The Roys Report Gods of the Smoke Machine: Power, Pain & the Megachurch
15 snips
Dec 3, 2025 
Scott Latta, an award-winning journalist and author, dives deep into the dark side of megachurches in his discussion. He reveals how these massive congregations, while appealing, often strip congregants of power and voice. Lance Ford, director with a strong background in theology, critiques the lack of real accountability, highlighting how many pastors evade consequences after scandals. Together, they explore the political influence of megachurches and advocate for a new initiative aimed at restoring community trust and accountability within church structures.
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Tradeoffs Of The Megachurch Model
- Megachurches offer compelling services but centralize power in a few leaders.
- That concentration creates environments prone to abuse and hidden trauma.
Mark Driscoll And Mars Hill Collapse
- Scott Latta recounts Mark Driscoll's refusal of restoration leading to Mars Hill's collapse.
- Driscoll resigned and then relaunched ministry elsewhere, illustrating how leaders can evade sustained accountability.
Powerlessness Of Individual Congregants
- Congregants in megachurches have almost no leverage when harmed because layers insulate leadership.
- Megachurches often become a person's whole ecosystem, increasing loss when they leave.
