Confused @ church
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we always need the Holy Spirit to lead us.
we've had several missionaries visit my local assembly. they share what they are doing in the field. i don't remember them asking for money though. they ALWAYS ask for prayer though, and they hand out their prayer card.
the congregation does pick up an offering for them, but we are never told we need to give a specific amount. it's whatever the person wants to give.
we've had several missionaries visit my local assembly. they share what they are doing in the field. i don't remember them asking for money though. they ALWAYS ask for prayer though, and they hand out their prayer card.
the congregation does pick up an offering for them, but we are never told we need to give a specific amount. it's whatever the person wants to give.
They were non-denominational. But they were following the teachings of Benny Hinn, Moris Cerullo, Don Ostrom (Millionaire in the Pew). Thanks and yeah we ended up leaving the church after 6 months. We kinda church-hopped for a few years before settling with one church. My dad stopped going, he kinda lost faith in pastors. Mom and siblings are going strong in the faith. Me too.
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Well, as long as they study the scriptures, that will protect them from a lot of the crazy people out there.
I was concerned because Iglesia Ni Cristo is so big in your country, and it's very common for them to ask members to sign over their assets. I thought maybe that was what you were dealing with.
I was concerned because Iglesia Ni Cristo is so big in your country, and it's very common for them to ask members to sign over their assets. I thought maybe that was what you were dealing with.
The last two churches I have been in were financially blessed. They support missions, and the church buildings are not too shabby either.
Neither church ever preached about money. Instead, knowing, serving and loving God is the emphasis. I have always loved the sermons in both places. They have inspired me to grow closer to God. In the last church, one day the pastor was talking about how "blessed" financially that church was, and how wonderful to be able to use the money to meet the needs of the community. They started an after school daycare for low income people, and also gave to the school lunch programs. Again, they gave a LOT to missions, including a hospital in Cameroon in which one of the congregation members had been a medical missionary for 25 years. It was awesome.
I do know that some churches simply have no money. Our church partners with a downtown outreach for the street people. They use our church facility, and we do outreach with them. Their church doesn't ever ask for money, or it would drive these poorest of the poor away. Instead, they pray, and God provides in amazing ways. They have a weekly meal and God always provides the money and the exact amount of food needed. The pastor was saying one week, there were 2 hamburgers left, and they were wondering why. About 2 minutes later, 2 people ran around the corner and said they were late, was there any food left? And they served those last burgers!
God will supply our needs, but that involves prayer and following God.
Oh yes, the church I was in 3 churches ago. The pastor really got off track in his preaching. He just forgot about God. A lot of long time members left, resulting in less offerings. The pastor had to get a part time job to make ends meet. But he still is so arrogant he will not accept correction and the fact that he is not preaching the Bible, nor about Christ. So sorry for that man! He is far from God and doesn't even know it!
Neither church ever preached about money. Instead, knowing, serving and loving God is the emphasis. I have always loved the sermons in both places. They have inspired me to grow closer to God. In the last church, one day the pastor was talking about how "blessed" financially that church was, and how wonderful to be able to use the money to meet the needs of the community. They started an after school daycare for low income people, and also gave to the school lunch programs. Again, they gave a LOT to missions, including a hospital in Cameroon in which one of the congregation members had been a medical missionary for 25 years. It was awesome.
I do know that some churches simply have no money. Our church partners with a downtown outreach for the street people. They use our church facility, and we do outreach with them. Their church doesn't ever ask for money, or it would drive these poorest of the poor away. Instead, they pray, and God provides in amazing ways. They have a weekly meal and God always provides the money and the exact amount of food needed. The pastor was saying one week, there were 2 hamburgers left, and they were wondering why. About 2 minutes later, 2 people ran around the corner and said they were late, was there any food left? And they served those last burgers!
God will supply our needs, but that involves prayer and following God.
Oh yes, the church I was in 3 churches ago. The pastor really got off track in his preaching. He just forgot about God. A lot of long time members left, resulting in less offerings. The pastor had to get a part time job to make ends meet. But he still is so arrogant he will not accept correction and the fact that he is not preaching the Bible, nor about Christ. So sorry for that man! He is far from God and doesn't even know it!
It was [FONT="]Ron Herrod began R.H.E.M.A. (Ron Herrod Evangelism Ministries Association) [/FONT]
Who was the missionary? Post a link or name....
