Webcasting Church Service

[Earth Wind and Fire]

EWF...



Yikes!

I sure am glad I live in a nice little "Mayberry" style small town! :wavey:

It was like that at one time..... then all of AT&T and all the 4 corners moved here & drove up costs..... Then the New Yorkers (mostly tax & spend liberals) came in.....and they killed the goose that layed the golden eggs. Now I just want to get out of here before it kills me.

 

[Old Union Brother]

To answer the OP anywhere from a half a mile to 650 miles. Depending on the weekend. The first weekend in May I'm supposed to be in Ecorse MI. And in June in Chicago. But that aside I generally travel closer to home. I am kind of a modern day circuit rider.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

To answer the OP anywhere from a half a mile to 650 miles. Depending on the weekend. The first weekend in May I'm supposed to be in Ecorse MI. And in June in Chicago. But that aside I generally travel closer to home. I am kind of a modern day circuit rider.

You get a pass my friend...your the real deal....not the mountebanks.:thumbsup:

 

[annsni]

So good. Anyone w/I up to 30 minutes should ...its attainable. But for them further it stopped being any sense of even a pretence of a community ....so the webcast is a valuable tool people should be encouraged to use. Works for me. :thumbs:

Why is over 30 minutes of driving not a community but a webcast is? I don't understand it. We have families driving an hour to get to church and yes, it's a sacrifice but they are absolutely part of our community. As a matter of fact, one family is hosting our ladies' group tonight so I have to miss dinner since I live the farthest away. With Long Island traffic, it should take me about 75 minutes to get to their home.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Why is over 30 minutes of driving not a community but a webcast is? I don't understand it. We have families driving an hour to get to church and yes, it's a sacrifice but they are absolutely part of our community. As a matter of fact, one family is hosting our ladies' group tonight so I have to miss dinner since I live the farthest away. With Long Island traffic, it should take me about 75 minutes to get to their home.

Simple...its not where they live. Do you seriously believe its OK to neglect those in your own back yard & fly off to a church miles away? I dont, nor will I ever. I told you this before.....when a church is not all inclusive, there is something wrong with that church. I really dont care how far you drive, thats your choice....as for me, I will sit with these folks even I have to go into a RCC (which I abhor) & I will & do tell them the truth & God does the rest. However they dont have the werewithall to drive to Montville to the White collar neighborhoods (they feel thats not there place anyway)...so then they will default back to the local RCC that is one city block to them......And your type of church would do what....neglect them right.

 

[Don]

EWF - I understand what you're saying.

My opinion (which I remind folks, opinions are like armpits; we've all got at least two, and some smell worse than others) is, a webcast can't replace community. It can only supplement it. It's a definite for the home-bound, or those that are traveling, or maybe in distant locations for an extended period of time.

Where it fails is fellowship. You can get good preaching; but you can't sit and talk with members before/after (for you back row pew, back-slidden heathen types, "during" :laugh: ) about football, hunting, politics, etc. You can't create those relationships that make a church a family.

You'd have to make a concerted effort to reach out to members of that church, and establish some fellowship with them. And if you're going to go to that extent, then you might as well be going to the church.

I fully understand. I've been going through a transition myself, and have been looking at churches near and far. My biggest problem is my kids; if I can only find a good church that's an hour or more away, how do I get my kids involved with other kids in the church? I can't afford the gas to take them more than twice a week.

Lots of things to consider. Pray, and let God lead.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

To answer the OP anywhere from a half a mile to 650 miles. Depending on the weekend. The first weekend in May I'm supposed to be in Ecorse MI. And in June in Chicago. But that aside I generally travel closer to home. I am kind of a modern day circuit rider.

You know, I need to know how you guys preach from the cuff. These men who congregate in muster zones sometimes need to hear the word. There is a street corner that they stand in waiting for vans to pick them up, with a wooden cupola & a big town clock on the street. My problem is I dont speak the language, but thankfully they understand some English so we muddle through. That may be a good place to get these folks out on Sunday because all their apartments are on that street. There is a huge bed bug infestation however which makes me hesitant to go into their apartments, not to mention the drugs (currently heroin) problems. The Pentecostalists have tried to integrate but they dont get anywhere....all they are useful to them for is food & clothing. It seems there is a caste system, with people from Argentina leading them & using them to do the menial tasks. But they are largely Catholics & they are comfortable going to a Mass the Priest puts on for them in the afternoon....thats where I go now in order to make friends & try to bring them to the True Christ. This is not easy under any circumstance because of multiple agendas being floated. On the bottom rung however, are these poor people struggling to survive. I will say no more....but emphasize that is where I spend my time.

