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

World Net Daily ^ | December 19, 2005

[JeffAtlanta]

No. Vigil Masses (night before) satisfy the requirement to attend on a Sunday or Holy Day.

That is the whole problem with the catholic criticism. Attending church is not about "satisfying a requirement".

Do you really think that God is really honored by someone attending church just because they are "satisfying a requirement"?

[ItsOurTimeNow]

>>People need to keept their own church and not dictate the business of another.<<

I'm sure the Corinthian church said the same thing before they got Paul's first letter, addressed solely to them and how they had gone astray.

Rebuking, exhortation, and encouraging sound teaching is part of a Christian's responsibility towards fellow professed believers. We are as accountable to each other as we are to ourselves - especially in the case where a church body chooses to satisfy man's "hectic holiday schedule" rather than glorifying God corporately on His day.

[Bainbridge]

My comments stand. You have confirmed that the day prior "counts" for your members, so why should it not for those of other churches. I suspect that the truth is you do not think that their worships activities " count" at all, be it on Saturday, Sunday , Christmas Day or any other in between.In my opinion, the intention of the poster was to exacerbate criticism of "separated brethren", and nothing more.

[NYer]

I'd like to, because I love the Catholic Church and the Pope, even though I'm a Protestant.

Why not do it up in style this Christmas, by attending an Eastern Catholic Church. Although it is not widely known in our Western world, the Catholic Church is actually a communion of Churches. At present there are 22 Churches that comprise the Catholic Church. Each Church has its own hierarchy, spirituality, and theological perspective. Because of the particularities of history, there is only one Western Catholic Church, while there are 22 Eastern Catholic Churches. The Western Church, known officially as the Latin Church, is the largest of the Catholic Churches. It is immediately subject to the Roman Pontiff as Patriarch of the West. The Eastern Catholic Churches are each led by a Patriarch, Major Archbishop, or Metropolitan, who governs their Church together with a synod of bishops. Through the Congregation for Oriental Churches, the Roman Pontiff works to assure the health and well-being of the Eastern Catholic Churches.

While this diversity within the one Catholic Church can appear confusing at first, it in no way compromises the Church's unity. In a certain sense, it is a reflection of the mystery of the Trinity. Just as God is three Persons, yet one God, so the Church is 22 Churches, yet one Church.

Although there are 22 Churches, there are only eight "Rites" that are used among them. A Rite is a "liturgical, theological, spiritual and disciplinary patrimony," (Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 28). "Rite" best refers to the liturgical and disciplinary traditions used in celebrating the sacraments. Many Eastern Catholic Churches use the same Rite, although they are distinct autonomous Churches. For example, the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Melkite Catholic Church are distinct Churches with their own hierarchies. Yet they both use the Byzantine Rite.

To learn more about the "two lungs" of the Catholic Church, visit this link:

CATHOLIC RITES AND CHURCHES

To locate an Eastern Catholic Church in your community, follow the following link:

Eastern Catholic Churches in the U.S.

A Roman rite Catholic may attend any Eastern Catholic Liturgy and fulfill his of her obligations at any Eastern Catholic Parish. A Roman rite Catholic may join any Eastern Catholic Parish and receive any sacrament from an Eastern Catholic priest, since all belong to the Catholic Church as a whole. I am a Roman Catholic practicing my faith at a Maronite Catholic Church. Like the Chaleans, the Maronites retain Aramaic for the Consecration. It is as close as one comes to being at the Last Supper.

If you watched the funeral for JPII, you may recall that towards the end of the funeral, a group of Eastern prelates gathered around his coffin to incense it and chant prayers for the dead. The Patriarchs and Bishops seen in this picture come from some of the 22 different Catholic Traditions, including Byzantine, Armenian, Coptic, Chaldean, Melkite, Maronite, Ukrainian, and Ruthenian.

Please freepmail me if you would like more information on the Eastern Catholic Churches.

[JeffAtlanta]

Rebuking, exhortation, and encouraging sound teaching is part of a Christian's responsibility towards fellow professed believers.

True, but this is a pretty petty issue. Remember, live by the sword, die by the sword. Don't be upset when your flavor of Christianity comes under fire.

[j_k_l]

Being that the churches referred to in New Testament were families meeting in homes, people who don’t go to a "cathedral" are really closer to having “church” in the biblical sense of the word.

[OB1kNOb]

LandMark Missionary Baptist Church in Edwards Illinois will also be open

Our LMBC is open too Bro. Have a Merry Christmas.

