Megachurches, Megabusinesses

Forbes.com ^ | September 17, 2003 | Luisa Kroll

[anncoulteriscool]

Christian Capitalism

Megachurches, Megabusinesses

Luisa Kroll, 09.17.03, 12:00 PM ET

Maybe churches aren't so different from corporations. World Changers Ministries, for instance, operates a music studio, publishing house, computer graphic design suite and owns its own record label. The Potter's House also has a record label as well as a daily talk show, a prison satellite network that broadcasts in 260 prisons and a twice-a-week Webcast. New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has a chief operating officer and a special effects 3-D Web site that offers videos-on-demand. It publishes a magazine and holds Cashflow 101 Game Nights. And Lakewood Church, which recently leased the Compaq Center, former home of the NBA's Houston Rockets, has a four-record deal and spends $12 million annually on television airtime.

Welcome to the megabusiness of megachurches, where pastors often act as chief executives and use business tactics to grow their congregations. This entrepreneurial approach has contributed to the explosive growth of megachurches--defined as non-Catholic churches with at least 2,000 members--in the U.S. Indeed, Lakewood, New Birth, The Potter's House and World Changers, four of the biggest, have all experienced membership gains of late. Of course, growth for them has a higher purpose: to spread their faith to as many people as they can. "In our society growth equals success," says Scott Thumma, faculty associate at the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. "And religious growth not only equals success but also God's blessing on the ministry."

In 1970, there were just ten such churches, according to John Vaughn, founder of Church Growth Today, which tracks megachurches. In 1990, 250 fit that description. Today, there are 740. The most common trait that these churches share is their size; average number of worshippers is 3,646, up 4% from last year, according to Vaughn. But they also demonstrate business savvy, with many holding conferences (47%) and using radio (44%) and television (38%), according to a 1999 survey conducted by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. The average net income of megachurches was estimated at $4.8 million by that same survey.

Churches are exempt from income taxes. But in some cases they do pay an unrelated business income tax on activities not substantially related to the church's religious, educational or charitable purposes. (Churches do pay payroll, sales and, often, property taxes.)

Church Attendance* City, State Pastor

Lakewood Church 25,060 Houston, Tx Joel Osteen

World Changers 23,093 College Park, Ga. Rev. Creflo Dollar

Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa 20,000 Santa Ana, Calif. Pastor Chuck Smith

The Potter's House 18,500 Dallas, Tex. Bishop T.D. Jakes

Second Baptist Church 18,000 Houston, Tex. Dr. H. Edwin Young

Southeast Christian Church 17,863 Louisville, Ky. Bob Russell

First Assembly of God 17,532 Phoenix, Ariz. Dr. Tommy J. Barnett

Willow Creek Community Church 17,115 S. Barrington, Ill. Bill Hybels

Calvary Chapel of Ft. Lauderdale 17,000 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Pastor Bob Coy

Saddleback Valley Community Church 15,030 Lake Forest, Calif. Dr. Rick Warren

*Catholic churches are not tracked for this study. This is all 2003 attendance data and represents total weekend attendance for each congregation. Source: Dr. John N. Vaughan, Church Growth Today

Technology also plays a large role in helping these giant churches communicate with members and keep track of them. Many provide a transcript of the weekly sermons and an events calendar on the Web site as well as sell products, such as books and CDs. They also allow members to post prayers and donate online. Almost all (99%) have Web sites. "Cell phones, e-mail, complex phone systems and the Internet all enhance the way megachurches work," says Thumma, faculty associate at the Hartford Institute.

Helping churches grow is a business in itself. There is even a publicly traded company, Kingdom Ventures (otc: KDMV - news - people ), whose sole mission is to help faith-based organizations get bigger. In its latest 10Q, the company did disclose that it's received a subpoena from the Securities And Exchange Commission relating to its stock and transactions. Founded in 1999, the tiny company operates 12 subsidiaries and claims to work with 10,000 churches on everything from fundraising to event planning (it provides speakers and artists for events) to upgrading technology by helping sell new audio and visual equipment and sound systems. "One of the reasons megachurches are as big as they are is because they use the technology of today," says Kingdom Chief Executive Gene Jackson, "We can help smaller churches become big with technology."

