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Category: Church |
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worship |
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Posted by:
marty6 (Posted: 07/01/2009 1:25pm)
I am new to this forum and thought I would get some idea from people out there or rather Christians out there about worship in Church. I am struggling with finding the happy medium of keeping the old folks and the new folks happy. Actually we don't really have any new folks, i wish we did. I wish our worship service was more exciting and new but I really don't get any support for this. Any ideas? I would like to start a praise team and get rid of the old bulletin that makes church so predictable. I also would like more singing and just music in general. I think church should be for God not for us and also church should be for the unchurched and we need to find something to appeal to them not just for people who attend. I know God wants me to use my talents and I am trying to do that. How do I know when God wants me to go to another church? i am confused about a lot of things....
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- Category: Church - 1 Comment (by blackrose65)
- Total Views: 25
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The Bubble Syndrome. The Church at Laodicia! |
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Posted by:
scotsiam (Posted: 06/30/2009 8:55pm)
The Lord is ready to Vomit!!! Sign of the end times!!
Many people are trying to predict the Lord's return by using most of the book of Revelation and Daniel etc... .However, they have overlooked the most important of messages from the Lord concerning His return. The seven churches of Asia!! Everyone starts immediately into the symbolisms past the issues of the seven churches and totally ignore the beginning of the bood of Revelation. There is a reason why the Lord wanted the issues of the 7 churches placed at the beginning. It is because it is the spiritual condition of the church that will determine the Lords return. Not the condition of the world. The condition of the world has always been the pits! It is time for us to open our eyes and look at ourselves as individual Christians and as a whole in the church. It is my observation as a Pastor since 1977 that the church has slowly been moving down the slope of decay. When you study the 7 churches you will notice that each following church is worse than the previous church. Illustrating that the church is slowly moving away from what God has...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 20
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Consumer Christians |
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Posted by:
otter (Posted: 06/21/2009 4:41pm)
This morning my teaching pastor rebuked the church. One campus of the church. He'll do it again at the next three services.
And he should.
I live in one of the most unchurched areas in the country, in the city that is the largest in the region. God's truth is penetrating the darkness, many are coming to Christ and many others are offended, just as Jesus said they would be. The tension is palpable.
"Giving" ... why should I give to my church? Isn't this what they do, won't God provide?
God promises to feed us and clothe us (Matt. 6:25-34). He doesn't promise to keep the lights on in our churches. Paul commands us to not "muzzle the ox while he is threshing. The laborer is worthy of his wages." (1 Timothy 5:17-19). That means the pastors and the deacons who serve us by giving many hours away from their own families to strengthen our's.
The average household giving is $10 per month???
"... for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt. 6:21).
What about being able to download so many resources for free? Who maintains the website? Who provides the technology for the air...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 25
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Just a blog about our favourite word |
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Posted by:
4micah68 (Posted: 06/15/2009 11:54am)
I just thought I would just write a bit about an Evangelical habit. Just a while ago it was pointed out to me that Evangelicals just have this habit of overusing one word above all others. It just surprised me when I considered it carefully that it just really was true. I used the word when I prayed just wanting to pray a good prayer having just listened to those more experienced in praying just using this word in an imploring way. It just seemed right at the time until I thought, just a minute, I just don’t need to keep on saying this word in my prayers. It was just a revolution to be freed from the habit so I thought you just might like to think about it too. Just in case you are not sure of what the word is I’ll just say that it is just 4 letters long...
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- Category: Church - 8 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by 4micah68)
- Total Views: 76
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Our bible study at an end, for summer :( |
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Posted by:
estherangel (Posted: 06/13/2009 1:25pm)
I am sad. My Church bible study has come to an end, for summer. I was hoping Esther would keep going on forever, but it hasn't. I know things will pick up in the fall, they always do. It's just hard to let go of the women that I have come to love, share testimonies and prayers with. I will be thinking of them constantly, till we can gather again. I know I sound melancholy, and it's a little pathetic when I see them on sundays, it's just not the same sitting next to each other in a pew with our alliance to our husbands rather than studying the word of God around a table, enjoying snacks and each other's perspectives.
Not only that, our study of Esther was amazing. God had a personal word for each one of us, expecially for me. Each time, I opened my bible, the words flew off the page and dazzled me like a mile-wide field of irises and lilies. I was awestruck by God's wonderful providence in all of our lives, and how each one of us has a personal story written in heaven... . We all are little Esthers in our own...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 38
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Origin of the word "Church" |
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Posted by:
elgibbor (Posted: 06/11/2009 9:57am)
While praying about the "state" or condition of God's people, which seemed to be dysfunctional in general, I was challenged by God (in a couple of different ways) to do a word study on the word "church". Innocent as it seemed, I soon discovered the far reaching effects a word can have, that for the most part few have ever researched in depth, at least from the information that I have been able to uncover. The short version is that the word church comes from the German word "Kirke" whose roots goes back to the word "circle". Some of you may remember Homer's poem the "Odyssey". In the poem, Odysseus ran into an island sorceress, who turned men into beasts. Her name is Circe (daughter of the Sun), the Latin derivative of Kirke. No where in the New Testament should the Greek word "Ekklesia" ever be translated "church", the accurate translation should be "assembly" or "congregation". The one I personally like the best is "community". That word more accurately describes the vibrant, living, blood bought organism that God is perfecting, "His Community".
Now the question, I'm sure some of you are thinking, is "Who cares?". Think about this, if confession...
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- Category: Church - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by aliveintheword)
- Total Views: 72
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from one young person. |
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Posted by:
shanijane (Posted: 06/10/2009 12:37am)
I have been doing alot of thinking about why young people are drifting away from the church. Now this blog i was a little worried about and i hope i dont step on anyones toes in posting it but i think there are many reasons and each case has different circumstances and factors, however, I believe there are a few main reasons that we should be aware of as Christian brothers and sisters and or people who have an interest in seeing young people staying in church. One of these factors that is a cause for young people leaving the church is Consumerist Spirituality.
I have been reading some blogs from a youth commentator who explains Consumerist spirituality extremely well when he says - Today young adults worldview is deeply shaped by consumerism; it shapes how we purchase, how we relate, and how we shape our identities. In my research into why young adults leave church, I found consumerism to be one of the most dominant themes to emerge again and again. The worldview of consumerism deeply influences our spirituality. It creates an exchange were we expect instant returns for our investments. I constantly hear from young leaders who have...
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- Category: Church - 10 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by kiwijim)
- Total Views: 80
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Current Church Trends |
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Posted by:
pounders (Posted: 06/02/2009 3:48pm)
Nowadys we are finding ourselves in a tricky position. With all the false teachers we are findng ourselves where the church of Corinth was.
In 1 corinthians 1 Paul says this 10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas[a]"; still another, "I follow Christ."
There is a false gospel rising inside the Church that preaches and 'easy way out' This appeals to the fleshly desires and so many "believers" are devoted followers of this gospel of no-sacrifice. These men and women leading this movement are frighteningly wealthy and are using this money for very selfish "needs" how neccesary is a private jet? We are being caught up in the same thing Paul warned us about here
2 Corinthians11
3But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning,...
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- Category: Church - 4 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by christisking)
- Total Views: 77
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Whats the church really for |
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Posted by:
allsaintsblind (Posted: 05/29/2009 8:33am)
Whats the church really for and what is your roll in the church. Most people think its there for there entertainment, so they can go warm seat and sing a song then go there way into there every day life. Is that what the church really is? I don't think so. Everyone wants the church to something for them while they just sit there, or I should say they want God to do something for them while they just sit there. We ask what happened to our country why did God allow all this to happen. People it wasn't God, it was us. God didn't let us down we let him down and we let him down big. I think it's time we got up off our butts and started doing what we should have been doing all along. We always find someone to blame, always find away out. Good thing Jesus didn't do that, we would so be up the creeck....
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- Category: Church - 3 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by aliveintheword)
- Total Views: 52
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Church is a plural word |
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Posted by:
4micah68 (Posted: 05/04/2009 1:10pm)
This is a heartfelt plea for us to view the Church as Jesus sees it. I have never found anyone who believes that we will carry our denominational labels into the eternal Kingdom. Thankfully God sees us as children and not as multiple sects. Why can't we?
