Christian 'megapastor' blasts believers on Dec. 25 dispute (defends decision to close)

World Net Daily ^ | December 19, 2005

[JamesP81]

Wait...I thought Christmas was this Sunday.

He mentioned this past Sunday that closing church next Sunday was a bad idea. But then again, I think you knew that and you're trying to be incendiary and irritating. I refer back to SoothinDave's quote in #112.

[A2J]

Perhaps you aren't aware of this, but Catholics worship God by offering the Perfect Sacrifice of the Son to the Father, making this Sacrifice present in our midst and applying it to ur own lives and souls.

So how can imperfect beings offer a "perfect sacrifice of the Son?" Oh, that's right, the Pope said you can.

This certainly can take place anywhere, but it is good to have a fitting place on earth for this worship and sacrifice.

A "fitting place," such as a smelly stable where Christ was born?

[Free Baptist]

"along with its 'bishop'
"So, you are Catholic."

Do you believe that the word "bishop" is used as a name for a church office exclusively by the Roman Catholic church?

It is prominently used in the King James Bible (1 Tim 3:1). But it is never used in a way indicating hierarchical nature. There is no reason to take the office of "bishop" as being anything other than the presiding elder of a local congregation of believers.

The Roman Catholic system does not allow the description of the "bishop" in 1 Timothy ch. 3, where he may be the husband of one wife.

No, I am not a "Catholic," if you mean Roman Catholic or Orthodox Catholic, etc. I am a Bible-believing (Bible-lteralist) Baptist

[A2J]

For most people, going to church just to go is worse than not going at all because it gives them a false sense of security.

Isn't it amazing how great a role fear plays in the lives of religious people, be they Buddhist, Muslim or Christian?

"Security through fear." What a paradox!

[MamaB]

This is a little story I received in an email.

One beautiful December evening, Pedro and his girlfriend were sitting by the side of the ocean. It was a romantic full moon, when Pedro said, "Hey, mamacita, let's play Weeweechu".

"Oh no, not now, lets look at the moon" said Rosita.

"Oh, c'mon baby, let's you and I play Weeweechu. I love you and it's the perfect time", Pedro begged.

"But I wanna just hold your hand and watch the moon".

"Please, corazoncito, just once, play Weeweechu with me".

Rosita looked at Pedro and said, "Ok, one time, we'll play Weeweechu".

Pedro grabbed his guitar and they both sang....

"Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year".

Now get your head out of the gutter and get back to work!!!

[JeffAtlanta]

You think that justifies making molestation jokes and smearing priests?

The Catholic Church has a huge problem with it's priests. It's not like the situation is resolved. This is really damaging as the "Church" is considered sacred.

Protestant churches have issues as well, but protestants have never asserted that their "Church" has supernatural powers.

These problems with the Catholic Church would lead many to believe that the "Church" and the papal father might be akin the "emperor with no clothes".

[A2J]

This demonstrates that it's possible to have some things that are not sinful but also not be the best decision. These are the words of the Apostle Paul.

Paul also says that when something is done (or in this case, not done) that causes a brother to be offended, we sin against that brother.

So where do we draw the line?

[j_k_l]

"You're trying to tell me that OT prophets were "renegades" ..."

Hmmm...Does this sound like a 'renegade'?

"Just as My servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia"

or this...

Hosea was commanded to take a wife who would become a prostitute as an example of God's relationship with Israel.

Yup. They were renegades alright.

"...who didn't obey the Law..."

What law are you referring to?

We can go around and around about this but it is pointless. Like I posted earlier, the concept of "church" today is not reflected in the Bible. Read it. It is not there.

[khnyny]

"It's not clever, and makes you sound like a bigot.
It's cool for Catholics to belittle Protestants, but when Protestants point out serious problems in the "Church" then they're bigots?

Like I said before in this thread, "live by the sword, die by the sword" - if you start throwing stones and don't act like an innocent bystander when some get thrown back."

