Lakewood megachurch.....

[anp1215]

Man that place is big. I went there a couple of years ago and seeing it on TV is not the same. When you walk in, it is truly jaw dropping.

I do think that Joel preaches a watered down Gospel, but I’m sure a lot of the people there probably would not go to a smaller, more orthodox church. In their case, I’m glad they’re going to his church rather than no church at all. I also believe there are a lot of sincere Christians that attend as well.

I guess I don’t have as huge a problem with him as some do. The fact is, there are probably thousands of churches in the world that preach the same type of sermon, he is just the poster child because his church is so large.

 

[Aeolian]

FWIW, Osteen is the single largest donor to Lakewood. He gets the money from his book sales…

 

[wisdomseeker]

Hello there… I was thiking/wondering… why do so many people go to those mega-churches-like Joel Osteen’s church is Houston, Texas??? What’s the attraction to those mega-churches? Becasue he never even seems to talk about Jesus or the cross!!!

I mean, those mega-churches seem to be more about God and country and not about the Holy Trinity… you know what I mean?

Because it makes them look cool!

 

[JustaServant]

As Catholics, we are part of the biggest Mega-Church on earth–besides faithful “members”–every baptized Christian is also connected to our fellowship–whether they recognize it or not.

I grow weary of Catholics refering to the Church of their birth using modern, faddish, vocabulary.
The Catholic Church historically and in its worship practices can never, repeat never, be described as ‘megachurch’. To do so ignores both history and the purpose of worship in the Church.
Its like referring to the Priest and the altar boys/girls as a ‘worship team’.
Let the evangelicals use thier fading vocabulary, Catholics need to be above that.

 

[wisdomseeker]

I grow weary of Catholics refering to the Church of their birth using modern, faddish, vocabulary.
The Catholic Church historically and in its worship practices can never, repeat never, be described as ‘megachurch’. To do so ignores both history and the purpose of worship in the Church.
Its like referring to the Priest and the altar boys/girls as a ‘worship team’.
Let the evangelicals use thier fading vocabulary, Catholics need to be above that.

comparing the CC with any other religious is a bad thing to do. the CC cannot be compared to any. We must regard this Church in very high standard because she belongs to God.

 

[Aeolian]

You’ll notice that not one person really dung-deep and explained why people attend places like Lakewood. I think one reason for this is that most Catholics (both clergy and lay) don’t know and that’s a problem.

 

[JustaServant]

You’ll notice that not one person really dung-deep and explained why people attend places like Lakewood. I think one reason for this is that most Catholics (both clergy and lay) don’t know and that’s a problem.

You gotta be kidding. This subject has been beaten into horsemeat.
The attraction for MCs is entertainment, plain and simple.
It’s the music that drives these churches. It has nothing to do with the preacher. In a regular church Joel Osteen would need a congregation filled with caffeine. Every MC I used to come into contact with had rather dull preachers. Because its the music that brings the people in.
Years ago I talked to one of these poor pastors. He complained that he spent years in Bible college only to wind up a booking agent for the hottest acts in town.

 

[LilHomemaker]

Hello there… I was thiking/wondering… why do so many people go to those mega-churches-like Joel Osteen’s church is Houston, Texas??? What’s the attraction to those mega-churches? Becasue he never even seems to talk about Jesus or the cross!!!

I mean, those mega-churches seem to be more about God and country and not about the Holy Trinity… you know what I mean?

Several ideas I can come up with are that alot of Catholics do not know their faith and so do not feel that watching or attending these type of churches are wrong. Problem is Joel Osteen is nothing but a feel-good speaker. I listened to him in the past when protestant. He doesn’t like to focus on sin but on “Biblical power of love and a positive attitude.” (wikepedia) Not that the Bible and the power of love and a positive attitude are bad things but IMHO when taken out of context or separated from the truth of the Catholic church, they do a lot of harm.

It is deceiving. He more than likely doesn’t preach about sin, hardship or troubles because he doesn’t know how and he wouldn’t attract the people if if he did.

Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. 5But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship;

It is like empty calories, junk food. People following after another a human being instead of God. When the speaker is gone, there is nothing left. Shallow. Unfortunately a lot of Catholics and mainline protestants are being led there, like sheep to shearer.

One last thing. He is good looking, has a nice smile and finds it easy to speak. If someone who was not so good looking, not so nice a smile and had difficult time speaking in front of people and stumbled over his words stood up there with the truth unfortunately would not be listened to as well. Appearance and a silver tongue draw people.

 

[LilHomemaker]

You gotta be kidding. This subject has been beaten into horsemeat.

Not to be insulting but the subject is not beaten to death for some. It is new to some. I think it is a topic that should stay open and acted on, in hopes of keeping more Catholics from leaving and following the false preachers.

 

[JustaServant]

Not to be insulting but the subject is not beaten to death for some. It is new to some. I think it is a topic that should stay open and acted on, in hopes of keeping more Catholics from leaving and following the false preachers.

Why do they leave the Catholic Church and go to MCs?
The lighshow, the sound system, talented musical groups…oh and some motivational speaker designed to turn the ‘service’ into a pep rally.
Entertainment sells, always has.

 

[Silent_Bob]

We live in a time (in the United States at least) where the average church member cannot name three of the original 12 disciples or have even the least understanding of theology even if raised their whole life in church. People want to be entertained and/or to be part of something big. We have a celebrity mindset and once a pastor or preacher is viewed as a celebrity people will drive for miles to be part of such. If I were young and single I may have considered going to a huge church for opportunities to meet potential dates! Unfortunately the desire to learn good theology tends to be far down the list for most persons who attend church (or even mass) and the mega churches will continue to attract millions in our country. Some good things may be accomplished but eventually most people will hopefully ask “Where’s the beef?” and begin to seek out other sources of spiritual help. I for one would much prefer a house church to a large church that refuses to teach sound doctrine. I sometimes wonder what difference it would make in the lives of most churches if God was never present. The show could still go on!

 

[LilHomemaker]

Why do they leave the Catholic Church and go to MCs?
The lighshow, the sound system, talented musical groups…oh and some motivational speaker designed to turn the ‘service’ into a pep rally.
Entertainment sells, always has.

I understand what you are saying and I agree but I also feel that their lack of knowledge of the Catholic faith is also a major reason because if they knew who was in the Eucharist they wouldn’t leave. So many Catholics have no clue of what the Catholic church is or who is there in the Eucharist.

Another reason is “sola scriptura.”
This popular phrase is drawing so much attention and attracting people who want a feel good, prosperity theology, “This is my Bible. I am what is says I am. I can have what it says I can have and I can do what it says I can do.” Fallen away Catholics are coming to believe that the Bible is final authority, not the Church, so they believe they need to find someone who will explain scripture to them. They are being led astray by false theology.

It’s not just about the music. I once heard on The Journey Home that a large majority of these churches are filled with fallen away Catholics. We need to be praying for these people and trying to prevent others from leaving by telling them about the true faith.

 

[CatholicZ09]

Mostly because that type of church is a “feel good” “tell me what I want to hear” type of church. It’s a bad message to send because we should not go to church just to “feel good” because that’s now what it is about; it’s not about us, but about God. That’s why the Catholic Mass (and I’m not saying the Catholic Mass alone) is so genuine - it centers around the Lord entirely, not the people.

 

[JustaServant]

It’s not just about the music. I once heard on The Journey Home that a large majority of these churches are filled with fallen away Catholics. We need to be praying for these people and trying to prevent others from leaving by telling them about the true faith.

I know for a lot of the young people it*** is*** about the music. The preaching is for the older (post 30) crowd.

BTW, for all, communion services in these churches are almost non-existant. I talked to one MC pastor years ago who relegated communion to the ‘early service’, because only the ‘old people’ wanted it.
I guess communion was not 'entertaining enough.