There is certainly cost associated with opening new locations and I'm sure The Crossing's congregations are being expected and pushed to give more. The emotional manipulation begins with the teaching that these people will burn in hell for eternity if you aren't giving so Pastor Eric & Pastor Kelly can "preach the word" and bring them to Jesus. If you believe this, and really think hard on the thought of your family and friends being deep fried after they die, then you truly feel the weight of the world to give everything to save them.
Church giving is big business. Look at who the Dykstra's associate with....Joel Osteen...one of the most profitable mega church preachers around. They are taught from him and other thieves, how to say the right words to tug on your heart and get you to give for their benefit. These churches are set up with elder boards of other mega church preachers so there is no accountability with their salaries and other perks they receive. And since churches aren't taxed they don't have to provide an annual report so fraud is rampant. Note this line in the tax code:
"Every organization exempt from federal income tax under IRS 501(a) must file an annual information return except: 1) A church .... "
Ask for the Dykstra's salaries, ask for an annual report, ask to see where this money is going and see what they give you. Instead you will be shamed for asking and given the run around. Once these new locations are up and running they will get weekly tithe money. The Crossing pushes the tithe hard and preys on your fears and greed to sway you to give more. They'll say if you tithe, especially over 10%, then you'll get the living fuck blessed out of you....better job, raise, bigger house, save your marriage, protect your children....giving to God equals having all your shit work out. So whatever you perceive as wrong in your life, then giving to them becomes the answer you've been looking for. Until you give, and give, and give....and all that happens is you have less money. As I've said before, leaving church was the biggest pay raise of my life!
These new churches aren't needed. These new churches are only to build The Crossing's empire. And you are all pawns in their sick game.