Posted on 02/21/2006 2:17:28 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
THE head of the World Council of Churches has expressed concern about the spread of megachurches around the world, such as Hillsong in Sydney, saying they could lead to a Christianity that is "two miles long and one inch deep".
The WCC General Secretary Samuel Kobia said megachurches - huge Protestant churches with charismatic pastors, lively music and other services - mostly ran on a business model to make worshippers feel good and were shallow in their theology.
Megachurches, which pack in thousands for rousing Sunday worship services, are popular in suburbs in the United States. Most are evangelical or Pentecostal, with few or no ties to mainline churches such as the Lutherans or Episcopalians.
Mr Kobia said the megachurch movement, which is not represented in the mostly mainline Protestant or Orthodox World Council of Churches, broke down borders among denominations with a populist message.
"It has no depth, in most cases, theologically speaking, and has no appeal for any commitment," the Kenyan Methodist said at the WCC world assembly in this Brazilian city.
The megachurches simply wanted individuals to feel good about themselves, he said.
"It's a church being organised on corporate logic. That can be quite dangerous if we are not very careful, because this may become a Christianity which I describe as 'two miles long and one inch deep'."
Reverend Geoff Tunnicliffe, international director of the 400 million member World Evangelical Alliance, said at the assembly that "historical and deeply-felt issues" separated them from other branches of Christianity.
The largest US megachurches attract some 20,000 worshippers every Sunday. Abroad, megachurches have also sprouted up in Australia, South Korea, Britain, Canada, and other countries.
According to a report by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, there were 1210 US churches drawing more than 2000 worshipers, the official minimum for a megachurch. That was double the number in 2000.
The WCC groups nearly 350 Protestant and Orthodox churches that mostly broke away from the Roman Catholic Church in the Great Schism of 1054 or in the 16th century Reformation.
Talk about your pot and kettle. The WCC and NCC are both about as shallow in terms of theology and deep in terms of socialism as you can get.
Even the much-maligned "gospel of wealth" megachurches in the black community (like the one that hosted Mrs. King's funeral) require more commitment from their members than the typical mainline churches do. In particular, I learned from my students, they expect young people to get their sex lives in order--to aim for a serious, lifelong marriage--and to care for their children. The parishioners don't always succeed at it, but at least they know that it is expected. Meanwhile, the Episcopal Church is in the business of blessing drunken orgies.
Sounds like a compliment to "megachurches" to me.
And how right they are. Indeed, these habits will lead to more prosperity in life - not necessarily wealth - I mean prosperity in the sense of security and having rational needs. Gambling, drinking etc are the fruits of disordered homes.
"Meanwhile, the Episcopal Church is in the business of blessing drunken orgies."
As an Episcopalian, I think that's a terrible way to describe Sunday brunch after the service.
This just makes me think "megachurches," on which I otherwise have no opinion, are a great thing!
Possible Soros ping. He has certainly financed this bunch a time or two.
Having good friends who have not yet left the Episcopal Church, I was trying to be charitable.
The most obvious glaring ommission IS;
"A church one inch long and 2 miles deep"..
I think Sam is in deep denial.. as head of one of a long held and known Commie front groups,, WCoC.. Churchs walking in front of the Holy Eighteen Wheeler are ROAD KILL.. and others been dead so long they stink.. Sam is Sooo two dimensional..
Reminds me of the "encounter" with a "pastor" of one such "flock" in central Florida. The "church" got a few acres in our rural area and is putting up a HUGE CONCRETE MONSTROSITY TOTALLY out of character with all other COMMERCIAL structures in the area which have taken care to retain a "Country Look".
The "pastor" when approached concerning his plans for his COMMERCIAL AUDITORIUM POSING AS A "CHURCH" and asked whether he could conform with the character of buildings in the area replied... "IF YOU CAUSE US ANY PROBLEMS WE WILL SUE YOUR ASSES INTO BANKRUPTCY!!!
Personally, I hope that his venture is swallowed up by a sinkhole as an act of God!!!
Busy little beaver isn't he?
Purpose Driven ping
It's probably just me, but I don't think that the actual church really determines a person's faith or lack thereof.
It's between that person and God. It doesn't matter which church they attend to hear The Word.
In other news, Water is all wet, as is the WCC.
The 'megachurches' here, draw in huge crowds each weekend. The honest priest with Christ's message, is shunned. God bless this holy man!
You mean as an Episcopalian we get 72 virgins? I missed that email.
Surely, these jokers don't tell people they're going to heaven irrespective of what they've done in their lives?
MEGACHURCH -- That's WorshipTainment!
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