posted                

quote:

---

It may mean the rise of "orthodoxy a la carte," where, as with IPods and music, young Americans take a "mix and match" approach to religion, said Bill Galston, a domestic policy adviser in the Clinton administration.

---

Generation Y embraces choice, redefines religion

God bless.

IP: Logged | 

posted                

quote:

---

Originally posted by TEXASGRANDMA:
I think whether a Church is huge or small what matters most is the message they teach. I have been to a Church that had thousands that preached salvation through Jesus Christ. I went to grandma's Church of 25 every summer for 8 years and I never heard them preach anything but it was
wrong for girls and women to cut their hair, wear makeup, wear pants or for married people to wear wedding rings. Never once did they preach salvation.
When we see a meg a Church open instead of seeing them as the enemy let us pray that God will put a Pastor in that Church that will love God with all his heart and have a heart for soul winning. The time is short folks, we need to get the message of salvation out there.

---

Excellent point Betty, perhaps I didn't word what I wanted to get across properly. It wouldn't be the first time.

What is MOST important is that people come to know Jesus as their Savior, repent, and get fed the Word of God. This can happen in big and small churches, no doubt. I know for sure that the believers are well stocked and fed in Charles Stanley's church. His messages are filled with the good stuff.

But, you can tell which ones are counting heads, numbers and cash flow. ANY church that dumbs down His message and DOES NOT preach salvation and repentance, is apostic. Big or small it makes no difference.

My point about MOST of the mega-churches and the PDC movement in particular is that they are focusing on numbers! They are bringing in non-believers for the purpose of dumbing down the message and becoming earthly. ANY church that hires a marketing firm to fill seats is in trouble, and so are the people attending.

I should have been more clear. My patience is not up to par yet and it's something I pray about continuously. I still have to work at explaining exactly what I am trying to say. I don't mean to lump ALL big churches together, but I can see which ones are apostic or becoming that.

Anyway, thanks for pointing that out Betty.

God bless and stay strong.

P.S. Keep your eyes on the PDC movement please. It smells. Click on all the links and see for yourselves.

IP: Logged | 

posted                

quote:

---

Right now about 5,000 more churches are doing the 40 Day of Purpose campaign, and now the program has been adopted by corporations (like Coke and Walmart) sports teams (like the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers, NASCAR drivers, and the LPGA) schools, civic clubs, and even prisons. Last week, Paul Harvey told everyone to go buy a copy of PDL on his ABC radio broadcast. He said "This is one of the most insightful books I've ever read and I will read it again...and again...and again." In 2004 we expect over 15,000 more churches to participate.

---

Peace Plan by Rick Warren

We are nearing the end quickly. There is no doubt in my mind, we are close.

God bless and stay strong.

IP: Logged | 

posted                      

quote:

---

Alot of people chose a Church home because of their Spiritual needs. People don't get paid to go to Church. Going to Church is not about money.

---

Posts: 346 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Feb 2004  |  IP: Logged | 

posted                

quote:

---

"You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it," He told us through Moses in Deuteronomy 4:1-2. And in Proverbs 30:5-6, He warned: "Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar."

Yet, man's incessant quest for "new, fresh ways" has always made us vulnerable to temptation. From the beginning, Satan has offered both pleasure and wisdom to those who would rephrase or revise God's timeless Word -- blending lies with truth that hide the deception. Back in the garden, it led to Eve's disobedience and the alienation of humanity. Through the Middle Ages, it led to horrendous heresies and cruel persecution of those who took their stand on God's unchanging Word. In our times, the rise of pragmatism and postmodernity has led to another round of revisions. And with the postmodern rejection of unchanging absolutes, there is no end in sight.

---

IP: Logged | 

posted                

quote:

---

Originally posted by SoftTouch:
Yes Brother Ripp, that is indeed one of the concerns I have with todays Mega-Churchs... They seek to Please instead of Teach. It's all about drawing people in (which is God's job).

I agree with Betty that we do need to make sure we have things for the kids, but they MUST be Christ Centered and Not Pleasure Centered (which is how I see the video/arcade stuff).

I think you've said this before Ripp, if the 'masses' are doing it, then you can pretty well bet that God isn't in it!

---

God bless you Deb, you are obviously blessed with a better memory than me!

I did say that or something similar I believe months ago in an apostasy thread or something.

I have never been one to follow the pack. If I see everyone running in one direction, I immediately stop and ask myself why. The mainline churches seem to be running toward this PDL thing and it worries me.

I have been reading further into this article and thought of an analogy.

Think of Wal Mart. It didn't use to be such the giant that it is today. It took years and years of consuming the smaller mom and pop stores to become so big. Well, I see this and similar movements as doing the same thing.

In the article it talks about how they hire marketing firms to bring in non-believers to make it easier to soften the doctrine and change peoples beliefs. Once you get enough non-believers in the church, you can do what you want with them.