The Church of denominations
As I alluded to in a previous blog (How will we get on in Heaven), the present systems of organisation on earth are important. They provide us with stability of vision and belief. They nurture steady community relationships. They can provide understanding leadership. But God is not influenced by any of these things as He is the originator of them all. His measure of a person is the state of the heart in the light of Christ's person (1 John 5:12-13)
The Church of One Body
The teachings of Paul refer to one redeemed Church and not a multitude of denominations (Ephesians 3:21). This is demonstrated figuratively in Revelation (Revelation 14:1) 144000 = 12 x 12 x 10 x 10 x 10. 12 is the church (Old and New Covenant); 10 is cardinal perfection, 10 x 10 x 10 is Trinitarian cardinal perfection - the perfect number of persons...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 71
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CHURCHES MANDATE |
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Posted by:
gordor (Posted: 05/02/2009 4:30am)
The Churches mandate from God is quite simple, we are mandated by Our Father to feed the poor, offershelter and be available to anyonethat is seeking peace adn love n their lives, We are not to become little Gods and spout off great wisdom from the bible or become gurus, we are to be just like our father through His Son and do the works He did, be an example of LOVE and of Jesus her eon earth, positive fruits. My personal goal is to be just like Jesus by dying to flesh, knowing that I have wicked heart, soul and mind, knowing that no good fruits come from my flesh, get really tred and disgusted of my flesh, my ways of the world, my ego and pride and ask My father to take over, run the show, manage my life as He sees fit not the way I see fit. Nothing good every comes from my flesh because my flesh is managed by satan, the world through my big ego and prid where there is no room for God at all.
I know today after years of struggle and strife, fighting with God for my way, listening to the...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 21
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What Kind of Ministries Do You Have For... |
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Posted by:
tonys (Posted: 04/25/2009 3:10pm)
What Kind of Ministries Do You Have For...
So, I am talking to friend and the conversation turned to homosexuality. And it got me thinking...
The Average church memberships is 77. And the statistics show that 1 out of 10 persons is gay. This would mean that at least 7 persons in a church is gay. I obviously don't believe that this is the case in every church, but, we must not be so stupid as to believe that NO ONE in our church is struggling with a situation like this. Me and my friend came to the conclusion that even if there is someone who is a homosexual in church he/she would not come forward and say it because they fear the judgment of the people.
Now, I have been in church all my life. I studied Theology because I love to work in church, though I am not called to the ministry as a Pastor, and I have never seen a church that has a ministry or a department that works with homosexuals.
With the rate of homosexuality growing everyday it is obvious that the church NEEDS to pay closer attention to this issue.
The question is, how?...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 33
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Feed The Poor,Help My People! |
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Posted by:
gordor (Posted: 04/25/2009 4:27am)
In this very trying time we must start talking the talk and walking the walk with Jesus, W.D.J.D.-What Did Jesus Do;then just do it. God has taken His hand from our finanaces, he has patiently watched as He blessed us with great abundance until we decided to make money our God. God is a jalous God and will not allow other Gods to consume us. we have made idols of our money and our things. I know full well, I have been there, done that. Time has arrived for us as Chritians to listen and heed Gods infalliable Word, help the poor, take everything into the storehouse and redistribute it according to the need, Not one Christian or follower of Christ should go for wanting, be hungry, need a home or a safe place to live, need money to pay the essential bills, have heat or gas for their car. I know that God is disgusted with us and our idolotary, Churches must heed Gods mandates, stop hoarding, stop buying big houses, cars, airplanes, taking lavish trips, start giving back.
God is delaing with us all, convicting us of our sin, our flesh, our hoarding and our selfishness. Nothing happens...
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- Category: Church - 1 Comment (by bereanjim)
- Total Views: 54
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Help with Youth Group |
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Posted by:
gaal1 (Posted: 04/24/2009 5:05pm)
I am a Youth leader at a local church in San Diego. I've begun to become frustrated recently. There doesn't seem to be any other adult wanting to remain consistant with volunteering with the teens. The teens that we work with are not grounded in the Lord and many struggle with the call of the world. Whenever someone volunteers they last for approximately 2 - 4 weeks then they taper off to not coming at all. I've already gone before the congregation and asked for help, even the Pastors have asked for help unfortunately there just doesn't seem to be anyone with an interest. They don't despise the youth I guess it hasn't been laid on anyones heart. I've prayed and asked the Lord if this is what he wants me to be doing. I have not a heard a clear cut no or yes so until I do I will conintue to honor HIM and fill that need. I suppose I would have to begin to outsource make contact with other Christians willing to come in and volunteer some help. Does anyone have any other suggestions??...
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- Category: Church - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by bethy)
- Total Views: 47
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The Living And Thriving Church |
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Posted by:
kreynolds (Posted: 04/18/2009 6:52am)
PK recently published a blog called What If We Re-Think Church. As I posted my reply, I realized that in itself could quickly turn into a blog. So after posting the condensed version, the very condensed version, I'm elaborating on my thoughts here.
I would first like to make a disclaimer. Often when someone presents something they believe is is working well, people immediately begin to examine it in order to find out what is wrong with it. It's just the way we are. We want everything to be perfect and some of us can find out what is wrong...or what could go wrong pretty fast, myself included.
Please know that I am just sharing my own experience with my local church. If you were to visit it, you might absolutely hate it and think that it's a terrible place. I am only sharing with you what we are doing and how it seems to be impacting us as well as the world around us.
We're not perfect by any means. Only about 13% of the attendees are actual members. Part of that is because attendance has increased by 83% this past year (yes, we nearly doubled in size from...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 47
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What if we re-think Church |
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Posted by:
papillionkiller (Posted: 04/18/2009 4:08am)
Below is a direct quote from the Cabool Enterprise on April 9, 2009 from Cabool, Mo.
What if?
What if Church wasn't just a place we go, but something we do, something we feel, something we believe, something we proclaim and something we share.
What if it were a people who gathered for the Passionate Worship of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God?
What if it was a place where you could encounter and demonstrate the Radical Hospitality of our Loving God?
What if were an opportunity to join others in Risk Taking Mission and Ministry that could change your community and the World?
What if Church were relationships with people and with Jesus Christ that inspired Intentional Faith Development through Bible Study, prayer and opportunities for growing in Discipleship?
What if Church was the joyfulness of joining, sharing and responding to the Extravagant Generosity of God?
Cabool United Methodist Church. (No web Address)
A disclaimer, I am not a Methodist nor have I ever stepped foot inside this Church.
If I were going to go to a Church in Cabool, Mo. it would probably be this one just because of the statement above.
There is much more to...
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- Category: Church - 7 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by savedbyegrace)
- Total Views: 150
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Why the "Church" (God's great blessing of the Grace Covenant) is perfect... |
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Posted by:
rickroehm (Posted: 04/16/2009 9:02am)
First of all Jesus is the builder of the Church...Matt 16:18... I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Second of all...the gates of Hell shall not prevail against the Church and here's the reason why. The powers of darkness, the Devil, and death cannot prevail against the church because Jesus is the head (or the one in authority over the Church)... Col. 1:18...And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
What makes Jesus the head of the Church? He purchased the Church through suffering, His shed blood, and a cruel death on the cross. Acts 20:28...the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
The reason the church is perfect is because Christ purchased it, built it, is the head of it, and gave his Holy Spirit so you and I could be part of it! Eph 2:22...In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Believers are a habitation of God through the...
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- Category: Church - 1 Comment (by rickroehm)
- Total Views: 148
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The Promise of My Father...(a Biblical study of two baptisms) |
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Posted by:
rickroehm (Posted: 04/15/2009 11:44am)
Before His ascension to heaven Christ declared He would send the promise of His Father. Within that promise was an enduement of power from a resurrected Lord that would come upon the Apostles and the entire family of believers that followed. Christ's instruction to the Apostles was to tarry in Jerusalem until the promise of the Father came.
• Luke 24:49...And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
In the first chapter of Acts the enduement of power from the Promise of the Father was described by Christ himself. After His resurrection Christ walked among men and was seen of them for forty days. During this time frame Christ described how the promise of the Father was actually...a baptism.
• Acts 1:5...For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence
The Apostles all being Jewish had knowledge of the Old Testament records. Although vague in their understanding of prophetic truth the Apostles remembered the ministry of John the Baptist who also professed Jesus would become a Baptizer. John the Baptist...
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- Category: Church - 1 Comment (by rickroehm)
- Total Views: 54
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Divorce |
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Posted by:
mikesayen (Posted: 04/14/2009 9:04pm)
What the Bible says about divorce
1) Moses only allowed the man to divorce his wife Deut 24:1.
2) The woman is not allowed to "separate" from her husband 1 Cor 7:10.
3) If the woman separates she must "remain unmarried or reconcile with her husband" 1 Cor 7:11a.
i) The woman is bound of law since she is "under-man" to her living husband Rom 7:2a (from the Greek).
(a) The woman was made "for" and "from" the man 1 Cor 11:8-9, "For Adam was formed first, then Eve" 1 Tim 2:13. The head of ("every" woman is the man 1 Cor 11:3.
4) If a woman were to marry another man while bound by the "law" to her living husband, she would commit adultery Rom 7:3 (shown in Deut 24:4 by the woman becoming "defiled" by marrying another man while her first husband is still "living".
