What do you make of megachurches and illustrations like this? Feel free to share your respectful thoughts below, would enjoy hearing some civilized discussion.

This is NOT a church-it’s a CLUB!!!

I can't understand megachurches at all. It's more like a club scene. Reverence is lost and contemplating spritual matters is impossible. It's all about money and very little about the plan of salvation. The gospel gets lost in the shuffle.

I think Jesus would be ashamed of Hollywood version of Christianity 😢

As a Latter-day Saint I can confirm that from the pop music to this, irreverent, disrespectful spectacle reducing the Holy Bible to the level of a football, this absolutely is not of God. Christ’s true Church does not pander to the masses and replicate the ways of the world. There is nothing spiritually strengthening here. This is just entertainment. The sabbath has been desecrated in favor of the pursuit of pleasure for decades now. This is an abomination and a mockery in the sight of God. I can’t wait for the Savior to return. 😇

A pastor at a pretty big church near me said last week, "We don't come here to drink coffee, we come here to worship!"

I like your comment, “ We all have different entry points in our faith journey.” I was raised as an Atheist, attended the Congregational, the Episcopal, the Baptist, and the Catholic Church before praying about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When I received an astounding answer to that prayer, I joined the Church. That was in 1966. (I’m 81 now). My faith is grounded in trust in Father in Heaven who desires all of His children to return to His presence. church is true. To me, Mega churches are about showmanship and numbers. Jesus is about the one.

Megachurches are the antithesis of what Christ was, humble, meek, and reverent. These pastors who make millions are the equivalent of moneychangers in the temple.

It's not legalistic to criticise a pastor who deliberately kicks the bible for entertainment. It was all contrived and not a mistake.

Interesting video, today. I once went to a Bourbon Street Preacher with my boyfriend and some friends when I lived in New Orleans. I got such a negative feeling in there I had to leave. I was a non-practicing catholic at the time and have since joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Like this mega Church video, it didn't have the sacred, holiness I associate with God and Jesus. But, God can use many different ways to get people's attention and help them find Him, eventually, I suppose.

These motivational feel good tickle your ears services are why i became lds. It was a great change after growing up pentecostal, baptist, methodist, assembly of christ, assembly of God, church of Christ, then NLC..... I've experienced it all and it was not until i found the lds church that i found Christ in all things. The other churches all gave sermons and devotionals, and messages equal to an Eric Thomas motivational speech or a message from Jocko and then everyone leaves "feeling the spirit" when reality is that they felt good by a good speaker who could've talked about anything and they would have left feeling equally inspired.... but the moment they hype people up with good music and mention the word Jesus and mention avoiding hell, it becomes the holy ghost moving them spiritually. I've never been to an lds sacrament that i needed to be hyped up to feel the spirit. The spirit is always present from the moment i walk in the chapel. The other churches i never "felt the spirit" until i started getting yelled at and the drummer started hitting that double pedal and the vocalists started crying and grasping for the sky.

I think these large seeker churches serve a purpose, a role...I started in one because I didn't feel comfortable going somewhere I would be noticed. But it should only be a starting place... If you're growing as a Christian you're going to want to move on for meat and fellowship. I keep going to smaller and smaller churches.

I went to a church where they felt it needful to give you earplugs. Big difference in feeling the moving of the Holy Spirit and a soundwave. Give me the presence of God over the hype of man.

When Jesus Christ returns, ask yourself if this is the type of church that he would attend, or if this is the church that he would want to represent him. I’m thinking not.

I go to that crossroads i was an in addiction all my life ben in prison 12 years of an on an i now have a job my own place an i am clean crossroads has gotten me closer to god an im getting baptized Saturday the reach people an they care no body is perfect but you eather keep doing good or you bow to this mesed up world like everyone else my name is kyle young im coverd head to toe in tattoos ill be getting baptized today come see ill show you what crossroads has done for me love an upmost respect

As one who loves to visit and experience other churches and learn about other’s faith traditions, there is only one compass I use when I do this… the Holy Ghost. I say this because it is really the Holy Ghost whose mission it is teach and testify of truth. So for me, no matter what church I visit, I pray for the companionship of the Spirit to testify to me when I hear truth! Consequently I feel this ultimate compass has lead me to my permanent spiritual home! ❤

I left a megachurch (largest church in ELCA) after 12 years pretty much for the reasons you stated in this post. Too large. Too consumer oriented. Too Tick Tock. Too fake. Too much sugar. Not enough nutrients. Trying to appeal to short attention spans. At first, it was exciting. Then, it became actually nauseating . Kinda like too much fast food, too often. Most suburban churches today are like this, unfortunately. Cookie cutter commercialism. Performance-based Christianity. This type of assembly I have no problem forsaking.

