Rick Warren Statement

[dizzyde]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

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

Agree completely! Amazing how so many cannot see that, I really have issues with that mentality.

[Sam]

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.

Just because someone goes to a church, whether a one-time visitor or over a period of time, does not mean that person is a Christian. For example, notice those who were at Willow Creek that day and said they were Jews or Muslims. I think it's great that folks go to a church whether they agree with everything said there or not. Each time they are there it's another opportunity for the seed of the Word to be sown and an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to draw them to a personal commitment.

A while ago someone jumped all over one of the ministers at the Vineyard church where I attended from 1992 to 2006 because some gay people went there. The minister asked the person, "Well, what am I supposed to do? Meet them at the door and forbid them to come in?"

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Sam

Just because someone goes to a church, whether a one-time visitor or over a period of time, does not mean that person is a Christian. For example, notice those who were at Willow Creek that day and said they were Jews or Muslims. I think it's great that folks go to a church whether they agree with everything said there or not. Each time they are there it's another opportunity for the seed of the Word to be sown and an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to draw them to a personal commitment.

A while ago someone jumped all over one of the ministers at the Vineyard church where I attended from 1992 to 2006 because some gay people went there. The minister asked the person, "Well, what am I supposed to do? Meet them at the door and forbid them to come in?"

I whole heartedly agree.

[Aquila]

I have no issue with large churches. I pray God blesses them. I think some folk are uneasy because there is a tinge of jealousy. Often there is also doctrinal rivalry wherein because a church doesn't hold to Apostolic or Pentecostal doctrinal paradigms the church and it's members are suspect. All who profess and seek to follow Christ are Christians in my opinion... from the greatest Apostolic to the struggling modernist non-denominational Christian. All are on a journey... and all are further along the path than others. Some are even more "on the path" than others. But all Christians are on the journey. I pray we all reach our intended destination.

I fear many Apostolics have made God in our own image. Some would have you believe that God is a card carrying member of the UPCI. No one has a monopoly on God... no one.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Sam

Just because someone goes to a church, whether a one-time visitor or over a period of time, does not mean that person is a Christian. For example, notice those who were at Willow Creek that day and said they were Jews or Muslims. I think it's great that folks go to a church whether they agree with everything said there or not. Each time they are there it's another opportunity for the seed of the Word to be sown and an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to draw them to a personal commitment.

A while ago someone jumped all over one of the ministers at the Vineyard church where I attended from 1992 to 2006 because some gay people went there. The minister asked the person, "Well, what am I supposed to do? Meet them at the door and forbid them to come in?"

We've regularly had gay people attend, even couples. I've been asked to do gay weddings.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Aquila

So we agree that non Christians are in every church and that having non Christians present is a good thing, for it exposes them to the Word of God and the presence found in worship.

I have no issue with large churches. I pray God blesses them. I think some folk are uneasy because there is a tinge of jealousy. Often there is also doctrinal rivalry wherein because a church doesn't hold to Apostolic or Pentecostal doctrinal paradigms the church and it's members are suspect. All who profess and seek to follow Christ are Christians in my opinion... from the greatest Apostolic to the struggling modernist non-denominational Christian. All are on a journey... and all are further along the path than others. Some are even more "on the path" than others. But all Christians are on the journey. I pray we all reach our intended destination.

A tinge. Uh, yeah. Or.....a mountain of jealousy the size of Everest.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by notofworks

We've regularly had gay people attend, even couples. I've been asked to do gay weddings.

OK, I gotta ask

What is your response when you are asked to do a gay wedding?

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Sam

OK, I gotta ask

What is your response when you are asked to do a gay wedding?

Can I ask first......from what you know, what do you think I said?

[Aquila]

So we agree that non Christians are in every church and that having non Christians present is a good thing, for it exposes them to the Word of God and the presence found in worship.

Here's a question...

Can a believer by a sincere born again Christian and not attend a "church"?

[BISHOP177]

Well.... guess only well folk should EVER go inside a hospital!! "Could be a social club in there, btw, the parking lot is sooo full... Even the Dr's. are just practicing"

Somewhere I think I read. " IT'S THE SICK THAN NEED THE DOCTOR"