City Bible Church vs.The Dreamcenter
Posted on January 4th, 2005 by catalyst into the Uncategorized categoryRecently an ex-City Business member asked me, “Which do you think is better, City Bible Church or the Dreamcenter?”
Like a typical heathen I responded, “What the hell is the Dreamcenter? Is it a mattress store? Because if you’re looking for a good place to sleep, the City Bible pews are not the place; trust me I’ve been trying to sleep there for years.”
But no, I was told, the Dreamcenter is not a mattress store, it is in fact a large Mega-Church in the heart of Los Angeles.
A church, huh. Immediately I was intrigued… A battle of the churches. Now that could be fun.
And in pondering this great mystery, I realized that here was a question only a blogger could answer. Thus, for this next post, I am going to compare the many similar aspects of CBC and the Dreamcenter, and then pronounce a winner. Should be fun.
Let’s break it down: Dr. Jack style.
Church Name
The most important feature of a church is the name. And although I find the name “Dreamcenter” eerily similar to many amusement parks in California, I have to give the Barnetts credit for coming up with something unique. At least they didn’t jump on the “city” bandwagon. Note to churches, just putting the name “city” in your church name, doesn’t necessarily make you hip and cool. Edge: Dreamcenter
Play
I was reviewing the Dreamcenter website and I noticed they recently staged a lavish Christmas production. I believe the play involved a group of overly happy “toy dolls” becoming sad because their friend “toy soldier” was sinning. This was followed by a dramatic confession by the soldier and a subsequent happy toy dance. A rather unoriginal production, if you ask me. And in fact, the only play that might be worse than a “Happy Toy Christmas Production” is a play in which the audience is reminded repeatedly they are going to straight to hell. A play, I am pretty sure Jesus would walk out of. Again… Edge: Dreamcenter
Pastoral Humor
Due to the wonders of technology, I recently had the pleasure of listening to a sermon by Tommy Barnett. And I have to be honest, three minutes into his speech, I thought I had found the most unfunny person in the world. Honestly, Worst. Jokes. Ever. The only thing worse than tithing jokes, are jokes about how your wife is not subservient anymore. If City Bible Church is trapped in the 90’s, then the Dreamcenter is trapped in the 50’s. Someone has to introduce these mega-churches to the new millennium.
Thus, while Frank Damazio is no Chris Rock, I’ve got to say, compared to Mr. Barnett he could perform Live at the Apollo. Edge: City Bible Church
Message on Giving
It is commonly understood that you can not be a megachurch unless you repeatedly hound your congregation for all their money. And, as we have discussed before, City Business is the absolute best at giving this message. As they should be, they’ve had 10 years of practice.
However, in the interest of fairness, I listened to young Tommy to see what he had to offer.
Well folks, he may be no Damazio 3:16, but this little soldier gave everything he had. He left it all on the court. He told his church that God would not perform a miracle in their life unless they gave as much money as possible. (Honestly, listen to the sermon).
And so, right there staring at my computer, without even thinking, I stood up and gave little Tommy a standing ovation. It was no “putting a cap on God.” But is was a phenomenal performance nonetheless.
Edge: City Bible (though this was a close one)
PROJECTED WINNER IN HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHUP
Did I also mention that the Dreamcenter has over 30,000 congregants, and their campus is a mere 20 minutes from where Linsdey Lohan lives? Hmmm, I guess I didn’t. Well, whatever…
Winner: Dreamcenter
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January 4th, 2005 at 5:36 pm
Could be your best work yet. I am amazed at the amount of time and effort you put into this.
“I may hate you with every inch of my being, but damn do I respect you”… slow clap followed by faster clap followed by loud cheering.
Someone pass the tithe bucket. I’m a believer.
January 4th, 2005 at 6:13 pm
Wow….it’s mind-boggling to think how this stuff is used to “promote Christianity”….keep up the good work
Catalyst….you should definitely write a book….you would have lots of contributors who have seen it all first-hand after all….
January 4th, 2005 at 6:30 pm
Thanks for your support. That’s two down, only 399,998 more to go.
January 4th, 2005 at 11:28 pm
Where have we gone wrong? I remember the day’s that Church was all about people and helping one another in times of need.
