If your church resembles any of these below, there’s a good chance they’re probably not spending enough money on missions.
And putting it all into perspective . . .
Christ Alone Wyoming
Proclaiming the Truth of Christ-Centered Theology
Christ Alone Wyoming 
The Pilgrim,
I have many emotions run through me when I see the extravagance of church buildings here in America particularly. When I think that a small group who struggle to find $100 per month like Village Church Planters to support a full-time pastor, it angers me that people are being so duped by the pastors and leadership of their churches.
All these people are doing is building their own mega-kingdoms, instead of the kingdom of God. When a church can spend $1 million or more (or any large amount) for a building where they will meet maybe for a total of less than 3 hours per week yet ignore the plight of missions in places like Africa, their focus is wrong and they are sinning against the God of heaven who commands we go into ALL the world and preach the gospel — NOT BUILD MEGA-BUILDINGS!
More and more, I grow frustrated with what I see here and look forward to being able to one day go to Africa and serve alongside those who have little in this world’s goods, but are rich in Christ!
Of course, we only have to wait for a brief time and those who endorse mega-self kingdoms will show up and tell us once again – “do not judge!”
The Desert Pastor
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My grandfather (missionary) once said that any church that had a marquee and a church attendance board was not spending enough on missions. He thought padded pews made people soft and would have beat his head against the wall to see this kind of extravagance. In the end, all that would matter to him is if the gospel was proclaimed. Strike two, swing and a miss.
Yes, you will get the “do not judge” line but it will inevitably be followed by “‘Megachurch A’ gave 1.5 million to missions and sent their 1500 youth to Mexico to build homes.” The problem is that there is a difference between missions (spreading the gospel cross-culturally) and service. It is a great service to tangibly feed the hungry and to build shelter for those who are truly disadvantaged, but missions is different. I am not saying that service is merely a spread of moralism, but if the gospel is not proclaimed with that service, it does not rise to the higher calling of missions.
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I agree BrettR. The problem is that I do not know of one megachurch that gives $1.5 million dollars to the cause of propagating the gospel to the ends of the earth. Social gospel attempts, as you rightly state, do not equate to delivering the good news of salvation. If a person in Africa gets a new well, learns how perform a good trade, and goes to sleep with clean water and food in his stomach and dies that night – he will still go straight to an eternity in hell without the Saviour.
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For “churches” such as these I would honestly hope they are not allocating any money for missions. Better for them to keep the heresy and circus localized than to spread it across the globe and further corrupt the nations.
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good point, brother Michael!
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It makes me sick to my stomach..
They all need to read “Revolutions in World Missions” by K.P. Yohannan…
or they need to hear the gospel….or repent of their sins if they are Christian (sorry I don’t recognize any of those churches).
While I probably shouldn’t chase this, does a certain amount of money indicate where a church’s worship is? Some areas are more expensive than others. However, I understand that these buildings are not a good example of stewarding God’s money.
ps. I know this is a long post, but has anyone read “give me neither riches nor poverty” (i think) by piper?
Brett
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Brett,
No, it is not any particular “amount” that makes one church sin versus another. I recognize that a church operating in Manhattan would probably be more expensive to operate than one in say rural Oklahoma.
However, biblical worship should be defined as “Whether you eat or drink or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Therefore, when churches are spending massive amounts of money to make comfortable whatever number of people for less than 3 hours a week versus spending a large proportion on sending forth the gospel, there is no biblical worship. Whatever happened to renting a building or a venue for meeting? Whatever happened to keeping groups small enough with elders as oversight so that true fellowship can be entered into each and every service? Why are buildings getting more comfortable at the expense of foreign missions giving? Why are 93% of all church workers and all church funds being spent in America on less than 5% of the world’s population?
As a classic example, my wife and I visited a church about 14 years ago in North Carolina. Entering a large, very comfortable environment, a large mission board greeted us with flags of the world and a huge map that covered a large portion of the wall. The congregation of several hundred did not fill up probably 60% of the auditorium, but they were raising funds (translated loans) to build another grand auditorium. Asking between services about their missions program, one of the deacons proudly told me that they were being blessed by God because of their giving to foreign missions. I asked what their budget was and he said “90 per month.” I started getting pretty excited and replied, “Wow, $90,000 per month to missions. That is incredible!” He looked at me odd and said no, “I mean $90 per month.” I then responded, “Oh, $90 per month for each missionary. How many do you support?” By this time, he started to get more than a little defensive and replied, “NO, we support two missionaries for a total of $90 per month!”
