Two Churches.

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Jul 6, 2020
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#1
I know a pastor of a church that was started in an abandoned pub in a seedy area of a not so lovely city.
One rule they had was if you wanted to be a part you had to move there and live near by everyone else.
You might think that would work against the growth of the Church.
But it grew like wildfire and transformed the entire community.
With God adding to their number and healings testifying to the work of the Spirit.

I know another church that had a great advertising campaign which was a large part of its budget.
Had a nice professional service and good music and lots of people being nice and saying hi and giving you coffee an doughnuts
An up beat and encouraging message from the word of God.
It was providing services and outreaches to the community to families and singles.
It even had different locations targeted to people in different stages of life.
You could see it was really well thought out and it also grew and people learned about God.


So what is the difference?
Which one would you want to be a part of?
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,693
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#2
Neither, actually.........but, I'm sure you tried your best to make sure they taught as you believed they should, IF YOU ATTENDED them.........but, you said on another Thread that you couldn't find a church that believed as you thought they should, so you were gonna build your own........

That being considered, these examples are probably just creations of your fancy
 
Jul 6, 2020
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#3
Neither, actually.........but, I'm sure you tried your best to make sure they taught as you believed they should, IF YOU ATTENDED them.........but, you said on another Thread that you couldn't find a church that believed as you thought they should, so you were gonna build your own........

That being considered, these examples are probably just creations of your fancy
You are arrogant.

The pastor of the first one is a friend of mine.
The second one I received their nicely done stuff in the mail and went for a visit.
Stayed for a bit and got involved in the homeless outreach program that they had before I moved to another area.
 
S

Scribe

Guest
#4
They do sound like descriptions from a personal perspective that may or may not be real.
The first one requiring people to move there to be a part sounds like a cult. Unless you meant it was requirement for staff ministers only which I could understand.

The other one sounds like a personal perspective that I have heard often. Some people are looking for a certain culture in a church that the family oriented "excellence" model does not quite meet. It seems fake to them. It seems like it is all about activities for the whole family like a 6 Flags church. Some are put off by the Shopping Mall feel of the foyers and the professionalism of the music and everything being so glamorous and appealing and they wonder if this is what we are supposed to be all about.

The problem is that if we are not careful we will judge by outward appearance and never give a church a chance. If we pray and God leads us to a church and the preaching speaks to our hearts and we get that witness that this is a genuine group of believers who are all about following Jesus with their whole hearts, then we should get involved and give it a chance. We may find that it is full of people who are spiritual giants who can really be a blessing to our lives when at first we thought maybe it was just a bunch of glad handers all smiles and no substance.

There is no way to draw any conclusions about the two churches you mentioned. Not enough information.
 

breno785au

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2013
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Australia
#5
I don't understand why there is a comparison made? If Jesus is amongst both then what does it matter who attends what?
Needless to say, the church is who Jesus is building, us, the living stones. It is not a thing we attend or do once a week. Many people agree with this, yet fail to fully understand and practice it.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,693
6,884
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#6
You are arrogant.

The pastor of the first one is a friend of mine.
The second one I received their nicely done stuff in the mail and went for a visit.
Stayed for a bit and got involved in the homeless outreach program that they had before I moved to another area.
Not arrogant at all.........I simply believe you are a disruptive spirit here on CC. In other words, you are a troll and you have posted ideologies that are not Biblical.............and I simply do not like you

Not arrogant, just selective as to how much bunk I will stand...........
 
Jul 6, 2020
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#7
Neither, actually.........but, I'm sure you tried your best to make sure they taught as you believed they should, IF YOU ATTENDED them.........but, you said on another Thread that you couldn't find a church that believed as you thought they should, so you were gonna build your own........

That being considered, these examples are probably just creations of your fancy
As far as churches that I approached about making changes, those are churches that I had attended for years.

I only had real success with one pastor but he was thrown out because of his success and being well liked and approved by the fellowship and involved in a quickly growing Church plant and the others where jealous.
So they lied about him and had him and his wife an five kids thrown out and left with nothing.
 
Jul 6, 2020
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#8
I don't understand why there is a comparison made? If Jesus is amongst both then what does it matter who attends what?
Needless to say, the church is who Jesus is building, us, the living stones. It is not a thing we attend or do once a week. Many people agree with this, yet fail to fully understand and practice it.
You don see any differences?
You don't have any preferences as to which one you would like to go to?
Really?
OK.
 
Jul 6, 2020
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328
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#9
They do sound like descriptions from a personal perspective that may or may not be real.
The first one requiring people to move there to be a part sounds like a cult. Unless you meant it was requirement for staff ministers only which I could understand.

The other one sounds like a personal perspective that I have heard often. Some people are looking for a certain culture in a church that the family oriented "excellence" model does not quite meet. It seems fake to them. It seems like it is all about activities for the whole family like a 6 Flags church. Some are put off by the Shopping Mall feel of the foyers and the professionalism of the music and everything being so glamorous and appealing and they wonder if this is what we are supposed to be all about.

