STUDY REPORTS ON TOP 100 LARGEST AND FASTEST-GROWING CHURCHES

Christian e-tailing ^ | May 3, 2004 | None named

[Quix]

Sounds like a pretty haughty perspective, to me.

[antceecee]

I really enjoy listening to Joel and I too am a Catholic. I take his message of bettering yourself and trying to eschew depression as embracing 'joy' in our lives. If you are to go out and help others it really doesn't hurt to heal yourself (don't be a whinny hand wringing negative complainer- sometimes to heal yourself you do have to distance yourself. I have experienced this on a personal level. Once I build up my strength, then I can help someone else). I never got the message from him that we shouldn't reach out to those less fortunate. I think he gives a positive motivational message and encourages everyone at the end of the program to get into a good Bible-based Church. I take this to mean he is a true believer in Christ.

[Quix]

i MUCH agree.

As a shrink, I know from personal as well as client experience, it is often very self-defeating to stay awash in people given to wholesale constant negativity

--while--

one is trying to crawl out of the same thing one's self.

It's akin to an alcoholic trying to be a teetotaler living in a bar.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

He is a very good speaker and is very much a motivational speaker.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Read the book "The Millionaire Next Door" and you'll find out just how uncommon a thousand dollar suit is for the average millionaire.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I agree. As a non-Christian I find Joel Osteen's serives to be fantastic. Nothing phoney about his services.

[Quix]

Christ's robe was a seamless robe.

Have YOU ever woven a seamless robe? It's VERY tricky. And it was the most expensive kind of that era.

[Quix]

I agree.

And he tells plenty of stories of his own failings and God's stern dealings with him.

[Ciexyz]

I listen to the local religious station (Channel 40, Cornerstone Broadcasting, Pittsburgh PA) and many of the preachers mentioned in this thread have shows that run on that channel. Their teaching messages are uplifting and have carried me thru some tough times over the past twenty years since I've been watching.

That said, I never send money to those individual ministries. Instead,I donate to my local church. For those of you who donate to the national ministries, thank you, I'm reaping the benefit of hearing the message.

[Patton@Bastogne]

.


R9ETB,


These "father-son" church dynasties are the worst sort. Many often have dirty little secrets buried in the past (like covering-up homosexual child abuse by church elders).


The Sins of the Sons far outweight their Fathers ... as silent co-conspirators in criminal activity ... and mega-financial fraud.


Did I suggest that you visit "Word of Faith Christian Fellowship" (or whatever they've changed their name to by 2004) ...



Patton@Bastogne



.

[Patton@Bastogne]

.


Quix,


These "father-son" church dynasties are the worst sort. Many often have dirty little secrets buried in the past (like covering-up homosexual child abuse by church elders).


The Sins of the Sons far outweight their Fathers ... as silent co-conspirators in criminal activity ... and mega-financial fraud.


Did I suggest that you visit "Word of Faith Christian Fellowship" (or whatever they've changed their name to by 2004) ...



Patton@Bastogne



.

[varina davis]

Many years ago I sat in the front row of the humble Billy Sunday Tabernacle in Winona Lake, Indiana, listening to the Rev. Billy Graham. The floor was sawdust covered and the pews were hard.

I've never heard a message so powerful before or since. AP reporters were on their knees in prayer before the amen.

I was a very young reporter at the time and am still moved just by the recollection of that great minister.

[Vicki]

My all time fave is Robert Tilton.

My favorite too, he's got to be the biggest phony. I can't believe people send him money.

[Quix]

Yes, there's an overabundance of that sort.

But I'm still not willing to castigate the good because of the bad.

And the good family ones can be very, very good. There was a 4 Square fellow in Eugene Oregon that was the son of the denominational head. I still can't remember their names. Both have passed on now. But the son was even better than the very honorable Dad. And the son left a whole string of churches in the Pacific NW which are solid, balanced, spiritual and led by humble, responsible and anointed pastors who preach the Word and live it. The son also probably ended up having as much or more influence for good on the whole denomination. And, they weren't into BUILDINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They tended to use abandoned warehouses.

[Quix]

I know it's a reasonable doctrine to give all one's tithes to the local church and one's offerings spread around.

I've come to the place that I rarely even give all my tithe to the local church. I give a big chunk to the local church--though a big % is still a pretty small sum these days!

But I also give probably an equal chunk to direct ministry to poor, needy, hungry for Christ types.

And, a much lesser amount to other ministries--probably now, most on the net.

[Semaphore Heathcliffe]

I saw that one night in a bar. Swear to God, I thought I was going to vomit from laughing so hard.

[Quix]

I don't think I've checked WORD OF FAITH CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP. Is that Hagin's outfit?

I think Hagin Jr could acquire a lot more humility

IF

he hasn't changed in the last 24 years.

[Quix]

And his integrity has always been and remains such that

if he's in a high rise with an elevator, and he's alone on the elevator, and a woman gets on, he'll get off at the floor the woman gets on at.

[daler]

Why, he's right here:

http://www.ernestangley.org/

[Semaphore Heathcliffe]

"The Millionaire Next Door"

Outstanding book.