5) Only the woman is said of a "widow" before given permission to marry again 1 Cor 7:8.
6) For the widow to enter into the 'widows fund' she must meet the following requirement.
i) 1 Tim 5:9 "having been the wife of one husband" in her lifetime, as moral.
7) "As long...
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- Category: Church - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by melisa)
- Total Views: 138
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The Importance of Attending Church |
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Posted by:
colie87 (Posted: 04/05/2009 8:23am)
I myself do not attend church as much as I should. I do believe that going to church is very vital to the growth of a christian though. I think if you are saved and study the bible in your own home that is fine too. I could be wrong though. I was wondering if the Bible says anything on this subject? I do think that there are many benefits of studying at home and attending church. When alone I feel like I can be left to my thoughts and truly focus on what I am reading. While, at church I feel like you feel a fellowship and support from others for what you believe. A pastor is also very important in my eyes, because their guidance is so vital to your growth and is a very good resource for any questions you need answered about your faith. Just wondering your thoughts?...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 32
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I confess that I am a Thief, I am sorry! |
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Posted by:
alight (Posted: 04/03/2009 8:37am)
It was so nice to meet with everyone last evening and have Communion/Lord's Supper together. I gave the opening welcome to everyone and then Krenyolds began the service with prayer. We all joined in prayer with her and I know that people were praying their hearts out.
Then Bethy led us in our song service. It was great and all the altos didn't let me down cause I could hear them loud and clear. The songs Bethy picked out must have been known by all and we were lifted up in our spirits and ready for the communion service.
Pastor B2Y led us to the communion table and didn't cut any corners. Hey, there wasn't anyone falling asleep on the back roll last night, I promise you.
We had church here at Christianblog. It lasted about an hour all together. Bethy closed the service with one more song and we left the chat room and all went home. Some of us went to bed, some back to work, some went to fix breakfast and others prepared for supper. It was truly a worldwide church service.
The only thing I forgot, and I am very sorry for doing so is we...
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- Category: Church - 15 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by alight)
- Total Views: 310
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WAS THE CRUCIFIXION NECESSARY? |
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Posted by:
fredlim (Posted: 03/29/2009 1:40pm)
There are some Christians today who believe that there are other ways to Heaven. This is not only very prevalent in the Liberal churches where very little of the Bible is taken seriously but can also be found in Bible believing churches as well. The reason for this belief in most cases is a lack of knowledge of the Scripture or a reliance on someones interpretation. How sad that some would believe an others religious agenda without checking it out with the creditably of the Bible. With out the Bible we are just floundering around with man's ideas. Our Christian faith, no matter which denomination, was originally Bible based but
mans ideas have perverted it and this has lead to many believing false teachings.
If there are other ways to Heaven then Jesus should not have bothered. He wasted His life and the whole meaning of His coming in the first place I there are other ways to Heaven. The Bible says that He came for the "WHOLE" world out of love! John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."...
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- Category: Church - 21 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by disciplevance)
- Total Views: 295
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Head Knowledge |
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Posted by:
fredlim (Posted: 03/29/2009 1:36pm)
I recently had a conversation with someone who made the claim that they knew the Bible as well as anyone. They know what the Lord requires of us in our religious life because they had heard it from their parents who were very "religious."
This person also never goes to church or associates with a Christian fellowship of any kind. They are basing their relationship with God on their association with "religious parents." This reminds me of the old saying that "just because you live in a garage does not make you a car." Kind of guilt by association! Sorry, it does not work that way! To be a true Christian is not to be "religious" or to be the child of a Christian. You can know the Bible frontward and backward but still not be a Christian. All you will have is "head knowledge."
Don't you know that even the devil knows what the scriptures say? Does that make him a Christian? Of course not!
To be a Christian we must have a RELATIONSHIP" with God! Not religion! Relationship! We have to know Him as Lord and Savior and then His Word (the Bible) will come the living Word...
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- Category: Church - 1 Comment (by tchable)
- Total Views: 58
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CHURCH IN MY AREA |
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Posted by:
noahanddaisy (Posted: 03/28/2009 12:44pm)
I have to be honest, I feel that churches in my area are not what they are supposed to be. I was raised catholic but now that I am thirty years old I realize that I am not a particular denomination. I have attended different churches in my area, but I always end up getting the same impression from all of them: people's main intention is not to praise God, they only care about which clothes they wear to service, and their social status. Why is it that people care so much about what they look like on sunday?. I admit this should not bother me as much as it does, but the truth is that it does. I take care of myself, and like anyone else like to look my best because there is only one first impression, but you should see the way some of these people brag about how much they spent on their new sunday outfit. And because of this I have not been to church in a long time, I know I should not let this keep me from going but its gotten to a point where I cannot put up with it anymore. It...
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- Category: Church - 1 Comment (by blackrose65)
- Total Views: 86
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Starting Off On Another Great Adventure. Part 1,2,... |
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Posted by:
bimonics (Posted: 03/27/2009 1:38pm)
This journey will take me farther into Christianity and its Founder than ever before. I propose to start by penetrating into the true identity and present situation of the Church - the Body of Christ - the Lamb's wife. Rev. 21:9. I am willing to go where ever the Spirit leads. And before i may get bogged down in endless searches (so readers endure), it will all be worth it if we can bring true testimony about and into that Pearl of great price! but first;
My Simplistic View Now (Subject To Change).
The Holy City is Jesus' wife and is made up of the city plus the inhabitants derived from the complete first resurrection. The resurrection of the just has not happened yet and so the 'calling out' is not complete. The term 'church' (in common usage, in our day and in this dispensation) is also used for the more general idea of Christendom (i.e. all that relates to Christianity).
Christendom is made up of tares and wheat. Not the world (made up of tares and wheat), which would compare Christianity with all others. Because the parable starts with, "THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is likened unto (Math 13:24)"; it...
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- Category: Church - 5 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by bimonics)
- Total Views: 121
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An uproar about "I hate church" |
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Posted by:
throughfaith (Posted: 03/26/2009 4:47pm)
So there's this new big billboard that says "I hate church" in great big letters that was put up today and it's causing quite a stir as one might imagine. Everyone seems to have a comment about it and most are not favorable.
But it was put up by a church as a way of doing just what it did ... opening a dialogue for people to talk about church and why they don't go to church or why they do go to church. The church said it was put together by their marketing team after a comment the pastor made during his sermon.
The newschannel sent out reporters to interview people about it and most said they couldn't imagine why anyone would post such an offensive sign. But one woman said she just couldn't imagine why anyone would even think such a thing let alone say it or post it on a billboard. "Why would anyone hate church?" she asked.
Hmm.
I had to ask myself that question and I had to ask it of myself.
I have certainly questioned what the church was doing. I have wondered what my point in going to church is. I have spent...
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- Category: Church - 6 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by noahanddaisy)
- Total Views: 114
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is sunday at church the most segregated day of the week |
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Posted by:
godiswithus718 (Posted: 03/17/2009 12:48pm)
First id like to say hello to all the members im new to this site and i found it to be a great inspirations and a place to meet and communicate with believers.I have noticed that church has become the most segregated place and i believe as the body of christ we should correct this. I attend a church where you find all races embraced with loving arms,whether african american,korean,west indian and all of the above and am am proud of that because that is what gods vision of the church is. I am an african american myself and i have found it to be a disservice to god because alot of our preachers that are african american preach black theology and also about racism excessively at times and god doesnt want us to dwell on the past. Of course we went through slavery and we suffer discrimination but quite frankly what race hasnt suffered we all have been subject to rascism and discrimination at some point and i believe those teachings make those that are of a different race uncomfortable amongst the congregation. In general i just want to encourage those who are in areas that are prodomenately black...
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- Category: Church - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by blackrose65)
- Total Views: 53
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What I Learned from 20 Years as a Fundamentalist |
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Posted by:
biblealone (Posted: 03/15/2009 2:38pm)
I spent about 20 years (most of my life) entrenched in the world of the independent fundamental Baptist movement, including going to one of their colleges in Wisconsin. I can speak first hand to the characteristics and even bought into the philosophy of the movement for quite some time. This is not a bash on a denomination but rather a segment that has been overrun by human nature. Thank God that He awoke me to the inherent errors of the movement and has literally freed my like a prisoner from chains. Hopefully, others will be more aware of the very real and extreme thought processes that are confusing a generation of well-meaning Christians through these thoughts. Although it has a stong satirical flavor, my goal is to help people within the movement awaken to the dangerous cultic tendencies and encourage those who are finding their wings to stand firm in the freedom of Christ. Following is a first-person synopsis of how the fundamental Baptist movement tried to mold me:
"I am an independent, fundamental, KJV believing, hymn singing, change condemning, history abusing, skirt demanding, conservative voting, power craving, culture hating, isolation promoting, fault finding, others demeaning, self deifying, relevance ignoring,...
