"Enabling" a Cult?

[Paul from Antioch]

Here's the situation: A good local Bible-believing Evangelical church has been blessed by God to increase in both size of her membership AND the physical size of her campus. This local church entered into negotiations with several commercal real estate agencies and have finally decided to accept a bid for a new church campus that is located quite a distance from her current physical campus. This local church's membership voted in favor of this proposal, and construction on her new campus facilities has already begun in earnest. NOW, here's where a "Controversy" has crept in: What should that local church do with her older campus buildings? The only reasonable offer to purchase her old facilities has come from a cult that wants to establish a presence in that city. Should that local church accept this cult's offer, and, according to some folks, thereby enabling this cult to spread its heresies in this city, or keep on seeking an offer from somewhere else? What is your opinion on this matter?

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

Is it even legal to reject an offer based on religious affiliation?

 

[Jerome]

LifeWay decides against Glorieta sale to Olivet - Baptist Press

October 17, 2012

"LifeWay Christian Resources has “decided not to go forward” with the sale of its Glorieta, N.M., conference center to Olivet University, a San Francisco-based....school with ties to Korean Christian leader David Jang who has weathered heresy accusations in Asia."

"The study of theological compatibility between LifeWay and Olivet primarily focused on accusations that Jang and/or his followers have promoted a heresy that he is the 'second coming Christ'."

 

[Yeshua1]

Here's the situation: A good local Bible-believing Evangelical church has been blessed by God to increase in both size of her membership AND the physical size of her campus. This local church entered into negotiations with several commercal real estate agencies and have finally decided to accept a bid for a new church campus that is located quite a distance from her current physical campus. This local church's membership voted in favor of this proposal, and construction on her new campus facilities has already begun in earnest. NOW, here's where a "Controversy" has crept in: What should that local church do with her older campus buildings? The only reasonable offer to purchase her old facilities has come from a cult that wants to establish a presence in that city. Should that local church accept this cult's offer, and, according to some folks, thereby enabling this cult to spread its heresies in this city, or keep on seeking an offer from somewhere else? What is your opinion on this matter?

Do not sell that building to the cult, as that would be partaking in their deeds in darkness!

 

[Yeshua1]

LifeWay decides against Glorieta sale to Olivet - Baptist Press

October 17, 2012

"LifeWay Christian Resources has “decided not to go forward” with the sale of its Glorieta, N.M., conference center to Olivet University, a San Francisco-based....school with ties to Korean Christian leader David Jang who has weathered heresy accusations in Asia."

"The study of theological compatibility between LifeWay and Olivet primarily focused on accusations that Jang and/or his followers have promoted a heresy that he is the 'second coming Christ'."

Another Rev Moon type?

 

[Reynolds]

Here's the situation: A good local Bible-believing Evangelical church has been blessed by God to increase in both size of her membership AND the physical size of her campus. This local church entered into negotiations with several commercal real estate agencies and have finally decided to accept a bid for a new church campus that is located quite a distance from her current physical campus. This local church's membership voted in favor of this proposal, and construction on her new campus facilities has already begun in earnest. NOW, here's where a "Controversy" has crept in: What should that local church do with her older campus buildings? The only reasonable offer to purchase her old facilities has come from a cult that wants to establish a presence in that city. Should that local church accept this cult's offer, and, according to some folks, thereby enabling this cult to spread its heresies in this city, or keep on seeking an offer from somewhere else? What is your opinion on this matter?

Don't sell it to a cult. Keep it as a satellite campus.

 

[Paul from Antioch]

Do not sell that building to the cult, as that would be partaking in their deeds in darkness!

So then what exactly would you advise me to tell this local Evangelical church to do since their budget cannot afford to maintain her old and unused campus facility along with her new and occupied campus?

 

[Paul from Antioch]

So then what exactly would you advise me to tell this local Evangelical church to do since their budget cannot afford to maintain both her old and unused campus facility along with her new and occupied campus. A "Satilite Campus" is not really an option for them, and iy doesn't appear to be a likely option at any point in the future either?

 

[Yeshua1]

So then what exactly would you advise me to tell this local Evangelical church to do since their budget cannot afford to maintain her old and unused campus facility along with her new and occupied campus?

Earnestly pray for the Lord to move this property, or to perhaps have it given to another legit ministry or church!

 

[Paul from Antioch]

Earnestly pray for the Lord to move this property, or to perhaps have it given to another legit ministry or church!

Thanks for your advice. As far as I personally know, there isn't any other "Legit Ministry or Church" anywhere near where her former property exists, and as far as I know, no other "Legit Ministry or Church" has any plans to move anywhere near this local church's old (& vacant) property. Maybe, as you said, this situation MAY cause someone, or something, to initiate a good ministry in this church's old (& vacant) property since as far as I've been told, the local church in question cannot afford to maintain two separate properties at the same time.

 

[Yeshua1]

Thanks for your advice. As far as I personally know, there isn't any other "Legit Ministry or Church" anywhere near where her former property exists, and as far as I know, no other "Legit Ministry or Church" has any plans to move anywhere near this local church's old (& vacant) property. Maybe, as you said, this situation MAY cause someone, or something, to initiate a good ministry in this church's old (& vacant) property since as far as I've been told, the local church in question cannot afford to maintain two separate properties at the same time.

just find it hard to think of a real church building changing over to say a Mormon or JW now!

 

[Paul from Antioch]

just find it hard to think of a real church building changing over to say a Mormon or JW now!

Apparently that was not the original intent of this local church when they originally put their old (& unoccupied) facilities up for sale, but that is the sad reality that they now face, i.e., to sell it to the only group that ever offered any offer to purchase their old campus facilities. Their budget is such that they cannot maintain both campus facilities at the same time, and therefore they are almost compelled to sell it to this cult. (IMPO, they've done all that they could do so, whether or not they like it or not, this cult seems to be the only viable offer & therefore this local church must of necessity sell their old facilities to it.) Any suggestions about what this local church should now do given the circumstances they now face?

 

[Squire Robertsson]

Apparently that was not the original intent of this local church when they originally put their old (& unoccupied) facilities up for sale, but that is the sad reality that they now face, i.e., to sell it to the only group that ever offered any offer to purchase their old campus facilities. Their budget is such that they cannot maintain both campus facilities at the same time, and therefore they are almost compelled to sell it to this cult. (IMPO, they've done all that they could do so, whether or not they like it or not, this cult seems to be the only viable offer & therefore this local church must of necessity sell their old facilities to it.) Any suggestions about what this local church should now do given the circumstances they now face?

Strip it bare. Take all the furnishings out including the drapes. And sell it as is/where is.

 

[canadyjd]

Check with NAMB of SBC to see if they will acquire the property as a church plant.

Don’t sell to the cult.

peace to you

 

[Reynolds]

So then what exactly would you advise me to tell this local Evangelical church to do since their budget cannot afford to maintain her old and unused campus facility along with her new and occupied campus?

It's all about money. If money were not a factor, what would they do? What they would do if money was not a factor, is the right thing to do.

 

[Salty]

What is the membership / attendance of the church now?


how about a number of people currently with the church - stay there and be the nucelous of a new church.