Entry Fee to Churches

[kacakboy]

I've just heard of a Mega church charging an entry fee to enter. Not just for Christians, but for everyone. What do all of you think about it?

[a.baker]

Charging money to hear someone talk of scripture? Wrong all over the place. God will deal with them in His due time. :nod:

[CoreIssue]

Mega Churches are Big Box Merchandising Centers. Buy this, that or the other all over the place.

So an admission fee would not surprise me at all.

[kacakboy]

Mega Churches are Big Box Merchandising Centers. Buy this, that or the other all over the place.

So an admission fee would not surprise me at all.

Thats the thing now, since when has Christianity become a religion or experience of merchandising? I still remember abit of scripture that tells us of Jesus being angry of how the Jews turned the temple into a market den. Is that the same as us now? With these Mega Churches? Are we repeating the sins of before?

[Jessie]

Mega Churches are Big Box Merchandising Centers. Buy this, that or the other all over the place.

So an admission fee would not surprise me at all.

Thats the thing now, since when has Christianity become a religion or experience of merchandising? I still remember abit of scripture that tells us of Jesus being angry of how the Jews turned the temple into a market den. Is that the same as us now? With these Mega Churches? Are we repeating the sins of before?

I'd sure say so, and making merchandise out of Gods people too.

these churches are emerging, seeker sensitive churches, rick warren junk
doing marketing ploys like your local super market markets their things.

and leading the people into deeper deception no mention of sin, hell
the laodician church.

[kacakboy]

That leads to another question, is it right to use their materials and use it to grow and spread God's word? Its like Paul once said he rejoices as the Gospel is preached whether by honest beliefs or not. So is it ok to support them?

[CoreIssue]

That leads to another question, is it right to use their materials and use it to grow and spread God's word? Its like Paul once said he rejoices as the Gospel is preached whether by honest beliefs or not. So is it ok to support them?
No. Paul says their efforts can spread the Gospel even when not for the right motives. He did not say support those whose motives were such as theirs.

Plus, many of the Mega Churches do not preach the real Gospel. They are into false doctrines, even some being cults.

[a.baker]

And the NT also speaks of those who deceive others. He says it would be better for them to of never known Him than to of known Him and than to deceive.

[InTheWind]

Mathew 7-21-23 comes to mind. :(

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

[Jessie]

concerning all of this brings up a question

on RF many like grant jeffery (I dont I dont beieve the bible codes and from research it looks like maybe kabbalaism is involved)

and he was on hinns show. many have done that...

I would like to get some good scripture for this I sure dont think they should be doing that just because they want the stuff out there and they cant afford air time. I was a bit upset with hal for being on tbn.

any insight would be greatful!

[Chrystalwuzhere]

Most megachurches now are into Emergent theology. It isn't pretty.

[kay-gee]

If you want to be entertained, it cost money. Makes sense to me. Don't forget to tip the band!

all the best...

[kacakboy]

Wow guys thanks for clearing this up!

[a.baker]

There is a lot of scripture on this topic. Thank x ITW :)

[a.baker]

Yup the narrow door.

[InTheWind]

Mathew 7-21-23 comes to mind. :(

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


After reading verse 22 i have a question. Who was giving the ability to cast out devils, if it was the Holy Spirit then Jesus wouldn`t be telling them that. But i wouldn`t think Satan would cast out devils either. :scratch:
My thought on the verses was that He is talking about churches that speak of God but have no Holy Spirit but now it doesn`t make sense. :(

[kacakboy]

There is a lot of scripture on this topic. Thank x ITW :)

Can i please have them? It would really help...

[Jessie]

Mathew 7-21-23 comes to mind. :(

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


After reading verse 22 i have a question. Who was giving the ability to cast out devils, if it was the Holy Spirit then Jesus wouldn`t be telling them that. But i wouldn`t think Satan would cast out devils either. :scratch:
My thought on the verses was that He is talking about churches that speak of God but have no Holy Spirit but now it doesn`t make sense. :(


would'nt it be those who are into good works on the surface but its a facade? and would'nt verse 23 be the one because it say ye that work iniquity? they never changed. they continue doing what they know they should'nt?

[InTheWind]

But verse 22 says they cast out Devils, you couldn`t do that on your own.

[a.baker]

kacakboy here is some scripture. One section to start. Little long..

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed-God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.

As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.

You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as word of men , but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. For you, brothers, became imitators of Gods churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those suffered from the Jews, who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up sins to the limit. The wrath of Gods has come upon them at last.


Kacakboy I wanted to put the whole section there. I don't like to separate scripture. It all intertwines within itself.