The problem is that if we are not careful we will judge by outward appearance and never give a church a chance. If we pray and God leads us to a church and the preaching speaks to our hearts and we get that witness that this is a genuine group of believers who are all about following Jesus with their whole hearts, then we should get involved and give it a chance. We may find that it is full of people who are spiritual giants who can really be a blessing to our lives when at first we thought maybe it was just a bunch of glad handers all smiles and no substance.

There is no way to draw any conclusions about the two churches you mentioned. Not enough information.
I think the motivation was about being together as a demonstration of the fellowship of the Saints.
But it is a good question. I will have to ask him.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,590
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Tennessee
#10
I know a pastor of a church that was started in an abandoned pub in a seedy area of a not so lovely city.
One rule they had was if you wanted to be a part you had to move there and live near by everyone else.
You might think that would work against the growth of the Church.
But it grew like wildfire and transformed the entire community.
With God adding to their number and healings testifying to the work of the Spirit.

I know another church that had a great advertising campaign which was a large part of its budget.
Had a nice professional service and good music and lots of people being nice and saying hi and giving you coffee an doughnuts
An up beat and encouraging message from the word of God.
It was providing services and outreaches to the community to families and singles.
It even had different locations targeted to people in different stages of life.
You could see it was really well thought out and it also grew and people learned about God.


So what is the difference?
Which one would you want to be a part of?
I'm going with the coffee and donuts.
 
Jul 6, 2020
905
328
63
#11
Not arrogant at all.........I simply believe you are a disruptive spirit here on CC. In other words, you are a troll and you have posted ideologies that are not Biblical.............and I simply do not like you

Not arrogant, just selective as to how much bunk I will stand...........
OK.
At least that's out in the open now.
 

DJZawada

Active member
Jul 25, 2020
114
31
28
www.yomyhwh.com
#14
Not arrogant at all.........I simply believe you are a disruptive spirit here on CC. In other words, you are a troll and you have posted ideologies that are not Biblical.............and I simply do not like you

Not arrogant, just selective as to how much bunk I will stand...........
John 13:34,35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,693
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#15
John 13:34,35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
that Scripture has to do with "like minded believers."

This person does not believe Jesus is God, God the Son.........has said as much on different Threads........

To deny the Divinity of Christ is to deny Christ. To deny Christ is to deny God. To do these is enough for me to know that such peoples are not "of the Church" IMO. How can one be of His Church IF they deny Him?

So............thanks for the Scripture, but next time take the time to learn why a post is posted rather than jump in without understanding of the circumstances. This person is a troll
 
Jul 6, 2020
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#16
that Scripture has to do with "like minded believers."

This person does not believe Jesus is God, God the Son.........has said as much on different Threads........

To deny the Divinity of Christ is to deny Christ. To deny Christ is to deny God. To do these is enough for me to know that such peoples are not "of the Church" IMO. How can one be of His Church IF they deny Him?

So............thanks for the Scripture, but next time take the time to learn why a post is posted rather than jump in without understanding of the circumstances. This person is a troll
Just because you don't understand me.
Does not make what you think true.
 

breno785au

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2013
6,002
767
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39
Australia
#17
You don see any differences?
You don't have any preferences as to which one you would like to go to?
Really?
OK.
You're reading what I said incorrectly. My question is, if Jesus is amongst both gatherings, what does it matter?
What is your motive for comparison? Are you saying the first is better than the second?
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,693
6,884
113
#18
Just because you don't understand me.
Does not make what you think true.
What I think is of no more value than what you or anyone else thinks. It's what the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit imparts to believers that matters. uh, er, you do believe in God the Holy Spirit? You know, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity?

...........BTW..........

John, Chapter 10:
30) I and my Father are one.

John, Chapter 8:
58) Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Exodus, Chapter 3:
14) And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

John, Chapter 14:
7) If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Proof from Scripture
 
Jul 6, 2020
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#19
that Scripture has to do with "like minded believers."

This person does not believe Jesus is God, God the Son.........has said as much on different Threads........

To deny the Divinity of Christ is to deny Christ. To deny Christ is to deny God. To do these is enough for me to know that such peoples are not "of the Church" IMO. How can one be of His Church IF they deny Him?

So............thanks for the Scripture, but next time take the time to learn why a post is posted rather than jump in without understanding of the circumstances. This person is a troll
Jesus is totally God in that He is Gods Son, Born from above, the exact representation of the nature of God, filled to the fullness of God, speaking the words of God and doing the works of God, having once existed in God and in the form of God.

Just because i believe in the word of God is totally sufficient to describe all of that perfectly and needed nothing to be added does not mean i reject the divinity of Christ.

How does the bible put it...
Mat 15:8-9
These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’

The further we step into man made creeds and precepts the more we risk ending up in vain worship of God.
Stick with the word, pure and undefiled.
Gods word is the only exact, right, perfect, God approved description of the relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and us his children.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,693
6,884
113
#20
Jesus is totally God in that He is Gods Son, Born from above, the exact representation of the nature of God, filled to the fullness of God, speaking the words of God and doing the works of God, having once existed in God and in the form of God.
This comment implies that Jesus was CREATED............and NOT fully God............