Megachurches

[kwassa]

Out on the edge of urban civilization where we live there have been a half-dozen megachurches built in the past ten years, usually on many acres of former farmland. Some of them are truly impressive in scale. It is almost a megachurch district.

They usually call themselves "non-denominational". What does that mean? Aren't they fairly fundementalist Christian?

Has anyone here ever attended such a church? What are the services like?

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I dunno. But I like a nice cozy country church myself. :^)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. Yes, they are mostly Southern Baptist or Assembly of God, but

those denominations are considered "uncool" by many, so they go by names such as "Shady Acres Community Church."

I have never attended a service in one, though.

I think it would be fascinating for a reporter to go undercover into one of those and find out who really finances them, because they are springing up like mushrooms.

[Maat]

3. Sometimes I think of doing a little research.

Anybody know who Calvary is affiliated with?

[supernova]

4. Never been to one

Like GreePartyVoter, I prefer a small church where everyone knows everyone.

Maat mentioned Calvary. There's a HUGE Calvary Church outside of Charlotte. I always wondered who went there.

[Coyote_Bandit]

5. Been There Done That

Here in Tulsa, JOklahoma there are 2 megachurches with membership over 10,000 that call themselves non-denominational. As such, they are independent and not affilated with a church denomination. This, of course, has implications with respect to finances, doctrine, discipline, organizational structure, pastoral succession, and a bit of nepotism. Basically, they are a large religious organization with tentacles that stretch throughout the world through missionaries, Bible school graduates and other churches that spring off in other locations. Most of these large churches are able to attract members bacause of their ability to offer a wide variety of activities. And most are able to keep members at least in part because they make a real effort to get folks involved in some type of small group activity.

One of the freeper fundie megachurches here in Tulsa webcasts its services live at 9 and 11 am and 6 pm on Sundays and at 7 pm on Wednesdays. The pastor of this particular church really did tell his congregation to vote based on the issues of abortion, gay marriage and religious expression. No need to enter the belly of the beast to experience one of these services. You can find the links to the webcast at www.victorytulsa.org.

[Princess Turandot]

6. I wonder about those types of 'crystal cathedrals'..

and how they relate to Jesus's suggestion that prayer be a private thing, not a way of showing off in public.

[rainbow4321]

7. Most of them around me are Methodists or Baptists...

OMG, they are gigantic...huge---one has a gym/indoor track, another a coffee shop...the police have to direct traffic on Sunday mornings around the churches. To me, those are just waaaayyyy to big.
There is one huge Methodist church that has several buildings to it..looks like a campus. Actually, the first day that I drove by it, I thought the buildings looked exactly like Koresh's Waco compound except w/ a steeple on top. Same box shaped buildings with little windows, same pale yellow paint job. Very scary looking place!