While it's never surprising that religious folks who claim to be all about love and salvation are generally not at the forefront of toleranceespecially when it comes to LGBTQ rightsmegachurches are particularly bad. Attractive section of content. After all, if you can't tell whether you're at church or "Frozen on Ice," what does worship mean anymore? Opening Celebration for the Amazing Facts Word Center, Morning Worship with Pastor Doug Batchelor. As noted by The Atlantic, one of the key people who shaped the modern megachurch was Peter Drucker. I think this is probably my favoritest post of yours ever. Amazing Facts Summit Reaches a Packed Audience, The People Behind the Praise: Megachurch Music and You. ago. Write the Vision, Make It Plain, Run With It, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Actor Wants The Name Of Christ In Movie Theaters. The world-renowned Amazing Facts Bible school will help you know Gods Word better than ever. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. Join Pastor Dougs church for special music, inspiring sermons, and empowering church training. That is a VERY kind thing to say! The source for everything happening at Amazing Facts. Start with the basics. I agree with you. Would they stay? And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me (Matthew 10:38). (Also see Can Baptists Dance? :). The idea that only good, dedicated Christians make the time to attend church services automatically lends a superficial air of piety to megachurches. Get yours before supplies run out. You know, Paul said Im determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 20:4). Therefore, these churches teach that instead of hanging a cross on a building, the Christian should have a living experience with the Lord and declare, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20). It's actually funny because James and I sometimes go to a Catholic church near us (not going to say which one) that we really don't like going to if we can at all help it because of the aesthetics of the building. It became customary for churches to identify the building as a Christian church. Special insight and inspiration straight from the presidents desk. The world-renowned Amazing Facts Bible school will help you know Gods Word better than ever. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Perfect, per usual. Yes!. Megachurches have also led the way in politicizing the COVID-19 epidemic and taking sides in "culture war" issues. Mormons believe that Jesus Christ died for us. It was not something that you would ordinarily talk about. . Their services are often staged in arenas and large theaters that accommodate thousands of worshipers and have extremely high production values. And they are not only to be tolerated, but for the sake of the memorial and the witness they are praiseworthy and honorable . I dont condemn them for doing that. I fear there would be such disappointment in some folks. That peace is the holy and blessed quietness of knowing I am living in His will and He is pleased. (source). As reported by Relevant Magazine, the list of megachurch pastors who have been removed from their jobs due to inappropriate behavior is shockingly long. Why do people try to discredit the writings of the Apostle Paul? You can find something similar to the cross in all kinds of different applications. And, more specifically, I need a church with not only a cross, but it needs a crucifix. As David Wilkerson, David of Times Square Church wrote in his book, They Have Done Away With the Cross, Be warned: It doesnt matter what anyone tells you about a great revival or moving of the Spirit taking place; it doesnt matter how many multitudes are involved, or how loud their praises are; it doesnt matter how successful a particular ministry may appear to be. She's right too! The promise that says I am justified and sanctified in the name of Jesus. It's fair to say that any large movement or organization will have its share of downsides, but the "mega" in megachurches means those downsides can be pretty huge. The 16,000-seat arena is home to the nation's largest congregation (43,000 members) and underwent $95 million in renovations, according to a 2005 New York Times article. the.end. A guide for walking through all of Scripture in just a yearwith catch-up days built in. Theres nothing in the Bible that tells us that the image of the cross has any power to it. the subprime housing crisis of 2008 was in part caused by prosperity gospel-believing people, staged a Christmas celebration using characters from the Disney film "Frozen. I hear my friends talk about the awesome coffee bar and eating during the "sermon", and I internally wonder, "But where is the focus?" But as noted by Pastor Jeremy Howard, the teachings at megachurches often contradict the traditional Christian concept of service and charity. to learn more about the tradition. Return to homepage. Tens of thousands attend Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Pastor Doug: You need to be careful, because if you traveland Ive traveled to all different parts of the worldyou study some of the ancient archeology and the symbols and signs that were used in their architecture, you can find virtually any symbol that you can imagine. Some churches do not have crosses because they believe its a lot easier to wear a cross, hang one on a wall or nail one to the steeple, than it is to bear the cross. Thank you! Whats is