Anyone see hope through positive things happening in the church? I'm feeling I've heard about enough negativity lately towards the church from it's members as well as the atheists and thought it might be nice to hear some encouraging words for a change. ;)
Anybody?
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What is right with the church
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Benjamin, Apr 4, 2013.
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THe people are beginning to hunger for what is real!
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Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
The church today let's the culture of the world dictate our moral standards. So we use curse words to relate to the lost...
Yea that is pretty good! -
Yes, it is a minor point, but I see a definite improvement over the years in the role of deacons. Fifty or sixty years ago, many local churches had a group of deacons that were wanna be elders, and used cliques of power to run a church and a pastor that were not only absent from the church constitution, but from Scripture. Today, deacons in churches are doing what they should much more of the time, serving, guiding, and supporting the pastor.
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Another positive point I see, is that more people per percentage of Sunday morning church goers are attending Wednesday night Bible study, which tells me there is an increase in interest in wanting to study Scripture.
Another thing I notice is more people opening their Bibles and following the sermon, even writing notes in the margin more than they used to. -
The Holy Spirit cannot operate in a top-down pyramid structure. "Evangelism" could occur, but no real growth among believers.
A small group is the only way that the Holy Spirit can minister between believers. Unfortunately, very very few have discovered this. -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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We are doing a much better job of discipling children on their level. When I came to Christ at 7 it was pretty much take this kjv, sit in adult service, and read away.
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We also are doing much better at taking your money through online giving, auto deduct and credit card machines ;)
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Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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saturneptune said: ↑Yes, it is a minor point, but I see a definite improvement over the years in the role of deacons. Fifty or sixty years ago, many local churches had a group of deacons that were wanna be elders, and used cliques of power to run a church and a pastor that were not only absent from the church constitution, but from Scripture. Today, deacons in churches are doing what they should much more of the time, serving, guiding, and supporting the pastor.Click to expand...
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This may sound strange, but one positive in our church is that a higher percentage of members are attending Sunday services. Our overall membership flat over the past couple of years (we're an aging church).
It wasn't too long ago that we were tickled if 50% of our members showed up on Sunday. It's a sad commentary that only half the members attended, but we were feeling pretty good because the percentage was lower in some other churches we were familiar with. -
Iconoclast Well-Known MemberSite SupporterBenjamin said: ↑Anyone see hope through positive things happening in the church? I'm feeling I've heard about enough negativity lately towards the church from it's members as well as the atheists and thought it might be nice to hear some encouraging words for a change. ;)
Anybody?
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Because God has an eternal purpose in election and predestination we can know with certainty that the local churches are accomplishing God's will.
Eph3:9-11
Even if we live in a time of pruning off many of the false professors, the gospel is going worldwide as we speak.
27 All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,
28 for dominion belongs to the Lord
and he rules over the nations.
29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
30 Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
31 They will proclaim his righteousness,
declaring to a people yet unborn:
He has done it!
Even when mis-guided persons speak against God's control of all things...nevertheless He rules in the midst of His enemies:
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. -
In my church there are several encouraging things, but one in particular is that almost the entire congregation attends Sunday school in addition to the worship service, which means people are being discipled and they WANT to learn the word of God.
Another thing is that all members are expected to serve in some way and not just be pew warmers. -
Iconoclast Well-Known MemberSite SupporterAmy.G said: ↑In my church there are several encouraging things, but one in particular is that almost the entire congregation attends Sunday school in addition to the worship service, which means people are being discipled and they WANT to learn the word of God.
Another thing is that all members are expected to serve in some way and not just be pew warmers.Click to expand... -
Iconoclast said: ↑sounds good AmyG,all signs of life:wavey:Click to expand...
We also have a Sunday night bible study which is AWESOME!!!! Verse by verse and very deep. We get a good turnout for that too!
And the men meet on Wednesday mornings (very early) for prayer.
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