Caffeine is a good tactic to have them come back 😅

God’s Word is not popular. The church was and is out of aligned with God’s Word. Thank God for those of us who stand against this blatant disrespect of God’s Word. This church is a synagogue of Satan.

Nope, that's not a church I would want to go to!

THIS IS PROOF WE ARE IN THE LAST DAYS , PEOPLE LOVE THEMSELVES MORE THAN THE WORD OF GOD....

We aren’t suppose to attend church to be entertained like at a concert or comedian. We go to church to come closer to Christ and renew our covenants. This is horrible.

It’s all about the money

When we lived in Mesa, Arizona, there was a large mega church all the teenagers wanted to attend on Sunday evenings. When we discovered why, it was a free rock concert with refreshments. Many in the Mesa area were Latter-Day-Saints, Catholics, & Baptists, and none were too comfortable with this type of worship/entertainment.

That’s not a church its a concert hall

That which brings people to Christ is good. Not my cup of tea, but obviously it is for very many people. No room for criticism when people are coming to Christ. The first step in the first step.

I guess if your choice is between an actual rock/pop concert and a mega church at least it is likely a more positive atmosphere but I believe it is important to have a strong community at church and if it is too big you get lost and don't get the nourishment you need and it is a passive experience rather than give opportunities to the members to minister to one another.

I think that Christ uses many roads to plant seeds. This may be just one. Obviously something is working. The Pastor does use scripture no matter how loosely associated it may be to the sermon content. But I would hope that somewhere in the structure of that church there is a clear statement of biblical belief. And some sort of small group structure that individuals can plug into to truly experience intimacy with Christ and with other Christians. I would also hope that there is a ministry focus for helping those people the Holy Spirit is speaking to find Christ.

I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, so to me, those types of churches use all of that as a gimmick. Now, I've been a member basically my whole life, the only other church I've been to was a Catholic mass in Spanish, long story short, I don't know any other church service but I stand by what I said, it seems to be just a gimmick.

We don't need megachurches. What we need is more apostles to teach us EXACTLY like they were taught. Jesus’ teachings were his Father’s Words. Amen! 🙌

Blasphemous! Football has NO place in church. …. Heathens 😢

". . . throwing the biblical penalty flags right and left." 😅

That place is extremely cringey. All entertainment, no worship.

Props to you for being so unbiased in these videos, my jaw just drops at some of these things

😂 9er's, Chiefs, but not a single Cardinal. Very happy you know the difference. Words to live by: Work hard! Play hard! Kneel soft. Thumbs up to you.

They probably thought you were LDS without your orange cup! 😂 This was interesting. I was born and raised LDS, I’ve never understood mega churches but if they teach right and wrong, obedience to commandments, and accountability as taught by Christ I’m cool. We all have to start somewhere.

You commentary is a lot more respectful and "researched" than most I've seen/watched. Couple things, the "Adventures" brochure isn't talking about "field trips"- they're the annual Adventures they encourage others to go on. Some churches call them "Mission Trips" they call them "Go Trips." There is a whole context behind their affinity for coffee. The football book cover wasn't concealing a Bible- it's empty. a 5lb book launched into the audience would seriously injure someone. No, they don't advertise Bible studies (by that name)- they're announced as "small groups." There's more- but, like I said- your commentary is much more researched than about 99% of others; you actually went there. I'd encourage you to take your research one step further and contact/interview someone on staff. A lot of things that you/others find puzzling they are very up front about the "why." In the end you still may not agree with it, but the leadership is keenly aware of why they do the things they do.

IF THEY THINK THIS IS WORSHIPPING THE LORD THEY WILL ALL BE LEFT BEHIND. BECAUSE THEIR FRIUTS PROVE IT ALL.. SO DISGUSTING

SHE NEEDS TO SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP....GOD HAS NEVER CALLED HER TO TEACH OR PREACH GODS WORD !! READ GODS WORD !

Does this lead to [my] discipleship. A great question for each of us to ask ourselves regardless of which church service we attend.

Those seats reminded me of a movie theater and the presentation felt more like a motivational TED talk….Maybe I would have needed to be there to think otherwise. Their purpose seems to be focused less about the doctrinal details or foundation that you’d find in other churches, and more just a place for people to be entertained and hear a good message.

