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Disciple.Luke

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  1. I Agree
    Disciple.Luke reacted to Pastor Matt in Coffee in the Sanctuary? Pastor John Piper Ignites Debate   
    Coffee is not allowed during our main worship service, but it is allowed during Sunday School and evening Bible Study. We found that coffee created a too-casual atmosphere during the worship service. Of course, every area is different, but that was the case for us.
  2. Sad
    Disciple.Luke got a reaction from Jim_Alaska in What Happened to my Church?   
    This is kind of a tough question for me. This specific time period was shortly after I had been saved so by the time I began attending with my mother it's worship style was already transitioning.
    This particular congregation had grown in attendance to the point that a second service was necessary because there weren't enough pews or parking spaces. While the first two services were basically identical the third service felt like a worship "experiment" that was completely a rock worship service. At the time it seemed like that third service that started at 11:30 was an attempt to appeal to the college students at Anderson University.
    This was back in 2001 and I'm sure was partially influenced by Bill Hybels seeker friendly blueprint. Just from what I observed it seemed to me that decision was made to grow church attendance and the music was just part of the plan.
    By the time I started attending the Pastor had switched from the NIV translation (apparent from the outdated pew bibles) to the New Living Translation that was projected on screens so no one had to be bothered to actually read the verse for themselves. They also bought a Starbucks type coffee and tea makers set from the library and set it up right inside the main doors. And as I mentioned earlier they did away with Sunday evening and the traditional Wednesday night services.
    I had been attending there for about a year when the church began sending VHS tapes in the mail that explained why and where all these changes were headed. The video was a very emotional attempt to explain to everyone how the Lord had been telling the staff they needed to buy property on the other end of town and build a mega church like worship house. This was a project that at minimum was a several million dollar relocation so they needed the convince the members to jump on board and finance it.
    The coffee machines, music, use of projectors instead of bibles and hymn books seemed to prepare everyone to worship in a auditorium as opposed to a sanctuary. Instead of bringing back Sunday evening and Wednesday services they decided to keep fellowship by having everyone join small groups and have those meetings everywhere but the church building I remember the first book they picked out for the church to read and study in these small groups. It was The Purpose Driven Life.
    I began to drift away from that the church after the relocation plans were announced. By the time it was all complete I had left for a smaller congregation. 
    I have some old friends on Facebook who attend there now...and I end up rolling my eyes when they post Sunday afternoons talking about how awesome and "spiritual" the services are with the guitars and drums and the seeker friendly sermons that resemble a Joel Osteen book more than the New Testament.
  3. Like
    Disciple.Luke got a reaction from Pastor Matt in What Happened to my Church?   
    The large churches here followed the same downward trends most of you are talking about. Several years ago there were a handful of churches who had 2-3 different worship services. The sermon was exactly the same so they were mostly divided by "music style". Later every one of them decided to drop Sunday night service and even the traditional Wednesday night services because so much was going on on Sunday morning. Eventually they all blended into one service and for the most part the hymns went out the window in favor of modern music...but even after that they still decided Sunday and Wednesday nights were unnecessary. At least one of the churches out new seats in and got rid of pew bibles and hymn books. Now everything is shown on the screen and no one has any idea what the bible says except for what their pastor says.
  4. Like
    Disciple.Luke got a reaction from BrotherTony in What Happened to my Church?   
    The large churches here followed the same downward trends most of you are talking about. Several years ago there were a handful of churches who had 2-3 different worship services. The sermon was exactly the same so they were mostly divided by "music style". Later every one of them decided to drop Sunday night service and even the traditional Wednesday night services because so much was going on on Sunday morning. Eventually they all blended into one service and for the most part the hymns went out the window in favor of modern music...but even after that they still decided Sunday and Wednesday nights were unnecessary. At least one of the churches out new seats in and got rid of pew bibles and hymn books. Now everything is shown on the screen and no one has any idea what the bible says except for what their pastor says.
  5. I Agree
    Disciple.Luke reacted to HappyChristian in Former Youth Pastor Arrested on Charges of Voyeurism   
    Amen to that! Vetting doesn't always work. This makes me want to vomit. And then get a baseball bat.......
  6. Like
    Disciple.Luke reacted to Pastor Matt in Former Youth Pastor Arrested on Charges of Voyeurism   
    We need to find a way to keep these predators from being around our children/wives. 
  7. Like
    Disciple.Luke reacted to Pastor Matt in Former Baptist Pastor, Greg Locke is at it again!   
    Locke is becoming a joke and I in no way endorse him and his charismatic teachings. However, I personally agree that the MSM is taking what he is saying about the act of homosexuality and applying it to the person. 
    Locke would love for a homosexual to get "saved" so that he can talk about his deliverance services. 
  8. Like
    Disciple.Luke reacted to BrotherTony in Former Baptist Pastor Slams former VP Mike Pence   
    I've always liked Mike Pence. Regardless of what Greg Locke says, Pence is a good, Godly man. He's stood by the Word of God, and I believe he did what was right when he broke rank with Trump. Pastor Locke is NOT the kind of person I would recommend anybody go to hear. He may be Scripturally correct in some of his theology, but he's also a very haughty spirit, and I couldn't in all good conscience tell anyone to emulate their lives after him. I'm not for him, but I'm not against him either. As long as souls are being saved then I'll stand back and wait. God will be his ultimate judge, just as he will judge VP Pence, and I believe favorably so.
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