Question about "mega" churches

The fire engine is one small aspect of the whole program. It serves the same purpose as the baptistry in your church no doubt (which probably has some decorative measure to make it look presentable -- you know the 70s look of having a river flowing in the background or a dove descending ).

Worship is one of the purposes of the church, perhaps even the primary purpose. But definitely worship is not the only purpose of the church.

No Jesus used miracles. John likes to call them signs b/c they were pointing people to Jesus himself. Miracles themselves are a form of method Jesus employed so that people would hear the gospel. Yet again another discussion a bit off the subject.

Once again, Jesus used the things in his culture with which people could identify. He taught a timeless message employing temporal means.

1) You have yet to prove these things are not biblical and 2) one only has to visit one of these facilities to recognize they are done in first class (whether you agree with the method or not).

It is pointless unless you want to point me to that text where Jesus or anyone else in Scripture used a PA, air-conditioning, a nursery, cars/vans/buses to bring others to church, sancutaries, etc.

All methods. Are you using any of these "man-made" methods?

Is it your proposal that anything that is not found in Scripture is forbidden?

And the reason it is okay to do things that are culturally relevant is b/c you are presenting the gospel to people right where they are in life, which Jesus did w/o a doubt.

And so the discussion goes on ... and on ... and on

I also picked up this tidbit in one of your other posts: And, I do think all man-made methods used for evangelism purposes (which is what we are talking about) is unbiblical. It is a vain attempt at adding to the gospel.


You are overstepping the boundaries again with these words. In order for something to be "unbiblical" you need to show how it violates Scripture. And you also need to show how these methods are a vain attempt to add to the gospel. This is a serious accusation and needs to be clarified. As has been said before, the message never changes only methods.

Still waiting for that text.

[ October 02, 2002, 05:53 PM: Message edited by: SBCbyGRACE ]

 

How about "To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law." [1 Cor. 9:20]

No wait...that supports methods. </font>[/QUOTE]Now, what method does that support, exactly? Fire truck baptistries or animatronics?

SDG,
Chris</font>[/QUOTE]WHOOSH.

 

1.) I don't think the size of a church has anything to do with whether or not it is reaching the community.

2.) I am one who has attended mega churches (only in visiting, for example, on vacation) to get lost in a crowd. It keeps people off of me. Not that small churches get on me, but small churches tend to stare when you walk in.

3.) You can get connected in a larger church because you choose to. You can get lost in a small church because you choose to.

 

I would not personally choose the method of a fire-truck baptistry. I am in favor of cultural relevance, etc. but that particular method strikes me as counterproductive.

Any child young enough to appreciate being baptized in such a vehicle would very possibly be too young to understand baptism. My kids would have been embarrassed at such a thing by the time they were six.

There are some methods that illuminate, there are some that overwhelm. In my opinion, this is a method that would overwhelm the attention of a child instead of illuminating.
I am sure the creators are very well-intentioned.

Karen

[ October 03, 2002, 03:29 PM: Message edited by: Karen ]

 

I do think all man-made methods used for evangelism purposes (which is what we are talking about) is unbiblical.

That would include radio, tv, and the internet. I guess this site is an unbiblical site, then, and you, by posting on it, are partaking in an unbiblical act.

 

So, let me get this strait...by your definition a "mega church" is any church that has an attendance of more than 1,000 people? And you think that that is a bad thing? Impersonal?

uh oh... my church has an average attendance of around 5,000...it's not dead, it's not impersonal, there are many many ways for anyone to get exactly what they need.

"Mega Church" that's a new one on me. I think that in the case of my church...big numbers are showing that lots and lots of people are accepting the Lord as saviour... That's a good thing. I understand what your saying about "impersonal" I've heard that suposition myself...but it doesn't apply to my church... I guess numbers in our case show a successful thriving church. Remember, It's only about 13 years old... the numbers just increase... I think it's showing that we have what people need.... The Bible.

 

I also want to add... my church is the only place that I feel as at home as I do at my own home...It's homey...and it's not just me that feels that way. It's a really really big family and it feels like family.

Okay, boasting over. Come for a visit... I know, I say that a lot... I think that sometimes people don't believe me about the things I say about my church and my Pastor. Come and see for yourselves... all are welcome.

 

Scottish churches do tend to be smaller than American churches on average. I have often found however that in churches with more than 200 active members there is more likely to be "pew fellowship" than "church fellowship".
yours, Jon.

 

been to several differant size churchs, i think area....rural, city,etc... have alot to do w/ it.
here in central ga. lot of farms, hence ,lot of smaller churchs;so on & so forth.......liked every one of theme,except when there was a problem.......usually self inflicted--"ME"
..................bill

 

A fire truck baptistry! Wow, what a novel idea.

How about a Jonah like whale. The candidate enters through the mouth, then gets spit out into the surrounding water. Once dunked, they walk to the waiting shore an give their testimony.

Cheers,

Jim

oh,,,,sorry. I apologize for laughing

 

I feel like such an outsider on this board. People seem to be almost always against things that I'm for. And I don't know why that is. I feel like such a side-liner...I never seem to jump on the popular opinion band wagon.

My pastor once said that in a church of 60 people, you know about 60 people. In a church of 160 people...you know about 60 people. In a church of 1,000 people...you know about 60 people. I think people are just intimidated by size for some reason. The people from small churches think that God couldn't possibly work in a big church. To me, it just seems to show that He is.

 

I have to disagree with some here. Jesus preached by the thousands. There should be no limit to the amount of people that come to church. We should be thanking God for the amount of people we see coming to churches.

If people get lost in their own church, because of the numbers being so high, then its not the churches fault, but the devil for drawing them away.

Matthew 9:35-38

" And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. "

" But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. " (Isaiah 53:5-6 " But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.",
" All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. ")

" Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; "

" Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. "

Matthew 12:30

" He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. "

Matthew 15:30

" And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and healed them: "

Matthew 15:38

" And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. "

Sincerely,
Apostlic Truth

 

I don't think the size of the church determines the spiritual potential of the ministry. I do think that the size of the church determines how one can minister.

Whether one wants to be a large frog in a large pond or a large frog in a small frog is largely determined by preference.

A large church, with huge financial resources, could assist the smaller churches, so that all could prosper in the work, but do they? Why do we have so many huge churches and young ministers still driving school buses and working extra jobs?

The People's Church in Toronto is a huge church by Canadian standards, but it got there with its heart for missions and we can only wish it God's speed. I have seen a few other churches who were more concerned with their own "little" corner and adornments,,,,,,,,"See how huge we are" and watch another minister labour to feed his family whilst going about the Master's business.

That is my only challenge to mega churches.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Wow! That many people in one church. These churches would absolutely fire away and fall back if ever an attendance was that big.

Sherrie