A question for pastors

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by Harmony

I wonder if it is the same with all organizations.

Um no. Pentecostals are strange this way. It's been a rude culture shock for me. BIG TIME.

I grew up where most everyone fellowshipped most everyone. Across organizational boundaries, in between churches within, everything. If you were Christian, you hung out. Sure, diff people, diff convictions, diff groups they'd spend more time with.

I'll also say I'm trying not to put all Pentecostals into this box. I've met too many of y'all here who don't live this way. It's hard though when it's what I see here and I've felt some of the stinging barbs and likely will feel more before it's all said and done. This exclusivism is definitely something I don't understand, and frankly hope I never get to a point where it's comfortable for me. It's not right.

[jrLA]

Well, first of all, it is encourging that other Pentecostals in the same town actually speak! That is accomplishment number one!

Now, I don't believe it is right to invite a member of another church to your church unless it is for something special or they do not have service. I always taught our people this. I feel one should be faithful to ones own church unless the service is on an off night or something special is happening. Now, when I say something special, I don't mean if they are having a concert and you are having church on the same night that because they are having something 'special', you should be qualified to go! I mean off nights or such as that.

We live in a town where there is 3 UPC churches within 1 mile of each other. One is the 'Big' church and the other is just a bit smaller and the third is the smallest (although not small). We have this issue--alot!

[Joelel]

Originally Posted by Consapostolic1

I've noticed that in the city of which I currently make my abode, that whenever I meet a fellow pentecostal from a neighboring church and I let them know that I attend a pentecostal church they always invite me to their church. In my church we're taught not to do this unless it's for a special event or something of that nature. Do you as a pastor/preacher teach that it's wrong for your saints to encourage other local pastor's saints to come visit your church?

1 Cor.1:10] Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
[11] For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
[12] Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
[13] Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

[Tech]

Originally Posted by Consapostolic1

I've noticed that in the city of which I currently make my abode, that whenever I meet a fellow pentecostal from a neighboring church and I let them know that I attend a pentecostal church they always invite me to their church. In my church we're taught not to do this unless it's for a special event or something of that nature. Do you as a pastor/preacher teach that it's wrong for your saints to encourage other local pastor's saints to come visit your church?

I have always found this disturbing.I wonder how a person can claim to be full of Gods spirit, but void of Love and compassion for a brother or sister.

1 John
[4] He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
[5] But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
[6] He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
[7] Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
[8] Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
[9] He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
[10] He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
[11] But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

[Revelationist]

I think when you fail to see, that it's one big body, it begins to fall under the guidline of a cult... I've got a neice caught up in this type of situation right now. She can't even see her family without permission.

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

Hey newbie...and friend. I must warn you on your comparison of anything apostolic to catholicism, people have been banned around here, seriously. Just a tip from a dum monkey

Are you serious???

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by Revelationist

I think when you fail to see, that it's one big body, it begins to fall under the guidline of a cult... I've got a neice caught up in this type of situation right now. She can't even see her family without permission.

She needs to be ministered to then.

[Tech]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

Hey newbie...and friend. I must warn you on your comparison of anything apostolic to catholicism, people have been banned around here, seriously. Just a tip from a dum monkey

Maybe they just need to spend some time researching church history.Catholicism has alot to do with the modern church's rituals.

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by Tech

Maybe they just need to spend some time researching church history.Catholicism has alot to do with the modern church's rituals.

Yes, here are excellent books on this subject and even goes deeper than Catholicism.

'Pagan Christianity' by Frank Viola and "Who is Your Covering' by Mr. Viola.