I love watching your videos. On many episodes I can feel a special spirit which I love and look forward to. I didn’t feel that with the mega church. Just picked up a concert vibe…or even closer an old fashioned medicine show carnival . Is that what people want when they go to church? I hope not. Love your work. Thanks for all you do.

Kicking the bible is something a non believer would do in disrespect, the bride of Christ should show more respect for the word.

Ummmmm you don’t kick The Holy Bible… out of 34,000 attendees you would think that there would be an elder in that flock that would maybe have some type of discernment and wisdom to never disrespect the most Holy of books. Even if it was 15 seconds out of the entire “service” the damage was done. I find this very shameful

I’ve always commented on this channel and do have an opinion regarding this episode. I can’t quite put it into words what I’m feeling. I was going to say it seems like a performance. Jesus had a pair of sandals and taught as he went along. I’ll be back.

I will let Elijah testify..........1 Kings 19:12-13.......... guessing a rock concert isnt the correct venue for such manifestations of the spirit. if so, metallica was hand down the holiest concert ive ever seen :)

That's not a church its a lazer light show.

I don't recognise female pastors as scripture does say elder should have one wife. Not one husband.

That pastor looked soooo stupid swinging on that wrecking ball. Have another donut ref. Jeez have some self respect.

These mega churches are brutality! The reason the church is dying is because of these. I grew up in an early mega church environment before they got so out of hand, but I have to say I almost lost my faith in that environment. Your videos are great, though.

As a Christian who found Christ and started going to church because of Freemasonry I am very open to getting the Word to the Elect however people may hear it. I appreciate creativity and trying to reach the most people possible. With that said, to kick the Word is to kick Christ and I hope those involved repent and find Christ.

THIS IS NOT A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY....THEY DO LOTS OF OURREACH....THEY ACTUALLY PAID MY $1200 HOSPITAL BILL...WHICH I ACTUALLY DIDNT NEED PAID....BUT I WOULD NEVER ATTEND THIS CHURCH AS THEY MISPRESENT JESUS AND HIS WORD IN GENERAL...THEY MISLEAD THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVERY WEEKEND AND I STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT AGAINST THEIR MISREPRESENTATION OF JESUS AND HIS WORD !!

IMO these pastors are either spiritually tone deaf or this is what their audience (I won't call them a congregation) wants. Maybe it sells... I don't know.

Do we really have to gimmick Christ? Is that a religious service where you can feel the savredness of the spirit on the day of rest or is this an emotional concert to touch your physical enjoyment.

I would feel extremely uncomfortable kicking a bible. I'm not really involved in that congregation so I'm not sure what the context was but there are plenty of other things you can use for a spiritual "football"... or just use an actual football and just love God. I'm not sure about "We have a cover band so we are a church now" because they tell people about Jesus. I believe in being authentic and not "faking the spirit" to get dollars. These mega churches are certainly interesting, I'm not sure how they are ministering to the individual with addiction issues. Watering down the word of God to a cultural message is lame, using too many metaphors is bad for a talk or speech as it become very confusing for the listener. It is a sad state when this mega church is the best best people can do to bring their grandchild to Christ. You question "does it lead to discipleship" is the real question that you leave unanswered. Did this mega church promote being baptized to covenant with Christ? Or just put on a show and not educate attendees about who Christ is? I love Jesus and the redemptive power of His atonement in my life. You can't water down Jesus to "just do good things" without telling people the difference between good and evil. If everything is "good" then there is no "bad", that is a slippery slope.

If those people make it to heaven, it will have to be by the grace of God.

It’s the living word of God. Jesus Chris is the word that became flesh and you’re ok kicking it across a room??? The Holy Spirit is obviously not present or conviction would’ve taken hold of their hearts even before but definitely after. Shameful

This is not a church anymore😢

What is a “senior pastor” ?

Looks like a concert, probably with a TED talk thrown in. Church entertainment seems like the perfect description. I mean, i guess it's good to draw communities together, but doesn't seem like a church, in my opinion. I'm assuming you didn't get communion. The personal attacks are ugly though.

I attended a few megachurches when I was Protestant and they cannot all be painted with the same brush. There are good megachurches that really help people grow closer to Jesus and there are bad megachurches that are all about money. There are also pros and cons to megachurches. Personally, I like smaller churches where people really know and care about each other.

I found it completely disrespectful and I was appalled. I’ll be worshipping elsewhere

Have you been to revival today church Pittsburgh. It started 2 yrs ago and it already has 1,000 ppl.

