Non-Evangelical Mega-Church: 5,500 Members Blend Science & Religion
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, May 26, 2008
- Viewed 79
- (26) comments so far
“The ultimate truth for us is that we live in infinite love and oneness,” Teel said. “We are all expressions of the divine.”
Colorado’s other 28 megachurches, defined as congregations of more than 2,000, share a main characteristic: evangelism and conservative Protestant theology.
Mile Hi doesn’t fit this mold, yet it resembles the Christian megachurches in other key ways, including success, if enrollment is any indicator.
One reason for the popularity of the nation’s more than 1,300 megachurches, which have more than doubled in number since 2000, is that they offer a positive message and a host of social and recreational activities, according to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.
Megachurches are important community-building institutions for suburban Americans, who have experienced an extensive breakdown in traditional social networks in recent decades.
Mile Hi, for example, offers classes, concerts and guest speakers such as self-help gurus Wayne Dyer and Deepak Chopra. It has youth, singles and service groups.
Mile Hi has been steadily growing since its inception in 1959, said Teel, yet membership has taken off in the past 15 years. In the past three years alone, Mile Hi has grown by 24 percent.
Although there are 5,500 members, average weekly attendance for the three Sunday services is about 3,000, said church spokeswoman Karen Thomas.
Mile Hi is now the single largest church affiliated with the 80-year-old religious science movement. That movement, now rebranded as the United Centers for Spiritual Living, is moving its headquarters from Los Angeles to Denver in July.
You can read more here in the Denver Post...
An interesting article over the weekend at the Denver Post. It's about Lakewood, CO's Mile Hi Church. According to The Post: "It has 5,500 members, a modern auditorium, loud contemporary music, jumbo screens, a media store and a child-care center.
The trappings are the same. The message is not.
It is not evangelical Christian.
The motto under Mile Hi's big, domed sanctuary, a $10 million, 1,500-seat hall that opened in April, is "It's different here."
"We use some of the same approaches and tools as megachurches, but Mile Hi is profoundly unique," said senior minister Roger Teel.
Mile Hi Church teaches the science of mind and spirit. It seeks to blend science and religion — drawing from elements of all the world's great faith traditions. Christianity is just one of them...
Comments
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Oliver on Tue, May 27, 2008
Are you sure its not evangclical? it sounds like every evangelical megachurch I’ve ever been to? I bet anything they teach people how to find purpose in their lives too. Interesting, but I think this proves beyond a doubt that most evangelical churches aren’t driven or guided by God or the Spirit, but by a formula. you follow the formula, and people show up, and then you claim its God working. When in reality, its not even a church and God has abondoned it, and we are seeing in reality the complete destruction of christianity. We won’t recognize it in another tne years. That is the real tragedy.
Peter Hamm on Tue, May 27, 2008
Oliver, yes we will recognize it.
You state [it sounds like every evangelical megachurch I’ve ever been to?] Uh… try the statement of faith on their web site. Criticize the big evangelical churches all you want, but churches led by people like RW, Ed Young, Bill Hybels, et al seem to have statements of faith that at least acknowledge who God is, who Christ is, and what Man is. This “church” does not.
Also, [we are seeing in reality the complete destruction of christianity.] I beg to differ in a BIG way. Sounds like some stuff that has been said off and on throughout the last 2000 years of church history…
But I’m surprised we don’t see more of this kind of thing (Mile Hi, that is…), as people do like to make their own truth in this world.
JOB on Tue, May 27, 2008
Since we’re talking about “statements of faith”, how about this for an experiment. It would be interesting to see an evangelical megachurch or two remove their modern auditoriums, loud music, jumbo screens, media stores and a child-care centers. Just rely on those statements of faith that are found on their websites. Then we can see where their faith really lies.
CS on Tue, May 27, 2008
Oliver and JOB:
I agree with both of you. If we remove a mission statement or a description of the faith practiced, both systems seem to be identical to each other. It’s like they followed a formula:
1. Establish a building in a large, upper-middle class community.
2. Equip said building with the latest in multimedia, sound, music, and technology.
3. Find out what people want to have in a building like this in the community.
4. Deliver said requests, with promises of finding purpose / direction / fulfillment / happiness.
5. Deliver messages using modern topics and fads, including movies / books / television / games.
6. Add a little zing by Incorporating elements of topics such as sex / drugs / rock n roll.
7. Lather, rinse, repeat.
8. Profit!
—
CS
David Cook on Tue, May 27, 2008
We should not be surprised, for the Word of God declares in 1Ti 4:1 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. It also states in 1Ti 4:16 Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.
The best way to protect ourselves and others from deception, is to simply read, believe, obey and act on the LIVING WORD OF GOD. With that being said, I will conclude my comments with this portion of scripture: 2Ti 4:1 I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
2Ti 4:2 preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;
2Ti 4:4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.
Sounds familier?
Peter Hamm on Tue, May 27, 2008
JOB and CS,
Your reactionary negative comments are a little disturbing to be sure.
Why would a large church want to or need to distance themselves from the “stuff” that God uses to build his Kingdom in their midst, like auditoriums where people hear the Gospel, child-care facilities that often offer reduced-price care for people who can’t afford it, large screens used to tell stories that inspire people to find Jesus (much as Jesus used compelling stories, the “media” of his day), and even bookstores and media centers where someone can buy material to actually help them in their walk with Christ or help them to find Him? Preposterous. Every dollar spent on our church’s facilities is money spent on outreach in the kingdom of God, if the church spending the money is on a mission to bring the gospel to the lost, as many of these mega churches are (but Mile Hi is NOT).
CS,
Your statement of forumla is, with all due respect, ridiculous. I am part of a big church, the biggest in town by far, we are a church plant only 13 years old, and although we are not technically a “mega-church”, if you look at size versus population we most certainly are one. We are unabashedly seeker-sensitive and unashamedly purpose-driven. We most definitely did not follow a “formula” like you describe, and none of the folks working in those larger churches did either.