If that doesn't help, they may steer folks to a new book they are about to publish: PastorPreneur, which is hitting Christian book stores this month. The book teaches pastors to think like entrepreneurs; for instance, encouraging them to set up strategic partnerships with nonchurch groups and to use event marketing to draw in new members.

For a lesson in marketing, religious leaders would do well to study the success of Bill Hybels and his Great Barrington, Ill.-based Willow Creek Community Church. In 1975, he and members of his student ministry went door to door asking residents what kept them away from church. Hybels then crafted his services to address their concerns, becoming one of the first pastors to use video, drama and contemporary music in church and encouraging a more casual dress code. "Hybels really showed that churches can use marketing principles and still be authentic," says Michael Emerson, a Rice University sociology professor who has studied megachurches. Willow Creek, which has a staff of 500 full and part-time employees, is renowned for its conferences and seminars that teach other churches how to market themselves as well as for its "buzz" events, featuring well-known personalities such as country singer Randy Travis, NASCAR Champion owner and former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs and Lisa Beamer, widow of Sept. 11, 2001, hero Todd Beamer--all intended to attract nonchurch goers.

Media has helped spread the message, particularly for Lakewood Church, the largest megachurch in the U.S. In 1981, Joel Osteen, son of then-pastor Joe Osteen, quit college to set up his father's television ministry. The services eventually aired in 140 countries. He also advertised Lakewood on local television and on billboards throughout Houston where the church is located. After his father passed away in 1999, Osteen became pastor and expanded the church's media strategy.

Like most churches, Lakewood's broadcasts had been relegated to the very early Sunday morning shows. Lakewood instead decided to target the top 25 markets in the nation and negotiate for timeslots on the four top networks between 8 A.M. and 10 A.M., rather than working with just one network. It also agreed to increase its budget for airtime to $12 million from $6 million. Its program now can be seen in 92% of the nation's households.

Never satisfied, the church analyzes its media strategy each quarter.

As for the services themselves, Lakewood makes sure to put on a grand show. It has a 12-piece stage band, a lighting designer to set the mood and three large projection screens. The technology will be even more spectacular when it moves into its new home in the former Houston Rockets' stadium "We really want it to feel like a concert," says Duncan Dodds, Lakewood's executive director. Something is working: Church attendance has grown from 6,000 in 1999 when Osteen became pastor to 25,060 today.

Pastor Rick Warren, who founded Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., in 1980, has deftly used technology as well as marketing to spread his message. His Pastors.com, which reaches 100,000 pastors worldwide each week, has e-mail forums, archives of all of his sermons from the past 22 years and a place to post prayer requests. He also sends a free weekly newsletter, Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox, to pastors. When it came time to launch his book, The Purpose Driven Life, last year, Warren used Pastors.com to invite churches to participate in a "40 Days of Purpose" event (to correspond with the book's 40 chapters). The 40-day-long event attracted 1,562 churches and was kicked off with a simulcast broadcast to all those churches. Some 267 radio stations ran a "40 days campaign" during the same time period. And a CD of "Songs for a Purpose Driven Life" featuring well-known Christian artists was also released. From the start, the books and CDs were distributed in mass-market retailers such as Wal-Mart (nyse: WMT - news - people ), Costco Wholesale (nasdaq: COST - news - people ), Barnes & Noble (nyse: BKS - news - people ) and Borders Group (nyse: BGP - news - people ). It quickly became a New York Times bestseller and has already sold 5.8 million copies, outselling Billy Graham and making it one of the most successful book promotions in Christian publishing history.

No doubt, churches have learned some valuable lessons from corporations. Now maybe they can teach businesses a thing or two. Companies would certainly appreciate having the armies of nonpaid, loyal volunteers. "The business world would love to have that kind of fellowship," says Vaughn.

[Dahlseide]

As an ex-Lutheran, baptised & confirmed in the old ELC (Norwegian), who loves, & now reads, Martin Luther I belatedly realized that God chose me. Then I read Bondage of the Will at the recommendation of my pastor, ex-Missouri Synod, and realized that Luther believed the same.