I feel that the purpose of church, and religion in general, is to have a support group for your beliefs. If the church is helping you to follow Christ, it's a good thing. I guess then you could ask yourself: "is there another church that could help me to become more like Him?" And, in that case, it's a great idea to look around. That looks like the most exciting church I've seen! I don't go to church for entertainment though. ;) I enjoy music, but I can listen to that all week. I ask myself: "is my church asking me to sacrifice? Do I have opportunities to serve others with my time/talents/etc? If not, I can't see how it will help me help others or myself much at all.

My family and I have attended Crossroads Eastgate for 6+ years. In the wake of all these judgmental and legalistic videos popping up recently, I appreciate you taking time to attend and get to know more about the church and its services. It is a huge church and it is definitely easy to get lost in the crowd and feel disconnected to the church as a body but, they offer so many ways to connect and build more personal relationships with other members in a smaller group setting and through other non-Sunday event/meet-ups. It’s just on the attendees to take advantage of them and get more connected, rather than something that happens organically. I personally, would rather be at a smaller church where you know and do life together with most if not all of the members but, my family (wife, kids teen and adults, grandkids, kid’s friends and their families) love Crossroads so, I’m ok with making that sacrifice (like the grandmother you mentioned). I encourage anyone attending not just Crossroads but, any large church to put in the effort and get connect with other attendees on a smaller and more personal level, I’m glad I have. Peace, Blessing, and Glory to the One True God ✝️🙏🏻❤️

Those false teachers acting like Hell ain’t real. Revelation 21:8

I've been told that it's not a real Bible. It may just be a football Bible case. Either way, the symbolic act of kicking a Bible is inexcusable. This is a church for "people who don't like church". Super Bowl Sunday was the lowest recorded attendance so they changed it up to make it "fun" so people would want to go and listen to scripture with the added bonus of "funny commercials" and a "half time show". They don't act like this every service. I've attended in the past.

Bible is all about taking us out of slavery ? The Bible is a handbook on slavery with instructions !

This is why i check online before going to a church and the pastor must posses a college degree in christianity, Non Denominagional churches anyone can be the pastor

How is their span only 12 seconds long when kids and adults can spend hours on a video game. You can sit a long time when you care about what you are doing

PROFANE

WOW HOW SAD IS THIS , AND THIS IS WHAT THE BIBLE TALKS ABOUT JESUS SAID , DEPART FROM ME I NEVER KNEW YOU....

What is wrong is Wrong there is no way around .

Because they did this before, doesn’t make it right. The fact that she is a female pastor has zero to so with it. You used the term “legalistic Christians” That is very offensive and judgmental. Who are you to say what others walks are with God or Christianity? The Bible is a book from our Heavenly Father. Kicking it is disgusting, disturbing and down right wrong. There’s no excuse.

I teach my kids that other churches are trying churches. Ones like this is hard to say that

There are good and bad people there. Sadly in my age group some of the people are pretty clicky.

I went here for palm sunday it was a really good service. Then a i just heard what they did with the bible

Beer beer beer at their service as well

I don’t know what that all was but I didn’t get a church or god vibe at all what I got from all of that was a company that you can go to for travel, karaoke , coffee and just a really good time but that’s not church at all that was a whole production so getting butts in the seat they have that down. Saving souls ? Probably not kinda makes me sad for them cause they will have to answer to god for all of that. Do I think Jesus would be down with all of that probably not. 😢

Thanks for this video. I saw some comments on FB about the kicking the Bible at Crossroads Church and I was disappointed because yesterday I found this video with a horse trainer. It was at Crossroads that I had never heard about. But this video touched my heart, because I was seriously injured by one of my horses I was training back in 1991. This video is legit, the training is real. Certainly nothing like you experience. Maybe this is a different campus? kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pd1jZcyYpsmuoZ8.htmlsi=g93UTaht2myL3U9l

Churchh found out..The author discusses the origins of the Hamites and Shemites (or Semites). He states that the original Israelites were of the Black race and that the biblical Abraham (or Abram) was a Black Shemite (a descendant of Shem). Abraham was the father of both the Hebrew-Israelite and Arab nations.

IF THEY THINK THIS IS WORSHIPPING THE LORD THEY WILL ALL BE LEFT BEHIND. BECAUSE THEIR FRIUTS PROVE IT ALL.. SO DISGUSTING

I would have kicked it too…if it was The Message version!