[Kharis13]

Hi Sport...,

You wrote:

"My family goes to church every Sunday. At Christmas and Easter, our church is mobbed by "Holiday Christians", and someone is always in 'our' seat..."

I agree about the "ChEasters"...they only go a couple times a year. However, I think you should look at this from a positive viewpoint. There are many more people that you can talk to, share your faith with, welcome, shake hands with etc. It's a good opportunity. Live out your faith and people will take notice.

Merry Christmas,

Brian

[SoothingDave]

Do you really think that God is really honored by someone attending church just because they are "satisfying a requirement"?

As opposed to totally ignoring God, yes. Attending Church as an "obligation" is the lowest form of devotion one can show toward the Creator. But it is a form of devotion.

SD

[SoothingDave]

You have confirmed that the day prior "counts" for your members, so why should it not for those of other churches.

Who said otherwise? Of course it "counts." What is troubling is that the megachurches seem to view holding services as some type of burden they must endure, and it is simply not worth their effort to try to organize the affair when few people are expected to attend.

Contrast that with the Catholic experience wherein God is worshipped at Mass 364 days of the year, regardless if there are 5,000 or 5 present to participate.

I suspect that the truth is you do not think that their worships activities " count" at all, be it on Saturday, Sunday , Christmas Day or any other in between.

Stick to your day job, your mind reading ain't so hot.

SD

[pilipo]

I attend a church of ~2600 in St. Louis. We have a pastor that walks the talk, etc.

The church is having a Christmas Eve service, but not having a service on the 25th.

My relationship is with the Lord, and as such is not (in and of itself) diminished by the lack of a Christmas Day service.

Having said that, I wish that the decision to cancel services had not been made. Aside from the principle of the thing, I view the coincidence of the 25th being on a Sunday as a wonderful opportunity to celebrate His birth in His house on His day.

An opportunity missed.

[AnAmericanMother]

The C&E (not Church of England - Christmas and Easter) bit reminds me of a joke (stop me if I've told this one before . . . < g > )

A Catholic priest, a rabbi, and a Protestant minister were sitting around drinking coffee and complaining. The minister said, "I have got an infestation of bats in my steeple. We've tried everything, we can't get them out of there. They're a nuisance."

"Oy! You're telling me!" replied the rabbi. "They're under the eaves of the synagogue, and we can't get rid of them. We've tried inflatable owls, the exterminator, traps, the works."

"Oh, we have no problem," said the priest. "I just baptized and confirmed them, and now they only show up at Christmas and Easter!"

[j_k_l]

Is it insecurity in their own beliefs that causes people to lambaste someone else who might believe or worship differently than they do?

Honestly who cares if a church is open or not on Sunday? If one isn’t and yours is, well I guess they did you a favor because traffic will be lighter. It will also be a golden opportunity for your pastor/priest to “guilt” more visitors into tossing some cash into their coffers.

[JeffAtlanta]

Attending Church as an "obligation" is the lowest form of devotion one can show toward the Creator.

That is not showing devotion toward God, it's bowing to social and cultural pressures.

A person that is truly a Christian (a very tiny percentage of those who say they are really are) will feel excitement when going to church. A person who dreads it, isn't really a Christian - he is just a person that has been indoctrinated.

[teenagebambam]

In the Episcopal Church, and I imagine in the Catholic Church as well, the mass is performed whether there are parishioners there or not. I know an Episcopal priest who often sleeps at the Church when threatening weather is called for, in case he's not able to get there on Sunday morning. And if no one shows up, mass goes on as scheduled anyway.

[sportutegrl]

I remember The Church 'Lady' also pointing that Santa is an anagram for: SATAN!

[JeffAtlanta]

And if no one shows up, mass goes on as scheduled anyway.

Ah yes, Christ loved rituals and legalism.

[nanetteclaret]

If you love the Catholic Church and the Pope, there's no reason to stay Protestant. I recently converted and I thank the Lord every day that He brought me finally to the Church He founded on St. Peter. Christmas Eve Mass will be an extra special present to **me** because God will show me once again how much He loves me, by coming to earth for my salvation, and being present in the Eucharist. His love is so awesome! Christmas may be Jesus' birthday, but we are the ones who will be receiving His spiritual gifts, if we will but accept them. And in return, we will give Jesus our loving and grateful hearts, so that He can spread His love through us.

[j_k_l]

"A person that is truly a Christian (a very tiny percentage of those who say they are really are) will feel excitement when going to church. A person who dreads it, isn't really a Christian - he is just a person that has been indoctrinated."

I have read the Bible from cover to cover and have never seen this. Was this a "personal revelation"?