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- Category: Church - 11 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by goodnews)
- Total Views: 152
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Denial of the Sufficiency of Scripture |
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Posted by:
nolongerbound (Posted: 03/02/2009 8:31pm)
TThis is a blog on what I've called a Practical Denial of the Sufficiency of Scripture. It will focus on what we do to deny the Sufficiency of Scripture.
1. Sources
Some older college ministers that I've seen, say this of what they'll do in ministry: "Let's start in the Word and move on to "more relevant" things." Most don't say that, but it's what they mean by how they treat the Word.
Honestly, that's heresy. And it's what we teach young people who grow up in with a Church program. This is what we do - we move on to "more relevant things", typically the work of the sociologist, the psychologist, the anthropologist, and the well-spoken, well-carried man with the slick hair, who uses Scripture as ornamentation.
Here's the real question for all of us:
Do you testify to the Sufficiency of God's Word for teaching and reproof and correction with your life?
If we do not, we deny with our lives that Scripture is sufficient for all things. Do we really believe it enough to use Scripture by itself for guidance in how to conduct ourselves, and the ministries we run? If we do not, then we deny...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 53
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How will we get on in Heaven if we bicker so much on Earth? |
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Posted by:
4micah68 (Posted: 03/02/2009 12:19pm)
I am looking forward to sharing the eternal Kingdom with all the different varieties of my brothers and sisters in Christ from yesterday, today and tomorrow. This is chiefly because we won't be arguing about everything and I can start to enjoy them as people. But will this be due to some divine miracle that prevents us from disagreeing or will there be other factors involved? Here are my thoughts!
No Bible
No one can convince me that when we enter the eternal Kingdom, Bibles will be handed out! Though it is my favourite and most important book (I have lost count of the number of times I have read it through) it remains the chief source of contention amongst Christians. Note the explosion of sects in the 17th century when the Bible was translated into English and available to everyone. While I am very secure in the traditional doctrinal beliefs that the Bible reveals, I am also prepared to listen to others with different interpretations while doing my best to share the Spirit of love with them. So no Bible no bickering!
No politics
This is an area of church life that I have always struggled with. In my...
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- Category: Church - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by 4micah68)
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A Personal Assessment |
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Posted by:
pastorgeorgem (Posted: 02/28/2009 1:47pm)
The Verdict "Guilty"
Tonight's lesson is based on what it means to be freed from a life sentence and how we can lead others to receive a pardon from their own life sentence; so when we open the word tonight May the grace of Jesus Christ open your eyes and set you free.
Ro:3:19: Now we know that what things so ever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Ro:3:20: Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Ro:3:21: But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Ro:3:22: Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Ro:3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Ro:3:24: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Ro:3:25: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 47
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The Sufficiency of Scripture |
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Posted by:
nolongerbound (Posted: 02/25/2009 12:57pm)
Romans 15:4
For everything written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
1 Corinthians 10:11
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come."
2 Peter 3:15-16
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
1 John 5:13
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that...
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Confusing Money Maters In Church |
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Posted by:
helman (Posted: 02/25/2009 7:08am)
I always wonder if its appropriate to beg for money on national or private Television after every televised church session
it makes me feel like my God is not able to do his work without the support from peolpe out there. The church need to come alive and posses the stuff that God told us it belong to us.Todays church is full of a church that apeals for money from the very people we are preaching to and tell them that God is sovereign and everythiung belongs to him. They see us as hippocrite if we are not able to take care of our broadcast and yet God is able.So what is wrong is it God Is it us who dont know how to interpret the Scriptures
We admire thge money that is made by these corporates and individuals who we are tryin to preach to.Jesus said we are the teachers and the whole world is our desciple they need to learn from us what is called wealth what is morality but we have taken a back seat and we hide in our congregations declaring thinmg but whwen we get out of thechurch we are Quite the oposite of what...
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- Category: Church - 1 Comment (by kiwibird)
- Total Views: 64
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The Value of Church Attendance |
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Posted by:
retiredrev (Posted: 02/22/2009 8:44pm)
A traveler's first visit to Jerusalem is most likely the central character in Psalm 122. His visit reflected the desire of every Jewish individual. The dream of every Jewish person was to journey up to Jerusalem, the center of Jewish government. In their travels they would also be privileged to enter the Holy Temple of God.
The song writer caught the excitement of this pilgrimage to the Holy Land by penning these words: "I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the LORD" (v. 1). The writer's song continues in verse 2 as the traveler is heard to say, "Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!"
That first verse jumps out at me! Having never had the joy of entering into the very Temple of God thrilled many a traveler like the one seen in this Psalm. It's difficult to catch the utter joy a visitor must have experienced when he or she entered for the first time the worship center where God met with His people. The heart must have beat a little faster as each step toward its entrance was made and the pace of each step must...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 68
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My First Time in Here |
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Posted by:
prmarcelo (Posted: 02/21/2009 9:08pm)
Hello and may God bless you all, This is my first time blogging here and I am very happy to be here.
I am a Pastor in Anchorage Alaska and have a beautiful wife and 3 awesome kids that serve our
Lord Savior Jesus Christ.
My ministry here Alaska is to help the homeless and the needy, we go to shelters and soup kitchens
to bring spiritual guidance and support emotionally or sometimes just a shoulder to cry on.
We have started a website so other people can see our work
so if have a chance give us a visit. Ohhh I just noticed I'm not allowed to post blogs with web links.
Maybe in the future!
If you would like to pray with me please say the following prayer,
Lord, I pray You would strengthen my faith so that I will no give up praying in the heat
of the battle of opposition from the enemy. I realize the very next prayer I pray may
be the one to bring total deliverance from the strongholds the enemy is trying to
erect in my life. Enable me to stand strong in prayer and worship, giving thanks for
your presence and...
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- Category: Church - 7 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by prmarcelo)
- Total Views: 69
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Confusion |
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Posted by:
loullybug (Posted: 02/18/2009 8:26pm)
When i was little i was very into church, I went to church camp and everything. And when i would go to church i'd have this amazing feeling that i know god was there. Then my family moved around and i stopped going to church i met friends that didnt go to church and really didnt even believe in god. I still did but they didnt, but i did get a lot of there views and a lot of them did seem logical. This year i finally got back into church and i love it. I would still die for christ , but i dont get that feeling like i did when i was little. Have i lost god? or will it just eventually come back to me? Because it was a really great feeling to be excited to learn more about christ and the way he worked. Maybe its just because i think to much about it and ask to many question but i want more than answers than just believe....
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church isn't brick and morter |
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Posted by:
alexblaine (Posted: 02/18/2009 2:25pm)
I meet with 20-30 christians who visit inmates in our local jail. We have been loaned a meeting room in a business building by the realestate owner. We the people are the church. We gather on Sat morning 9-12 for prayer, fellowship, testamonies, the Word, counseling, edifying, loving, supporting, sharing, and more. This is the church that Jesus is building. I am tired of pastors welcoming people to church refering to the building. Let's be what Jesus wants us to be and do what He is calling us to do. He is not calling us to invest in brick and morter. As the US (and world) banks, jobs, economy, politics, morality, stability, etc. continue to suffer, some of the huge debt to banks and even the world bank, the body of Christ may have trouble paying the interest and principle on the debt for the building. This may lead to us having to (getting to) meet in our individula homes and meeting our neighbors, and helping each other and sharing with each other and others in the neighborhood and even loving each other the way the church of Acts was doing it. This is really exciting to me and I...
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- Category: Church - 1 Comment (by ptl2008)
- Total Views: 72
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What "phase" are you in? |
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Posted by:
fredlim (Posted: 02/16/2009 2:53pm)
Recently while reading a newspaper I came across an article that mentioned a Rock music group from years ago named, Kansas. The article alluded to the groups 'Born Again Christian phase.'
I remember when I was Saved in 1966 many of my co-workers and friends said that I was just going through a 'phase' in my life. "Just give it time and he (me) will get over it."
This does happen to many people who explore becoming a Christian. A phase! They are really excited about their new found faith until "real life" shows up! Then instead of drawing on the power of God to help them they push their new found faith experience into the background and try to "do life" in their own strength. When that does not work they blame God. They feel that this new life is not what they thought it was. So they either forget about this "phase" of their life or relegate it to a nice experience in their past but lets not get crazy about it. Carnal Christianity!
Evidently that is what happened with the Rock group Kansas. Christianity was "OK" for a while but it became too complicated when the "faith"...
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Churches I have previously attended. |
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Posted by:
god4nelson (Posted: 02/09/2009 11:58am)
I was just on the CB Chat and we had a short stint on churches who don't read out of the bible. I have a couple of examples of these kinds of churches.
