Prosperity theology

=== Practices ===

Prosperity churches place a strong emphasis on the importance of giving. Some services include a teaching-time focused on giving and prosperity, including Biblical references to [[tithe|tithing]]; and then a sermon on another topic which follows the offering. Prosperity-church leaders often claim that a specific blessing can be exchanged for the money being donated to their ministry; some have been reported to instruct worshippers to hold their donations above their heads during the prayer.{{sfn|Klassen|2009|p= 133}} <!-- Is this distinctive enough for inclusion here? Prosperity churches may also allot time to pray for sick members of the congregation during services.{{refn|name=b88}}-->

Congregants in prosperity churches are encouraged to speak positive statements about aspects of their lives that they wish to see improved. These statements, known as "positive confessions" (distinct from confessions of sin), are said to miraculously change aspects of people's lives if spoken with faith.{{sfn|Brown|2011|p= 88}} Prosperity churches also encourage people to "live without limits"{{sfn|Walton|2009|p= 109}} and to cultivate optimism about their lives.{{sfn|Elisha|2011|p=45}} [[T.&nbsp;D. Jakes]], pastor of [[The Potter's House]] non-denominational mega-church, has argued in favor of prosperity, rejecting what he sees as the demonization of success. He views poverty as a barrier to living a Christian life, suggesting that it is easier to make a positive impact on society when one is affluent.{{sfn|Walton|2009|p= 109}}

While some prosperity churches have a reputation for manipulating and alienating the poor,{{sfn|Clifton|2009|p= 199}} many are involved in social programs. Underlying these programs is a theology of empowerment and human flourishing with the goal of releasing people from a "welfare" or [[Victim mentality|"victim" mentality]].{{sfn|Clifton|2009|p= 199}} Many prosperity churches hold seminars on financial responsibility. Kate Bowler, an academic who studies prosperity theology, has criticized such seminars, arguing that though they contain some sound advice, the seminars often emphasize the purchase of expensive possessions.{{refn|name= rosin}} [[Hanna Rosin]] of ''[[The Atlantic]]'' argues that prosperity theology contributed to the [[Real estate bubble|housing bubble]] that caused the [[late-2000s financial crisis]]. She maintains that prosperity churches heavily emphasized home ownership based on reliance on divine financial intervention that led to unwise choices based on actual financial ability.{{refn|name=rosin}}

Most churches in the prosperity movement are non-denominational and independent, though some groups have formed networks.{{sfn|Coleman|2000|p=30}} Prosperity churches typically reject [[presbyterian polity]] (or governance) and the idea that a pastor should be accountable to [[Elder (Christianity)|elders]]; it is common for pastors of prosperity churches to be the highest organizational authority-figure.{{sfn|Coleman|2000|p= 95}} Critics, including [[Sarah Posner]] and [[Joe Conason]], maintain that prosperity teachers cultivate [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian organizations]]. They argue that leaders attempt to control the lives of adherents by claiming divinely-bestowed authority.{{sfn|Posner|Conason|2008|pp= 61–62}} Jenkins contends that prosperity theology is used as a tool to justify the high salaries of pastors.{{sfn|Jenkins|2006|p= 93}}