Poll: Church And Streaming Video

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by berkeley

MTD,

I don’t see it as complaining.

Thanks Bro!

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Amanah

for shut in, and others who can not attend church in person, it is never meant to replace actual fellowship.

Lets talk about fellowship. I have experienced LESS in fellowship in Apostolic groups than anywhere I have been. I remember the first one I went to when I came into Oneness. They would greet each other coming in and say Praise the Lord see you next time going out.

I talked to the Pastors son in law about getting together for fellowship. He said ok and we went to their house one night. After a bit of small talk he said to us "Would you like to play some board games"?

I was a bit surprised. In the Jesus movement that I had come to Christ in our fellowship would be grabbing a stack of tracts and going out on the street witnessing and praying for people.

Afterwards we would meet together and talk about what we had seen the Lord do. We would pray and talk about the word for hours into the night.

It was so sad they had no understanding of Biblical fellowship. While a member and Elder in that Church I asked the Pastor about getting together for fellowship outside Church. He invited us and we went. We invited him and he came. One time.

Outside of the Church meeting that was it for fellowship. Years ago at another Church we went to we were never asked if we would like to come and fellowship and get to know the Preacher. One day when he finished preaching for about an hour and a half he stopped and said "Arent we having sweet fellowship in the house of God"?

To HIM that was fellowship! But I have seen this again and again among Apostolics. Even when there are "home groups" saints are given a "theme" of what they should talk about, not just free flowing fellowship from love.

Now several Apostolic home Churches I was part of actually did have fellowship and get to know each other as friends. I'm not saying Apostolics never have fellowship just my experience among them is that what they call fellowship basically means listen to the sermon and get behind the Preacher. Fellowship among saints does not seem to be encouraged.

But again there are THOUSANDS of Apostolic Churches out there. Again just going by experience.

A few years ago I met an Apostolic brother on Paltalk from a well renown Church in Wisconsin. After we talked a while I asked him how fellowship was in the Church.

His initial comment was "We have great fellowship at those campmeetings!" As we talked I could tell he meant talking for a while before and after the campmeetings but nothing about at his Church.

I pressed him about this and I think he told me at Church they had a pot luck dinner once in a while but no real fellowship. He even went as far to say he had closer friends that were not saved than in the Church.

So....how many of you have been to your Pastors house? Has he been to your house? Do you have friends in your Church that you actually fellowship with OUTSIDE Church?

Or does fellowship mean listening to sermons?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Is a Churches streaming video valid if one can get more truth than at a local Church? Think of it first off like this:

You are in a town with no Jesus name Church. You could drive (just for example) 100 miles to the nearest Apostolic Church. Or you could go on U TUBE or some other streaming video set up and "in spirit" be with a Church anywhere in the nation or even in the world?

Or maybe you would decide only a Church building set up counts as Church and go to a Charismatic Church 2 blocks away.

Fellowship can't be neglected, if healthy, it is good for growth.

But, in circumstances like you described, I'd not go to the local charismatic church. I've tried that compromise, it never works. I'd not drive hundreds of miles to an Apostolic church either, you can't fellowship that far away, you're just watching services and heading home to get back before to late. I'd streem sound Apostolic content. But, I'd make it a part of family altar. I've done this on occasion, with very good results. Open with prayer. Watch the video with your family or just you and your spouse. Take have all of you take notes, write down questions, write those points that move you, convict you, or speak to you. Then, share notes, discuss the message, ask questions, look up answers, share how it effected you. Pray as led regarding your family alter time. And close.

But in time, you might want to look for a closer church more diligently. If none can be found, invite friends, neighbors, coworkers, to family fellowship. Just open your home for prayer and fellowship. Allow God to do what He will with it. If not called to lead, facilitate, God can provide others, and then guide as elders.

The church need not be a country club, or incorporated body. The early church had titles like elder, brother, sister, etc., family terms. Just be a spiritual family. That's what church is supposed to be anyway. Not a business, franchise, show, or production.

[Aquila]

Consider this...