Are you two brothers or the same person posting? Anyway, not to point out the obvious (again), but it is a matter of degree. There is a way to RESPECTFULLY disagree with another person's opinion. What people do or don't do on Christmas is their decision, and involves free will. But people do have various opinions about one of the biggest Christian Holy Days of the year and that's okay. What's not okay is some of the bigoted hyperbole that is being bandied about as opposed to well thought out, intelligent discourse.

[TexanToTheCore]

Our Protestant, Mega-Church in Houston is having a 4PM service at the Toyota Center on Christmas Eve. We expect a large crowd and everyone in the city is invited. Clay Walker and Yolanda Adams will be participating in Worship with us.

Music starts at 3:15 and the service at 4:00.

We will also have an 11:00 AM service on Christmas.

[JamesP81]

We can go around and around about this but it is pointless. Like I posted earlier, the concept of "church" today is not reflected in the Bible. Read it. It is not there.

OK then, let's disband all the churches, shutdown the salvation army, cease funding for overseas missions from those same said churches, and close all the religious hospitals. After all, none of that stuff is reflected in the bible.

[A2J]

Don't be an ass. It greatly devalues anything else you say.

My point is that those who "worship" in glass cathedrals shouldn't throw stones.

You've arrogantly condemned others because of the myopic view of your own religion...just like the Pharisees.

[A2J]

The megachurch metality is a blending of churchianity with the course of this world,

I've got news for you, the same is true not just for the megachurches but all of organized religion, which probably includes most of what you hold dear regarding "church."

[luckystarmom]

Maybe part of the disconnect with all of this is that Protestant pastors tend to be married and have family of their own.

I don't have a problem with churches closing on Christmas, especially if they are having lots of services on Christmas Eve. I figure the pastors and their families are doing their duties the day before. I'm sure it is well-publicized.

My church is small and meets in a school. For 2 summers, we've had to be very creative about church while the school was unavailable due to contruction. It gives you a whole new perspective about what church is.

Some people would have a hard time meeting in a school because because they care more about the building than about the people. However, my husband and I think the church is more about the people than the location or the time.

[xzins]

He was talking about a weaker brother being offended.

Those of us who sit out there and snipe at these churches are not in danger of losing our faith over their less than stellar decision.

What I would do is lovingly let them know that they've made a weak decision.

The penalty to them is that none of the Christmas attenders will go to their churches.

[luckystarmom]

Because they are holding lots of services on Christmas Eve. It takes a lot of managing to hold the Christmas Eve services, and they don't want to do it on both Christmas Eve and Christmas.

[JamesP81]

However, my husband and I think the church is more about the people than the location or the time.

That is exactly, the sum total of the church. The church is God and His people. Nothing more, nothing less.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

>>attending church just for the sake of attending is legalism and ritualistic. <<

Three things:

1) We are commanded to meet corporately and worship God as a church body. Individual/family devotions are for the other 6 days

2) A true believer longs to worship God and be in the fellowship of other believers. Anyone who rolls out of bed and feels "obligated" to worship has an issue with himself, not the church.

3) The heart of this issue is not legalism, it's the "Conditional Worship" laziness of contemporary pop-bubblegum christianity. The idea of "Unless I can ____ then I won't go to church.", or "Unless the church offers ____ then I won't go."

These churches are closing their doors on Christmas Sunday as a convenience to the congregation. Our convenience or comfort should never be a consideration when it comes to worshipping the LORD on the day He has set aside for corporate worship.

[j_k_l]

"OK then, let's disband all the churches, shutdown the salvation army, cease funding for overseas missions from those same said churches, and close all the religious hospitals. After all, none of that stuff is reflected in the bible."

SOMEONE GRAB THE BABY, SHE IS GOING OUT WITH THE BATH WATTER!!!

Look, if your relationship is bettered by being in a building with a group of people on Sunday morning - God bless you. If I choose to meet with a couple of people at Starbucks on Thursday night and that draws me closer to God, why would that matter to you? I will be with my family on Sunday morning celebrating Christmas in our home. If you choose to go to your church, I honestly hope that it is a wonderful day for you.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

See my post #158.

I suppose all of Paul's instructions on church government and orderly worship aren't applicable in your eyes?