From the article: "She gave us an ultimatum that...any future DVDs that we do on the Bible must not be persuasive," And since the Bible is the most persuasive of Christian literature, how long will it be until it too is banned?
Jesus said: " For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:" and a few verses later the judgement for that: " And these shall go away into everlasting punishment." I'm glad to hear that someone has taken up the ministry of caring for our brother.
Could the growth of these "churches" have anything to do with the fact that they are often out in the neighborhoods talking to, or at least trying to talk to, people? The last time a "protestant" group came through my area was over 15 years ago and then they were just hanging notes on door knobs and hurrying to get away. Well, they say, God will call those He wants. Nothing I can do about it. I guess these growing groups don't go along with that. They're out there plowing fields and planting tares. Oops! I meant planting seed.
"Also, the younger generation is entering the hotel market."
While they were growing up they were shuffled out of the sanctuary into the children's area during the service. In essence they've been told all their young lives "this is not for you." Is it then any wonder that thay have no love for or interest in the Bible?
If you leave them out when they're young they'll stay out when they're older.
I just came from the supermarket where I pushed a cart around gathering my groceries. Now I'm sitting here wondering if some infected person pushed that cart before me. And, yes, I've washed my hands twice since reading this article. My point is obvious, we need more than schools, hospitals, and rest homes getting in on the cleaning act.
I see nothing wrong with the online church or, as I like to say, being churched online. I have been searching for a church for two or three years but I'm reluctant to go where I haven't been invited. And I've been invited to just one church in the last decade. Churches, of course, could fill more pews if they had an active outreach program rather than saying "God will call whom He will." We stopped by one church, after service, and tried to ask the pastor for an invitation. He very reluctantly said we were invited but he looked as if he were in as much pain as having a tooth pulled. We did finally go to a small church where the pastor was the father of an old friend. But the man has preached the same sermon seven out of tem times and doesn't seem to realize it. And his bible study class is always Hebrews 11. Always. So, thanks to Sermon Audio, we are currently 'churched' at home although still hoping for an invitation. A movie a few years back said 'If you build it he will come.' I would say to the churches 'If you invite them they will come.'
8/25/08 1:51 PM