One church I attended read about 1 or 2 verses of a chapter. OK, I can understand preaching about the verses and what these verses mean and how we can apply them to our lives, but when you start taking them out of context. come on. This didn't happen every once in a while, this happened almost every service. The sad thing is, a lot of the people who were attending these services didn't have a clue.
Another church that I have attended, would preach out of a book someone wrote. Most of the time it was either a Rick Warren book or an Andy Stanley book. Now, I don't know the hearts of gentlemen like these. I'm sure their motives are good. But for a pastor to preach not the Bible, but someones view of the bible, I think is wrong. Not to mention the fact that the people in the churches are eating this stuff up like it is gospel.
I am mad. What is...
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- Category: Church - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by jsclark5768)
- Total Views: 113
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Mortgage Burning Ceremony at Church Part 1 |
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Posted by:
cowgirldiva (Posted: 02/08/2009 12:42pm)
It had been advertised since January. Every one had contibuted as much as they could afford or gave and let Jesus work out the rest.
Today at chuch, we burned the mortgage!
It was a grand day for everyone. They even got a standing ovation! Especially in times such as this with people ranting and raving about the economy and scaring everyone, it is in times like these in which the body of believers need to stand together and become twice as strong.
We really need the improvements that were done. The tracherously narrow stairs are long gone, now replaced with wide two lane highway of stairs. The sound system has been totally replaced and the nurseries have been moved to the same floor. A new part of the sancuary has been added seating at least 75 more people including their families.
God has blessed us greatly even with the stuggles that we've been through.
And no, the church didn't catch a spark and burn to the ground....
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- Category: Church - 3 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by alight)
- Total Views: 91
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What Kind Of Church? |
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Posted by:
pk777 (Posted: 02/07/2009 7:25pm)
What Kind of Church ?
In Matthew 16, Jesus asks His disciples, "Whom do men say that I ... am?" They answered, "Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; ... or one of the prophets."
Yet Jesus pressed His disciples: "But whom say ye that I am?" Finally, Peter proclaimed, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
To this startling confession, Jesus responded, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." To come to a correct understanding of Jesus requires more than an understanding of history, it requires a revelation from the Holy Spirit.
Jesus then added, "Thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Of course, the rock upon which the church is built is not the fickle apostle, but rather Jesus Christ. Peter didn't see himself as the foundation of the church; rather, he says in Acts 4:11 that Jesus Himself is the chief cornerstone.
That's why the church, empowered by the living Christ, is able to break down the gates of hell. Filled...
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The Emerging Chruch and Dr. Phil |
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Posted by:
simstem (Posted: 02/06/2009 6:58am)
Might there emerge a universal theology that acts as the operating system under which any "style" of church can run efficiently with the Holy Spirit as the CPU and Scripture as the programming language that makes all programs backwards compatible with the truth that can be distilled from biblical history and Christian tradition? One problem I have with praxis is that faith is not practical and God is so far above the tiny box of practicality that his ways are beyond searching out. In fact, my Bible records God as emphatically stating, "For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (ISAIAH 55:8, 9). I would view theology as more of an art than a science. Therefore, I would apply the following quote from G. K. Chesterton: "Art, like morality, consists of drawing the line somewhere." Holiness can never be objective. Secular Humanists and Universalists, two types of the moral cancer that plague postmodern culture, would both have us believe that there are no moral absolutes. I wouldn't like for...
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Study to show thyself approved unto God... |
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Posted by:
simstem (Posted: 02/06/2009 6:54am)
If I am relying on any church as my sole source of biblical knowledge, then I am really in trouble and may never find the truth. Proverbs 2:1, 5 says "If thou wilt receive my words and hide my commandments with thee, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." If I am not searching the Scriptures daily as the Bereans did in Acts 17:11, then you could read the adventures of Spiderman to me or lead me to drink poisoned Kool-Aid and call it the gospel of Christ. Oprah and Dr, Phil are great entertainers, however, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1) Matthew 24:4-5 warns, "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ [that Jesus is the Messiah]; and shall deceive many." Also consider that The Church of England clearly teaches, in Article XXVI, that the ministry of even the most sinful ministers is valid. This article directly contradicts any suggestion that baptism by an apostate or backsliding pastor or exercise...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 103
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Concern for The Emerging Church |
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Posted by:
simstem (Posted: 02/04/2009 3:33pm)
Is the Emerging Church the church of the future?
If the church that emerges does not both explicitly and implicitly point to the cross, then I question if it is of God. The concern must be for both recollection of previous historical experiences of the church (lessons learned) and processing aspects of spiritual functioning which may yet be unavailable to scientific methods, notably the conscious reality of faith that requires not a leap but merely to hear the Word by way of a preacher as illustrated in Romans 10:15. The simplicity of the gospel is a stumbling block to the carnal mind and I fear that carnality in the Emerging Church which seeks comfort in conformity and assimilation will need to be purged by good old fashioned Holy Ghost fire motivated revivalist preaching. We are due for another great awakening, perhaps the greatest yet. Amen. I agree that people should come as they are. Yet, Scripture commands that we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). The prostitute and the drug addict alike are more than welcome to my church, but I am going to preach the Word in season...
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- Category: Church - 1 Comment (by fairhaven7)
- Total Views: 86
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the gift, the giver, and the receiver |
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Posted by:
throughfaith (Posted: 01/28/2009 3:39am)
Spurred by other recent blogs and happenings within my own life, I have been pondering the issue of gifts and tithes and more specifically the people who give those gifts and tithes and the people who receive them.
I read John Abela's blog about 4 reasons people go to church (or 4 reasons people don't go to church ... I'm not sure which way it is) and he listed "tithing" as one of those four reasons. At first when I read it I thought, "no way". Among all the reasons people go to church or don't go to church, how is it that tithing ranks up there in the top four? But as I read his blog and in the subsequent days have spent pondering the issue, I agree with that now.
Growing up I was taught about tithing and giving to the church. Our church had little envelopes that they printed out with our names on them especially for us. I can remember being so proud the first time I had my own stack of envelopes on the table in the reception room that weren't my dad's. I must have been 8 or 9 years old. They were yellow...
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- Category: Church - 3 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by throughfaith)
- Total Views: 167
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4 Reasons For Going To Church |
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Posted by:
abelajohnb (Posted: 01/26/2009 5:37am)
Hello All,
For the last few weeks I have been feeling it was time to post a small teaser of a much larger publication that I am working on, and felt it would rock to share it with everybody at ChristianBlog.Com first!
The final publication will be entitled "4 Reasons Why I Stopped Going To Church" and it came about as a study into something a very close pastor and myself were talking about one day a couple years ago. The basis of our conversation was 'why do people go to church?' and it was one of those eye-opening conversations for both of us. We spent a great deal of time really pounding out some solid reasons for why people go to church, both from the Biblical perspective, and from the personal perspective. At the end of the conversation we concluded there were four reasons people go to church. Those being: Worship, Fellowship, Preaching, Tithing.
When one sits down and begins a careful Biblical and exobiblical study into the issue of church attendance, one can find a very large amount of reasons. However when one compiles such a list and begins to carefully analysis them, the all center around four...
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- Category: Church - 21 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by sheena)
- Total Views: 549
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The Lack of Reverence in the modern day church |
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Posted by:
cemeteryman (Posted: 01/19/2009 2:29pm)
As a catholic growing up I found it lacking and would loath the thought of even having to go to church. But as a married man who is a believer I must thank them for something that every church since them has lacked, and that is proper reverence to God. I have been to independent churches, methodist, christian missionary alliance, and all lack this. I believe partially that it is a problem that stems back all the way to the protestant reformation. The "protestants" were so anxious to not be catholics that they formed their worship service as far from the catholic's worship service as possible. As a member of a protestant church I think some of the changes are good but that reverence is a lesson they must learn from the catholics.
Now I know that someone who reads this is probably going to not like how I am saying some of this, but I do realize that each christian has their own way of worshipping. I just feel like I'm helping in disrespecting God when I attend a church that you hear wispering during the sermon and people getting up for no reason conected to the service at...
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- Category: Church - 6 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by doulos)
- Total Views: 168
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why i am a baptist (or, still crazy after all these years) |
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Posted by:
markpowellwired (Posted: 01/19/2009 1:08pm)
within the post-christian context, it is difficult to think of the word baptist and not think of words such as narrow, rigid and judgmental, but this was not always the case. at one time baptists stood for freedom in religious thinking, and believe it or not, some baptists even suffered for others because of their desire for liberty in religious thought.
i must confess that i made a conscious decision to become a baptist as an adult.
of course, i clearly understand that this is not the only way to express our faith in the Christ, meaning that baptists are neither the oldest nor then most theologically developed christian persuasion, but it is the way i have chosen. i made this decision for several reasons, but primarily, because of the historic baptist freedoms. these are articulated well by walter shurden in his little book, the baptist identity, where he writes about:
=bible freedom...the historic baptist affirmation that the bible, under the lordship of Christ, must be central in the life of the individual and church and that christians, with the best and most scholarly tools of inquiry, are both free and obligated to study and obey the scriptures.
