mega churches as opportunities for creating relationships and then corrupting them with the truth of the gospel. Which usually is several steps beyond what is normally taught in the small group bible studies. But it's all searchable and discoverable by them. They usually are just mis-directed about where to see the truth. And the truth is blatantly obvious too. Too logical to be so easily dismissed.

And on top of that I get the relationships with others that does all the damage of what a holy, God chasing lifestyle really looks like. And they either accept it or not. The truth is inconvenient often.

And it's amazing the subversive way it is infectious.
If it isn't for the relationships why bother going to church?

That's possible, but most people go to mega Church because of the prosperity preachings. It's like they have shut their ears for the truth of Christ and are not interested in the path of sanctification because they have to give up their sins. So they just go to a church that doesn't condemn them.

Oh I know for a fact that people go to listen to the sermons that tell them whatever it is that they want to hear.

It can be anything from rigid legalistic sermons to the "Christ is a buddy" who allows you whatever perversion you desire because it is all about you...just so long as you are financially supportive of this particular church.

I think the largest disparity is in South Africa where I seen literal modern cathedrals and absolutely exquisite architecture for the white people while the black church meets in a back store room of a shack that also serves as a black grocery store in the middle of a shanty town.


I've witnessed the open air churches of Honduras where anyone who can afford the microphone and amplifier with speakers is now able to LOUDLY broadcast his message to the whole town. Knowing that the real church in the town with walls and doors was built with drug money.

Then there's the more celebratory church in Brazil...
Those people like to celebrate. They always have skits and dancing during a worship service. Just on the edge of voodoo Christianity.
The pastors there teach the basics like "stay out of the whorehouses, stop getting drunk, feed your family and etc" obviously they have difficulties with biblical scholarship for a vast majority of them. Advanced theological discussions are going to be outside their reach.

Former Soviet Union countries?
Well the church on the town square is usually Catholic and exorbitantly ornate and guilded and painted.

I met an evangelical pastor who used to pray publicly during the picnic in the town square on May Day and then worry about it until February the following year. They have a REAL mistrust of Russians and strangers. They have classes for baptism that last two years before you can get baptized.

Then there's the Asian churches who rely upon the missionary's relationship with God and do not deviate from it however long ago that missionary came to Japan...or the Phillipines....or Malaysia... because "God lives in Time and a long portion of it with the same identical worship is needed to honor Him". So they think that changing an old Hymn popular in the 50's to be more upbeat is a really really bold thing. Singing the songs out of order is big doings as well. Bringing in a foreigner to take part in their service is ground shaking.

These are the "Mega Churches" that I've personally seen.
If you only have seen prosperity gospel churches... maybe you need to look a little more.

I did not say all mega churches are evil I said most. Also word mega church not just mean mass number of people gathering anywhere outside. It means that Joel olsteen style churches a big congregation with lot of amenities inside like a seperate community. I meant those Meoha churches and again I did not say all of them are bad.

Mega Churches are what they are. Usually they aren't much different than a regular church except that the pastor and Choir are better at creating a show than the smaller churches are.

And this can be from a number of variants that create the difference.

However, church pastors do NOT preach on difficult subjects because of the outrage that would come from it's membership.
Pastors have a political job...

The congregation doesn't want to hear about their corporate guilt anymore than the pastor wants to tell them the truth about giving.

They don't want to explore prophecy of the Old Testament... because uncomfortable truths come out.

They don't want to expose sin on a personal level...EVER. The congregation doesn't want to hear about how they are so extremely wealthy and can live on so much less or how they regularly live wasteful and luxurious lifestyles.

Pastors talk about whatever it is that the congregation wants to hear... nothing else. But I don't know many prostitutes that attend church on a regular basis. (Except in Vegas where the pastor married a showgirl)

So...it's an endemic situation. Most churches have severe issues lately. This pandemic has made it painfully obvious to anyone who knows the truth about attitudes.

The Bride of Christ is currently playing the Harlot like Hosea's wife Gomer. I don't think that God is pleased. We have become like Sampson just before that final haircut. I expect it to be on its way at any moment.

We why we in that sampson reference John ? I think we are living for Christ and we are not going behind any harlot like the world of fake Christian does. So we are safe.

The Bible tell of Jesus telling a wealthy individual to sell all that he has and give it to the poor and to follow Jesus. The individual couldn't give up his wealth, his worldly possessions which provided a false psychological safety net, to follow Jesus who created him. Jesus ran the commercialized profiteers out of the sanctuary and when Jesus returns He'll do the same to those that falsely claim to know Jesus. I must admit admiration for preachers that are voluntarily doing the work God has called them to do. I also like the larger churches that have a set salary for preacher of the that give denomination through the world. It doesn't matter the denomination or size of the church, its the heart of the individual that love Jesus that matter most.

If we all sought His guidance in where and how we are to worship and be in relationship, would mega churches exist? Or is this where the outward form only "christians" attend, a further separating of His sheep from the adversaries goats?

Jesus loved everyone without exception and if we could even love others 1% of what Jesus love us the world wouldn't need mega churches. There is a herd mentality within our world today in so many levels outside of the Christian churches, yet what concerns me most is the herd mentality within the churches. There is a psychological safety net of false comfort in large groups including the mega churches. Unfortunately, these larger than life mega church are similar to the herd of animals crossing the river in masses to avoid the crocks that want to eat them. The sad reality is in the end when we die, if Jesus doesn't return first, we die alone not in a mega church or a herd. We Should pray for those that are following the herd as they are being mislead if not in line with the Bible.