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I have a feeling that most of the people on this thread that are so quick to criticize "mega churches" have never attended one.

I do recall one strong message the pastor at our church (yes, it's over 2,000 members) was about the scripture on judging. I would never pretend to know what is in other peoples hearts and I really think they would be wise to do the same.

I have a feeling that most of the people on this thread that are so quick to criticize "mega churches" have never attended one.

I have - and have for a number of years. I know pablum when I see and hear it. I also know that Jesus said that the way would be narrow and few in it. Anytime everyone is flocking to something, we need to examine the RESULT. A true movement of God will be judged by HIM - and the product will be PURE. Don't give me the membership statistics - or number of "re-baptisms" - tell me about the restored marriages, the children who return, the righteous living in these so call "churches" and then we can talk about whether it is a movement of God.

I do recall one strong message the pastor at our church (yes, it's over 2,000 members) was about the scripture on judging.

The most common verse known by UN-believers is, "judge not lest thou be judged". Let us look at the context of that.

In Matthew 7:5 Jesus tells us the CORRECT way, "...first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye."

To say we are not to "judge" is unbiblical, and out of context. Instead we are told to judge with HIS judgment and standard, not our own. We are told to examine and know the fruit of ourselves, AND of others.

Matthew 7:13-16: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.

We are called to "fruit examiners" - examining our own, and others... If someone's pastor is teaching the tired old "don't judge" routine, then there is a distinct lack of biblical teaching. We need self-judging (1Corinithians 11) and we need to be testing those leaders out there to see if they are speaking truth or not. Here is what Paul says about people who did not simply follow the religious trend - but Scripture instead:

"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Acts 17:11

Untrue. I attended mega churches and had the pain of some horrid small groups. I was simply never fed anything but Hapeeeee Happpeeee! Everyone be Happeeeeee ( or God is mad at youuuuuuu!) and found that unrealistic and realy unhelpful during the inevitable trials and life events. God's Sovereign Will and an awareness of my fallibility and Sin with a clear explanation of scripture is so incredible and true accountability is present . How is this a bad thing?