The concept of a mega church is one that can be conceived in either one or two ways. You can say that a church with over 10,000 members is more like a place of business that has been built with questionable practices like preaching all about money and sowing seeds in order to purposely deceive the flock so the numbers will increase. Or, you can look at a mega church by maintaining that it is a church where God's blessings flow throughout; so from the pastor to the congregation there is obedience, sacrifice, and continued study of the true Word of God. Then God continues to multiply the mega church so people can be spiritually fed in large numbers. However you want to look at it is your own perception. Both mega church cases can be argued.
It is important to note that a mega church with over 10,000 is not a sin in and of itself. There are some very large mega churches in America who do preach God's Word in spirit and in truth. I have been to a few. As a matter of fact, I would personally like to recommend this mega church to you if you are ever near North Georgia. Then I will give an example of a mega church where they might as well have been watching a movie about "under-water basket weaving!"
The mega church that I recommend is called, "Free Chapel." It is headed by Senior Pastor Jentezen Franklin, located in Gainesville, Ga. Jentezen is a wonderful man of God, dedicated to serving his fellow man and always giving credit to Almighty God when referring to his calling in life. He teaches sound doctrine, with an emphasis on the importance of fasting. In my first experience at this mega church Free Chapel, my partner and I got there about 10 minutes early. We came through the parking lot of the mega church, and I noticed many police officers directing traffic and waving to the people. We got to the front door of the mega church, and I noticed that every single person who greeted us (male or female) had a huge smile on their face. IT WAS VERY COMFORTING DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS REALLY CHECKING THIS MEGA CHURCH OUT TO SEE IF IT WAS ONE OF THE LUKEWARM CHURCHES OF "THE LAST DAYS" THAT GOD WARNED US ABOUT IN REVELATIONS.
As we walked into the main mega church auditorium, I knew there was a strong presence of the Holy Spirit. The church is beautiful. However, when you pay attention to detail it is very evident that Jentezen did not want his mega church sanctuary to appear overly extravagant. As the mega church service began with praise and worship music, the entire place seemed "ALIVE." People were raising hands and singing. There was a representation from all tribes and nations. Black, white, short, tall, this mega church Free Chapel had it all. As I was singing, goosebumps overtook me and tears flowed down my face. I began praying in tongues, shouting at the top of my lungs in the mega church, and giving thanks to God for allowing me to attend such a special place. I loved being in the presence of the Lord so strongly. Jentezen's sermon was phenomenal. He talked about how we all come to a place called "THREE DAYS FROM NOWHERE" when our lives' have completely fallen apart and God in HIS infinite mercy lifts us back up. It was such a powerful word. When we left the mega church, smiles were everywhere. People went out of their way to make every mega church visitor feel like they were right at home. There was absolutely nothing about this mega church that seemed "artificial." It truly was a blessing from God.
Now my second experience with a mega church was quite the opposite from the first one. What a joke, and I mean that literally. The next mega church I attended was called: North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Ga. North Point mega church boasts of having well over 15,000 people. They put an emphasis on "GROUPS" and liken their mega church structure to a man's house complete with "The Kitchen," "The Dining Room" and one or two other "room" type areas. Odd, I know.
The mega church is headed by Senior Pastor Andy Stanley, the son of renowned author and leader of another mega church, First Baptist Church of Atlanta, Dr. Charles Stanley. Being affiliated with First Baptist, I thought North Point mega church was going to be an uplifting experience... BOY WAS I EVER WRONG ON THAT ONE. God uses the term "lukewarm" to describe the latter day churches as neither hot nor cold. In other words, when you attend a lukewarm church in the last days it will remind you of urine. Suffice it to say that this mega church was a little bit yellow.
When my partner and I got to the mega church, I noticed the parking lot was full of people who looked like they were hung-over. As we got to the front door of the mega church, we were greeted with obvious fake smiles and people looking at the ground... you know the deal. It was almost like everyone in this mega church who greeted you had something to hide. Eerie. When the music of the mega church service started, I felt a heavy feeling in my heart and my stomach began to ache. In my spirit I spoke to the Lord and asked, "What is going on in this mega church?" He whispered, "I am not there." As I gazed around the mega church auditorium, people stared into space like zombies. No one was singing. It was crazy. I saw maybe three people in this monstrous mega church building who were actually WORSHIPING GOD. Now, normally when I am in church I am almost jumping up and down with praise because I love the Lord so much!!! In this mega church... I JUST STAYED IN MY SEAT AND WATCHED IN UTTER AMAZEMENT.
When the sermon began, I almost walked out. This mega church clown Andy Stanley actually had the audacity to begin a new series of books and dvds (that are sold in the bookstore at the back of the church) on the importance of "BALANCE." In other words... balance of your FINANCES!!! Hello, are we not in a recession? Who the #@%@ wants to hear a mega church sermon about MONEY now? Then this guy gets up there and puts on a mega church comedy routine that would make Will Ferrell jealous!!! It was a joke alright!!! In these desperate times Andy, people NEED TO HEAR ABOUT JESUS!!! They need to understand WHY HE was made a living sacrifice for us, so they can make it through these troubled times with their sites on HEAVENLY THINGS!!! Just because you run a mega church in 2009, it does not mean you should be teaching such apostasy.
This mega church was an absolute disgrace. To think that over 15,000 (and growing) people a week go to this mega church to GET FED... makes me want to ask God to blow up the mega church building when no one is in it. IF YOU BELONG TO THIS MEGA CHURCH PEOPLE, GET OUT!!! Read about what the Bible says when it comes to the "lukewarm" churches of the last days. GOD SAYS THAT HE WILL LITERALLY SPIT THEM OUT OF HIS MOUTH!!! YOUR MEGA CHURCH IS GOING TO BE SPIT OUT OF HIS MOUTH!!!
Test the spirits my friends. If you are in a mega church where money takes presidence over JESUS CHRIST, and is all about social groups and mega church meetings, then you need to move on to another place.
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