As I read these insertions of emotional awakening, I find myself aware that some Portland Mega Churches are unable to reach the needs of their people. I have been aware of People with real problems that cried out for help, to find no help in their Leaders and no solutions to their difficulties. It seems to me that when someone really needs help,there is nothing to really draw from. People get lost in the rat race of running these Churches. Its all Business and no time for low life people that don;t have the luck that sometimes shines others more. Just because someone has a problem or needs help, does not mean they are weak or unsocialable but rather they are to be embraced and helped, loved on and shown the compassion that they are deserving.
January 5th, 2005 at 10:09 am
Hey Catalyst, this is something you might want to look into, The Dream Center in it self is not a church, it is an outreach operated by the Assembly’s of God, denomination. The Church that you are talking about is Angelus Temple. Angelus Temple is the founding church of the Four Square denomination, both of these are separate “ventures”(i can’t think of a better word). Matthew Barnett is the Senior Pastor at Angelus Temple and he is also in charge of the Dream Center. But if you were to look at them as businesses these two completely separate, the number one separation is money, neither one shares money. Because they are different denominations, the denominations will not use their money to help the other.
My best friend worked for Matthew Barrnett as an assistant, so of course I had to stop in for a service at the Angelus Temple, and I will agree that Money had a portion of the service, but what church doesn’t. Well it was an ok, service. It got even better as we later took a little drive to Tijiuana later that day to see the sights and sounds of Mexico.
January 5th, 2005 at 10:14 am
You went and saw the sights and sounds of Mexico?
Are you sure you didn’t go and smoke the pot of Mexico?
This site is great because of the humor. Lets keep it that way.
January 5th, 2005 at 10:17 am
That’s interesting. I couldn’t figure out the difference between the Dreamcenter and Angelus Temple by just looking at the website. The website does talk about the Barnetts founding the dreamcenter in 1994… So, I’m sure theres something there. I tend to agree with you, I do think they are two seperate entities. I’m not sure the purpose though.
And you’re right about the money thing. I just wish churches would be more honest with there messages on giving and say, “Hey we need your money to survive, so please share whatever you can.” Instead of promising miracles for giving.
And the sermon was ridiculous. It was all about how you need to think positively and your life will be better… unless of course you’re a homeless addict, then all the positive thinking in the world isn’t going to put a roof over your head.
January 5th, 2005 at 5:05 pm
Cool work
January 5th, 2005 at 5:41 pm
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January 7th, 2005 at 8:06 am
I used to be a CBC-er, but thank God not anymore. Speaking of tithing, do you remember the scripture that CBC turned into a song, to hype us up before tithing? It was, “Give and it will come back to you, good measure, pressed down, and running over!” The choir would sing and dance and get everyone’s emotions running high. Within a few minutes, the overhead screen would come on, and there would be a list of things that you could receive for tithing, such as, inheritance, job promotions, unexpected money, cars, etc. I remember a friend of mine got really caught up in this. She told me that they were believing that an unexpected check of $25,000 would be mailed to them. When I asked, “Who’s going to send it to you?” They looked at me like I was stupid and said, “God”.
January 7th, 2005 at 8:58 am
Well, God certainly could send you a check for 25K…
… or he could send a Tsunami and kill you and your entire family. I suppose it depends on what type of mood he’s in.
January 10th, 2005 at 3:29 am
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August 31st, 2007 at 7:59 am
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August 31st, 2007 at 10:22 am
catalyst wrote: He told his church that God would not perform a miracle in their life unless they gave as much money as possible. (Honestly, listen to the sermon).
catalyst: Did he say this about a special offering he was taking or about the tithe or both?
August 31st, 2007 at 10:31 am
He said this about the tithe.
If I remember correctly, and I listened to this sermon awhile ago, he preached the “Don’t put a cap on God” doctrine.
If you don’t give as much as possible and trust God to meet your needs, then God won’t be able to do miracles in your life. He can’t work with someone who has so little faith.
…or something to that extent.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Here is a CAP for you…Acts 8:20, “But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!’ ”
Strange how I’ve never heard a sermon on Acts 8:20….:)
August 31st, 2007 at 3:37 pm
catalyst wrote: Honestly, listen to the sermon.
cat: can you give me the pathway to this sermon? it sounds like i’d like to quote it in my book…