The Scandalous, Grifting History of Megachurches

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