 

[Old Union Brother]

You know, I need to know how you guys preach from the cuff. These men who congregate in muster zones sometimes need to hear the word. There is a street corner that they stand in waiting for vans to pick them up, with a wooden cupola & a big town clock on the street. My problem is I dont speak the language, but thankfully they understand some English so we muddle through. That may be a good place to get these folks out on Sunday because all their apartments are on that street. There is a huge bed bug infestation however which makes me hesitant to go into their apartments, not to mention the drugs (currently heroin) problems. The Pentecostalists have tried to integrate but they dont get anywhere....all they are useful to them for is food & clothing. It seems there is a caste system, with people from Argentina leading them & using them to do the menial tasks. But they are largely Catholics & they are comfortable going to a Mass the Priest puts on for them in the afternoon....thats where I go now in order to make friends & try to bring them to the True Christ. This is not easy under any circumstance because of multiple agendas being floated. On the bottom rung however, are these poor people struggling to survive. I will say no more....but emphasize that is where I spend my time.

We'll talk sometime this week....I have a funeral wake to attend to tonight and a wedding Friday.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

EWF - I understand what you're saying.

My opinion (which I remind folks, opinions are like armpits; we've all got at least two, and some smell worse than others) is, a webcast can't replace community. It can only supplement it. It's a definite for the home-bound, or those that are traveling, or maybe in distant locations for an extended period of time.

Where it fails is fellowship. You can get good preaching; but you can't sit and talk with members before/after (for you back row pew, back-slidden heathen types, "during" :laugh: ) about football, hunting, politics, etc. You can't create those relationships that make a church a family.

You'd have to make a concerted effort to reach out to members of that church, and establish some fellowship with them. And if you're going to go to that extent, then you might as well be going to the church.

I fully understand. I've been going through a transition myself, and have been looking at churches near and far. My biggest problem is my kids; if I can only find a good church that's an hour or more away, how do I get my kids involved with other kids in the church? I can't afford the gas to take them more than twice a week.

Lots of things to consider. Pray, and let God lead.

It is my son who turned me on to working with my community Don & not just sitting back & vegetating. He works with Latinos every day at a Porche/audi/ VW car dealership...people he didn't grow up with but people he works arm to arm with (similar to what we did in the military) & you learn to accept them as your brethren.

When Sandy devastated our home, it was his Latin friends who helped out. Also a recovering alcoholic we know who we are kind to who helped cut down trees & hall away the wood. Those are my people...those are the ones coming in & getting it done. I have zero interest in getting to know people who live one hour from me who will never impact my home town community one way or another. They are a waste of my time as are the churches who refuse to help in planting a church here where its most needed.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

We'll talk sometime this week....I have a funeral wake to attend to tonight and a wedding Friday.

No rush & thanks again for all your help.... your a true friend & brother in Christ. :godisgood:

Stay well & blessings to you & yours!:love2:

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

BTW, the webcast gives me good preaching....a cut above the basic snooze hour that I get around here at apostate land. I have to admit however that I did doze off at the 6pm sermon....but then I was home & nobody saw me....I do snore...LOL!:sleep:

 

[annsni]

Simple...its not where they live. Do you seriously believe its OK to neglect those in your own back yard & fly off to a church miles away? I dont, nor will I ever. I told you this before.....when a church is not all inclusive, there is something wrong with that church. I really dont care how far you drive, thats your choice....as for me, I will sit with these folks even I have to go into a RCC (which I abhor) & I will & do tell them the truth & God does the rest. However they dont have the werewithall to drive to Montville to the White collar neighborhoods (they feel thats not there place anyway)...so then they will default back to the local RCC that is one city block to them......And your type of church would do what....neglect them right.

Yet our church's pastor doesn't live in the community either. But we still have a ministry there and have had more and more of an outreach there. As I said, I'm traveling 75 minutes tonight to my women's group that I run. We also have a youth group that has started up and is reaching some unchurched kids - meeting in homes since we don't even have a building.

As for those in MY neighborhood? We also minister to them. We belong to the local yacht club, know many in our community, our children went to the local high school and the younger kids will again. We've been involved in the local ballet studio and little league team. Our community is not neglected by us either.

You said:

Oh and I'm not going to anymore apostate churches. Did that with disterious results. Not going there ever again.

But you will go to the Catholic church instead of attending a Bible teaching church?

I'm sorry but I honestly don't believe that there is absolutely no Gospel teaching church within 30 minutes of you. Give me the name of your town and I will give you a list of churches that are Biblically solid in your area. I doubt that every church is "perfect" but they would be quite a bit better than neglecting the gathering together - or attending the RCC.

