and I think that is why some want to go to mega churches
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Not going to Church???
- Thread starter Salty
- Start date
I have been in wonderful large and small churches. I have been in bad large and small ones as well.
Most of the small churches I have attended were small for a reason. They were dead. I think the average age of members was 55+. No youth to speak of (maybe some grand child here or there).
Most of the large churches I have attended grew from a small church to a large church because of their faithfulness. But it was difficult to function as a member (to be a part of the work). It was easy to get lost in the crowd. You functioned as a member of the church within smaller groups (like study groups).
I prefer smaller churches. But I never rule out larger ones. Most of my life I attended larger ones because the small ones were dead.
I didn't find any reference to the 1689 Confession in your link. Instead you offer one page from an American 19th Century writer of whom I have never heard. But people who come into membership of a church should undoubtedly commit themselves to regular attendance unless there is some pressing reason to be absent.
Here, I'll type it out:
Baptist General Assembly in London....A General Assembly was convened in London....from the third to the twelfth of September, 1689....Various questions were proposed at this meeting, and the opinions and advice of the brethren sought....in the matter of discipline....
"Question. Whether, when the Church have agreed upon the keeping of one day, weekly or monthly, besides the first day of the week, to worship God and perform the necessary services of the Church, they may not charge such persons with evil that neglect such meetings, and lay them under reproof, unless such members can show good cause for such their absence?
"Answer. Concluded in the affirmative (Heb. x. 25).
J. M. Cramp, Baptist History: from the Foundation of the Christian Church to the Close of the Eighteenth Century [London, 1868], pp. 461-3.
Thank you for confirming what I wrote. Found nowhere in the 1689 Confession.
Sigh.
What I said was that it was the very same men who promulgated the 1689 Confession who made the ruling on attendance at midweek services.
Narrative of the Proceedings of the General Assembly of divers Pastors, Messengers and Ministring Brethren of the Baptized Churches [London 1689]
You can see it at the bottom of page 13.
What I said was that it was the very same men who promulgated the 1689 Confession who made the ruling on attendance at midweek services.
Narrative of the Proceedings of the General Assembly of divers Pastors, Messengers and Ministring Brethren of the Baptized Churches [London 1689]
You can see it at the bottom of page 13.
On a Sunday night (some 40 years ago, I vistited First Bap of Dallas, tx. I sat next to a older man who asked me if I was a member at FB-D. I told him I was a visitor. That is when I realized that if someone does not know if I am a member, that that cchurch is too big
What is called church is often a systematized processing machine. Organizations often inhibit the relationships (us with God and each other) that are supposed to define Christianity. We are told to love each other so often perhaps because we are so unlovable. Relationships are difficult because we are difficult. Modern churches often avoid the difficulties associated with relationships by making the process efficient and distancing members from each other.
Agree
honestly Tim,Isn’t that antagonizing?
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. --- Hebrews 10:25
Ascetic X
Active Member
I know we are not supposed to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, but I never got much out of church services, aside from fellowship with other believers. I am generally repulsed by repetitious hypnotic praise choruses and contemporary rock worship music. Sermons are often good, but not enough Word to sustain me for a whole week.
I gain more spiritual growth when I read my Bibles and devout books, or when I listen to several sermons per day on YouTube or Sermon Audio. I prefer small groups, little Bible studies, prayer meetings, Sunday school classes. In these gatherings, it is more intimate and each person can contribute something, announce praise reports or prayer requests, and ask questions.
Passively listening to a lecture by the same person every Sunday morning seems odd. The shake hands ritual seems awkward and artificial. The Sunday sanctuary service tends to be a let down that I simply tolerate. I wish it wasn’t so, but that is my experience.
I cannot imagine the first century home churches being anything like what we have today.
I gain more spiritual growth when I read my Bibles and devout books, or when I listen to several sermons per day on YouTube or Sermon Audio. I prefer small groups, little Bible studies, prayer meetings, Sunday school classes. In these gatherings, it is more intimate and each person can contribute something, announce praise reports or prayer requests, and ask questions.
Passively listening to a lecture by the same person every Sunday morning seems odd. The shake hands ritual seems awkward and artificial. The Sunday sanctuary service tends to be a let down that I simply tolerate. I wish it wasn’t so, but that is my experience.
I cannot imagine the first century home churches being anything like what we have today.
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Have you thought about have a Bible study in home ---- Where 2 or 3 are gathered.....
When I first arrived in Germany (Wildflecken) in 1980, I went to the US military chapel. The Chaplain spoke on the horrs of WW 2 - he never once opened his Bible. Due to this, I started a Bible study on base in the Rec center. It started out slow - but by the late summer, we started an independent Baptist church - off base - and we saw God do great things!
During COVID, only "essential" services remained open.
The pastors who allowed their churches to be closed, conceded that church is not "essential".
During the Chinese Virus, we did close - since most of the members were much older and in poor health.
One younger healthy member - works at a hospital.
We closed down due to an abundance of safety
Our county executive said he did not care what the Governor said about churches.
Our county Sherriff said his staff would NOT respond to any call for excessive people at an event.
Glad your county behaved as it did. I commend your leaders I am not judging you, but for me God did not say to forsake the gathering if it gets dangerous.
The underground church meets in danger every time it gathers.
Ben1445
Well-Known Member
We don’t tell the sick to come when they are sick. But we don’t tell the healthy to stay home when the neighbors are sick.