Good idea - calling off Sunday church

[Jennifer Smith]

I remember one year in Eugene, Oregon, when I became responsible for Sunday School outreach (or something like that),

Tim, I lived in Eugene, Oregon when I was a little girl, (my parents attended Eugene Bible College.) Pretty little town.

[Tim Elston]

Tim, I lived in Eugene, Oregon when I was a little girl, (my parents attended Eugene Bible College.) Pretty little town.

No kidding! I dated a demon who attended that college. Cute college; cute demon.

When did you live in Eugene? I lived there from 1972-1977 (10-15 years old), 1986-1987 (22-23 yrs old), 1991-1995 (29-33 yrs old). I consider it one of my two home towns.

[dbserv]

I remember one year in Eugene, Oregon, when I became responsible for Sunday School outreach (or something like that), I decided that instead of try to get people to go visiting in the neighborhood on Saturday, I would take a different person out with me visiting every Sunday morning during Sunday School time. It was easy to get people to go out with me because their time was already allotted to sitting on a Sunday School bench, and it was more of an endorphin rush to go out and do something scary and exciting. We met a lot of people, asked them how we could help them, read scripture at their door, prayed for whoever they were worried about, went back during the week to touch base with new neighborhood friends. I found it fulfilling, and it seemed like there were several people in the neighborhood who appreciated a visit on Sunday morning. We had some visitors to church because of it, but for me it was more about going to them, not them coming to us.

Now, that's what I'm talk'n about, man!!!


Awesome idea.


How about if some of us give it a try. Be sure to tell the Pastor though. You don't want someone to report you for skipping church.

[Tim Elston]

How about if some of us give it a try. Be sure to tell the Pastor though. You don't want someone to report you for skipping church.

Well, I can tell you the pastor wasn't all that thrilled about it when he realized it wasn't, in my mind, about building Sunday School attendance.

[Jennifer Smith]

Tim, I lived in Eugene, Oregon when I was a little girl, (my parents attended Eugene Bible College.) Pretty little town.

No kidding! I dated a demon who attended that college. Cute college; cute demon.

When did you live in Eugene? I lived there from 1972-1977 (10-15 years old), 1986-1987 (22-23 yrs old), 1991-1995 (29-33 yrs old). I consider it one of my two home towns.

Cute demon?
It is a good college... we are thinking of sending our boy there. I lived there in 72-75 but I was almost a baby. I remember the hippies who lived across the street and the neat old, drafty house we lived in- it was a caretakers house for the wealthy Campbells who lived next door, it had a fireplace in every room that we had to use to keep it decently warm- now all turned into a bed and breakfast.

[one love]

Why couldn't they do it on Saturday and STILL have church on Sunday?

Actually MORE people are out and about on Saturday.

They would even be able bless their fellow Christians more.

Why can't they BE the church and GO to church at the same time?

My first thought - if they did it on Sunday (at least during
traditional church time) - they would have a better chance
of impacting people that don't already have a church home.
Seems to me like a much better way to focus their efforts
on the folks that truly need it.

I'd much rather them win the lost than try to transfer the saved!

But that reflects a philosophical/Theological difference in worldview: people who see their mission to be showing the love of Christ to the world around them might gravitate toward "the church has left the building," while those who see their mission as uniting existing believers into a single group would opt for a Saturday outreach, so they could be nice to their Baptist and Methodist neighbors. (But what about the Adventists??)

PG if you think that is what we think then you really have no idea what we believe. Our first priority is to win the lost, just because we do believe that God will unite every believer into one fold before he returns does not mean that soul winning is not our first priority.

I can see it as a wonderful idea for both days. Sunday you would have more church people turn out to help but on Saturday you could outreach and hopefully get them to service the next day. Either way it is a good idea and to throw in the "we only want to win the saved out there" is ridiculous.

[soulsearcher]

We can "be" the church every day as individual believers - on the job, in the marketplace, everywhere we go, aware that God is directing our every step through the maze of tasks at hand while simultaneusly placing souls in need in our path of opportunity.

As for specific days of organized outreach, to me the real test of dedication would be SATURDAY. That would really separate the "sheep from the goats."

[Pastor Gary]

Why couldn't they do it on Saturday and STILL have church on Sunday?

Actually MORE people are out and about on Saturday.

They would even be able bless their fellow Christians more.

Why can't they BE the church and GO to church at the same time?

My first thought - if they did it on Sunday (at least during
traditional church time) - they would have a better chance
of impacting people that don't already have a church home.
Seems to me like a much better way to focus their efforts
on the folks that truly need it.

I'd much rather them win the lost than try to transfer the saved!

