megachurches

Marlena Bhame sings during a "Worship Night" event at Liquid Church in Parsippany, N.J., in November.

Religion

Megachurches are getting even bigger as churches close across the country

6:26pm July 14, 2023

by Scott Neuman

At a time when empty pews are forcing churches across the country to close, megachurches are largely bucking that trend — attracting younger, more vibrant and more diverse congregations.

National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins speaks during a Senate hearing earlier this year. On Thursday, Collins called on religious leaders to keep their worship spaces closed, despite rising protests from some church leaders.

National
Health & Safety
Religion

NIH Director Tells Churches To Do The "Altruistic, Loving Thing" And Stay Closed

9:03pm December 03, 2020

by Tom Gjelten

His comments came even as the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a federal district court to reexamine its previous support for restrictions on indoor religious services in California.

Queue Listen Now

Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston came under scrutiny for not opening its doors to evacuees from Hurricane Harvey. The former basketball arena seats 16,000 people.

National
Religion

After Pressure Mounts, Joel Osteen Says His Houston Megachurch Is Open To Evacuees

6:47pm August 29, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

Lakewood Church occupies an arena that used to house the Houston Rockets. Questions had circulated online about why it wasn't being used to house those needing refuge from Hurricane Harvey.