Daniel Amos Message Board | Print: Churches all over my town

Posted by Drtuddle on 08-05-2010 at13:23:

Churches all over my town

I was told by a local preacher that he found out from the city there is over 70 Churches in the town I live. A town of 19,000 people. That's like a Chruch for every 300 people. Is that normal?

Posted by Drtuddle on 08-05-2010 at14:11:

I put this in the wrong thread so I'm going to try to tie it in with Da. More Churches should mean I have increased odds of having Da or The LD's play my town

Posted by Audiori J on 08-05-2010 at14:42:

In a lot of areas when a church gets to be a few hundred people a chunk splits off and starts a new one. I thinka majority of people don't want to be in a megachurch.

Posted by Drtuddle on 08-05-2010 at15:25:

yeah but I really enjoy the Coffe House in my mega Church. In the Dallas area Mega Churches are popping up everywhere. I don't know... I just feel all that money goes into it and I think to myself would Jesus need a big flashy auditorium? How many wells could be dug or houses built for people in poverty with the money into that Mega Church? I'm from a house church background. I really felt ministered to in that forum but things got too personal for a few elder members and it all fell apart.

Posted by DwDunphy on 08-05-2010 at18:47:

I've never been to a megachurch, so if any of the following sounds ignorant, I apologize in advance.

How much one-on-one is afforded an attendee of a megachurch. I suspect little to none. Having the preacher way up there and the people way down there seems like a lot of ego-bloat and celebrity. If the pastor doesn't interact personally with the members, is he really being a true pastor or the emcee of a God show?

Posted by MarkyMark77 on 08-05-2010 at19:31:

Biblically, the church is a priesthood of all believers, so it doesn't matter if the pastor interacts with all the members. Technically, we're all ministers, ministering to each other. I know many will disagree, but the idea of one guy being "the pastor" as we know it today isn't found in the early church. I argue with people about it all the time Tongue

As far as creating a cult of personality, I would agree. But this also happens in smaller churches. When people come for a certain preaching style, or a show instead of to gather together to worship God and be the church, that's where the problem lies, and it can happen in any church.

Posted by Drtuddle on 08-05-2010 at19:52:

Should a mega church or any Church for that matter be built on credit? I remember one church I attended said they wouldn't add to the church or build anything unless they already had the money. Which to me was biblical

Posted by Jimmy Brown on 08-06-2010 at08:38:

I don't like mega-churches myself, but the first Christians met in a pretty impressive building and had thousands of converts there in Jerusalem. Scripture doesn't really dictate the physical manifestation of the institutional church; as long as a church finds a way to function as a part of the Body of Christ and fulfill his commission, I don't think size or structure it matters.

Posted by Ritchie_az on 08-06-2010 at09:14:

I've attended a couple "mega-churches". I think it's more financially effecient than a bunch of small churches, offers more "programs" and can do things (like missions) on a larger scale. Most "mega-churches" have "small group" Bible studies that allow you to connect with people.

There's nothing wrong with small or large churches. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, and they do the work of God in different ways (maybe one is a "finger" and the other is a "leg" on the body of Christ... different parts of the body, but both important....).

Posted by Drtuddle on 08-06-2010 at10:11:

Some mega churches is seems are like a business. I know some that will give out little lunch bags to employees at area businesses. Which yeah that is cool, but probably people who have jobs can afford their own lunch. I guess I just see it as the church trying to gain members which means they gain tithing. Find the poor, elderly, widows, single parent folks to give the lunches. I see lots of merchandise being sold at churches also. These pastors are living like fat rats in a cheese factory. When you live a lavish life that is given to you because you are preaching the word of God I think there is obvious conflict. Say you were a preacher at a MEga Church and ,God forbid, you lost your faith or committed a major sin where you should step down but only you or a few of your top employees of the church know about it.. You think that Pastor is gong to give up that fat paycheck. Too much temptation. Too much at risk. Camel through the eye of a needle.

I remember reading a book by Michael Card where he went to a Christian product convention. You know where they would sale bible figures and christian board games and anything they could market to christians. He said he felt compelled to start turning all the tables over like Jesus did in the temple. I guess he felt like it trivialized God and his work. Of course the irony was I was reading the book at a Christian book store I worked at.

