All of the above are signs of affluence and an almost mirror image of corporate grandeur.
Is this man's church just another corporate entity built around the statue of Christ rather than GM / Michelin / Adidas / etc.??? Add to that the statue of Stanley in the entrance to the church. He has a big Bible in his hand always and says, "Let me tell you this . . ." at least every 5 minutes of his current telecast (which is produced in a studio rather than the church sanctuary).
Since I am from Atlanta, I can share other things about Charles Stanley which are factual:1) Grew us in the Pentecostal environment of an independent church
2) Was called as Associate Pastor to appease a part of the congregation wanting a fundy
3) Promised NOT to seek the pulpit if they let him be the Interim and preach each Sunday
4) Began to share privately with members how "God was calling him to be the next Pastor"
5) Brought the church to a divided position as the Pulpit Commmittee brought their candidate and the vote was split
6) Immediately after becoming Pastor the church's "top 10" giving to the CP went to nothing---they were buying buses and renovating the buildings + buying expensive TV prime time on WTBS (before satellite days)
7) Sent buses to every well-churched (white community) around metro Atlanta
Started promoting FBC as "the church to be in" if you wanted a spiritual time of worship
9) Ran big ads in the church section of the Atlanta Journal to that effect = more large expenditure on self-promotion
10) Never participated in joint ministereal meetings unless he was the speaker
11) To say he has an ego is a massive understatement
12) No sense of ethics with AmWay and loved to write and sell books
13) Gained national fame when WTBS went to satellite technology
14) Was the reason about half the old congregation left to join or form new mission-supporting Baptist churches
15) Quickly became the best-paid preacher in Atlanta with the largest Staff
16) Was on the Board for Jerry Falwell / Pat Robertson / etc. in the place of denominational connections until CR came along and gained complete control
17) Became the hub of an annual conference at FBC to teach other pastors how to build a big church
In sum it was a totally self-centered ministry bordering on personality worship. "I go to Charles Stanley's church" was the mantra of most members inviting friends to join them in the 'exciting growth.'