I'd be cautious b/c there are some legit and some illegitimate people out there for missions (like TV evangelists) who show hungry kids, get the check and pull a Hillary by taking 90% for themselves and giving 10% to the truly poor......
of course we can never know the real or fake ones but don't commit to anything financial unless you pray about it and also investigate the background of the person/mission work.....use discernment
I'd be cautious b/c there are some legit and some illegitimate people out there for missions (like TV evangelists) who show hungry kids, get the check and pull a Hillary by taking 90% for themselves and giving 10% to the truly poor......
of course we can never know the real or fake ones but don't commit to anything financial unless you pray about it and also investigate the background of the person/mission work.....use discernment
what we, hubby and myself call the 'true-church' is whether as an individual or as a member of a congregation,
when the members or just individual neighbors acknowledge or seek out and go to those in their
communities who are truly in need for such things as money to pay their bills, or maybe they need
a new fridge, or stove, washer or dryer or maybe a new roof, which is almost always obvious, or
yard work that many can no longer do because of age or disability or widowhood, or not enough food
for the table because they have no way to get to the store and are very poor...real Church people
'step-up' and honor Jesus by freely giving what they can - some even denying themselves what they
most desire in order to give a free-will-offering to another that they see in need...
there should always be people or any congregation that researches these things in their communities,
and especially with those who are contributing to their churches with what they can afford, we have
discovered that often they are the very ones who are in need and could greatly use help from their
churches that they have been tithing to for many a year, yet they never ask for assistance or complain.
with the guidance and discernment of The Holy Spirit, these needs should always be a priority, but are
mostly never met or taken care of...
but these obvious needs and so many more needful things are always on the table in any and all
communities for those who are able to help and really care about those who don't have enough for them
to feel secure and safe and just plain ole cared for...just mowing a lawn for an older person should be
an honor...
so many churches on so many corners, yet so many important needs going un-cared for by those who
simply just don't care...this brings great grief to us...we do what we are able and share what we have
and always offer what we can...but we witness the more important needs of so many go un-met by
those who are more than able to give and relieve burdens...
we have witnessed these things for so many years...does anyone wonder what Christ must think
and feel about what is not being done by those who do have the ways and means to do unto others as they
would like done to themselves, just because they don't have the same needs YET???...
JAMES 2:3.
And you have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit
thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
1COR. 13:3.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,
and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
MARK 12:43.
And he called unto Him His disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you,
That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
PRO. 40:13.
There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor
from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
REV.2:19.
I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works;
and the last to be more than the first.
when the members or just individual neighbors acknowledge or seek out and go to those in their
communities who are truly in need for such things as money to pay their bills, or maybe they need
a new fridge, or stove, washer or dryer or maybe a new roof, which is almost always obvious, or
yard work that many can no longer do because of age or disability or widowhood, or not enough food
for the table because they have no way to get to the store and are very poor...real Church people
'step-up' and honor Jesus by freely giving what they can - some even denying themselves what they
most desire in order to give a free-will-offering to another that they see in need...
there should always be people or any congregation that researches these things in their communities,
and especially with those who are contributing to their churches with what they can afford, we have
discovered that often they are the very ones who are in need and could greatly use help from their
churches that they have been tithing to for many a year, yet they never ask for assistance or complain.
with the guidance and discernment of The Holy Spirit, these needs should always be a priority, but are
mostly never met or taken care of...
but these obvious needs and so many more needful things are always on the table in any and all
communities for those who are able to help and really care about those who don't have enough for them
to feel secure and safe and just plain ole cared for...just mowing a lawn for an older person should be
an honor...
so many churches on so many corners, yet so many important needs going un-cared for by those who
simply just don't care...this brings great grief to us...we do what we are able and share what we have
and always offer what we can...but we witness the more important needs of so many go un-met by
those who are more than able to give and relieve burdens...
we have witnessed these things for so many years...does anyone wonder what Christ must think
and feel about what is not being done by those who do have the ways and means to do unto others as they
would like done to themselves, just because they don't have the same needs YET???...
JAMES 2:3.
And you have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit
thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
1COR. 13:3.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,
and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
MARK 12:43.
And he called unto Him His disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you,
That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
PRO. 40:13.
There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor
from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
REV.2:19.
I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works;
and the last to be more than the first.
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K
You may understand where I am coming from sister. Christians will say "God will supply your need". Then let the offing plate pass them by or put a dollar in the plate. God blesses US to bless OTHERS! He uses you! If you can not afford to give that is different. But we should be willing to help further the Gospel with our money as well as other ways.
I think that Paul was talking about receiving... God would supply HIM with what he needed.
I think that giving with the expectation that you will receive something back is totally opposite to what was taught us... to give willingly, and happily.
I do believe that God will bless us with what we need... NOT in direct proportion to how much we give. If we give what we can... WILLINGLY and cheerfully, we will be blessed.
God is not a quid pro quo God....
I think that giving with the expectation that you will receive something back is totally opposite to what was taught us... to give willingly, and happily.
I do believe that God will bless us with what we need... NOT in direct proportion to how much we give. If we give what we can... WILLINGLY and cheerfully, we will be blessed.
God is not a quid pro quo God....
we always need the Holy Spirit to lead us.
we've had several missionaries visit my local assembly. they share what they are doing in the field. i don't remember them asking for money though. they ALWAYS ask for prayer though, and they hand out their prayer card.
the congregation does pick up an offering for them, but we are never told we need to give a specific amount. it's whatever the person wants to give.
we've had several missionaries visit my local assembly. they share what they are doing in the field. i don't remember them asking for money though. they ALWAYS ask for prayer though, and they hand out their prayer card.
the congregation does pick up an offering for them, but we are never told we need to give a specific amount. it's whatever the person wants to give.