A New Church in Houston
As usual the traditional media has a hard time with Christians and what we do. The New York Times is by no means an exception. John Leland writes an article on the largest congregation in America. Lakewood Church in Houston started in 1959. The writer points out at how church buildings are changing with the lack of traditional images. Joel Osteen, the pastor, is a telegenic and media savvy pastor.
In the article there are always mentions of money such as the $95 million dollar building in the old Compaq Center, where the Basketball’s Houston Rockets used to play. Mr. Leland correctly questions why the money was not used for the poor or other such items. To which he adds a quote that may be out of context, “"My philosophy," he said, "is that that $95 million will be nothing compared to what we'll do when we have 100,000 people." On the subject of tithing: “Church members said they had experienced small miracles as a result of attending Lakewood, and especially as a result of tithing, which Mr. Osteen tells them will bring even greater rewards.” On the other side Mr. Leland tells the reader that the main message is a positive philosophy of well-being and good health. The article focuses money, health and Christianity light.
On the flip side let’s be blunt. Everything from Lakewood and Lakewood people screams health and wealth gospel. People named and claimed items in the article. Friends, God is not a fairy godmother. I think it was Oswald Chambers who said, If we worship something other then the true GOD we are worshipping an idol. In this case if we are placing our faith in a characteristic that does not belong to God... we are idol worshippers.
Other Notes:
• An excellent book on the topic of Mega-Churches is Os Gusiness’s book Dining With The Devil.
• CNN had a similar story however they mentioned little on money other then an offering taken.
• Friends, Jesus is not going to ask how many people were in your congregation. Did you do the things he said to do? “Do you love your wife, with all you’ve got inside of you, are you laying down your life? What about the others, are you living as servant to your sisters and your brothers? Do you make the poor man beg for a bone? Do the widow and the orphan cry alone?” - Don Francisco, Steeple Song
• Best and saddest quote: "Did it feel like church?" he said. "Yes, in a bigger, more extravagant way. No more little storefronts - this is the new face of church."
In the article there are always mentions of money such as the $95 million dollar building in the old Compaq Center, where the Basketball’s Houston Rockets used to play. Mr. Leland correctly questions why the money was not used for the poor or other such items. To which he adds a quote that may be out of context, “"My philosophy," he said, "is that that $95 million will be nothing compared to what we'll do when we have 100,000 people." On the subject of tithing: “Church members said they had experienced small miracles as a result of attending Lakewood, and especially as a result of tithing, which Mr. Osteen tells them will bring even greater rewards.” On the other side Mr. Leland tells the reader that the main message is a positive philosophy of well-being and good health. The article focuses money, health and Christianity light.
On the flip side let’s be blunt. Everything from Lakewood and Lakewood people screams health and wealth gospel. People named and claimed items in the article. Friends, God is not a fairy godmother. I think it was Oswald Chambers who said, If we worship something other then the true GOD we are worshipping an idol. In this case if we are placing our faith in a characteristic that does not belong to God... we are idol worshippers.
Other Notes:
• An excellent book on the topic of Mega-Churches is Os Gusiness’s book Dining With The Devil.
• CNN had a similar story however they mentioned little on money other then an offering taken.
• Friends, Jesus is not going to ask how many people were in your congregation. Did you do the things he said to do? “Do you love your wife, with all you’ve got inside of you, are you laying down your life? What about the others, are you living as servant to your sisters and your brothers? Do you make the poor man beg for a bone? Do the widow and the orphan cry alone?” - Don Francisco, Steeple Song
• Best and saddest quote: "Did it feel like church?" he said. "Yes, in a bigger, more extravagant way. No more little storefronts - this is the new face of church."
posted by MacIke @ 7:23 PM
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