Is Christianity Big Business?

With the salaries of some religious leaders and organizations, it is hard not to think that Christianity is a big business. For instance, monies given to major religious leaders are not subject to how they can be used. Using figures from December 31, 2006, salaries range from Trinity Broadcasting Network’s Janice Crouch at $105,000 to Billy Graham at $406,000. The organizations these individuals are part of made several hundred million.

It is thought by some that the main thing these Christian ministries are after is the retention of members and revenues. It is also thought that the parishioners are being deceived into giving money to these organizations. They like to use the approach that you are denying the organization and taking away from God by not giving money to them. To impress the public with their popularity it is said that some organizations put up false counters on their sites to indicate the amount of hits they have.

A book written by Michael Budde and Robert Brimlow, “How Big Business is Buying the Church,” explains how the church needs to avoid becoming the “chaplain to capitalism.” They go on to explain why the church must stay in line with Christ-centered discipleship and not succumb to capitalistic ways. They indicate that, for those who are weary, becoming spiritual is very popular and important; but, that it, in itself, is becoming an epidemic. They affirm that the church must have a voice in our society that does not go along with corporate spirituality.