Free Republic

People were walking toward the impressive auditorium from every direction. I got the impression of a crowd going to a sporting event. Almost every person was dressed as if they were. Out of thousands of people, I saw one man wearing a suit; most people were in shorts so I saw lots of leg. It was a very causal event. I did see five or six women carrying what seemed to be Bibles, although surely not a KJV! But then, I’m making an unsupported judgment. Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL is having an incredible impact on “evangelical”...

The bookstore of the nation's largest megachurch was named the Church Bookstore of the Year. Located inside best-selling author Joel Osteen's megachurch in Houston, Texas, Lakewood Church Bookstore was honored for outstanding contributions in the development of Christian retail in the local church at the annual Gathering of Church Bookstores this past weekend. Covering 9,960 square feet, the bookstore features 2,000 titles along with Bibles, gifts, jewelry, cards, toys and music and Joel Osteen Ministries products. A large-screen television broadcasts videos of Osteen's sermons and at the edge of the store is a giant aquarium next to 12 cushioned bamboo...