But that reflects a philosophical/Theological difference in worldview: people who see their mission to be showing the love of Christ to the world around them might gravitate toward "the church has left the building," while those who see their mission as uniting existing believers into a single group would opt for a Saturday outreach, so they could be nice to their Baptist and Methodist neighbors. (But what about the Adventists??)

PG if you think that is what we think then you really have no idea what we believe. Our first priority is to win the lost, just because we do believe that God will unite every believer into one fold before he returns does not mean that soul winning is not our first priority.

I can see it as a wonderful idea for both days. Sunday you would have more church people turn out to help but on Saturday you could outreach and hopefully get them to service the next day. Either way it is a good idea and to throw in the "we only want to win the saved out there" is ridiculous.

Go back and carefully read what I wrote, and then read what you SAY I wrote... not the same. You injected the idea of "first priority" and "only want to."

"YOU" are the old "US" and I know the mindset and beliefs well. Yes, you care about the lost, but are you telling me that the "Church Message" has changed, and now you don't see primary mission of your organization as uniting believers?

Is this your group's website? http://www.thechurchofgod.org/

The illustration at the top and the scripture emphasized is not one about reaching the lost, but about *proselytizing the saved: "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."
John 10:16
____________________
* Yes, I DO know that's not what the verse means, but I also know what the website means by its use.

[one love]

Why couldn't they do it on Saturday and STILL have church on Sunday?

Actually MORE people are out and about on Saturday.

They would even be able bless their fellow Christians more.

Why can't they BE the church and GO to church at the same time?

My first thought - if they did it on Sunday (at least during
traditional church time) - they would have a better chance
of impacting people that don't already have a church home.
Seems to me like a much better way to focus their efforts
on the folks that truly need it.

I'd much rather them win the lost than try to transfer the saved!

But that reflects a philosophical/Theological difference in worldview: people who see their mission to be showing the love of Christ to the world around them might gravitate toward "the church has left the building," while those who see their mission as uniting existing believers into a single group would opt for a Saturday outreach, so they could be nice to their Baptist and Methodist neighbors. (But what about the Adventists??)

PG if you think that is what we think then you really have no idea what we believe. Our first priority is to win the lost, just because we do believe that God will unite every believer into one fold before he returns does not mean that soul winning is not our first priority.

I can see it as a wonderful idea for both days. Sunday you would have more church people turn out to help but on Saturday you could outreach and hopefully get them to service the next day. Either way it is a good idea and to throw in the "we only want to win the saved out there" is ridiculous.

Go back and carefully read what I wrote, and then read what you SAY I wrote... not the same. You injected the idea of "first priority" and "only want to."

"YOU" are the old "US" and I know the mindset and beliefs well. Yes, you care about the lost, but are you telling me that the "Church Message" has changed, and now you don't see primary mission of your organization as uniting believers?

Is this your group's website? http://www.thechurchofgod.org/

The illustration at the top and the scripture emphasized is not one about reaching the lost, but about *proselytizing the saved: "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."
John 10:16
____________________
* Yes, I DO know that's not what the verse means, but I also know what the website means by its use.

No I understood you perfectly and yes I know our doctrine. Not what was preached by some but what the church believes. Many preach many things but that does not make it so.
Yes we believe that all will come into one fold absolutely and we would be hypocritical to say "hey this is the truth" and not tell others about it (whether Christian or not)
However our first and number one priority is to win the lost and bring them to God's fold, his church (which he purchased with his own blood)

That by no means takes away from or deviates from the salvation message. Matter of fact the church message is to win the lost and bring them into the fold.

If you believe you preach truth PG and someone was Catholic (just a example because it is far from your belief) would you not invite them to church? I dont get the point at all.
But have fun my friend
By the way if I am invited by those in COGOP you are saying they are wrong? Or as you said "proselytizing" if that is the case then COGOP does the same as well does COG. proselytizing would be trying to win someone from a different religion ( or a attempt to convert or recruit, which I hope ALL Christians would be guilty of) such as muslim etc. and yes I would witness to them to, so they can hear the good news.

[Pastor Gary]

No I understood you perfectly and yes I know our doctrine. Not what was preached by some but what the church believes.

(Nice dodge.)

[one love]

No I understood you perfectly and yes I know our doctrine. Not what was preached by some but what the church believes.

(Nice dodge.)

With all do respect please tell me what I dodged, I would appreciate it. I honestly have heard many that used to be in the church say things that the church really does NOT teach. Many traditions were preached and people think that is our stand, if that helps...please specify here or PM, thanks PG. I mean no disrespect.

