1 hr 18 min

The Scandalous, Grifting History of Megachurches Midnight Facts for Insomniacs

    • Comedy

In today’s supersized praise-worthy episode, MFFI uncovers the scandalous stories behind the rise of megachurches and explains how a few ambitious, unscrupulous grifters turned piety into profit and faith into a financial formula. From the pulpit to the bank vault, explore the controversial rise of these religious empires and the charismatic leaders who plunder the pockets of their congregations.
~
In this episode:  
Just How Mega is a Megachurch? 
Gigachurches
The Business of Faith
Lakewood and Joel Osteen
The First Megachurch (1861): Charles Spurgeon and the Metropolitan Tabernacle
The First American Megachurch: Foursquare
Aimee Semple McPherson
The Prosperity Gospel
Oral Roberts
Vanco Payments
Kenneth Copeland, Demon-Face
World Changer's Church
Creflo Dollar and Project G650
The United States Inquiry in the Tax-Exempt Status of Religious Organizations
Deep Dive: Hillsong Church
Frank Houston and the Hills Christian Life Center
Brian Houston, Ned Flanders of Evil
Geoff Bullock, Darlene Zcheck, and the Hillsong Band
"The Church I See" 
The Rise and Fall of Carl Lentz and Hillsong NY
Accusations and Confessions
The Fall of Frank and Brian
~
Support the show by becoming a Midnight Minion, Menace, or Maniac, and unlock exclusive bonus content over at PATREON
~
Chat with fellow insomniacs and vote on episode topics via DISCORD
~
Join the Midnight Masses!
Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 
And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 
Midnight Merch
 ~
Leave an Audio Message!

Instagram
~
Podcast Website
~
Episode Transcript

In today’s supersized praise-worthy episode, MFFI uncovers the scandalous stories behind the rise of megachurches and explains how a few ambitious, unscrupulous grifters turned piety into profit and faith into a financial formula. From the pulpit to the bank vault, explore the controversial rise of these religious empires and the charismatic leaders who plunder the pockets of their congregations.
~
In this episode:  
Just How Mega is a Megachurch? 
Gigachurches
The Business of Faith
Lakewood and Joel Osteen
The First Megachurch (1861): Charles Spurgeon and the Metropolitan Tabernacle
The First American Megachurch: Foursquare
Aimee Semple McPherson
The Prosperity Gospel
Oral Roberts
Vanco Payments
Kenneth Copeland, Demon-Face
World Changer's Church
Creflo Dollar and Project G650
The United States Inquiry in the Tax-Exempt Status of Religious Organizations
Deep Dive: Hillsong Church
Frank Houston and the Hills Christian Life Center
Brian Houston, Ned Flanders of Evil
Geoff Bullock, Darlene Zcheck, and the Hillsong Band
"The Church I See" 
The Rise and Fall of Carl Lentz and Hillsong NY
Accusations and Confessions
The Fall of Frank and Brian
~
Support the show by becoming a Midnight Minion, Menace, or Maniac, and unlock exclusive bonus content over at PATREON
~
Chat with fellow insomniacs and vote on episode topics via DISCORD
~
Join the Midnight Masses!
Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 
And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 
Midnight Merch
 ~
Leave an Audio Message!

Instagram
~
Podcast Website
~
Episode Transcript

1 hr 18 min

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