[Alex Murphy]

Considering that many of these churches do not have formal "membership" rolls, but instead base their growth on simple attendance, one has to wonder if "growth" is actually occuring.

[JamesP81]

Might be worth a baptist ping.

[JamesP81]

I shouldn't criticize, but I've never been overly fond of the 'megachurch' phenomenon or, frankly, some of the teaching that comes out of them. It almost has the feel of some kind of a fashion fad, except for theology instead of clothes. Maybe I'm off base here, it's just how I see it. There's too much emphasis on this corporate style church leadership, and I don't know how good that is for a church in general. I also don't care for the fact that I can go to a lot of these smaller churches modeled on churches like Lakewood and hear teaching from a myriad of books, most of which aren't necessarily bad books, moreso sometimes than I hear it from the Bible.

One of the things I love about my church is that when my pastor preaches, he preaches from the Word, 100% of the time.

[Calm_Cool_and_Elected]

I've watched Osteen a few times and I've likened it to listening to self-help, motivational speakers. Most of my friends who also subscribe to the "Gospel of Oprah" are regular Osteen watchers.

CC&E

[Dog Gone]

Considering that many of these churches do not have formal "membership" rolls, but instead base their growth on simple attendance, one has to wonder if "growth" is actually occuring.

I think attendance is probably a better measurement than membership rolls. Churches are very reluctant to remove you from membership, even if they haven't seen you in ten years.

[dangus]

Mine gained 1.8 million. :^D (*snark*)

[AZhardliner]

Park Cities, as a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)has strong membership requirements so their numbers are accurate, not inflated.

[Vision]

Osteen is on the Discovery Channel for a half hour Sunday morning. It's a good message. I bet this article is accurate.

[MayflowerMadam]

The mega churches are worse than circuses. Worse.

[Larry Lucido]

Just think, Alex, if we ever go to a theonomy, Lakewood will be electing our representatives, Osteen will be president and criticism of his teachings will be blasphemy. Sure you don't wanna just be happy with a more-or-less laissez-faire constitutional republic? :-)

[aomagrat]

In 2005, Lakewood, led by Joel Osteen, gained a total of 12,000 members.

He doesn't have a congregation, he has an audience.

[marshmallow]

Ah yes.....the "numbers game".

Unfortunately, "growth" in the spiritual life is not measured by butts on seats. It's measured by the fruit which the Word produces in the daily lives of its listeners.

The true Gospel is spread in obscurity one person at a time, away from the glare of TV lights and instigated by example.