If you read some commentators and scholars, evangelical megachurches are places where Christian nationalism, patriarchy, white supremacy and a bunch of other ominous things happen. They might even try to evangelize you! It seems like Barack Obama is trying to […]
megachurches
Charlie Kirk: Pastors who encouraged their flocks to march in a BLM rally were “introducing an unclean spirit from Satan into the church”
Charlie Kirk, a leader of the Trump youth movement, often visits megachurches on the weekends. Here is a taste of his recent visit to Foothills Christian Church in El Cajon, California. Pastor Neil Hoffman seems to be thoroughly enjoying the […]
Bruxy Cavey is back
Some of you may recall the recent scandals surrounding the Toronto megachurch pastor. Get up to speed here. Bruxy Cavey has started a new “ministry” called “The Ghost of 1820.” He is even asking for money. Here is a taste […]
When evangelical pastors radicalize
More on how Trumpism has found its way into evangelical churches. I have heard multiple stories similar to the ones Tess Owen tells in this piece at Vice News. Here is a taste: Pastor Ron Tucker took the stage one […]
Rick Warren names his successor(s)
The evangelical megachurch pastor and author has just named his successor. Here is Bob Smietana at Religion News Service: After more than four decades, the pastor of one of the nation’s largest and most influential churches is ready to step […]
Charlie Kirk: “Huckster. Snake oil salesman. Charlatan”
Charlie Kirk, the pro-Trump pundit who spends most of his time rallying college students to a combative form of conservative populism, regularly appears on the weekends at evangelical megachurches. He is currently visiting churches as part of his “Saving America […]
Two more individuals come forward alleging sexual misconduct against former Toronto megachurch pastor Bruxy Cavey.
We reported on this here. There are now new allegations. Maggie John, the chair of the Toronto Meeting House Overseers Board, recently sent an e-mail to the church family to inform them that Dr. Melodie Bissell, a sexual abuse victim’s […]
Canadian megachurch pastor Bruxy Cavey resigns; admits to sexual misconduct
Julie Roys broke this story yesterday. (We first covered this story here). Not only did Cavey resign, but so did Danielle Strickland, a teaching pastor at Cavey’s megachurch, The Meeting House. Strickland said that she was resigning “in solidarity with […]
Some brief reflections on “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill”
I had a couple of long drives this weekend so I was able to finish the last several episodes of “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill.” A sustained review of the podcast will take more time than I have […]
Evangelicals and small groups
Evangelicals love small groups. For many large churches, small groups are essential to building community, developing spiritual friendships, and strengthening the Body of Christ through the practice of prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. In an interesting and well-researched piece at […]
CURRENT Mailbag: “My daughter has fallen into the hands of a sect with a cult of personality surrounding its authoritarian pastor”
We have posted about Jack Hibbs and Calvary Chapel–Chino Hills before. I have heard from area pastors who are concerned about his church and people who are worried about attending the Christian nationalist, pro-Trump, anti-mask, and anti-vaccine mandate congregation. Today […]
Pastor Kate tells pastor Penny to mask up. Pastor Penny responds by turning her Sunday morning service into a political rally.
Kate Murphy is pastor of The Grove Presbyterian Church, a Presbyterian Church-USA congregation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Penny Maxwell is Senior Pastor of Freedom House Church, a non-denominational megachurch with multiple campuses in the Charlotte area. She co-pastors with her […]
California settles with John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church
Here is Alejandra Melina at Religion News Service: The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Aug. 31) voted to authorize a $400,000 payment to settle a legal battle with Grace Community Church over lead pastor John MacArthur’s defiance […]
Megachurches with celebrity pastors like John MacArthur led the way in the evangelical resistance to COVID-19 mandates
We’ve written a lot on this subject. See, for example: “What is going on with John MacArthur and Romans 13?“ “Evangelical pastor John MacArthur suggests churches that remain closed during COVID-19 are not ‘true’ churches“ “The Falkirk Center on the […]
Megachurch pastor Rick Warren is retiring.
The search for Warren’s successor at Saddleback Church has begun. Here is Jonathan Howe from Baptist Press: Pastor and best-selling author Rick Warren announced Sunday, June 6, that he is stepping down from leading Saddleback Church, the Southern California megachurch […]