The Desert Pastor
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one word.
Disgusting!
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It’s merely the current expression of the same men-centered extravagance that built the great Roman Catholic cathedrals of the world.
I’ve been of the opinion for several years that churches that spend money on trinkets or lavish/mega buildings reveal more about the actual beliefs of the pastors than any “Statement of Beliefs” or sermon ever could.
My last church spent perhaps $10,000 (my guess) on flat screen TVs scattered around the large building so people could see the performers in the “worship center”. I asked the “senior pastor” how he and the other “elders” could justify that when we could have sent 2,500 Bibles to China or India instead. “We can do both!” he exclaimed – though there was no evidence that we would. And not that it would excuse the consumption.
It is good to be part of a church that is God focused in all she does and owns no real estate.
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Amen, Manfred. Even though we are but a small mission work, I made it clear when I assumed the pastoral responsibilities of our church that I would never initiate a building program. I said if that becomes the main focus of the majority, then they will also be looking for a new pastor.
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Home churches.
zero money for buildings.
no cost.
all giving can be focused outwards.
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Rev 3:13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Rev 3:14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
Rev 3:15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
Rev 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
Rev 3:18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
Rev 3:19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Rev 3:22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'”
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It is a simple fact that the Apostles were not wealthy when it came to currency or worldly possessions. However, they recognized that whatever they had belonged to God, and they were willing and enthusiastic about sharing it with others. (Acts 3:6)
Keeping this in mind, we understand that Christians today are not forbidden from being wealthy. In fact, 21st Century American and Western European Christians for the most part enjoy an embarrassment of worldly riches. A short visit to any Third World impoverished community would quickly verify this.
It is possible to be a wealthy Christian, but the Bible contains warnings for those who are blessed by God with worldly riches. First, they are to recognize the difference between earthly riches, which are temporary, and true “riches,” which are eternal. Second, they must remember that there is a high calling upon their life to distribute what God has given, and to communicate with those whom God wants to bless through them.
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” II Timothy 6:17-18
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Ministry Addict,
Very good points and thank you for reminding us about II Timothy 6:17-18.
It’s sickening to see this display of greed and idolatry as displayed by these mega-churches. If they would just take 50% of what they waste on the entertainment and help people those in need would greatly benefit. As with all these types of worldly self-help centers, it’s all about the money, building luxury buildings, and salaries.
In SC we have Perry Noble’s NewSpring Church. NewSpring does some token outreach programs(with the camera running) every year in order to lure people into NewSpring. Once in the membership class they will give you a “free” cd on tithing and tell you that you must give 10% from your gross income. They uplift NewSpring’s good works while telling you to give your money and time to NewSpring. They show you the videos etc… so that you can see the goodness of NewSpring Church. Like all business, NewSpring will do a few token outreach programs(shoes for kids at Christmas and give a house away to one single mom) in order to advertise. The image of good works always generates more cash. Then we see NewSpring Church proceed to spend around 10 million on new children’s buildings with so much junk it’s pathetic.
I’m surprised Pope Noble’s church was not listed on this list 🙂
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Behold the “power of God” in the 21st century First Church of Laodicea.
I must have missed the verse of Scripture commanding us to make our churches look like entertainment centers, or in a couple of the pictures, theme parks. I’m almost completely SPEECHLESS by the extravageance & WASTE shown by these “churches,” which I really don’t consider “churches” but rather temples to MAN’s glory.
Do these churches have restaraunts inside, too?!?!? I mean, people have got to be famished after the “service.”
I’m sorry to be so blunt, but in my opinion, Holy Spirit is CLEARLY not part in the “ministries” of these “churches” that you have pictures of. So, in my opinion, these “churches” have to compensate and throw out all the razzle-dazzle that they can muster in order to bring in the goats for the show.
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Now this post, I liked.