[Pastor Gary]

No I understood you perfectly and yes I know our doctrine. Not what was preached by some but what the church believes.

(Nice dodge.)

With all do respect please tell me what I dodged, I would appreciate it. I honestly have heard many that used to be in the church say things that the church really does NOT teach. Many traditions were preached and people think that is our stand, if that helps...please specify here or PM, thanks PG. I mean no disrespect.

Okay -- because I meant no disrespect to you, either. I am merely stating what I believe to be a well-known, accepted fact; it is a major focus (not THE ONLY) of your organization to reach out to Christians in other groups. I cited as supporting evidence the emphasis on the website at http://www.thechurchofgod.org/

The illustration at the top and the scripture emphasized is not one about reaching the lost, but about uniting the already saved into a single organization, presumably the one who owns the website: "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."
John 10:16

You dodged that point by zeroing in on a few words I used instead of dealing with the concept.

It's fine with me, by the way, if any church or group has whatever as their focus. It was a statement, not a criticism, and I contend it was a fair statement.

[one love]

No I understood you perfectly and yes I know our doctrine. Not what was preached by some but what the church believes.

(Nice dodge.)

With all do respect please tell me what I dodged, I would appreciate it. I honestly have heard many that used to be in the church say things that the church really does NOT teach. Many traditions were preached and people think that is our stand, if that helps...please specify here or PM, thanks PG. I mean no disrespect.

Okay -- because I meant no disrespect to you, either. I am merely stating what I believe to be a well-known, accepted fact; it is a major focus (not THE ONLY) of your organization to reach out to Christians in other groups. I cited as supporting evidence the emphasis on the website at http://www.thechurchofgod.org/

The illustration at the top and the scripture emphasized is not one about reaching the lost, but about uniting the already saved into a single organization, presumably the one who owns the website: "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."
John 10:16

You dodged that point by zeroing in on a few words I used instead of dealing with the concept.

It's fine with me, by the way, if any church or group has whatever as their focus. It was a statement, not a criticism, and I contend it was a fair statement.

There is nothing wrong with that verse used in the site, there will be one fold and one shepherd... I get your point but that does not insinuate that one is more important then the other.
I believe the whole church message PG you do not believe as we do so you are looking at it that way. You are implying that by that verse we are focusing mainly on other churches, that is incorrect we focus on EVERYONE to be a part of the one fold with one shepherd.... Everyone... That is why the verse is important and does NOT take away from salvation at all.

[Pastor Gary]

There is nothing wrong with that verse used in the site, there will be one fold and one shepherd... I get your point but that does not insinuate that one is more important then the other.
I believe the whole church message PG you do not believe as we do so you are looking at it that way. You are implying that by that verse we are focusing mainly on other churches, that is incorrect we focus on EVERYONE to be a part of the one fold with one shepherd.... Everyone... That is why the verse is important and does NOT take away from salvation at all.

It is disingenuous to suggest that the way that verse is used on that site that the focus is on EVERYONE, friend... EVERYONE is not "other sheep" unless TCOG has started to embrace universalism. OTHER SHEEP, in TCOG's interpretation only refers to Christians who are not TCOG.

[one love]

There is nothing wrong with that verse used in the site, there will be one fold and one shepherd... I get your point but that does not insinuate that one is more important then the other.
I believe the whole church message PG you do not believe as we do so you are looking at it that way. You are implying that by that verse we are focusing mainly on other churches, that is incorrect we focus on EVERYONE to be a part of the one fold with one shepherd.... Everyone... That is why the verse is important and does NOT take away from salvation at all.

It is disingenuous to suggest that the way that verse is used on that site that the focus is on EVERYONE, friend... EVERYONE is not "other sheep" unless TCOG has started to embrace universalism. OTHER SHEEP, in TCOG's interpretation only refers to Christians who are not TCOG.

I am not denying that we believe that there will be a end to the confusion of denominationalism before his return, also that his church will be one. Why would we not show that God has his church on earth right now? Either way it still does not take away from the message of salvation, as a matter of fact the church message is more then just salvation, it is everything relative to the bible church (which he purchased with his own blood, so no I am not ashamed of it) The church message is salvation, sanctification, the Holy Ghost, unity etc....
I can pick many things from COGOP sites as well for instance help with menopause, promoting Obama, Joyce meyers and T.D. Jakes. So tell me how that has anything to do with salvation? Those were the first things you see.... add in marrital issues.
I know you mean no disrespect as I dont either but you are taking this out of context.

BTW I embrace all scripture and this one has a strong meaning, it covers a lot


And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
John 10:16


There will be one fold and one shepherd