Over 500 years ago the Pope in Rome had become very powerful in Europe. The corruption that rose from this power led to an outcry that became known as the Reformation. From that event the Protestant branch of Christianity was formed. Today we have in North America a number of large independent churches whose power rivals that of the Pope in 1500 AD! No, they have not had dissident people tortured or put to death, but they have more power in our culture today than many realize.

Their power is not only in their TV celebrity status and in their great financial wealth. They also command intense loyalty from their followers. To offer the slightest criticism of them could get you marginalized among some groups. If you fail to support them financially or in the respect they feel is due them, you might be made to feel insecure in your relationship with God. If you do not receive physical healing after hearing their teachings, it is assumed that there must be a flaw in your faith.

It does not matter how many moral failures continue without repentance, their followers continue. It is reasoned that the good outweighs the bad, but can anyone be sure about that? Like the rich in Mark 12:44 and Luke 21:4 they will scarcely miss what they give out of their personal millions. At the same time the members of their congregations give a far greater portion of their finances in hopes that God will prosper them as well.

If we allow that the popes of the middle ages had good intentions, perhaps many mega church leaders started out with good motives. I too want to see the poor lifted up from poverty and those who suffer from illnesses healed. I too want to show everyone that Christ loves them and cares about their every need. At the same time I am very willing to accept His sovereignty over His Creation. I will not distort the Gospel to make people like me more or to build a mega ministry.

In fact I thank God that the opportunity to build anything close to a mega church has never come to me. I am as apt to fall into the same temptations that such power brings.