(seriously, here's your spot: ______________________ )
Now that's out of the way, I'd like to highlight something I just heard about the one in which I was saved several years back. They took up a one-time offering and gathered 1.1 million dollars for global outreach all around the globe. Not only that, but they have allocated a disaster relief fund so that if anything should happen in the realm of a natural disaster there is a lump sum of $400,000 ready to go out right away.I have never heard of something like this...
then again, that's why the Church is an awesome thing.
"The Bride of Christ is never more beautiful than she is when she is reaching out to the poor and the discouraged." - Rob Bell
"The church is God's idea. Not mine. Not yours. Not religious leaders. No, the church is God's idea." - Jim Martin
"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys." - Luke 12:33
12 comments:
That is awesome! I know of one mega-church who did a similar thing and people were asking why couldn't they do more. Sigh...
Here's a frightening statistic I heard last weekend from Leonard Sweet: 75% of churches are shrinking. Of the 25% that are growing, 24% are growing because they are attracting (wait for it) people from the churches that are shrinking.
I have no problem with megachurches. I do think it is harder for them to inspire people to be missional. It's much easier to pass on a job if you think there are a few thousand OTHER people who will do it instead.
Still, they are VERY good at what they are good at.
That is AMAZING! 1.1 MILLION!
Praise God!
Tony,
You make a good point, however... Note that what saves is the Gospel, all the worlds funds put together could not save someone from themselves.
You can setup up all the releif funds in the world, but if the preaching of the Gospel is not central to helping the poor, IMO is a waste.
Cheers
Thanks, Frank. I agree with you - it's the Gospel that saves. As I understand it, these funds are being put towards that - supporting global outreach. Even the relief dollars are to be invested into any churches that will be located near any future disaster sites.
It's one thing to say "Jesus loves you," but it's another thing to show that love. I think we're on the same page, though, so maybe I'm just rambling. :)
In regards to Thurman8er's comment, why are people leaving smaller churches? And in regards to mega-churches, do they spend more time trying to figure out how to reach the people within their own church than those outside? What about all of the non-Christians coming inside though? I think (dangerous way to start anything competent I know) even in a small local church investment by a mature disciple needs to take place with only a small group of people to get them to go out and multiply. Being in an infinitely larger church won't hinder the creation of small groups will it? Just the amount of small groups. Am I blogging in your comment space?
Scrammy
Great thoughts, Scrammy. Maybe it's time to form some small accountability mission groups. Or something.
Do people actually have a problem with MegaChurches? Or do people have a problem fitting a large body into a small perspective?
I am currently in a small church. I won't leave when it grows. At least not because it grew.
I think you can apply some of Paul's teaching on wealth to Churches. You have to learn to be content with much or with little. That aint complacentcy it is just good sense.
I've never understood the idea of a mega church. Don't you get lost? My church is only 200-odd, and I feel lost. What's the idea/vision behind it? Did Jesus only have 12 and called it a church? Why do we have to go so big if all that matters is personal relationship with our non-christian mates? I'm not having a go, just enquiring!
I like the quote from Jim Martin. The church is God's no matter what man seems to think, and as such He will use it to His glory, be it small, large, mega, nano, whatever.
Tony,
Yea we on a similar page, I just know (from having attended a seeker-sensative church and partially been involved in possibly starting an emergent one) that they tend to obscure the gospel or put it more on the sidelines.
But, at least it's getting out there :)
Thanks, Frank. I'd be cautious about making that statement, though... many megachurches do a great job at staying biblical. A few don't, though, and they have TV shows (hence the stereotype).
Case in point, the church in Acts 2 grew in the thousands. I wouldn't want to accuse them of being unbiblical.
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