It seems to me that we put too much emphasis on growth and not enough to fulfilling the mission of preaching the word, in season and out. If we preach the word, numbers will take care of themselves.
I actually heard that at my old church, when they were pushing their $90 million expansion.
I almost puked when the new auditorium opened. There was a water feature in the new foyer and escalators going up and down. Then inside, there were two HUGE hi def monitors. I felt I was at a sporting venue specifically for the Gold Coast of Chicago.
What put the knife in it for me, was when one of the pastors was to lead us in prayer, thanking GOD for the WONDERFUL auditorium HE gave us. I felt it was SOooooo phoney. I felt it was a "cathedral" to MAN'S accomplishments, not Gods.
IIRC I attended 2-3 more times before I left. The last time was when they had some special guest. They had easels up throughout, announcing this guys presence (and maybe lauding his book). They interviewed this guy for like 5 minutes and then encouraged everyone to get his book and have him autograph it in the bookstore. This guy had NOTHING to do with the message, he was just some pseudo celebrity, who was supposed to be a christian, to appease and wow the masses.
That's when I left, and never looked back, though I have many friends that still go there.
I've been to a smaller mega church a number of times, but can't get past the head pastor. He's got a radio show that goes coast to coast, which is fine. His preaching is good, if not REAL GOOD.
But TO ME he just exudes arrogance. They have created a mini denomination unto themselves.
More and more I feel the draw to go back to the church I grew up in. They have a new pastor, who has been there a year or 2, and every indication is he's a humble man, who doesn't take HIMSELF too seriously. I hear good things from there.
Right on, right on!
Exactly.