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“cl: Now this post, I liked.”
Having perused your website, cl, decorated with atheist and humanist awards, I’d like to offer the following:
Agreed – the ‘churches’ in this post are dead wrong in their priorities.
Nevertheless, remember that merely having a modest church building and giving tons of money to missionaries (or doing any other ‘good works’) still won’t get you into Heaven, cl.
It’s repentance from sin and trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation that brings eternal life.
You still have to bow the knee to Jesus Christ, cl…
… and you will – either joyfully as someone who was saved from the punishment he deserved for his rebellion against a Holy God. 🙂
… or…
in terror.
Time’s running out.
In Jesus,
– Jeff H
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All of these images remind me of the tower of Babel;men wanting to erect huge towers and buildings to bring notice to themselves and their glory-it’s all about pride,plain and simple.
Psalm 84:10
“For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
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Man, the pictures say it all. Too bad it’s a reality.
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I would guess that most of these churches are preaching a watered down gospel as well. In those cases it’s probably a good thing that they’re not spending a lot of money on missions.
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Things are very different in the USA to here (Australia).
However, I think it is important not to just write off everyone who owns a church building (whether big or small) as somehow violating the gospel. I definitely agree that meeting in a huge building for only 3 hours per week is a massive waste of resources. However;
1) A church that has paid off a building for say $40,000 in 1970, never has to worry about rent. Over the years, they would save a massive amount of money that could be redirected to missional work (in their own community and overseas). The church building and land may now in 2009 be worth in excess of $1 million. Surely a wise investment.
2) Some churches that have embarked on building programs have done so because their preaching of the gospel in their local community have resulted in many being added to the church. Their current facilities are too small, and they cannot hire anything suitable. They resort to holding 3 or more services on a weekend, which again is not a good use of resources. Why can they not meet as a larger body (in a big building) as well as having home groups and other meetings?
3) If your church were to have a strong focus on preaching the gospel, and as a result, many were saved, how would you propose to continue to disciple these new converts and to have regular meetings together without a building as some of the responses have suggested? If you can think of a great way to do this, could you please point to a successful example. (I’m not saying there isn’t one, this is a genuine question).
4) I agree that the gospel needs to be preached alongside service to the poor, absolutely! However, don’t forget service to the poor as well, there are hundreds (at least) of scriptures that exhort us to do justice and to speak up for the oppressed. Galatians 2: 9-10 is very relevant here:
“James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.”
5) If we are truly sincere in our desire to be missional and to preach the gospel, then we will examine ourselves first, then others. There is nothing wrong with calling the church to righteousness, however, we really must first begin wtih ourselves. How about some honest self-examination for a change? Where in this post or the responses from the readers (I doubt many from the churches pictured would be reading) is the call to become more missional?
Much love in Christ,
John
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I agree to some extent. Yet, what about the solid mission minded men who do have a “large” congregation? for example
I’m including links to pictures since I can’t post pics
C.H. Spurgeon
and http://unashamedworkman.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/chs_in_pulpit.jpg
John MacArthur
http://www.lukasvandyke.com/photos/shepherds2009/
I know John Piper is not endorsed around here anymore, but he definately loves missions
Click to access 70583.pdf
this is just one of their three campuses
My point is your article made no room for exceptions. It just painted all “mega churches” as selfish, prideful and materalistic.
I have seen many of my posts , well not posted. You have the freedom and right (it’s your site) to delete what I write. I do pray however that you will actually consider these things, and if my post is unnacepatable, then perahps you can write something highlighting these exceptions.
Grace and Peace
tha Christologist
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Dear TawfiQ Cotman-El:
To better understand why your past posts have not been approved, please refer to our Rules of Engagement, paying particular attention to rule number 3.
In regards to your above comment, you asked:
Who said anything about membership size? Who said anything about large congregations?
The point of the post was the extravagance of some churches (money wasted on temporal looks and externals that could be better spent on missions and other matters of eternal consequences). See another great example in this post.
You then said:
Where did you get that from? The beginning of this post says:
Where do you get “all” and “no room for exceptions” out of “good chance” and “probably”?
If you got all that from the pictures of these church buildings, then I suppose the point was made better than you think.
