The Great Commission Churches

[Twizzler]

http://gccweb.org/

Though I am absolutely out of my mind with regret at possibly having to do this, I may end up having to leave my baptist church for a non-denominational church so I can hold my family together and get my wife to come back to church.

Any comments on the GCC from anyone would be greatly appreciated. I've attended one service, enjoyed it very much and was very pleased that they preached a definate salvation message, though was slightly wary about some hand raising during the singing. The pastor assures me that they are by NO MEANS a charismatic church. I've gone through the gcc web-site with a fine-tooth comb, visited with the pastor at great length and can find nothing out of the ordinary other than some joker named Pile who claims the church is a cult. I asked the pastor directly about this as well and he answered in a straight-forward manner and I believe the gcc has responded appropriately, confessing the problems that they had as a young church in the 70's and they made some changes.

I don't think they look like a cult at all, but would appreciate any input any of you may provide.

In Christ,

tw

 

[billwald]

They seem OK according to

http://gccweb.org/about/beliefs-values/statement-of-faith

On the other hand,

Matthew 28:16-20 (King James Version)

16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

The "eleven disciples" are the 12 apostles less Judas? If not, then who are they? 11 un-named non-apostolic disciples?

What does an order specifically addressed to the apostles have to do with me?

19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

[Tom Butler]

Are these churches Baptist churches that just don't want to wear the label?

 

[Twizzler]

Are these churches Baptist churches that just don't want to wear the label?

Very close, Tom. All of their teachings are the same as my baptist church, though their music isn't from a standard hymnal, but is contemporary, sung with tracks accompanying and words projected on a screen instead of the standard piano and hymnal.

There were a few in the crowd that lifted their hands in worship during the music too, though the pastor insists that they are NOT a charismatic church. I'm willing to overlook the exuberant worship and was quite happy when the pastor informed me that they were not seeking manifistations of the spirit in tongues or miracles like a charismatic church.

It's more of a label thing and being much more open and accepting of people just as they are.

 

[Revmitchell]

Very close, Tom. All of their teachings are the same as my baptist church, though their music isn't from a standard hymnal, but is contemporary, sung with tracks accompanying and words projected on a screen instead of the standard piano and hymnal.

A Great many Baptist churches do this.

There were a few in the crowd that lifted their hands in worship during the music too, though the pastor insists that they are NOT a charismatic church. I'm willing to overlook the exuberant worship and was quite happy when the pastor informed me that they were not seeking manifistations of the spirit in tongues or miracles like a charismatic church.

A great many Baptist churches do this.

It's more of a label thing and being much more open and accepting of people just as they are.

Whatever

 

[Twizzler]

A Great many Baptist churches do this.
A great many Baptist churches do this.
Whatever

Thanks for the response, Rev... I didn't realize that any baptist churches did the hand raising thing at all. The only other place I'd seen it was in a charismatic church that I'd visited once before.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by the last comment though... it sounds like one of my kids when they don't like what I'm saying but accept it anyway but feel they have to get that one little dig in there and they say 'whatever' and roll their eyes at me like I'm from the stone age.

 

[Tom Bryant]

If all that is keeping you from getting your wife and family in church is some hand raising, go to that church. It's more important that your family grows together spiritually than there is "baptist" out front.

I guess I have to ask will your wife go to that church with you?

 

[Amy.G]

We raise hands at our Baptist Church. (SBC) We did also in the previous SBC church we attended. There is nothing charismatic about it.

 

[Revmitchell]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by the last comment though... it sounds like one of my kids when they don't like what I'm saying but accept it anyway but feel they have to get that one little dig in there and they say 'whatever' and roll their eyes at me like I'm from the stone age.

I didn't mean anything personally by it but many churches are also removing the name baptist as not to offend anyone. One of the silliest things I have ever heard. We all use labels for a great many things. But the term "labels" is placed in a negative connotation when we don't like something.

 

[Tom Butler]

I didn't mean anything personally by it but many churches are also removing the name baptist as not to offend anyone. One of the silliest things I have ever heard. We all use labels for a great many things. But the term "labels" is placed in a negative connotation when we don't like something.

It's a marketing strategy, of course. It's sorta saying, we're Baptist (or baptistic) but we won't tell you that right now because you might have some image of Baptists as narrow, overly strict and too old-fashioned. We're hip and relevant. So once we have you, we'll reveal it to you gradually.

 

[Twizzler]

I guess I have to ask will your wife go to that church with you?

I'm praying she will. :/