Meet the World's Biggest Church in Houston, Texas- Bring Cash

[sintax]

Jesus Inc.

Welcome to the world's biggest church. Feel good. Make money. Oh, and praise God. Andrew Buncombe joins the congregation

Published: 13 August 2005


Here are lights flashing, there is music pumping, there is dry ice fogging the air and everywhere you look there are people on their feet, clapping enthusiastically. There are people all around - to the front, to the sides, behind, above, below. People. More than you can count. People everywhere. Suddenly, amid all of this, on the stage in front, a full band emerges from a sunken riser, rocking out and swaying as the people clap and whoop. There is a choir dressed in purple and blue and they are clapping and swaying as well. It's 8.30 on a Sunday morning and we are here to praise the Lord.

"We know that God has good things in store for you. How many of you are ready to worship the Lord?" asks the young, besuited pastor, Joel Osteen, who takes to the stage with his wife, Victoria. The mighty roar of noise from the people indicates that we all are.

If religion is a numbers game, it may be that the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, has it all wrapped up. Amid the recent growth in the US of so-called "mega-churches" this non-denominational church, which started life in 1959 in a feed store, was recently listed as having the biggest congregation in the country. Every Sunday it draws around 30,000 people to the two morning services, in addition to a lunchtime Spanish-language service of 8,000 worshippers and a Wednesday evening service attended by around 10,000.

The numbers have got so big that last month the church moved premises and took up home in a stadium that previously hosted the Houston Rockets basketball team. The seats that were once full of sports fanatics are now filled with a different kind of worshipper; the choir and band sit directly behind where one of the hoops used to be. The church spent $95m to lease and refurbish the stadium, which now features two waterfalls. They spent $20m on the air-conditioning system alone.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article305229.ece

[stepnw1f]

1. More Like: The World's Biggest Gimmick

Snake Oil Sales are doing well.

[sintax]

7. PT McBarnum in a frock

One Voice
we do what we're told
(milgrams 37)

[SammyWinstonJack]

9. I was going to post that.

Snake oil sale man. Amazing how so many are duped by these CON artists.

[djeseru]

2. Creepy, creepy megachurches.

Full of creepy, creepy people. :scared:

Full of very mis-led people...

[LiberalAndProud]

3. Elmer Gantry.

It has been around for

ever

My SO says I have fallen victim
(democratic party-local/county/state -- not to mention DU)

[misanthrope]

4. Well, isn't that special?...

...Hmmm?

[YOY]

5. Lighting Effects and Smoke Machines

Just as Jesus intended!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Who's the guest pastor? Gene Simmons? (Yes, I know he's Jewish)

[TomInTib]

6. Why dont the armed forces

just post recruiters outside while everyone is all pumped up?

You can worship the Lord in Iraq, can't you? Bring Christianity to the Muslim infidels too - BONUS!

[DanCa]

8. " Away with you tax collecters,"

I remember someone saying that somewhere. I think this would anger him verily.

[mikehiggins]

10. I find no fault with Joel Olsteen

A large, televised congregation that doesn't hype Bush or see the Iraq atrocity as being God's Will, doesn't hate gays and doesn't oppose stem-cell research? What's the problem?

I've listened to Olsteen several times on TV and once on the net and he is pretty well a pleasant, harmless positive voice bringing some solace to people who feel afflicted. He could easily be selling insurance or cars or real estate; he's that good.

Sure, he isn't going to lead a Crusade, but is that a bad thing? We have enough Xtian Crusaders in the world. Someone who tries to give people insight into how to deal with their problems isn't doing any harm.

I dislike the title of the post, by the way. Nothing in the article, or the services, or the coverage this bunch has received talks about people bringing cash.

[roguevalley]

11. I've watched him too. He's pretty innocuous compared to the others.

he doesn't want controversy. Now, does he teach what Jesus hoped for? Probably not as much as he should but he doesn't preach hate.

[sintax]

15. Materialism

Didn't know him/her but it seems that jesus would feel a bit out of place in that house of worship, or any for that matter. I find it to be extremely creepy and disempowering to say the least.

[rsmith6621]

12. Joel Osteen Is The Real Deal

When it comes to the work of God...........

Joel tells it like it is....His Daddy was a very compassionate person as well. Joel understands What Jesus would do better than anyone who casted a vote or support for Bush and his war.


Leave Joel alone.....he means no harm to the Liberals.

[GreenPartyVoter]

21. I will take him over Robertson, Falwell, and Dobson

[karlrschneider]

13. Reminds me of the Fosterites but I don't think these people are NEARLY

as dangerous as the Foulballs and ROBert$ons etc.

[Aristus]

14. We've got a church like that up here in Tacoma.

It used to be called Covenant Celebration Church, but lately it's been going by the name of "Champions Centre" That's 'centre' not 'center'.

Huge, vulgar mega-church where the preaching is all about worldly success.

The pastor, Kevin Jerrolls,is a snake-oil seller supreme.

:puke:

[sintax]

16. Welcome to the plastic land of the Sunday

sermon. Self help Sunday in McAmeriWalMartika.

[bribri16]

17. Meanwhile these same "Christians" smear the government for feeding

hungry and the poor and visiting prisoners. I guess you might say they "hate Christ for his socialism."

[bribri16]

18. The churc of feel good now. You have no responsiblity for anything

except ensuring that you feel good.

[sintax]

20. Praise be to cable TV

through it you can channel the spirit of
commercial idolatry

[SalmonChantedEvening]

19. Our Father, who art in liquidity, hallowed be thy profit margin. n/t

[johnaries]

22. Joel Osteen, aka Mordechi Jones.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061678/