You made me laugh. I have always thought people were wierd when they went one place for “the word” and another place for the music and fellowship. Also, I am bothered by church members who arrive at service when they think it is “preaching time.” I didn’t laugh cause it was funny. I laughed because I didn’t know other people did that. Yea, I suppose that is a “commodity” approach.

You are correct – the stereotypes were not in your initial post. I had been reading through the comments of all in total.

To point #4, I agree that no one is “called” especially gifted. I’m just suggesting that people are used differently, as it regards scope and influence. Paul does say that all the members are equally a part of the Body, but he does didtinguish more-prominent and less-prominent members of the Body. No, I am not comparing any contemporary preacher to the apostles.

To point #5, I am making no claim about the maturity of saints in anyone’s church. I am saying that some mega-churches (just like some midsize and small) are diligent to the process of making disciples. Any lackness in the pursuit of Christian discipleship is characteristic of Christianity “in America” not Christianity in “mega-churches.”

1. I don’t think I stereotyped anyone. But if I did then please show me so that I can clear it up. I can’t speak for every commenter and I only delete comments with very bad language.

2. As it relates to difference between the three I still believe it is the commodity that is different. Just because we believe that “expository preaching” isn’t a commodity doesn’t change that it is. Especially when I know a grip of people personally who go to churches only for the “word” and they can’t get any meaningful fellowship and some even go to other churches for the worship and fellowship. Furthermore, I believe that I and many of the posters on this site have a keen view of the “Gospel”. Now do you believe that is a sterotype to say “no understanding fo the Gospel”? That may be a stretch.

3. Nope. My good blogging role model Alan Knox over at http://www.assembling.blogspot.com don’t meet in a house. I know many others who don’t meet in a home. So my answer is no. You can gather at a lake, park, school, a building called a church, or at a bar for all I care. The location isn’t important the gathering is.

4. No one in the scriptures are called “especially gifted”. That is why I made that claim. Unless we talk about the Apostles and they had a special gift that had a special goal which was to be the foundation of Christ’s church. Every other believer is “gifted” and Paul seems to make clear in 1 Corinthians 12 that these gifts are equal. Now as it relates to shepherd if a person has a gift to shepherd he must have a gift to teach. The bible never makes a distinction. There is an obscure verse in 2 Timothy and this is up for debate. If a man is an elder he should teach. There is no such thing as a “teaching elder”. If so can you show me one of them in scripture? Finally are you comparing the ministry of Driscoll and others to the Apostles Paul and Peter? If so we need to list some glaring and outstanding differences.

5. What makes you believe that people are denying themselves anymore in Driscoll’s church than in Olsteen’s church? Or is this not what you meant? What you mentioned is one compotnent of being a disciple of Christ the others include, but are not limited to, making disciples and being a servant.

6. I still need to see those sterotypes.

All mega churches do not stroke people’s egos. All mega churches are not lacking accountability and small group discipleship. If one can’t distinguish between Osteen, Hybils, and Driscoll, then one has no understanding of the Gospel.

Thank you Manning for trying to examine the logic of multi-site ministry. I am very concerned about this model and the motivations of “many.” However, I will always realize that many ain’t “all.”

Brother Woods, do you believe the “house church” model is an effective model or the ONLY acceptable NT model for local gatherings of the Church?

What is a biblical understanding of “gifted or especially gifted?” Perhaps we can benefit from the description of Apollos being “mighty in the scripture” or the fact that Paul and Peter were used by God (in scripture) in ways that other disciples/apostles were not.

How do you measure church “benefit?” Perhaps when the saints are denying themselves, taking up their cross daily, and following Christ.

By serving in a large denomination, I have seen all types of effective and non-effective congregations. Sterotypes usually break down once you see local congregation seeking to glorify Christ.