I believe it should be noted that... Pentecost happened in a house as opposed to a religious temple or dedicated structure:

Acts 2:2 “And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole
house where they were sitting.”

Also, we read that Christians regularly meet in homes, and that those persecuting them knew they could find Christians gathering in homes:

Acts 2:46 “And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart”

Acts 5:42 “And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”

Acts 8:3 “But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.”

Acts 9:11 “And the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying.’”

Acts 12:12 “And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.”

Acts 16:40 “And they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia, and when they saw the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.”

Acts 18:7 “And he departed from there and went to the house of a certain man named Titius Justus, a worshipper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue.”

Acts 20:20 “I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house.”

Acts 21:8 “And on the next day we departed and came to Caesarea; and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.”

Romans 16:5 “also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.”

1 Cor. 16:19 “The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.”

Col. 4:15 “Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house.”

1 Tim. 5:13-14 “And at the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.”

Philemon 1:2 “and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house”

2 John 1:10 “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;”

Meeting in homes predates all the buildings and institutions we have today that put on the Sunday Show every week. Anyone who would condemn gathering in homes just because they aren't institutionalised buildings with state licenced agents heading it all up telling you what to believe instead of searching the Scripture together in fellowship clearly doesn't know the manner of the book of Acts church.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Lets talk about fellowship. I have experienced LESS in fellowship in Apostolic groups than anywhere I have been. I remember the first one I went to when I came into Oneness. They would greet each other coming in and say Praise the Lord see you next time going out.

I talked to the Pastors son in law about getting together for fellowship. He said ok and we went to their house one night. After a bit of small talk he said to us "Would you like to play some board games"?

I was a bit surprised. In the Jesus movement that I had come to Christ in our fellowship would be grabbing a stack of tracts and going out on the street witnessing and praying for people.

Afterwards we would meet together and talk about what we had seen the Lord do. We would pray and talk about the word for hours into the night.

It was so sad they had no understanding of Biblical fellowship. While a member and Elder in that Church I asked the Pastor about getting together for fellowship outside Church. He invited us and we went. We invited him and he came. One time.

Outside of the Church meeting that was it for fellowship. Years ago at another Church we went to we were never asked if we would like to come and fellowship and get to know the Preacher. One day when he finished preaching for about an hour and a half he stopped and said "Arent we having sweet fellowship in the house of God"?

To HIM that was fellowship! But I have seen this again and again among Apostolics. Even when there are "home groups" saints are given a "theme" of what they should talk about, not just free flowing fellowship from love.

Now several Apostolic home Churches I was part of actually did have fellowship and get to know each other as friends. I'm not saying Apostolics never have fellowship just my experience among them is that what they call fellowship basically means listen to the sermon and get behind the Preacher. Fellowship among saints does not seem to be encouraged.

But again there are THOUSANDS of Apostolic Churches out there. Again just going by experience.

A few years ago I met an Apostolic brother on Paltalk from a well renown Church in Wisconsin. After we talked a while I asked him how fellowship was in the Church.

His initial comment was "We have great fellowship at those campmeetings!" As we talked I could tell he meant talking for a while before and after the campmeetings but nothing about at his Church.

I pressed him about this and I think he told me at Church they had a pot luck dinner once in a while but no real fellowship. He even went as far to say he had closer friends that were not saved than in the Church.

So....how many of you have been to your Pastors house? Has he been to your house? Do you have friends in your Church that you actually fellowship with OUTSIDE Church?

Or does fellowship mean listening to sermons?

One UPC we went to we regularly visited the pastor and his wife at their house. The next UPC we went to, same thing.

The apostolic house church we were with? Same thing, including visiting multiple members at their homes. We hung out, talked Bible, as well as whatever else people might talk about, with the Lord always present in our thoughts and conversation.

Briefly visited a Gospel Chapel (Sowderites, aka two-ness) church in OKC. After every Sunday service the sisters served up a huge meal and everybody ate and visited with each other for a couple hours. Plus, our neighbors were members so we occasionally hung out with them at their house (only a couple times, though, then we moved).

