Agree or disagree?
Posted: August 3rd, 2009, 1:10 pm
"Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man."
-- Dwight L. Moody
-- Dwight L. Moody
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Posted: August 3rd, 2009, 1:11 pm
Agree
Posted: August 3rd, 2009, 1:19 pm
Agree. Replace "church attendance" with "communion" and it's truer still (and a better analogy).
Posted: August 3rd, 2009, 1:22 pm
forestwalker wrote:Agree. Replace "church attendance" with "communion" and it's truer still (and a better analogy).
That was quite a display of quick wit there Forest Walker.
Posted: August 3rd, 2009, 1:26 pm
Poimen wrote:forestwalker wrote:Agree. Replace "church attendance" with "communion" and it's truer still (and a better analogy).
That was quite a display of quick wit there Forest Walker.
agree completely. will comment more later
Posted: August 3rd, 2009, 3:53 pm
agree. but the community of the church is not just a fellowship, but a participatory communion.
Posted: August 4th, 2009, 9:51 am
I know that my view here is biased due to the type of ministry I am engaged in.
The idea of a Muslim, buddhist, Hindu or animist having a true conversion and not needing the care, directon, and support of a community of believers is beyond my grasp. I have generally encounteed those who are willing to suffer, pay an incrediable price from family because of their acceptance of Christ long for and seek out the church.
The power of the community of believers is incrediable when each one is in their place operating in the gifting they are called into. In early christianity history constantly reminds us of the high price the believers paid for meeting together to worship, fellowship and have communion together.
In present times...Russia during the cold war..thousands of believers were tourtered, murdered, and imprisoned, not because they said a silent prayer in their home and lived a faith to themselves, but because they meet togther for communion. This is happening today at an alarming rate around the world.
When did we get to the point that we feel that it is no longer important to come together ? What makes us think we can make it alone without the community of believers ?
A mystical spiritual Kingdom does not sufice. But a real tangable, flesh and blood ( with all its problems) community of believers, a family joined together as one in Christ is still as necessary as it was in the New Testament era.
From a personal note: Nancy and I oversee our ministry. We are constantly on the go. I could spend every weekend speaking at churches. But I prefer as much as possible when I am not overseas to be in my local church. Being fed by my pastor, being submitted to his leadership, serving my local church family in any way they need me.
The idea of a Muslim, buddhist, Hindu or animist having a true conversion and not needing the care, directon, and support of a community of believers is beyond my grasp. I have generally encounteed those who are willing to suffer, pay an incrediable price from family because of their acceptance of Christ long for and seek out the church.
The power of the community of believers is incrediable when each one is in their place operating in the gifting they are called into. In early christianity history constantly reminds us of the high price the believers paid for meeting together to worship, fellowship and have communion together.
In present times...Russia during the cold war..thousands of believers were tourtered, murdered, and imprisoned, not because they said a silent prayer in their home and lived a faith to themselves, but because they meet togther for communion. This is happening today at an alarming rate around the world.
When did we get to the point that we feel that it is no longer important to come together ? What makes us think we can make it alone without the community of believers ?
A mystical spiritual Kingdom does not sufice. But a real tangable, flesh and blood ( with all its problems) community of believers, a family joined together as one in Christ is still as necessary as it was in the New Testament era.
From a personal note: Nancy and I oversee our ministry. We are constantly on the go. I could spend every weekend speaking at churches. But I prefer as much as possible when I am not overseas to be in my local church. Being fed by my pastor, being submitted to his leadership, serving my local church family in any way they need me.
Posted: August 4th, 2009, 12:34 pm
gonna have to disagree.
I have done my best growth outside of church than inside. I get more studying done...exemplify a better lifestyle when I don't hang out as much with "church members".
There are always a few bright spots in any congregation...and those are the ones that do more with less than a month's worth of sunday services ever have.
I have done my best growth outside of church than inside. I get more studying done...exemplify a better lifestyle when I don't hang out as much with "church members".
There are always a few bright spots in any congregation...and those are the ones that do more with less than a month's worth of sunday services ever have.