Posted on 10/05/2023 8:26:59 PM PDT by Morgana
For years, I’ve vociferously criticized the megachurch movement for its lack of concern for the gospel while morphing into venues more akin to circuses and entertainment hubs than houses of God. In fact, most of these megachurches are an appalling departure from the biblical duty of the church—to preach the Word, uphold the truths, and feed Christ’s sheep. Instead, it chooses to pacify the masses with watered-down messages and theatrical spectacles. In the words of the great Charles Spurgeon, “The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them.”
At Longhollow Church in Hendersonville, TN, we see a demonstration of exactly this attitude toward church—an entertainment session designed to make people comfortable by offering amenities akin to a stay at a luxury hotel in Las Vegas. Flailing around like a fairy in a kid’s movie, an employee gives us a tour of Longhollow, demonstrating the church’s obsession with comfort and relaxation:
“So this is like our kids area,” she says. “I’m gonna show you guys the theater, kind of dark in here right now because it’s the weekday. But like here’s the airplane and then the stage… have two other theaters for different grades.
“So on a Sunday morning, you would like drop your kids off here and then you get to go enjoy church So this is the main foyer,” she continued. Because, that’s what church is all about—dumping off your kids to some unqualified babysitter for a couple hours while you go “enjoy church.”
Watch the full clip below: VIDEO ON LINK
By 3rd or 4th grade a child should be in regular church services.
Most churches these days require background checks.
But I agree about being careful with kids.
Especially around priests.
When I was growing up a lot of Protestant churches had something called “Junior Church”. The age cut off varied from age 12 to even up to high school depending on the church.
Maybe this is what this church calls it now, “Children’s Church” or something like that, but I know we had it back in the 70’s and 80’s it was just not a theatre production.
My thoughts exactly.
I agree.
Like.......no.
I’m an old school 19th century cathedral church type guy. Had a friend once try to get me to go to a Megachurch. Very sterile and copped a cult vibe off it .
I attend a very small church in a conservative denomination. We have children’s church for kids from age 3 to 18. The kids are in the sanctuary with the adults for the praise and worship part of the service, then go to children’s church. Most of the adults attending are older, meaning when we were kids, there was no such thing. The kids are ministered to according to their age groups, but the Word is preached to them, they are taught about the Lord, and they benefit from the experience.
Yup! That was the time of 1986 to when I moved to Portland in 1994, at a megachurch (2000 folks at any of 3 services on Sunday and Wednesday evening), named Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle, Smithtown, NY.
It had all that was described in tthis article, including the term “ children’s church”, and with the attitude for the kids to be dropped off, so the adults could have a more fulfilling experience. They had folks tending A NURSERY, so that newborns could be cared for during service!!
All churches should have a toddler / infant care for under 3. Then hold sundays school classes for children and adults after worship and preaching service
....“So, like, on a Sunday morning, you would like drop your kids off here and then you like, ya know, like get to go enjoy, like, .....”
is this how the current generation speaks today...? my kids use “like” at least five times in every sentence...it is, like, ya know, sooooo annoying...
This kind of criticism is weak. To paint all mega churches with a broad brush like that is not honest. So we should not enjoy church? We are supposed to go in and grumble I have to go worship. There should be no joy? Seriously? Weak stuff.
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