[Larry Lucido]

So, are they saving souls? Big, small...not much else matters, really.

[bethelgrad]

I would say, for the most part, yes. They are subject to more pitfalls than your average church is, but many of them like Smith's Calvary Chapel are reaching people without watering down the gospel.

In fact, I would say "especially" the Calvary Chapels.

[Lexinom]

As for the services themselves, Lakewood makes sure to put on a grand show. It has a 12-piece stage band, a lighting designer to set the mood and three large projection screens. The technology will be even more spectacular when it moves into its new home in the former Houston Rockets' stadium "We really want it to feel like a concert," says Duncan Dodds, Lakewood's executive director. Something is working: Church attendance has grown from 6,000 in 1999 when Osteen became pastor to 25,060 today.

This, and not the liberals, is probably the biggest reason our society has degenerated so much in the last 100 years. God is no longer feared. The purpose of these churches is to "put on a show" rather than worship the Holy One of Israel. Can you imagine Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, or John Calvin preaching in one of these congregations? How many of us even know who these men were today, and the prominent roles they played in shaping American culture?

Our Lord said, "Strive to enter into the narrow gate", for the broad path leads to destruction. God is not your buddy. He is a consuming fire, and an awful, irreprehensible, and righteous Judge. At least in my Bible...

Every single problem we discuss here on FR can without exception be traced back to society's myopic view of God, regardless of denomination.

[loftyheights]

So, are they saving souls? Good question! Most if not almost all of these megachurches need to be evaluated with a critical eye as they eschew denominational labels oftentimes and generally avoid doctrine and liturgy. "Deeds, not creeds" the saying goes. Eventually, they will be tossed around by the strange winds of doctrine which have always plagued the church. Christocentric liturgy, gospel-centered preaching, and serious study of the Scriptures and confessions of one's church is what ought to be taking place. What I see in and read about these churches whose primary emphasis is the Law(i.e. what we must do and can do for God) is not good and should be rejected. This is not to say there aren't Christians in their pews, mind you. It is to say that replacing good solid doctrinal teaching with 12-step programs and the like is a sure fire way to make sure your church will only be around in the next generation if it changes with the times. Then the question is Will you still be the church? I say no.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

So, are they saving souls? Big, small...not much else matters, really

Correct.

The answer is that some are and some aren't. Just like the little churches.