Gotta Love Seattle Megachurches...

I have to weigh in on Casey Treat.

The main reason is that my partner came from Casey Treat's church. He ADORES Casey Treat. He calls Casey the biggest impact on his faith. I've actually been to the Christian Faith Center. I didn't respond to the invitation to the altar call.

I tend to agree with your assessment. People feel like they are a part of a community, but the community has boundaries. At some point, my partner felt a part of that community. I think he still does. When I went there, I certainly felt like an outsider. I wasn't invested in the community like the others were...because I knew I didn't fit in. I was the "they" they were talking about.

It's been said that visitors and outsiders have the best perspectives on our churches, our clubs, and our communities. The weakness of this church (which is being fed by this pastor) is that they don't believe in outsiders. They talk only to themselves...about themselves.

This is the ecclestical equivalent to the rich farmer who wants to build bigger barns and then let his soul rest and be happy. At some point, God calls him a fool. Will God call this church a building filled with fools? Possibly.

As for my partner, I'm working to get him other (and better) faith influences. I think he has them (heck, he's got me!), but he doesn't recognize that he has them.

Too much rambling?