the parable of the Mustard seed? And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NIV). I dont think we should vilify the Christian symbol of the cross. Caller:Wasnt it originallyId heard from someone that it was used in the Egyptianit was like a symbol from the Egyptian world? But megachurches have two advantages over traditional corporations: One, they're exempt from many taxes, and two, they benefit from a large volume of unpaid volunteers who often devote much of their time to working on the church's behalf. Like Baptists, Calvin believed images of God hide his glory: We think it unlawful to give a visible shape to God, because God himself has forbidden it, and because it cannot be done without, in some degree, tarnishing his glory.. These churches say theres nothing in the Bible that tells us that the image of the cross has any power to it. To their supporters, one of the major benefits of megachurches is their diversity. The Largest Megachurches in the United States The Distribution Of Megachurches Megachurches are distributed unevenly across the country. Helping you get the most out of your Sabbath School quarterly every week. Dig into the Word and become a Bible expert with Amazing Facts line of study Bibles and more. Well, Ive met people that go around the country with literal crosses on their back but that isnt what Jesus was talking about. If you feel an answer is not 100% Bible based, then leave a comment, and we'll be sure to review it. Ive been studying with a friend of mine who has just begun to keep the Sabbath and has started going to church with me, and she had a question about seeingshes always put together Christian churches with crosses, and she was wondering why in some Bible-based churches there are no crosses? "Refined by the Fire: Stories from the Life of a Fire Walker (2017) For instance, if two families leave a small church it cannot be ignored. Its never used in the Bible as a physical icon. I was told years ago that the crucifix symbolizes that Christ is still on the cross, an empty cross symbolizes He Is Risen. Why do some churches not have crosses? Before the death of Jesus, I was not able to come boldly before the Throne. For many female parishioners in the country's megachurches, this isn't controversialit's the spiritual life they have chosen. Apparently the cross on church buildings is thought to put off seeking non-Christians?? People may be caught up in superficial matters while leave the essence of Christianity and the love of God that was displayed on the cross For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life(John 3:16). Theres only so many geometric forms and the cross is a very basic one. Some people may conclude that because they dont use crucifixes they dont value the death of Christ. And for you. In the New Testament the word cross is typically used in a symbolic metaphor. What they are looking for is Truth; the Truth of the Cross, the Truth of salvation, the Truth of the Gospel, the unadorned, unvarnished TRUTH. Baptists also believe that crucifixes fail to depict Christ's victory over sin, which his resurrection accomplished. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. However, other Christians avoid using the crucifix because they believe that the Bible instructs believers not to use such objects. An inspiring passage from Scripture delivered to your inbox every day! Comments containing telephone numbers or email addresses will not be approved. Sign up for your daily dose of spiritual insight and encouragement from Amazing Facts. This sexism is causing another problem for the megachurches: Difficulty in finding pastors. In a word, I LURVED this post!! It was so cool to look around and see all those crosses and think about the gift of love through suffering that they represent. But it also means that there is very little sense of community. This goes hand-in-hand with the prosperity gospel often at the core of megachurch theologythe idea that God rewards faith with material goods and success. Mormons don't find it offensive that other Christians use crosses as a symbol, but they choose not to use it as their own symbol. As a matter of fact, I dont think the word cross is used in the Old Testament in terms of a symbol. In the New Testament the word is typically used in a symbolic metaphor, not a physical icon. Answer Catholics and Orthodox Christians typically use a crucifix with the body of Jesus in our liturgical celebrations and in our churches. Some churches do not have crosses because they believe it's a lot easier to wear a cross, hang one on a wall or nail one to the steeple, than it is to "bear" the cross. Sign up for your daily dose of spiritual insight and encouragement from Amazing Facts. Heart-touching stories of lives impacted by the ministry. I love this post and TOTALLY know what you are saying! It is so, so sad :(. (source), Pastor Osteen told Esquire magazine earlier this year that he used to be an extremely nervous public speaker, although he does not show it nowadays manning the Lakewood Church pulpit. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Although tens of thousands of people might attend services at a megachurch over the course of a week, they rarely meet each other or interact, inhibiting any sense of community. Church Why do some churches not have crosses? On the contrary, historically Baptists have been staunch defenders for the centrality of the cross for the atonement of sin.