As a child I learned in the ELC that I was by nature sinful & unclean. Glory to God my salvation, & concommitant assurance therof, could be by no other means.

[ppaul]

"We really want it to feel like a concert," says Duncan Dodds, Lakewood's executive director.

Really?
Have a bunch of folks smoke joints to round out the feeling!

[ppaul]

Benny Hinn recently held a church service at Lakewood for $75 a pop.

Here's a classic for you.....

Click on the pic:

[cherry]

I'm Catholic, and Joel Osteen just mesmerizes me....

great ability to hold your attention.....

[sangoo]

"We really want it to feel like a concert," says Duncan Dodds, Lakewood's executive director. Really? Have a bunch of folks smoke joints to round out the feeling!

No kidding. If you want to make it really "seeker sensitive" why not put in a bar?

[Just another Joe]

I agree with all you have said. BUT... we each must make the decision to accept Christ into our hearts. G*d has allowed us that decision.
It's not about how much is spent, it's about how many people we can reach. True, once we accept Christ, we have his grace. What about others?
If we do not preach his word and allow others to hear it, and make their own decision to accept Christ's blessing, we are not much of a servant to G*d.
What good is a boatload of crucifixes if no one ever sees them?

I don't, "hang my salvation hat" on the fact that the cost of the pageant doesn't come out of the church budget, I, "hang my salvation hat", on the fact that I have accepted Christ's sacrifice for me and have asked him to forgive my sins.
Our pageant is one way to spread the word of G*d to many that, otherwise, might not hear it.

You seem to have the mistaken idea that I beleive that works will get me into heaven. This is not so. My acceptance of Christ gets me into heaven.
The works are but a miniscule portion of what I owe G*d for his sacrifice for me. That can never be repaid but it doesn't mean that we shouldn't toil for Christ in the spiritual fields.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**Smith's Calvary Chapel are reaching people without watering down the gospel. In fact, I would say "especially" the Calvary Chapels. **

Amen to that. www.calvarychapel.com

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**I think Dr. Luther would condemn what is going on in "evangelical" Christianity today, as would Jesus. Why? Perhaps for several reasons. One reason is that much of what passes for Christian today emphasises the Law and minimises the gospel. **

Calvary Chapel would not fall into that category.

[jettester]

The reason these churches are growing is that they are fundamentalist, with sound Christocentric doctrine. The churches that have elected to soften the doctine are dying off.

I would add that there are some churches that are dying off because they are more concerned with taking care of themselves (inward looking) then reaching the world (outward looking). People who are seeking God, because He is "knocking at their doors," know the difference between churches that stand more for their traditions then on the need to share the gospel.

[Liberal Classic]

Thanks for the link. "Throwing the anointing?" I was taught in Sunday school that as Christians the Lord takes up residence in our hearts, and in this way we are consecrated or anointed. How can anointing be thrown if it's something all believers have? Thanks, ppaul, I smell a rat.

[Jack Armstrong]

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV ?
Dialing For Dollars is trying to find me.
I wait for delivery each day until three,
So oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV ?

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town ?
I'm counting on you, Lord, please don't let me down.
Prove that you love me and buy the next round,
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town ?

Everybody!
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends,
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

---

If Benny Hinn can wear a Rolex why didn't Saint Paul?
Well some would tell you Benny has more faith than Paul !
It's all about the BUCKS, not faith! It has nothing to do with getting the true message of New Spiritual Life in Jesus.
If it looks like the world - and it tastes like the world -and walks like the world - and talks like the world - then guess what. . .IT IS THE WORLD!!!!
Every promise made to the church of Christ Jesus in the new testament is a spirituasl promise. Every promise made to Abraham's seed was a materialistic (carnal)promise.
There fore I choose to hold to the promise of the Lord Jesus, my sight is set on eternal blessings not worldly "PROSPERITY BLESSINGS" offered to me by shallow TV evangelists on TBN. When you begin to understand what He sacrificed at calvary to bring that Eternal Life to all men you will seek to know Him. God pity those thousands of poor saps who sits in those gloriously carnal Crystal churches on Sunday and allow a man behind the pulpit to "tell" them how & what to believe. I would not trust my soul to a million dollar preacher with an Armani suit and a Rolex! Just try to find one of those "sheep" who can explain what happened in the garden. See if you can find one member of those Megachurches who can tell you why Jesus was the second Adam!