=soul freedom...the...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 92
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Explosions! |
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Posted by:
2godbetheglory (Posted: 01/19/2009 10:31am)
Explosion, explosion, and yet another explosion... ... This is what happened to me and hubster on Saturday night. Are we okay you ask? Of course! Thanks. In my previous blog you may have noted that we were due to attend a "circle of friends" event with some members of our church body. Well, we did just that and we had an absolute blast! We got the opportunity to meet many lovely folks that we didn't know or only knew on the very top surface. And, we "tried" very hard to learn DOUBLE 15 DOMINOES??? What the heck? Hee. Hee. (Seriously after about 3 hours we might have understood it a little:wink
I've been thinking about it since then so much. I began to realize what happens when we come in contact with other humans, whether it be in person or by our amazingly technologically advanced means. Each time that me and hubster engaged another person or couple, you could feel the Holy Spirit just bursting and exploding all over the place. Each interaction, because of the Spirit, was another explosion of love.
I never thought about it before but felt the need to share with you. Think about it, each...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 53
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Communion |
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Posted by:
markpowellwired (Posted: 01/18/2009 7:51am)
this sunday next our discipleship community will again partake of the LORD'S table. for us, the elements of the meal, the bread and the cup, are not the body or the blood, nor do they contain the presence of the Christ. still, the living and resurrected Christ will inhabit the ritual and the movement with us. as our deacons share the bread and the cup, the faithful will bow and remember, they will all over again chew, dissolve and swallow the gospel. they will open their mouths to the symbols and their memories to that moment in time when Jesus of nazareth became for them the savior & the Christ. in that meal we will identify with God's mission, we will once again reinterpret our own history to before Christ and after, and we will offer the God who is there our lives and loyalty, if even for just the moment....
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 68
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the church needs to reach out |
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Posted by:
smurfette (Posted: 01/06/2009 7:34am)
THE CHURCH NEEDS to reach out to people who wouldent usualy go to church
to the people who are lonley in need of some help in need of some one to talk to
to the drug additcs to the alcholics
to the people who are with same sex person
to the begger in the street
so many people i know say that church isnt for some people like the above i
disagree ui think the church is for every one
im wanten ure viwes on the above wot do u think
weots ure views on the above people as christians
would u cast some one out if they were in the same sex relishiope ot
if they had a mentel illness
i know how it feels not to be wanted in church and i wouldent want that to happen to any one
chrisitans are ment to love EVERY ONE no matter wot they do
u mite not like wot they do but u kan love them...
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- Category: Church - 1 Comment (by bethy)
- Total Views: 109
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Grace Is Being Part of a Small Church Family |
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Posted by:
savedbyegrace (Posted: 12/21/2008 8:19pm)
We belong to a very small nondenominational church about 35 miles north of Atlanta. Used to be a rural area, but thanks to urban sprawl and out of control growth in Atlanta, we are now considered a part of the metro Atlanta area. Which, if two people say they both live in Atlanta, they may be as much as 2 hours drive time apart. Or 6 hours, depending on traffic. But I digress.
When we moved out here, we made a conscious decision to become members of a small nondenominational church. We have 37 families that are members or regular attenders, so counting children and infants, we may be lucky to have 150 people in our body. It is a nice and cozy group, and where we're far from perfect, we are kinda like a big family. Many of the people there I treasure as if they were my blood relatives. One particularly lovely family we are close to, my son is quite fond of too. In fact, he calls my friend "Other Mother" and her husband always cracks the same punny joke when he sees my son and it never fails to make my son feel welcomed and loved....
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- Category: Church - 5 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by iraqivetsgtret)
- Total Views: 205
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We've Joined! |
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Posted by:
globug (Posted: 12/02/2008 7:01pm)
We have been attending a local church for several months now and have fallen in love with the people and ministries there. This past Sunday we finally decided to be interviewed by several elders and formalize our membership. I am so grateful to the Lord for leading us there!
Thanksgiving was also wonderful. We were invited to the home of a couple who belong to our church. The food - I gained 10 pounds just from the smells - was to die for and I so enjoyed the whole evening. A rarity for me, the original queen of shy! Funny Story: After dinner I was in their bathroom checking my sugar and taking a shot. One of the young kids, a boy, walked in on me as I was preparing to "shot" myself. His first question, "Why are you shotin' yourself? Are you doing drugs?" I explained that I was doing good drugs (I thought about it later and decided I'm retarded), and why. I had to explain several times and I'm not sure he completely understood. I helped him wash his hands and packed up my kit. I told his parents about the conversation and told them to expect...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 99
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The Church And The Poor |
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Posted by:
yokhannan (Posted: 11/27/2008 12:05am)
To what extent does the Church believe it is called to minister to the poor? How does the Great Commission work in unison with helping the poor? These are important questions the Church must ask itself.
The way in which Christians can best help the poor is often influenced by their perspective on biblical truth. If one takes the sociological definition of poverty - below a certain percentage of average income - the number of poor in the United States is large and unlikely to decline, even though more money is dispersed from federal budget programs. The biblical definition of poverty, however, is different. The poor are those who lack minimal survival needs of essential food and clothing. That is why the biblical owners of grape vineyards were to leave some grapes for the poor to gather for themselves (Lev. 19:10), and why owners of grain fields were to leave some grain in the corners of the field for the poor to gather (Lev. 23:22).
Evangelicals and Pentecostals have sometimes been charged with neglecting the physical needs of the poor and concentrating solely on the spiritual needs. This perception has most likely grown out of their passionate emphasis on evangelism....
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- Category: Church - 3 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by papillionkiller)
- Total Views: 448
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Where? |
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Posted by:
dooraghero (Posted: 11/23/2008 11:44am)
Is there anyplace in America where the service ends when the Holy Spirit ends it rather than a growling stomach? The underground church in China has services that might last all day or longer. A four hour sermon is considered too short. Most places that I have been, it's 3 or 4 praise songs, a thirty minute sermon, and it's time to hit the local Cracker Barrel or Applebees for Sunday lunch. What if we here in America were to worship like they do in China? I wonder what would happen?
Truly, I pose the question to anyone out there- Is there anyplace in America where the service ends when the Holy Spirit ends it? I would love to at least visit such a place. Programmed services designed to end when the clock time reaches a certain point, leave me feeliing somewhat empty. If we are going to worship God, let's worship Him. If we are seking entertainment or an illusion to tide us through the week, well, let's go on to the show. But we should not confuse the two.
I would love to visit a place where there is such a heightened level of reality in regards to...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 78
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The "Black Church" |
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Posted by:
antnshay (Posted: 11/21/2008 7:36pm)
Good evening everyone! Now, not that it matters, let me just say that I am a male, half-black and half-white. So these views are coming from someone who has seen both sides of racism in the church and outside the church. Okay, now that I've said that here goes...IF I HEAR THE TERM "BLACK CHURCH" TOO MANY MORE TIMES, I'M GOING TO EXPLODE!! Sorry, I'm not yelling at you...I'm yelling with you
Seriously though, did Martin Luther King put in all that effort, eventually facing assasination, fighting for equal rights and racial harmony just so we could segregate ourselves? Don't get me wrong, I'm very proud of my/our history and what we've gone through and what we have accomplished. And I'm fully aware of the scars that slavery, and racial hatred has left on this country, and is still being left today in a lot of ways.
But if we are to follow in Christs' foot steps, black or white, we must learn to TRULLY forgive. We don't have to forget (although God forgets our sins, so it may not be a bad thing) but we have to forgive and move on. This is next staement/question is to black Christians...
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- Category: Church - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by antnshay)
- Total Views: 98
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Women in ministry?! Some advice please :) |
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Posted by:
tdye1102 (Posted: 11/20/2008 8:15am)
So, here goes another question for you fine people to ever so kindly lend me your opinions. What do you think about women preachers? And I know it is stated,
1 Timothy 2:11-12 proclaims, "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent." In the church, God assigns different roles to men and women. This is a result of the way mankind was created (1 Timothy 2:13) and the way in which sin entered the world (2 Timothy 2:14). God, through the Apostle Paul's writing, restricts women from serving in roles of spiritual teaching authority over men. This precludes women from serving as pastors, which definitely includes preaching to, teaching, and having spiritual authority over men.
However, it also says,
There are neither Jews nor Greeks, slaves nor free people, males nor females. You are all the same in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:38
Wouldn't that mean, it is all the same when preaching the word? Maybe I have a different understanding, but I have thought and prayed long and hard about what I would like to do with my life,...
