Megachurches

“The board of directors of Hillsong, the global megachurch and music empire co-founded by Australian pastor Brian Houston, released a statement Friday addressing two complaints about Houston, including an accusation that the married pastor had spent time alone in a hotel room with a woman in 2019.” - C.Today

“Whether The Meeting House and its 19 remote sites, which are supported by the Be In Christ denomination, can recover, or at least retain, some of its former ministry will take years to assess.” - RNS

“Anabaptist Bruxy Cavey preached ‘Jesus over religion’ and drew record crowds of Canadians who were put off by traditional church. Now they’re reckoning with their former leader’s misconduct.” - CToday

“Gerardo Martí is professor of sociology at Davidson College and co-author of The Glass Church: Robert H. Schuller, the Crystal Cathedral, and the Strain of Megachurch Ministry.” - C.Leaders

“Our cultural moment sees the acquisition of fame as the greatest good, we measure our value by followers, fans, and likes. If you ask most kids what they want to be when they get older they usually say a YouTuber. That is not what kids said when I was young.” - C.Leaders

“Founder takes leave of absence for 2022 in order to prepare for trial on charges that he concealed alleged child abuse by his father.” - C.Today

“According to an investigative report by the Houston Chronicle, televangelist Kenneth Copeland has avoided paying $150,000 in annual taxes on his $7 million Texas mansion because of a loophole in the state’s tax code.” - C.Headlines

“…critics claim the organization—and many others—takes advantage of loopholes and vaguely worded clergy-housing allowances, shifting tax burdens to other residents.” - C.Leaders

“Cornerstone is part of the fastest-growing group of congregations in America: the minichurch. According to the recently released Faith Communities Today study, half of the congregations in the United States have 65 people or fewer, while two-thirds of congregations have fewer than 100.” - RNS

“Megachurches and the men who lead them can be superrich. So why don’t the IRS and local authorities see a cent in taxes?” - RNS