 

[Oldtimer]

It was like that at one time..... then all of AT&T and all the 4 corners moved here & drove up costs..... Then the New Yorkers (mostly tax & spend liberals) came in.....and they killed the goose that layed the golden eggs. Now I just want to get out of here before it kills me.

EW&F, it seems that you are struggling with two mind sets, if I understand your posts correctly.

1. You sincerely want to reach out to those around you, but you are confronted with seemingly endless roadblocks or one kind or another.

2. "Now I just want to get out of here before it kills me."

What does God want you to do? Go or stay?

Brother, it seems that is the real conflict that you are facing today. Either, you put aside those desires to move elsewhere, or you act on them. Doing one thing while longing for another, can, IMO, only lead to further struggles and hardships.

FWIW, I faced a similar situation last summer. Wore out a lot of shoe leather, pacing the floor and asking God what He wanted me to do. And, telling satan to get behind me. It wasn't an easy time, that's for sure and I still have the now healing scars to prove it. It took time, it took prayer, it took patience.

This is kinda hard to put into words, so it's not misunderstood. I reached the point, one afternoon, when I realized I was right where God wanted me to be. None of the other "stuff" mattered. With that came a peace that I can't explain, can't put into words. The go or stay type "decision" was made.

In answer to your question: I'm fortunate to live less than 5 miles from my church. Many members are from the immediate surrounding community. However, we have a some who live from 30 minutes to an hour away. Of those some are quite active in the church. It's interesting to also note how inactive some of our members are who live closer to our church than I do.

Let me pose a challenge to you. Go through whatever it takes to have the conviction that God wants you to go or to stay. Once you have that conviction, no matter how long it takes, then act on it. If you are to go, start taking the steps to go. If you are to stay, do the same thing. Either with a clear understanding that satan will fight you at every opportunity you let him whisper in your ear. Especially the whisper of -- if I had done the opposite, I woudn't be dealing with this xyz now.

If you are to stay, and the Lord leads you, start a Bible study, for example. Look around your community for a physical place to meet. One small start-up church in our area first began meeting in a barn they cleaned out for this purpose. Patio chairs, office chairs, wooden benches, etc. became their pews. Another began meeting in the lunch/break room of a small company after business hours.

Just a couple of pennies for whatever they may be worth to you this morning.

 

[12strings]

EW&F, it seems that you are struggling with two mind sets, if I understand your posts correctly.

1. You sincerely want to reach out to those around you, but you are confronted with seemingly endless roadblocks or one kind or another.

2. "Now I just want to get out of here before it kills me."

What does God want you to do? Go or stay?

Brother, it seems that is the real conflict that you are facing today. Either, you put aside those desires to move elsewhere, or you act on them. Doing one thing while longing for another, can, IMO, only lead to further struggles and hardships.

FWIW, I faced a similar situation last summer. Wore out a lot of shoe leather, pacing the floor and asking God what He wanted me to do. And, telling satan to get behind me. It wasn't an easy time, that's for sure and I still have the now healing scars to prove it. It took time, it took prayer, it took patience.

This is kinda hard to put into words, so it's not misunderstood. I reached the point, one afternoon, when I realized I was right where God wanted me to be. None of the other "stuff" mattered. With that came a peace that I can't explain, can't put into words. The go or stay type "decision" was made.

In answer to your question: I'm fortunate to live less than 5 miles from my church. Many members are from the immediate surrounding community. However, we have a some who live from 30 minutes to an hour away. Of those some are quite active in the church. It's interesting to also note how inactive some of our members are who live closer to our church than I do.

Let me pose a challenge to you. Go through whatever it takes to have the conviction that God wants you to go or to stay. Once you have that conviction, no matter how long it takes, then act on it. If you are to go, start taking the steps to go. If you are to stay, do the same thing. Either with a clear understanding that satan will fight you at every opportunity you let him whisper in your ear. Especially the whisper of -- if I had done the opposite, I woudn't be dealing with this xyz now.

If you are to stay, and the Lord leads you, start a Bible study, for example. Look around your community for a physical place to meet. One small start-up church in our area first began meeting in a barn they cleaned out for this purpose. Patio chairs, office chairs, wooden benches, etc. became their pews. Another began meeting in the lunch/break room of a small company after business hours.

Just a couple of pennies for whatever they may be worth to you this morning.

:thumbsup:

There might be something to this idea that older people have wisdom.

 

[Don]

It is my son who turned me on to working with my community Don & not just sitting back & vegetating. He works with Latinos every day at a Porche/audi/ VW car dealership...people he didn't grow up with but people he works arm to arm with (similar to what we did in the military) & you learn to accept them as your brethren.

