Podcast:The Economics of Everyday Things Published On: Mon Sep 22 2025 Description: They have thousands of congregants and millions of dollars in income. Zachary Crockett passes the collection plate. SOURCES:Julie Roys, founder of the Roys Report.Scott Thumma, professor of sociology of religion at Hartford International University, director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. RESOURCES:"The faithful see both crisis and opportunity as churches close across the country," by Scott Neuman (NPR, 2023)."Million Dollar Homes Become Status Symbols of Televangelists and Pastors," by Barry Bowen (Trinity Foundation, 2022)."Megachurch 2020," by Scott Thumma and Warren Bird (Hartford Institute for Religion Research, 2020).Beyond Megachurch Myths: What We Can Learn from America's Largest Churches, by Scott Thumma and Dave Travis (2007)."Ministers' Compensation & Housing Allowance," (IRS).MinistryWatch. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.