mega churches

This episode is the testimony of a literal poster child of an evangelical mega church in Arlington TX. From raising money, to saving souls, to being electrocuted in Kenya, to preaching to a football field full of people in Pakistan only to be disturbed by red dots from sniper rifles. Trace Thompson has had an unimaginable past that strangely resembles mine. Buckle up for part one of a nonchalant revisit to a previous life.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Natalie and Jo chat about drunk rednecks, education system reforms needed, and then go all out on mega-ministries!  Enjoy!!

In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss the criticisms that are frequently directed at mega churches within the Christian community. Dr. White is able to offer a unique perspective on these common critiques, as Mecklenburg Community Church started out about as small church as you can get, growing gradually to be considered a mega church.

Episode Links

One of the criticisms they discussed is that mega churches are all far too liberal in terms of orthodoxy, and that they are watering down the gospel. Dr. White mentioned a book titled Why Conservative Churches are Growing by Dean Kelley, which explored how many of the largest mega churches are those with very conservative doctrinal statements and beliefs.

There are several blogs that Dr. White has written related to some of the criticisms mega churches face. The first is titled “The Very False Dichotomy Between Evangelism and Discipleship” addressing the criticism that large churches focus only on evangelism and not on discipleship. He wrote two blogs on the idea of “community” today, as many feel community cannot happen within the doors of a mega church. These blogs are titled “Community 101: Finding vs. Building“ and “Community 102: Shalom.” Finally, you'll find the blog “The Ending of Seminaries as We've Known Them” as it relates to the often antagonistic attitude that some seminaries have towards large churches.

There are also two Church & Culture Podcast episodes that would be worth the time to go back and listen to that were mentioned during today's conversation. Be sure to check out CCP31: On Celebrity Pastors and CCP 4: On Pastors and Moral Failings.

For those of you who are new to Church & Culture, we'd love to invite you to subscribe (for free of course) to the twice-weekly Church & Culture blog and check out the Daily Headline News - a collection of headlines from around the globe each weekday.

INTRODUCTION:

Barry Bowen is the Staff Investigator at Trinity Foundation, a nonprofit organization that investigates religious fraud, theft and excess. From 2005 to 2010 Bowen served as one of the third-party whistleblowers assisting the U.S. Senate in its investigation of six TV ministries.

INCLUDED IN THIS EPISODE (But not limited to):

·      Explanation Of IRS Forms 990 & 990T

·      The Cora Jakes-Coleman Potter’s House Sex Scandal

·      Bisexual Televangelists 

·      Do You REALLY Know Your Pastor?

·      Insight Into The Bible Translations Industry 

·      Pastors Paying Pastors aka “Honorariums”

·      Church Music As A Business

·      Church Of God In Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) Tom Foolery

·      How The Church Is Like The ‘World’

·      Revelation Chapter 18

CONNECT WITH BARRY:

Website: https://trinityfi.org

Twitter: https://twitter.com/barrybowen

CONNECT WITH DE’VANNON:

Website: https://www.SexDrugsAndJesus.com

Website: https://www.DownUnderApparel.com

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3daTqCM

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SexDrugsAndJesus/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sexdrugsandjesuspodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TabooTopix

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devannon

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.es/SexDrugsAndJesus/_saved/

Email: DeVannon@SexDrugsAndJesus.com

DE’VANNON’S RECOMMENDATIONS:

·      Pray Away Documentary (NETFLIX)

o  https://www.netflix.com/title/81040370

o  TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk_CqGVfxEs

·      OverviewBible (Jeffrey Kranz)

o  https://overviewbible.com

o  https://www.youtube.com/c/OverviewBible

·      Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed (Documentary)

o  https://press.discoveryplus.com/lifestyle/discovery-announces-key-participants-featured-in-upcoming-expose-of-the-hillsong-church-controversy-hillsong-a-megachurch-exposed/

Thanks for listening! Please donate at SexDrugsAndJesus.com and follow us on TikTok, IG etc.