You are projecting motive on people who are working hard to, and succeeding to, reach people for Jesus (are you really intimately knowledgeable of these peoples motives? really?). Dangerous ground to be on, imho. As someone who proudly sets himself in the camp of some of the people you are obviously referring to, I’m actually a touch offended if you would be projecting the same attitudes and motives on me!
I don’t think you guys think about what you type.
Brian L. on Tue, May 27, 2008
CS et al,
Once again you confuse the message with the method.
You refuse to see the difference between the gospel presented and the tools with which it is presented.
Peter and others have tried and tried and tried and tried to help you see that.
I have a feeling that you are so convinced that the gospel cannot be shared and disciples made using (Purpose-driven, Willow Creek, New Spring, etc - just insert your “favorite” target here) methodology that there is no hope any evidence to the contrary will change your mind.
I have to state once again my complete confusion as to why you continue to post here when you disagree with 99% of what is presented? Aren’t there other places where you and those who agree with you can go and actually encourage people rather than tear them down all the time?
Please forgive any harshness in this post. I’m not intending for any to be in this.
Brian L.
Leonard on Tue, May 27, 2008
Oliver, JOB and CS
Your posts show how little you actually know bout how churches start. They show a bias that comes across bitter. They beg the question, Why are you here?
Neither Bill Hybles, RW had a large facility to start with. They rented facilities for years and as their church reached more and more people, they then built.
CS on Tue, May 27, 2008
Peter and Brian:
You guys have to admit that there are some truths behind the formula that I listed above. You can pull apart any of those steps and find a popular megachurch that has used that particular idea in the construction and facilitation of their church. That’s what makes it painfully true when we can compare it to a secular / universalist “church” only to see almost the same face looking back in the mirror.
For what it’s worth, I’m not opposed to megachurches empirically. I’m not opposed to day care, selling resources, or having multimedia that can help share the Word of God, from wherever those comments arose. There are many good large congregations that number in the thousands, and I am grateful for their work.
—
CS
JOB on Tue, May 27, 2008
Brian,
“I have to state once again my complete confusion as to why you continue to post here when you disagree with 99% of what is presented? “
Brian of course you will get your wish if you continue to ask people to leave your presence but I find it hard to believe that believers can’t exchange difference of opinions. Geesh you guys are tough. This is the 2nd post I have commented on here. Anyway what was there to agree or disagree with in this post? I am equally confused as to why my opinion can’t be considered independent of others.
Peter,
My comment wasn’t “negative and reactionary”. I think before I write and “negative” is subjective. I tend to think what I write is true. That’s how fights start haven’t we learned that by now? Stick to the point of the post which is a non-evangelical contgemporay mega-church growing using the same methods as our evangelical ones use.
And of course you can always drop me an email and we can exchange cell phone #.s i don;’t want to be accused of being a blogging coward and I wouldn’t say anything here that wouldn’t be said “personally”
JOhn
Jay Kelly on Tue, May 27, 2008
It wouldn’t be surprising to see this happen more often. Like Oprah on location. If you dig the promises of the church (fulfillment, purpose, community), but aren’t down with the restrictive moral or theological components, this kind of place would rock.
JOB on Tue, May 27, 2008
Leonard said,
“Your posts show how little you actually know bout how churches start”
This couldn’t be further from the truth. I know exactly how a mega-church starts, I was part of one from it’s inception. Perhaps this statement should have been rephrased with more respect. Just keeping it real, hey Leonard email me and we can chat on my dime. Still waiting by the way for anyone to take up this offer in this forum.
John
Brian L. on Tue, May 27, 2008
JOB,
Maybe it’s simply my perception - and I’m willing to admit that possiblilty.
All I hear from you and CS is negativity - I can’t remember a single positive comment you guys have made in terms of RW or Hybels or anyone like them making a positive difference for the Kingdom. If you have made them, please accept my apologies. You don’t need to point them out. Just say so and I’ll believe you.
You come across (again, this is my perception) as feeling that your only purpose on this forum is to bash RW, BH, mega-churches, or what have you.
Disagreement is fine. But the bones you continually pick get very old, and it seems that you would be much happier at a place where those bones are picked in agreement with you.
You mention that you know exactly how mega-churches start because you were part of one from its inception. Does your experience necessarily translate to knowing how all (or even some) mega-churches start?
CS - your list may be accurate in SOME (few) situations. But the brush you continue to paint with is so huge that I’m surprised you can even hold it up!
I’ll leave the discussion. I admit that my frustrations with the tone (mine included) are beginning to dictate my posts, and that is not fair to anyone reading.
Again, I ask for forgiveness if I have mischaracterized you.
Brian L.
JOB on Tue, May 27, 2008
“All I hear from you and CS is negativity “
Negativity? Again I offered a challenge to a mega-church or 2. How you see that as being “negative”, I don’t understand. I think it’s suitable for some in this forum to label certain comments as “negative” or “bitter” so they don’t actually have to deal with them on their merits. Anyway I read the post again and I stand by my initial comment as being very relevant in any conversation with those who have an open mind on the subject. In fact I think that post was screaming for a comment like mine, CS. Olivers and others.
John
JOB on Tue, May 27, 2008
Brian said,
“You come across (again, this is my perception) as feeling that your only purpose on this forum is to bash RW, BH, mega-churches, or what have you.
As far as my participation here is concerend the only conversation you could be refering to is the Ingrid one and I never remember commenting on “RW, BH, mega-churches, or what have you.” during it . I consistently held that Ingrid deserves the same respect in public comments that is held for other public Christian personalitys. Correct me if I’m wrong.
John
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