Non-Denominational Church to Stop Church Services

[VWcrazy]

Why not simply be social workers?

 

[ALLFORHIM]

Why not simply be social workers?

Hi,
Because social workers will not teach you the Gospel I think your missing the point. They want to go out in their community and reach people where they are. Of course it is good to have a church building and trust me people will find it if they want, but many people feel intimidated by walking into church because they are not dressed nice enough or they cant give an offering or they dont know anyone and are shy. If we go out to them and show them love and kindness, they might be more willing to come to church and learn about Jesus Christ and what He did for them.

 

[Contarini]

Hi Singingbeauty,
I totally understand where you are coming from. I also know exactly what you mean. I just dont think anyone is getting it.

Then help us. How does a “different format” translate into “no more church services”?

Exactly what is going to change? Singingbeauty is very vague about this.

Edwin

 

[MariaG]

**He never taught in a formal setting. **

Singinbeauty,

Due to length and my multiple quote of your posts, I mostly deleted them but one can easily refer back to read your whole post

As pointed out previously, Christ did actually teach in a formalized setting. He was also a faithful Jew who certainly “Kept the Sabbath Holy” as He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it.

So my first comment would be that if this is one of the reasons that you are going to change the Sunday worship format, it starts with a false premise that Christ never taught in a formal setting. Christ most certainly worshipped in a very structured and formalized way at times.

I do believe as a church we can do more about having informal settings AS WELL AS formal ones, as this would be very biblical and what Christ did also.

It appears from further posts that you will still have services in a formal setting but with a more “bible study” looser format?

I would say again that as a Church we can and should have informal services. I however, think a danger exists when we choose to make things so “inviting” that we forget that not only is our God a loving God, but He is also complete Justice. Complete Holiness. By never using a “traditional” format, or more formal setting, the AWE of God is frequently lost. And we should never lose the AWE of God. I speak this from personal experience. The Churches that I went to that used a different format on Sundays with the intent to make it more inviting to the “unchurched”, did not have an AWE and Wonder of God. Jesus becomes a sticky sweet cotton candy and all sense of Holiness is lost.

This of course is from my personal experience. Maybe since you are just starting this format, and are being warned of what frequently (always in my experience), happens with this kind of setting, you can avoid the loss of AWE and Wonder of God.

**That’s what I love about this program and what I have heard so far. We will have projects both in our poor and our not so poor communities. We are to share our faith by action. **This is what I love! Too many of the ‘lost’ think that christians are nothing but hypocrits who lock themselves in a church and only come out to the community when they need to look good by helping the poor.

This sounds very Catholic to me. The Catholic Church is very involved in community based projects. A very public example would be Mother Teresa, who helped out the poorest of the poor. Lesser known ones would be the individuals in every Church that volunteer at these community projects. Habitat for Humanity which helps those who don’t have homes but rarely would be considered the “poorest of the poor”. Help for single pregnant mothers, who may not be poor financially but completely broke emotionally. Church members who are involved in the schools, community sports and many other areas. I could go on and on.

This is the very basic teaching of the Catholic Church. If I were you, I would prepare yourself for those who will start to believe that you are preaching a “works based” salvation in which one “earns” their way to heaven since this is so frequently what the Catholic Church is erroneously accused of.

As for what others think about the reasons Christians choose to do things, we can’t change that nor should we be worried about what anyone but God thinks about what we do.

We are just changing our format in which we do things… Goodness…

We just aren’t going to have a traditional service where the pastor stands in front of us and speaks, there will be several speakers giving testimonies of what God has done.
WE WILL STILL HAVE A WORSHIP SERVICE. Does this make it clearer?

Yes, this does make it clearer. a Bible study kind of format where several people give (name removed by moderator)ut about different biblical teachings with possibly time to have questions asked and answered as they arise.

I suggest you get the moderators to change the title of your thread since it is very misleading and contradicts what you are trying to say.

Summary of ,my opinion? You have to be careful or your members will slowly begin to lose a sense of the absolute holiness and righteousness of God with your new format for worship on Sundays.

Your church may get accused of trying to “earn” it’s way to heaven, even though it is not true.

And your Church is patterning itself quite nicely after the Catholic Church which believes we should help all of our fellow man. Kind of like reinventing the wheel and claiming it is new and different, honestly. But I am truly happy that your church sees this service to all as a need. It is truly reflective of the teachings of Christ (and the teachings of the Catholic Church ) to try to serve all mankind and to do it because of Christ.

God Bless,
Maria

 

[runandsew]

I think it is a great idea; hopefully the weather where you live is a little dryer that it is up here in the Pacific Northwest during the winter months .

 

[Singinbeauty]

I think it is a great idea; hopefully the weather where you live is a little dryer that it is up here in the Pacific Northwest during the winter months .

It will probably get a little wet as we are going to have projects outside… We are based in Sumner WA! Hello fellow Pacific Northwesterner!

 

[Singinbeauty]

Then help us. How does a “different format” translate into “no more church services”?

Exactly what is going to change? Singingbeauty is very vague about this.

Edwin

I should have named this thread ‘Non-Denominational Church to Stop TRADITIONAL Church Services’ and I can see where the confusion lies. Though I think in the 5 or 6 times I have had to explain myself it should be more clear. Unfortunately I am vague because I am not sure how it’s going to happen. I just heard about this yesterday but will keep y’all posted!

 

[Singinbeauty]

Hi Singingbeauty,
I totally understand where you are coming from. I also know exactly what you mean. I just dont think anyone is getting it. I hope your new format works well and I hope you reach many lost souls. Your church is doing God’s work.AMEN

Our church does mall evangelizingeek: which is really hard in the Northeast–many lost souls in this area )

We also just added on a huge new facility so we could fit for one and so we can utilize our building to bring in the community. As soon as we get the final CO there are plans for many events that reach out to the community. For starters, we are having a christian comedian come on sat. She is hysterical At the end of her routine–she gives her testimony and the gospel message. I have family and friends come with me who will hear the GOOD NEWS about Jesus.

Let me know through a pm how it goes for your church.

Thank you ALLFORHIM. I will let you know. And I will keep everyone posted as the details come into light.