[Uri’el-2012]

See if there is a thread.

Much discernment is needed when reviewing these churches.

See Neo-Montanism

Tehillim (Psalm) 119:105 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

a bondslave to the Christ
chuck

[Jack Armstrong]

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV ?
Dialing For Dollars is trying to find me.
I wait for delivery each day until three,
So oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV ?

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town ?
I'm counting on you, Lord, please don't let me down.
Prove that you love me and buy the next round,
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town ?

Everybody!
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends,
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

---

If Benny Hinn can wear a Rolex why didn't Saint Paul?
Well some would tell you Benny has more faith than Paul !
It's all about the BUCKS, not faith! It has nothing to do with getting the true message of New Spiritual Life in Jesus.
If it looks like the world - and it tastes like the world -and walks like the world - and talks like the world - then guess what. . .IT IS THE WORLD!!!!
Every promise made to the church of Christ Jesus in the new testament is a spirituasl promise. Every promise made to Abraham's seed was a materialistic (carnal)promise.
There fore I choose to hold to the promise of the Lord Jesus, my sight is set on eternal blessings not worldly "PROSPERITY BLESSINGS" offered to me by shallow TV evangelists on TBN. When you begin to understand what He sacrificed at calvary to bring that Eternal Life to all men you will seek to know Him. God pity those thousands of poor saps who sits in those gloriously carnal Crystal churches on Sunday and allow a man behind the pulpit to "tell" them how & what to believe. I would not trust my soul to a million dollar preacher with an Armani suit and a Rolex! Just try to find one of those "sheep" who can explain what happened in the garden. See if you can find one member of those Megachurches who can tell you why Jesus was the second Adam!

[Zack Nguyen]

Interesting point - you may be right. Certainly I would prefer to think of it in your context.

[Zack Nguyen]

Very good point. You may be right.

[Zack Nguyen]

Except for the Word of faith movement - I think that is bad.

[Zack Nguyen]

Has anyone been or know someone who has been to one of Hinn's "healing crusades?"

I've watched quite a bit of Hinn, and I think he's a carnival barker. I listen to a lot of Hank Hanagraaf, and frankly Hinn tecahes a lot of crazy stuff. If it were me, I wouldn't bother going.

[safisoft]

God's Law is not doable, in that you would have to be perfect.

Please quote Scripture for such a statement. Please explain WHY within what you call "God's Law" there is PROVISION for forgiveness of sin if it required perfection in keeping? This is such a common misconception by Antinomians that I continue to be baffled by.

"For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?' Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it." Deuteronomy 30:11-14

"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1John 5:1-4

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:17-20

"Now behold, one came and said to Him, 'Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?' So He said to him, 'Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.'" Matthew 19:16-17

Was Jesus trying to TRICK him? (no!) Now, don't give me the tired old line about Jesus being perfect so that I don't HAVE to be. He called us to be like Him (OBEDIENT to "God's Law") - and made provision for when we aren't.

"I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." Ezekiel 36:26-28

"Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah - not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Jeremiah 31:31-34

God's grace redeems a man or woman - and then His Holy Spirit writes His "Law" on their hearts - and they walk in obedience to Him in love.

"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." John 14:21

[Lexinom]

...I, "hang my salvation hat", on the fact that I...

Friend,

Consider the basis of your hope. Hang your hope on the fact that Jesus... Please, for your own soul's sake...

Nothing in my hands I bring
Simply to thy cross I cling

[Lexinom]

Please quote Scripture for such a statement. Please explain WHY within what you call "God's Law" there is PROVISION for forgiveness of sin if it required perfection in keeping? This is such a common misconception by Antinomians that I continue to be baffled by. "Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the law, to do them." (Deut 27:26)