Perhaps if you re-read this post without your previous held slants against DefCon you would not have come to such an erroneous conclusion. And if you are willing to read future posts from DefCon without your anti-DefCon spectacles on, maybe you’ll find yourself agreeing with us more than you’d like.
:o)
Sincerely,
– The Pilgrim
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Desert Pastor
Okay, I saw the rules and looked closer at #3 and I see the point there. Having read other people post things led me to believe this wouldn’t be a problem, especially when i attempted to take special care in the way in which I communicated my questions and objections.
you said
” Who said anything about membership size? Who said anything about large congregations?”
However doesn’t it follow that if you have a large congregation you will need a large building to hold them?
therefore I assumed the obvious and went from there
You said
“Where do you get “all” and “no room for exceptions” out of “good chance” and “probably”?
“If you got all that from the pictures of these church buildings, then I suppose the point was made better than you think.”
You are correct and I apologize for taking what you said as sarcasm. I thought you were coming from the likes of “you MIGHT be a redneck if…” (I really hope you see what I meant there)
So i do retract my statement that you painted all “mega Churches” with a broad stroke, and yet I still look at the pictures of the “wrong” churches, and then look at the pictures that I provided and I see where someone could take this as your meaning. Still I repent, please forgive me.
you said
“Perhaps if you re-read this post without your previous held slants against DefCon you would not have come to such an erroneous conclusion. And if you are willing to read future posts from DefCon without your anti-DefCon spectacles on, maybe you’ll find yourself agreeing with us more than you’d like.”
Are you not making some pretty big assumptions, and even making some about my motives and intentions? “Who can know the heart of man, but God alone?”
This website is all about “Defending and Contending” for the truth…Why am I painted this way “Anti-Def Con”?
in your rules of engagement it states
“The following conditions do not mean that DefCon permits only opinions that are in agreement with us. This also does not mean that we fear dissenting opinions or ideas that are contrary to the beliefs that we hold (and/or that of the revealed Scriptures of the Holy Bible)”
and yet you say since you ahve disagreed with me, you are therefore anti us
is that fair?
I love many of the things on this site. I am an Ex-Muslim A disciple of Christ, a Husband and Father who loves his family. I have learned much from this site, and I see where it may have helped things to drop a comment just to say “hey i agree”, but I thought I would grow more by engagements of this sort.
perhaps i should chill with the comments for a while and just keep it to myself if I disagree.
thank you for allowing me the time and space of participating on your website
Grace and Peace
tha Christologist
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Dear TawfiQ Cotman-El:
Apologies accepted.
You asked:
Yes, only God knows the heart of man. Nope, I was not “making pretty big assumptions.” I was merely making an observation based on past comments and current comments from you, all of which have been critical of what we write.
To try to equate mere behavioral observations as judging your heart is a little bit of a stretch don’t you think? You make those same judgments every single day from the garage you choose to fix your car to the dentists you choose to fix your teeth to the guy who walks in behind you at the bank with a ski mask on. But these are are not judging people’s hearts as the biblical context dictates.
If I cannot come to the conclusion that you are “anti DefCOn” (or against what we write) based on the fact that you have not written one post in agreement with us or favorable to us, but instead every post you’ve written has been in disagreement, then by extension you must equally feel that I am judging the hearts of those who consistently agree with us. If it’s judging your heart and wrong to say you’re “anti DefCon” then it must be judging their hearts and equally wrong for me to say many of our readers are “pro-DefCon.”
Do you see the absurdity? Why is it “judging” one way but not the other way? Why is one wrong and the other is not?
Do you see how making observational conclusions off of experience and behavior has absolutely nothing to do with judging men’s hearts in the biblical context in which you attempted to make it apply?
Blanket “judge not” arguments always fall apart when applied to other situations.
Sincerely,
– The Pilgrim
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Funny stuff. I have been a part of a megachurch before and also a small 30 member church. I now attend a church that is about 800 members and looks like some of the above. We give close to $1.000,000 to missions each year. That is all kinds of missions work also. I think we can be quick to judge and we probably are pretty accurate at times but still…. don’t judge. You may be judging my church. 🙂 Love you all. Remember, we are working together.
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