America's 50 Most Influential Churches

Church Report Online ^ | July 2007 | Church Report Online

[Terriergal]

I'm not saying all of them are fakes, but there are quite a high percentage of them that are teaching 'another gospel' and 'another Jesus.'

Luke 6:26 "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way."

Rev 3:7-8 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name."

[zerosix]

Amen to what you write.

I notice that #15 is Church of the Resurrection, Adam Hamilton.

This is a very, very liberal Methodist, though growing by leaps and bounds (truth is that just as many walk away after a few years due to lack of following Word of God.)

Adam Hamilton, preaches and teaches that abortion and homosexuality, are "tough choices" and that there are no clear right/wrong conclusions.

Many have thought that Adam really was a "strong believer" only to find that while attractive and entertaining, he is merely candy coated Christianity Lite!

[Resolute Conservative]

Looks like Serpenthead got religion #23.

[AzaleaCity5691]

So they say in the survey that Catholic churches were intentionally excluded, and then when you read the results you find that other high church denominations were kept out.

Nothing more than a bunch of evangelical nonsense.

[newgeezer]

Ooh, lemme guess... “Influential” = appealing to people’s feelings (growth in numbers) and persuading them to part with their money (growth in dollars). Am I right?

/rhetorical

[Resolute Conservative]

Amen. We just left the FUMC ( in a southern town ) after our 6 year experiment at my wife’s behest. I was raised SBC but she was against SBC for some reason but after two sermons and Sunday school at the church we are visiting she is on board.

Over the last several years I had seen the UMC become more of a “let’s not offend” church and not a church of the word. Our pastor kept trying to tell me that changes were coming but the one’s I have seen the last couple of years were the wrong way and I got tired of waiting. Bless him, he was a God fearing man but just didn’t want to stir the pot.

It was so nice to hear a sermon that wasn’t milk-toast and a pastor who tells it like it is feelings be damned. I had forgotten what it sounded like.

[Resolute Conservative]

I had taken to listening to old broadcasts of Adrian Rogers to get my need fulfilled until I got my wife to wake up.

[al_c]

So they say in the survey that Catholic churches were intentionally excluded, and then when you read the results you find that other high church denominations were kept out.

Nothing more than a bunch of evangelical nonsense.

Nothing more than a bunch of motivational speakers.

[LiteKeeper]

I have been an evangelical pastor for almost 30 years, and have heard of the majority of those churches! In my mind, the finest teaching pastor in America is John MacArthur at Grace Community Church in California, and he is not even on the list. His church trains thousands of pastors every year, and he is president of the Master’s Seminary and College. Where is his name?

[dangus]

Reality check:

Most influential churches:

1. Roman Catholic Cathedral of Los Angeles
2. Roman Catholic Cathedral of Chicago
3. Roman Catholic Cathedral of New York
4. Roman Catholic Cathedral of Washington
5. Roman Catholic Cathedral of Boston
6. Roman Catholic Cathedral of Philadelphia
7. Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Louis
8. Roman Catholic Cathedral of Baltimore
9. Roman Catholic Cathedral of Detroit
10. Episcopal Cathedral of Las Vegas, Nevada
11. Falls Church Episcopal Church
12. Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Washington, DC)
13. Ave Maria University Oratorium
14. Christ Church, Plano
15. Regent University

Let’s be real, folks... “Megachurches” aren’t influential; sees are. People attend whatever megachurch they feel comfortable with. There are as many members of Catholic parishes as there are of all Protestant denominations combined.

[Clemenza]

True, but Roman Catholics don’t influence elections/Republican politics. If that were the case Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey would be fountains of religious activism and Republican strongholds.

[Vision]

The 2007 survey was emailed to leaders of more than 2,000 of the largest non-Catholic congregations in the nation in April-June.

What does that prove? How about looking at membership, broadcast, schedule of touring, and amount of books sold. There's only one choice. Lakewood.

[firebrand]

ping

[Xenalyte]

There’s sure a lot of teeth in the pictures atop this thread.

[Truth is a Weapon]

Ping

[Resolute Conservative]

Then get off your duffs and do something instead of saying how great Catholicism is over Protestantism. In the south ( east of Texas ) you are in the minority.

[P-Marlowe]

Reality check: Most influential churches: 1. Roman Catholic Cathedral of Los Angeles

Mind if I puke?

[zerosix]

Yes I know, you and I have communicated before about this issue.

We were Presbyterians, then Covenant, now SBC affiliated!!!

Role reversal for your sweet wife.

[MovementConservative]

bttt

[PAR35]

1. Roman Catholic Cathedral of Los Angeles

I don't know about influential, but when you are able to write a check for $600 million to avoid trial, you are certainly one of the richest.