When Sandy devastated our home, it was his Latin friends who helped out. Also a recovering alcoholic we know who we are kind to who helped cut down trees & hall away the wood. Those are my people...those are the ones coming in & getting it done. I have zero interest in getting to know people who live one hour from me who will never impact my home town community one way or another. They are a waste of my time as are the churches who refuse to help in planting a church here where its most needed.

As I said; I understand. I was in Biloxi for Katrina; I saw a lot of the same as you described.

So if traveling doesn't meet your definition of "local church" (it doesn't meet mine), then pay attention to what was said above: maybe you need to start a bible study, or possibly more.

 

[Revmitchell]

Or just stop making excuses and go to church.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Or just stop making excuses and go to church.

I do go to church......each day I see the face of Christ in one of those poor people & help them. Today I taught a young man how to till the soil & grow his own food crops, so that he will be able to see gods good blessings in the fruit of his labors. I will eventually teach him how to eradicate garden pests organically & how to tend his garden & harvest his crop. He is looking at me & thinking why is this white guy bothering to help me. So I can bring him out of Catholicism (Maybe).

 

[annsni]

I do go to church......each day I see the face of Christ in one of those poor people & help them. Today I taught a young man how to till the soil & grow his own food crops, so that he will be able to see gods good blessings in the fruit of his labors. I will eventually teach him how to eradicate garden pests organically & how to tend his garden & harvest his crop. He is looking at me & thinking why is this white guy bothering to help me. So I can bring him out of Catholicism (Maybe).

So you will bring him to the Lord and then what? Since the body of Christ and the gathering together is vitally important in the life of the believer, what will you do??

We also pretty much live in the armpit of the Christian world but I know of a number of good Spanish churches that are actively working with the Spanish immigrants. It's been great to see the lives changed and the ministry that is going on. It is not a culture that we personally can comfortably reach so we support those around us who are doing it and we instead are reaching the unchurched young families that are in our community. The Spanish churches are not reaching them so we both have our focuses and support each other.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Yet our church's pastor doesn't live in the community either. But we still have a ministry there and have had more and more of an outreach there. As I said, I'm traveling 75 minutes tonight to my women's group that I run. We also have a youth group that has started up and is reaching some unchurched kids - meeting in homes since we don't even have a building.

As for those in MY neighborhood? We also minister to them. We belong to lothe cal yacht club, know many in our community, our children went to the local high school and the younger kids will again. We've been involved in the local ballet studio and little league team. Our community is not neglected by us either.

You said:


But you will go to the Catholic church instead of attending a Bible teaching church?

I'm sorry but I honestly don't believe that there is absolutely no Gospel teaching church within 30 minutes of you. Give me the name of your town and I will give you a list of churches that are Biblically solid in your area. I doubt that every church is "perfect" but they would be quite a bit better than neglecting the gathering together - or attending the RCC.

You really have no idea of what Im talking about do you? Im really sorry your so clueless but go ahead and enjoy your time at the local yacht club.

We dont have any clubs in my neighborhood nor do we have any Bible Churches. We have a Methodist, Catholic PCA, Non Denominational Church (that guys a nut) & a 7 day Adventist, an Arminian Baptist Church & a Lutheran Church, a Pentecostal Church.....and since Im here for 56 yrs Ive spoken to then all & gone to their services. All are apostate.

And seriously, why would I care about your head honcho....if he goes around LI thats his job....Im sure he draws a salary for it Right. Does he go into the bad parts of LI & bring them it. Would he be willing to extend himself like Old Union Brother who drives to MI & BTW draws NO SALARY for his time as a pastor. I seriously doubt it.

And if I go to a RCC its only to bring these people out not worship with them.....though I do pray when its appropriate. See I aint your normal type walking around guy.....I take seriously Christs commandment to "Love the Lord my God with all my heart , soul mind & Love YOUR NEIGHBOR as yourself..... for all the Law & the Prophets hang on those two commandments--Matt 22:37-40. Also Matt 27 19 & 20 ... Go & make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father & Son & HS & teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.....

This Webcast thing only provides me with sermons.... the real community outreach is on the street & thats where I meet & greet. (Without drawing a salary or going to a yacht club).

As for a Christian Mentor.... I do fine with Old Union Brother. He is both a dear man, & a committed & tireless Christian.

 

[convicted1]

Brother EWF, go ahead and keep working, and holding up the "bloodstained banner of Christ". I have much respect for what you're doing. God will accomplish much through your efforts....His eyes are ever over the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers, you know.