Rick Warren Statement - Page 4

notofworks · #31 01-12-2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty

Now thats funny right there, I dont care who ya are , thats some funny stuff right there

Can't argue with you there. But there's a reason, my laughing friend!

Aquila · #32 01-12-2010, 10:22 AM

My point was that if Notofworks thinks about it, I'm sure he'll note that there are those in his own church that are not genuine Christians. My hopes was to reconcile him with the brother he's having an issue with. The tares grow with the wheat. They'll be dealt with at the harvest.

God bless.

ForeverBlessed · #33 01-12-2010, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Lisa,

Great post! I think it's so sad that some feel just because it's not a hoe down that God isn't there.

It is sad, and it was even me just a few years ago. I used to be critical of this church because it grew so fast. Somebody is an organizer...they started in a store front and have grown to a large metal building on a country road on the edge of town.

They have so many classes, tons of classes available and strong teaching of the word of God. People are learning to live for God.

I took Bekah with me to service last week, then it broke out into small groups. The service is different than what I am used to, I am not the biggest fan of rocky contemporary music so much, but it was good music and I really felt at home with the song "How great is our God" because it was familiar to me. I felt the presence of God, but was totally shocked when I looked over to see tears running down Bekah's face. Then throughout the message, she cried too.

I sat behind my friend, and on one song, he lets out a mild "whoop" and kinda bouncing a bit... lol but you have to understand he is a hyper guy. I laughed and told Bekah I would love to see him in a Pentecostal service, he would be bouncing off the walls.

seriously though, the judgmentalism needs to stop against other churches because they are not Apostolic or Pentecostal style. Their worship is to God and they are very sincere.

rgcraig · #34 01-12-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForeverBlessed

It is sad, and it was even me just a few years ago. I used to be critical of this church because it grew so fast. Somebody is an organizer...they started in a store front and have grown to a large metal building on a country road on the edge of town.

They have so many classes, tons of classes available and strong teaching of the word of God. People are learning to live for God.

I took Bekah with me to service last week, then it broke out into small groups. The service is different than what I am used to, I am not the biggest fan of rocky contemporary music so much, but it was good music and I really felt at home with the song "How great is our God" because it was familiar to me. I felt the presence of God, but was totally shocked when I looked over to see tears running down Bekah's face. Then throughout the message, she cried too.

I sat behind my friend, and on one song, he lets out a mild "whoop" and kinda bouncing a bit... lol but you have to understand he is a hyper guy. I laughed and told Bekah I would love to see him in a Pentecostal service, he would be bouncing off the walls.

seriously though, the judgmentalism needs to stop against other churches because they are not Apostolic or Pentecostal style. Their worship is to God and they are very sincere.

That would be wonderful!

Hoovie · #35 01-12-2010, 11:13 AM

I would not have a clue what "percentage" of people in any church are true Christians - neither would anyone else.

Hoovie · #36 01-12-2010, 11:17 AM

I have never equated being Pentecostal with being Christian (nor vice versa). To me that is strange, bizarre, sectarian and cultish.

crakjak · #37 01-12-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I would not have a clue what "percentage" of people in any church are true Christians - neither would anyone else.

We that have children, have some that are what we would consider more "spiritual", but we love them just the same and desire the very best for them, and do everything that we can (though limited) for their good. God is no different, and his efforts (unlimited ability) to completely accomplish His intended purpose. So, we are completely out of our calling to be determining who is "true" and who is not.

So, I agree with Hoovie.

notofworks · #38 01-12-2010, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila

My point was that if Notofworks thinks about it, I'm sure he'll note that there are those in his own church that are not genuine Christians. My hopes was to reconcile him with the brother he's having an issue with. The tares grow with the wheat. They'll be dealt with at the harvest.

God bless.

Is this turned around? Maybe this was directed at the other fellow. I readily acknowledge there are many in our church that are non-Christians. Our drummer and one of our guitarists are not "Christians", as well as many in the audience.

Sam · #39 01-12-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notofworks

Oh baloney. Let's ask a question here.....of the 40,000 members of Saddleback (the church Rick Warren founded and pastors), what's your wild guess of the percentage of "True Christians" among the 40,000. Just give a wild guess. Don't do the "I could never judge" malarkey, because you've pretty much already done that by insinuating many in his crowd may not be "true Christians." So go ahead...what percentage? Just guess.

I would have no idea.

Are there any reliable stats for the percentage of American Church members who are "True Christians"?

We would have a problem with a question like that here on AFF because we can't even decide among ourselves what a "True Christian" is.

Does Saddleback have "members"?
If so, does a person have to make a profession of faith before being accepted as a member.

The only church I was ever really a member of was a Baptist church in Union Grove, Wisconsin back in 1955. To become a member, I had to stand up in a public meeting (Wednesday night prayer meeting) and give my testimony. Then, anyone who wanted could ask me any question(s) they had. Afterward there was a vote by those present as to whether or not to accept me for membership and allow me to be baptized/immersed. If I remember correctly there were 4 of us who applied for membership that night. When the chance was given for anyone to question any of us, a deacon stood up and said, "I think their lives show that they are saved" (or something like that) so we were all voted in with no challenges.

notofworks · #40 01-12-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I would not have a clue what "percentage" of people in any church are true Christians - neither would anyone else.

I'm aware of that. I'm trying to make a point, and here it is:

A lot of people will bark at Willow, Saddleback, Northpoint, Newspring, Mosaic, etc. They claim that many in those churches are not the "Real Deal". I think that's bunk, but let's just go with it.

Let's be REALLY negative and assume that only 1% of the 40,000 people at Saddleback are "True Christians." That's pretty darned negative....99% of their membership is lost.

Well, if we do the math, that would mean that 400 people are "True Christians", which is still probably quadruple the size of some of the churches some of the nay-sayers attend.

Saddleback and others like it, thank God, cast a very large net and you can't pick and choose who gets in the net.