Your article reminded me why I love God, the people to whom he has called me and my wife to minister, and the people of this community, the non-members, who desires to see both the community and their lives transformed. It reminded me why we left a thriving main line denominational church six years ago and along with a rag-tag remnant of water-walkers, gave birth, from the basement of our home, to a ministry that is truly externally focused.

And while we are now over 200 in active membership our prayer is that we are able to distribute a minimum of 500,000 pounds of food (up from the 100,000 pounds distributed last year) to hungry families right here in Lithonia this year. We pray that scores more men and women lives are transformed by our Circle of Healing addictions ministry, that more young men and women and teenagers find a personal relationship with God that moves them beyond the perplexing problems they face daily. We pray that those who have become jaded and simply tired of church-as-usual, find a since of love and empowerment that sparks their return of the faith in which they once believed.

As Pastors, it is our prayer that God continues to show us how to love his people (and those who don’t know him) and that God continues to remind us why he called us from ‘church’ and into ministry.
Blessings and Peace

Debi,
Interesting perspective. I sincerely hope you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you seek His will concerning the local church. There is great value in walking with other believers!

I feel like I should clarify a few things. I hope I didn’t come across as being judgemental in my post about megachurches. After I wrote it, that was my fear. It’s like what Paul said in Philippians, if people are being reached with the gospel, then praise God. Who am I to say what God can and cannot use, you know? It’s difficult to not judge when we are so “turned off” by what we see, but only God knows the hearts of men and women.

I pray that the church that spends one million to raise millions is using the millions for God’s kingdom. I l.o.v.e the church where I attend. Leadership is committed to paying cash for everything, not going into debt and regularly give 10% of all offerings to other churches and ministries in town. Don’t give up on church, altogether. There are some great ones out there. And who knows, God can use anyone, right?

So well-stated, Abigail. I somehow don’t think Jesus would care about plush pews or cool backdrops. He is after our hearts, is He not?

Good stuff. Thanks for the comment.

To me it is so simple. If we listen and do as God asks we need not be concerned. For some this will mean one church, to others another church and to some no church.

What is the message? What are the works? It isn’t hard for most people to discern what is going on at this mega church during the service as you’ve described it. It seems you’ve come to the same conclusion I did, where is Jesus?

So many times today we are supposed to be so “politically correct” which is GOOD when judgement and opinions are at hand. We can not flinch when called to discern….we MUST discern or we are paving the path (teaching) anarchy.

Thanks for not flinching MilkInTheCloset!

Debi