Then, we were at an independent oneness pentecostal church. We were invited by the pastor and his family to fellowship with them. Wound up staying at their house till sometime around midnight, talking Bible and such. This happened several times, including non service days.

Spent several afternoons at a Russian pastor's house as well, talking Bible and ministry and politics and everything else, and learning about authentic east European food as well.

But then again, I live in Dixie so people might just not be as friendly up where you live.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Yes I have been an Elder/Pastor in 4 groups over the years. There are various reasons why that is not the case some my fault some not. Yes my wife is born again and on fire. She is one of the few people I know that have been in jail in America for preaching Jesus to the lost.

The 2 of us are the where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name.....

We are doing what you have suggested. I preach on the street corner. I get to minister on Paltalk an amazing resource where I have taught Oneness and other foundation truths to many people over the years.

This is a funny story for which I give Christ the praise. A while back on Paltalk I was teaching Oneness to a group of Trins , Arians, and Unitarians, probably 40-50 people. One Trin who had never heard of Oneness doctrine before decided to go out on a internet search of Oneness doctrine while I was speaking so when he came to the mic he would be able to rebuke me.

When he came to the mic he told how he went out on the net searching for what Oneness believes. Then he began to read from a web site he found.

I was stunned because of all the thousands of internet articles out there the one he was reading from WAS ONE I HAD WRITTEN YEARS AGO!

So yes we are always in the business of trying to help people come to Jesus or a deeper walk with him. We havent had many takers in recent years but still praying and not giving up hope.

What some people take for just complaining about Churches or doctrine is actually intended by me to be teaching the word!

What do you feel is needed for your ministry to get "some takers"? What are people's responses? Have you thought out a plan to help establish an assembly in your area? What are your area's needs?

pm if necessary

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Esaias

One UPC we went to we regularly visited the pastor and his wife at their house. The next UPC we went to, same thing.

The apostolic house church we were with? Same thing, including visiting multiple members at their homes. We hung out, talked Bible, as well as whatever else people might talk about, with the Lord always present in our thoughts and conversation.

Briefly visited a Gospel Chapel (Sowderites, aka two-ness) church in OKC. After every Sunday service the sisters served up a huge meal and everybody ate and visited with each other for a couple hours. Plus, our neighbors were members so we occasionally hung out with them at their house (only a couple times, though, then we moved).

Then, we were at an independent oneness pentecostal church. We were invited by the pastor and his family to fellowship with them. Wound up staying at their house till sometime around midnight, talking Bible and such. This happened several times, including non service days.

Spent several afternoons at a Russian pastor's house as well, talking Bible and ministry and politics and everything else, and learning about authentic east European food as well.

But then again, I live in Dixie so people might just not be as friendly up where you live.

This is good. Very good.

[consapente89]

Personally I am opposed to any kind of video in the church.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Esaias

What do you feel is needed for your ministry to get "some takers"? What are people's responses? Have you thought out a plan to help establish an assembly in your area? What are your area's needs?

pm if necessary

To me the only thing needed are people hungry for Jesus. I am not particularly doing the things I do to start a Church so to speak. I would be doing them anyway because I am a disciple.

But if people wanted a walk or a deeper walk with Jesus and wanted my help I am certainly willing. So until that may happen I will continue doing what I am now.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by consapente89

Personally I am opposed to any kind of video in the church.

Why is it to me it seems like something God gave his people? What about people who live in areas where there are no Apostolic Churches? They can turn on Youtube right when a meeting is ongoing and worship right along with the people there. Hear the same message the members will here.

And at least in SOME cases they will have about as much "fellowship" as if they were actually there. Because I know for a fact in some percent of Churches there is no more fellowship than a greeting at the door and a goodbye on the way out.

And thats before we even get into some Churches preach more truth than others. Some Churches teach that Christ came for the rapture and resurrection 2000 years ago. How would you like to go to Church there?

There are various false doctrines taught everywhere. So it would seem that if you found a Church with MORE truth than you are currently getting on live streaming video from somewhere far away it would be a no brainer as to what one should do.