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- Category: Church - 12 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by ptl2008)
- Total Views: 242
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same-sex marriage ban |
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Posted by:
drdeedee (Posted: 11/11/2008 10:29pm)
In California prop 8 has made a huge splash. Even after it passed opponents as well as government leaders are protesting and suing. I am from California where we voted yes on prop 8 banning same sex marriages and every church I know of was supporting the prop and encouraging there congregations to get out and vote. There was concern not only of the moral consequences of legal same sex marriages but also the ramifications involving legal status of the church. Teaching our kids about homosexual relationships and forcing churches to marry same sex couples and forbid preaching against it. So obviously it was a major issue for the church as a whole and it brought the churches together like I haven't seen on any other issue. However it kinda appears like the churches ultimate goal is to protect there money and not being on the side of righteousness. What about abortion? Abortion has been a major reason people claim as why they vote republican and yet we in california also had the opportunity to vote for a 3rd time weather or not abortions on minors without parental consent should be over turned and it failed for the 3rd time....
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- Category: Church - 1 Comment (by cemeteryman)
- Total Views: 95
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What has happened to fellowship? |
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Posted by:
drdeedee (Posted: 11/07/2008 9:52pm)
The Christian assembly has gone from fellowship to spectatorship. People come sing some songs, pay their tithes and offerings and listen to a message. Then they go their separate ways and live there separate lives and never feel like part of the community we like to call the church. It is a hard sale to get people to come out on a wed or sun night for an "extra service" when they can catch some great preaching on direct TV in the warm comforts of their own homes. People don't like dragging their kids out on a school night to be entertained and attend church as usual.
What is missing from true church fellowship is, the fellowship. Now a day's dinner after church is either Chinese or Italian? But a lot more fellowship takes place over a home cooked chicken dinner straight out of the church kitchen. Small groups and real life changing discussion groups is what church is supposed to be like. When we can connect with other people and feel like we are a part of a community we've had... "Church".
When Jesus and the disciples meet and had some people gathered together they ate and Jesus taught...
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- Category: Church - 1 Comment (by tohimbeglory)
- Total Views: 133
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Does Baptism do anything? |
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Posted by:
finnernb (Posted: 10/09/2008 7:20pm)
Does Baptism do anything? In my view, it does. I am a Lutheran Christian pastor and have a very high view of Baptism. I would argue that Baptism does the following: 1) Forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), 2) Rebirth (Romans 6:4), 3) Renewal (Titus 3:4), and 4) Salvation (I Peter 3:21). When a person is baptized (baby or adult), they are changed through the Holy Spirit and one renews that baptism every time they receive forgiveness from Christ. This change is the reason why we focus on our baptismal birthday, not because we did anything, but because God did.
Of course, this idea is totally un-American. In our culture, nobody can do anything well until they can make a conscience decision. This is why we can't vote til' 18 and why people don't take us seriously until we are past college age. In order for anything to make sense, one must know a certain amount of information, then make a decision.
However, faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17) the Word of God and completely by His power not ours. Whether we are 90 or 1 hour old, we can not by our own reason for strength believe in Christ or...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 119
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IS TITHING COMPULSORY FOR THE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN ? |
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Posted by:
ebysimi (Posted: 09/21/2008 12:50am)
Dear brothers & Sisters in christ
Can someone advice on the sub matter ?
Our pastor urges always for TITHING ! as per his this should be given to the church where we are getting fellowship right now.
I am getting confused by all explanations below from various places!
Whichone is correct ?giving tyth to fellow church or to any other church pastors / Ministries? or its not compulsory ?
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (NKJ)
someone advices like below !!!!
"What he has decided in his heart to give" clearly has to be some amount (not zero). It may be ten percent or more. Well, it may even be less, but give as the Holy Spirit directs your heart; NOT AS THE PASTOR DIRECTS YOU. This is the distinct difference between giving to God and giving to the church.
I repeat there is no curse for "NOT TITHING" in the New Testament church (as is often implied on...
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- Category: Church - 15 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by thereisnogray)
- Total Views: 402
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Where is the Church? |
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Posted by:
algernon (Posted: 08/06/2008 6:47am)
I have found that the Scriptures refer to the Church as "the pillar and foundation of the truth" (1 Tim 3.15), and "the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way" (Ep 1.23); and that the Church has the authority to expel unrepentant Christians and the power to "bind and loose" (Mt 18.15-18).
The problem I have faced is trying to reconcile the doctrine of an authoritative, truth-filled Church with the existence of more than 30,000 Christian denominations who all teach different doctrines, follow different practices, and disagree on their understandings of the nature of the Trinity and the Incarnation of Christ; the role of good works; the proper place of Mary and the Saints; the right approach to Scriptures; the definition and means of salvation, justification, sanctification, glorification; the meaning, method, and timing of baptism; the substance of the elements of Communion; the proper understanding of atonement, original sin, mortal sin, venial sin; predestination versus freewill; imparted versus imputed righteousness; lordship salvation versus free grace; efficacious versus prevenient grace; total versus limited depravity; conditional versus unconditional election; premillennialism versus postmillennialism versus amillennialism, etc, etc...
Is it possible that all these different doctrines can be correct?
Maybe doctrine is...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 135
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MINISTERING SPIRITS SENT FORTH TO MINISTER |
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Posted by:
oldpaths (Posted: 07/31/2008 9:29pm)
Hebrew 1:14
"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation."
Every time God wants to do something in the earth, He searches for a man. God looks for a human being to be His instrument and do what He desires to be done, at a particular time. "...The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." (2 Chronicles 16:9). The Scripture says that the eyes of the Lord search for a man. Again we read, "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none." (Ezekiel 22:30). The Lord searches for a man whose heart longs for the fulfilment of God's purposes upon the earth. I believe, the Lord Jesus Christ is searching for a people in the earth these days, to complete the work of the restoration of His glorious church.
One thing that we see, is that whenever God desired to restore the church, the...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments (view first comment - view last comment)** - Total Views: 260
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I need to talk, is anybody listening? |
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Posted by:
funzo (Posted: 07/24/2008 4:26am)
Hello there,
please forgive me if I sound naive, I am a bit new to blogging but I really need to be able to articulate my thoughts somehow so that I can get a perspective on it. One of the predominant things on my mind is church around me and how it is run.
I am a stickler for the Word of God and I'm likely to query things by asking for "chapter and verse". However, I do get scared when I am told that I should carry on because the leader says so or since the issue may not directly affect me. In my church, there are lots of people in leadership position who get and remain there by making the leadership feel good or by refusing to "rock the boat". When you make progress that way, it is evident that you must also maintain your progress that way. When I discuss with those I can talk to, the advise is to "allow God to deal with the situation", or words to that effect. I ask myself is that a correct biblical stance? Nathan confronted David, (2 Sam 12:1-9); Paul confronted Peter, (Gal 2:11-14). Is this not the same...
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- Category: Church - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by tohimbeglory)
- Total Views: 373
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Church vs. A Relationship with God |
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Posted by:
scrisden (Posted: 07/14/2008 4:29pm)
What is the purpose of church? Some people go to church out of routine, some go out of obligation, and others go out of guilt. Some people say that church is where you spend time with God. Is that how you get to spend time with God, by going to church? I go to church to fellowship with other Christians, to give and hear testimonies with other Christians, and to worship God with other Christians. I enjoy praying and reading my Bible. Just spending time alone with God is something that, until recently, I never really did. I absolutely love God, and I know that he absolutely loves me. I would not be assured of these truths had I not began spending time with him. I guess I just don't place as much importance on church attendance as some others. Is that a problem? Is it possible that going to church can keep you from having a relationship with God? I think the answer is "yes", if you let it....
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- Category: Church - 1 Comment (by blessings2you)
- Total Views: 176
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Thoughts From Pastors Across America, Part 1 |
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Posted by:
abelajohnb (Posted: 07/02/2008 10:22am)
Thoughts From Pastors Across America, Part 1
I felt it was time to put together a list of all the comments I have written down over the last seven or eight years that I have had the pleasure and honor of talking with pastors from across America and Canada.
Mostly I wanted to do this to try to bring them all into one file, rather then a whole bunch of different files on my computer, but then the idea hit me that I should publish these great comments, as many of them are just way to good to leave only on my computer and in my own mind.
Because of the type of conversations that I have with pastors, and the fact that pastors I speak too understand I have a "zero naming" rule in my life and ministry, I have removed from the below comments who said each comment, where they live, when they said it, and what they were going through in their own live and in their ministry -- of all which I have tried to keep track of while compiling this great list!
I hope that many people will find some nuggets of wisdom and insight...