But now think of this; the scripture speaks of hardships and sufferings to get His Word out. Now are these pastors at these mega churches wearing nice suits and driving nice cars? God tells us what to do with our labor and money; do for His good not our own. My husband who is an agnostic said that anyone can read the bible and preach it by repeating and putting on a show. Thats what I see with these mega churches. God knows their true intentions and hearts. Now God speaks of those to spread His Word as a parent caring for their own child. Do you think a mother or father should make a child pay money to hear them talk of life or a lesson to be learned? Their are many who are deceiving the name of Jesus to make an extra buck (or mega bucks with a mega church). Gods Word does not need a show or money to be spread, only zeal from those that know the True God and want to help others know Him or find Him. If teaching comes from spoken words of God himself ,than should it cost money? Does God tell us we have to pay money to hear His Word? Does it not burden someone who is poor and can't pay the "fee" to get into a mega church to hear scripture, does that not burden them? Are not some of the poorest the richest? And the richest dead in spirit? Good questions to think about. I hope I was helpful in some way. If you need any more scripture just let me know and I will search.

[CoreIssue]

Mathew 7-21-23 comes to mind. :(

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


After reading verse 22 i have a question. Who was giving the ability to cast out devils, if it was the Holy Spirit then Jesus wouldn`t be telling them that. But i wouldn`t think Satan would cast out devils either. :scratch:
My thought on the verses was that He is talking about churches that speak of God but have no Holy Spirit but now it doesn`t make sense. :(
No, Satan would not cast out demons but if they were preaching a false Gospel a demon can fake being cast out by someone.

What I am getting at is to cast a demon out in a false Christ's name get the person doing it to believe they were doing so in the real Christ's name.

So, they can do it in the name of Christ but Christ would not know them because they really didn't do it or do it by him.

Occult, Mystics and others seem to do miracles at times. But they are frauds to deceive.

A demon doing their own work would not be cast out by such. A demon in someone for the purpose of seeming to be cast out would still be doing their own work.

[InTheWind]

Gotcha, thanks. :tiphat:

[kacakboy]

kacakboy here is some scripture. One section to start. Little long..

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16....


Hey thanks for the scripture & explanation it really cleared this out for me once and for all.:yowza:

[seraphim79]

are they charging admission every Sunday or just when they have a guest speaker? maybe they just had a big name come to speak and they needed the funds to pay him?

[CoreIssue]

are they charging admission every Sunday or just when they have a guest speaker? maybe they just had a big name come to speak and they needed the funds to pay him?
Pay by name and popularity? Are the a preacher or a media celebrity?

[a.baker]

I have never went to a mega church because I see so much thats wrong in the way they run things and perceive things . Testing it to scripture. Whether one is famous or not they don't need money because their name is known. When one is chosen by God to preach or teach, Gods family supplies their needs with housing and food. Thats what happened with the disciples as they traveled, among many others in the bible. Not once did they ask for money! Put your faith in God to supply your needs not faith in a big turn over at a show to supply your needs. In turn putting your faith in money, puts your faith in man and thats a slippery slope.

[seraphim79]

are they charging admission every Sunday or just when they have a guest speaker? maybe they just had a big name come to speak and they needed the funds to pay him?
Pay by name and popularity? Are the a preacher or a media celebrity?


I totally agree with you, but it just seems that a lot of big name preachers charge a fee to guest speak at a church, if the churches would stop paying them then they would have to stop asking to be paid. But look at the number of people who will attend the service when a well known pastor is preaching, it unfortunately becomes a numbers game.

I don't agree that ANY church should charge an entrance fee, in my opinion that goes directly against what Jesus intended, what happened to "all are welcome"? Obviously not at this mega church, just those with money are welcomed.

[a.baker]

And should anyone get royalties for GOD's Word? Most certaintly NOT! I know this has to anger God. His word was not given to us for the purpose for man to make money and neither was Jesus! Please think of that seraphim79.

[a.baker]

(sorry your post wasn't up yet ) I am so joyed to see that you see seraphim79!

[seraphim79]

It's ok a.baker :) I re-read what I wrote and can see that it came out wrong..

[InTheWind]

I totaly agree with ya all, and there`s a few buying luxury airplanes that are getting closer to God than they want to be. :(

[a.baker]

Yes I do apologize seraphim79 .

It just really bothers me when I see churches or pastors doing this. I think about how many people go to these churches too and are being led astray and that bothers me too. These people that deceive in Jesus's name will have to take it up with God one day.

To know we aren't the only ones that see how wrong this is, is encouragement in a way.

I wonder how these people that go to these churches view this?

[kay-gee]

I've chatted with a few, and there appears to be a mind-set of "bigger is better".

I on the other hand, have my share of challenges, belonging to a "micro-church"! LOL

all the best...

[a.baker]

Indeed your church is small Kaygee :D I am sure you feel the same; I wish they saw that the size doesn't matter its the content that does.

[seraphim79]

honestly, I think the people who attend these mega churches, go for the "prestige" and the socialization. I don't think the word of God has anything to do with it, it becomes more of a club than church.

[kay-gee]

Why not just become a venue for the big name acts, bring them in and sell tickets, like at any other concert event?...Something smells!

all the best...

[a.baker]

Yeah I just think that if His name is being used in any way to make money than that speaks a thousands words; goes against God and is wrong biblically. :nod:

[Jessie]

thats what they are doing KG.

boy do it smell and it smells rotten.