Shawn Ryan Show #233 Nathan Apffel - Inside the Dark World of Megachurches and Corrupt Pastors
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Sep 4, 2025 Nathan Apffel, a filmmaker and director of The Religion Business, dives deep into the murky waters of megachurches and their financial practices. He unveils how these institutions prioritize profits over community, with 94% of donations kept within church walls. Apffel shares personal experiences of faith and the ethical issues in church leadership, advocating for transparency and accountability. He highlights the need for reforms to ensure that resources are truly allocated to help those in need, challenging the status quo of organized religion.
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Separate Christ From The Institution
- Nathan distinguishes Christ (the head of the church) from the institutional church and urges separating the two.
- He argues accountability must target the institution while faith remains centered on Christ.
Build Solutions, Not Just Critique
- Present problems but build practical solutions like non-governmental tech to increase donor transparency.
- Use tools that let congregants and donors demand accountability rather than rely solely on regulation.
Brother Who Chose Humble Ministry
- Nathan tells of his brother, a paid pastor with Huntington's, who quit ministry work to live humbly and preach unencumbered.
- That relationship inspired Nathan's belief that true ministry need not be tied to institutional power or money.