Posted by Ritchie_az on 08-06-2010 at11:59:

quote:

When you live a lavish life that is given to you because you are preaching the word of God I think there is obvious conflict.

I completely agree with this, but the two "mega-churches" I've been to the pastors have lived modest lives, in fairly small homes, driving old cars. The lead pastor at one of the churches didn't even have a/c in his car (in Arizona!).

quote:

I remember reading a book by Michael Card

That's your first problem.... Tongue

Posted by Drtuddle on 08-06-2010 at12:15:

Michael Card? Oh don't tell me there is something wrong with him. He's not another Larry Norman is he?

Posted by Ritchie_az on 08-06-2010 at16:38:

I don't know anything specific about him. Just that I don't care for his music. I've never read any of his books.

Posted by DwDunphy on 08-06-2010 at17:21:

quote:

Originally posted by Ritchie_az

quote:

When you live a lavish life that is given to you because you are preaching the word of God I think there is obvious conflict.

I completely agree with this, but the two "mega-churches" I've been to the pastors have lived modest lives, in fairly small homes, driving old cars. The lead pastor at one of the churches didn't even have a/c in his car (in Arizona!).

quote:

I remember reading a book by Michael Card

That's your first problem.... Tongue

The default in this has become Joel Osteen. You do not expect that he would be driving an old beater around town. The same for Rick Warren. I could be wrong, but both these men seem intent to keep those pleats sharp.

Posted by pegotico on 08-08-2010 at20:29:

quote:

Originally posted by Drtuddle
I just feel all that money goes into it and I think to myself would Jesus need a big flashy auditorium? How many wells could be dug or houses built for people in poverty with the money into that Mega Church? .

very sad and true. we dont have to go very far, if Benny Hinn sold his house, and gave it to help... MANY MANY MANY ppl would get HELP!!!

Posted by Drtuddle on 08-08-2010 at21:27:

I thought I heard Benny's wife left him so I'm thinking th house(s) went with her.

Posted by Jimmy Brown on 08-09-2010 at09:21:

quote:

Originally posted by Ritchie_az
I don't know anything specific about him. Just that I don't care for his music. I've never read any of his books.

I've met him a couple of times, and he seems like a quiet, unassuming, even humble guy. He did an outdoor show here in town where the electricity went out halfway through the concert. After about half an hour, the band pulled out the guitars, accordion, and bodhran, and did the rest of the concert complete acoustic sitting in the middle of the audience. From sitting literally at their feet, I can say the were all talented musicians. I guess that doesn't mean one would like his music, but no sniping please. Wink

Posted by Drtuddle on 08-09-2010 at13:55:

Scandalon

Posted by Pfiagra on 08-10-2010 at00:06:

quote:

Originally posted by Drtuddle
Scandalon

The seers and the prophets had foretold it long ago
That the long awaited one would make men stumble
But they were looking for a king to conquer and to kill
Who'd have ever thought He'd be so meek and humble

He will be the truth that will offend them one and all
A stone that makes men stumble
And a rock that makes them fall

Many will be broken so that He can make them whole
And many will be crushed and lose their own soul
Along the path of life there lies a stubborn Scandalon
And all who come this way must be offended
To some He is a barrier, To others He's the way
For all should know the scandal of believing

It seems today the Scandalon offends no one at all
The image we present can be stepped over
Could it be that we are like the others long ago
Will we ever learn that all who come must stumble

Posted by Pfiagra on 08-10-2010 at00:11:

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy Brown

quote:

Originally posted by Ritchie_az
I don't know anything specific about him. Just that I don't care for his music. I've never read any of his books.

I've met him a couple of times, and he seems like a quiet, unassuming, even humble guy. He did an outdoor show here in town where the electricity went out halfway through the concert. After about half an hour, the band pulled out the guitars, accordion, and bodhran, and did the rest of the concert complete acoustic sitting in the middle of the audience. From sitting literally at their feet, I can say the were all talented musicians. I guess that doesn't mean one would like his music, but no sniping please. Wink

I'm not a fan per-say of Michael Card, but do have his greatest hits album from a decade or so ago. Even if you don't appreciate his musical style, his lyrics are poetic bible studies.

(I've heard that each of his albums is a direct outcome from his personal bible study.)