It is my belief that this is just a part of the apostasy. These mega-churches will continue to gobble up the smaller "less cool" churches until Christian doctrine will completely be conformed into the PDL form or something similar. Hmm, maybe the one-world religion? If not, it is very clear to me as to how the masses will be fooled.

It's all here guys. Stop...look...listen! We are in a downward trend heading to a one-world religion. It's extremely important that you don't get swept up by all this hoopla.

STAY IN GOD'S WORD! PRAY! STAY IN THE WORD!

God bless and stay strong.

IP: Logged | 

posted                

quote:

---

Pastor Warren again claimed divine approval during a "Building a Purpose-Driven Church" seminar held at Saddleback Community Church in January, 1998. Basing church growth strategies on personal wants, not on the guidelines of God's Word, he said,

"Now, at Saddleback Church, we are unapologetically contemporary... I passed out a three-by-five card to everybody in the church, and I said, 'You write down the call letters of the radio station you listen to.' I wasn't even asking unbelievers. I was asking the people in the church, 'What kind of music do you listen to?' When I got it back, I didn't have one person who said, 'I listen to organ music.' Not one.... So, we made a strategic decision that we are unapologetically a contemporary music church. And right after we made that decision and stopped trying to please everybody, Saddleback exploded with growth....

"I'll be honest with you, we are loud. We are really, really loud on a weekend service.... I say, 'We're not gonna turn it down.' Now the reason why is baby boomers want to feel the music, not just hear it.... God loves variety!"[2]

Does God really love today's cultural "variety?" I doubt that God is pleased when we feed our cravings and strengthen our "need" for emotional stimuli. When ancient Israel became bored with God's Word and embraced a wide variety of cultural and spiritual thrills, God disciplined them severely. He even compared his wayward people with a "wild donkey... that sniffs at the wind in her desire." Jeremiah 2:24

When church leaders use energizing music, emotional stimuli and short, light messages to satisfy the flesh with its "felt needs," they tend to obscure our deeper spiritual needs. Fed a diet of simplified sermons designed to please everyone, both seekers and believers may lose their appetite for the solid Biblical teaching which -- by His Spirit -- produces conviction of sin, genuine repentance, actual regeneration, true spiritual renewal and the continual joy of walking with Jesus.

---

Spirit-Led or Purpose-Driven?

Wow, I guess that's why I'm not a journalist heh. Very well put, that's what I was trying to say in my posts.

God bless.

IP: Logged | 

posted                

quote:

---

Originally posted by Niedziejkore:
wow, I agree with something Ripp is saying.

I now believe we are in the end times.

---

Lol. Isn't there a verse in Revelation about this?

"When people look on the BBS with complexity and when Niedziejkore agrees with Ripp, look up for thou time draws near."

Something like that?

IP: Logged | 

posted                      

quote:

---

Originally posted by Niedziejkore:
wow, I agree with something Ripp is saying.

I now believe we are in the end times.

---

ROFL!!!! I thought the same thing when I read Your first post here

--------------------
Psalm 119:104Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Posts: 3465 | Registered: Nov 2003  |  IP: Logged | 

posted                

quote:

---

Originally posted by TEXASGRANDMA:
Of course I see where you are coming from but, my son left the Church for over 5 years because our Church had nothing for young people. So, I see things from a different angle. I also don't see having a Church that keeps young people with Church youth the same thing as Benny Hinn taking super vacations.
But this is a point that we can have different ideas and still be good friends.
betty

---

I understand the need for fellowship among youngsters, but is THIS the answer? Is this the best we can do? Is it not enough that kids delve into the Word, or must we entertain them now too?

Where is the focus in these places? Hmm? The focus is surely not on our Lord. The focus is on how wonderful and beautiful and fun the church is.

"Church is cool man, they are putting in a new arcade next week."

"Dude that rocks. Hey, let's go there today, I want to try out the new ride they got!"

Get my drift?

Where is it going to end? Do we add casinos to the mix? Think that's crazy? Watch this...

"We here at Our Sacred Father believe in helping those with addictions. For this reason, we are installing a casino on the church grounds so we might be able to watch them and help cleanse them from their addictions. Next Saturday is bring-a-friend night and we encourage all of you to come."

The apostasy is alive and well, and picking up steam. If we are not willing to apply the brakes, well, guess who's now driving the bus?

Just some things to think about.

God bless.

IP: Logged | 

posted                

quote:

---

Originally posted by yahsway:
Good article ST, and yes, these churches are headed for apostacy in my opinon.

I listened to Joyce Myers yesterday. Normally, I like her teaching, I have tio throw some of it out though, for instance, yesterday while watching JM, she said " Christians should have everything the World has to offer".

Know any scriptures that compare the world and Christians?

---

Sounds like that junk that's spreading these days. You know, "you have to spend money to make money." Makes me sick.


We are here to spread the Word of the Gospel, not waste our money on toys and such.

quote:

---

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money , boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God , 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. [2 Timothy 3:1-5]

---

IP: Logged |