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- Category: Church - 3 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by jesusmymainman)
- Total Views: 1382
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New Church Model at the Journey in Russellville, Arkansas |
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Posted by:
richardmyjourney (Posted: 06/27/2008 12:48pm)
Where to begin... I guess the easiest place to start is to talk a little bit about the title of this blog. The Journey is an evangelical, non-denominational church whose origin are found in the Assemblies of God. Before I say anything else however, please allow me this disclaimer... Nothing I say here is intended to smear or belittle other believers or churches anywhere. We are called to "do" church differently and we do not judge or condemn any other body for doing things differently or more traditionally. Our efforts are directed at reaching a very specific cross-section of the population that we feel has been largely ignored by the modern church and sometimes even labeled as undesireable. We feel we have been called to fill a void that, for the most part, has gone unfilled in our area. We focus our organizational efforts on reaching the un-churched and the de-churched in our area. We believe there are huge numbers of people, who for whatever reason, will not attend a more traditional church. Perhaps they have been burned by a previous church experience or perhaps they feel that churches are full hypocrits and liars but whatever their reasons, we have...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 365
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St. Mark's Youth Group |
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Posted by:
whitebeard (Posted: 06/14/2008 2:10am)
St. Mark's Ocean Park has a youth group! It has been a long time but it will be worth the wait!
Rev. Jonathan Blanchard will be starting up the youth group. Rev Blanchard will be the coordinator but he will need some help from older youth and parents. There will be at least two events during the summer of 2008:
Pizza Night at the Blanchard's June 29, 2008 5pm to 9pm
there will lots of games (outdoors if the weather permits), pizza and a getting to know ya time
Innertubing at Cultuss Lake July 19, 2008 10:30 am to 5pm
There are two main objectives for St. Mark's youth group playing and praying. will be leading this group but he will be looking for parent volunteers. Our prayer is that this group will grow spiritually and numerically. If you are between the ages of 12 and 16, want to learn about Jesus and have fun come to St. Mark's in Surrey...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 187
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The Wolf And The Church |
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Posted by:
abelajohnb (Posted: 06/01/2008 8:18pm)
The Wolf And The Church
As one closes theirs eyes and gathers images about the wolf, from what they've been taught, what they've seen in pictures, and seen on TV, one usually only gets a glimpse of the reality of the life of the wolf, a reality not of truth but of that which man has impressed the animals to be. Some people see a playful and bouncy little cub and put that as their idea of what wolves are. Others see wolves as a strong and powerful animal that rules the forests and animals of the forest. Some see them as a snarling, saliva drooling, meat eating beast.
And yet others see wolves as a nuisance to society.
Whatever one sees when they close their eyes and think of wolves is probably wrong. Few people today have had the chance of seeing a live wolf in its own habitat. From herein I do not claim to be one of these. I have never seen a wolf in its own habitat. I don't know if I would want to meet a wolf on some dark night in the middle of a forest. But I would give almost anything to be...
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- Category: Church - 9 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by kraftykatz)
- Total Views: 1867
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13th: A Busy Month of June |
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Posted by:
ruthandboaz (Posted: 06/01/2008 7:15pm)
Wow... seems like I've got a busy June this year! Not only for the upcoming classes though. The youth ministry's seventh anniversary in fast approaching and... God knows...
June 3 - Go to school for schedule updates.
June 5 to 28 - Preparations for the anniversary celebration! Practices for special numbers, a shoot for our "anthem", and lots more...
June 8 - The discipleship begins!
June 10 - Back to school!
June 11 to 13 - I pray that I could get the principal's permission for our planned cell groupings in our school...
Everyday is a busy day, even during vacation. Clean the house, help the 'rents out, devotions and some other hobbies. But it isn't boring anyway, as long as you're doing everything for the glory of God...
Hey, I forgot something: I applied for a scholarship for a prestigious university here in the Philippines. We're about to submit the forms once classes start... and I'm planning to have a review while I wait for the exams (August 2 and 3). Honestly, I feel a bit nervous, because although the test is easy according to a neighbor, the real catch is time pressure. Well, I can't do anything else...
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- Category: Church - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by youaregolden)
- Total Views: 334
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The Emergent Church |
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Posted by:
joshopp (Posted: 05/26/2008 9:59pm)
Recently a friend told me that she is attending an "emergent church." Since I did not know what that meant, she was kind enough to send me a link to a webpage about the emergent church.
I enjoyed reading the article, and decided I wanted to write this blog because I think I have many friends that would label the church that they attend as "emergent" on some level.
Some points in the article contrast the Bible heavily in my opinion. First, the article emphasized the postmodern movement which distances itself from the concept of absolute truth. I find it difficult to understand how a Christian can believe in relative truth when Christ made so many absolute statements concerning himself, the Father, and salvation. As well, the article seemed to focus much on the idea of the church seeking to "dialogue" with the culture and fit into the culture. This also to me is not a scripturally sound concept. The example of the church we have in the scriptures, though very active in the community, was first called to minister to its own. The Bible tells us that the world will not comprehend the light that is in us. Yet,...
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- Category: Church - 12 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by btrommy)
- Total Views: 661
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Would you put Jesus to Death? |
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Posted by:
faithful1914 (Posted: 05/16/2008 4:43pm)
The human condition has not change much in the last 2000 years we eat, we work, we marry, we let our children marry. If some nicely dressed man came up to you with a teaching from the Bible which might sound strange, rebellious or different than what your Pastors preaches, would you listen to him? Most of the Jews failed to recognize Jesus's importance in GODS purpose for mankind. Their lack of appreciation eventually lead to his death as well as the death of most of his close followers. So ask yourself would you have recognized Jesus importance in GODS purpose? Would you have chose to be different even when your neighbors were demanding his death? What religions out there in the World are strange, rebellious an different than what our Pastors preaches. Now is the time to compare these religions teachings with the Bible! If we don't we might be guilty of Killing Jesus. Bye for now Faithful1914...
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- Category: Church - 0 Comments - Total Views: 215
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So what should we do then? |
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Posted by:
throughfaith (Posted: 05/12/2008 9:12am)
After observing and listening and reading and talking with some people over the last few months, I have become increasingly aware of the discontent of many Christians with their church. Discontent with the teaching styles, discontent with the worship level, discontent with the classes offered, discontent with the overall focus and direction, and discontent with the behavior of others. I have heard comments from people of all ages, in many different walks of life, from many different income levels, in many different churches. I have heard comments from not only lay people but from ministers as well. But my one thought that always comes when I hear/read these comments is - what should we be doing about it?
COMMENTS ABOUT TEACHINGS STYLES
What we are hearing isn't relevant for our lives.
Preaching has become a series of lectures on various topics instead of a sharing of the Holy Spirit's leading.
We hear the same messages over and over and over again.
COMMENTS ABOUT WORSHIP
It's too planned leaving no room for the Holy Spirit to work.
We sing the same songs over and over.
What happened to the hymns?
It seems forced.
COMMENTS ABOUT CLASSES
It's all about the programming....
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- Category: Church - 1 Comment (by muellerjcfreak)
- Total Views: 362
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What will the church look like in 10 years? |
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Posted by:
abelajohnb (Posted: 05/09/2008 12:17am)
What will the church look like in 10 years?
For each generation, what the church is today is no good.
For my generation, "organized religion" is becoming more and more undesirable, and this can surely only increase for each generation after mine. As the world continues to spiral faster and faster, organized religion is doomed greater and greater without a major intervention, and thus the church itself.
Personally, I am tired of Programs.
I don't want any more new theologies.
I don't want to be preached at with sermons that were barely relevant 30 or 100 years ago.
I don't want the same old things rewrapped in a new package.
Surely somebody, some pastor somewhere, can find something of value with the Great Book, and find a way to make it relevant to me, one would think?
As for the generations following me, it will only get worse.
They will want a real life experience of the power of God.
They will want truth in action, not truth in teachings.
They will want love in action, not love in sermons.
They will want a move of God, not just a 'move of God' talked about.
They will want the Bible...
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- Category: Church - 12 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by clillard)
- Total Views: 2602
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lemoore church |
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Posted by:
monkey (Posted: 05/05/2008 1:58am)
i go to an awsome church in lemoore where we sing and dance and have fun. i love to hang out with my family and when we go.
my pastor helps me put alot. my mom and my aunts always talk to me about church.
but im still learning and im in the process.
the church helps me out alot but sometimes im afraid to
ask questions. but my congregation is so awsome. each and everytime we have a meeting i always learn something new.
my church is small but its slowly starting to grow.
i realy dont have anything agianst the fact that i always get to alot about the way i am. but yeah...
but sometimez my church is so awsome i hate the fact i aint that envolved like i should be... ...
wwweeeelllll yyyeeeaaahhhhh... ...
at my church we do alot of crazy things but its like thier basicly my family.
i can always count in them when i need help .
and im so grateful for that cuz they help so much....
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- Category: Church - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by youaregolden)
- Total Views: 379
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