Quote:
Originally Posted by Lacey
AYR, I see nothing wrong with having a nice building to gather together with like saints to worship God. I see nothing wrong with having instruments or sound systems either.
There is also nothing wrong with locking up the building so that thieves can't come in steal.
Just because we have/do these things does not make us any less concerned with people's souls. I know many churches, including the one I attend, do quite alot in outreach and are winning souls.
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Lacey, I see nothing wrong in having a church building, sound systems or all the high tech machinery either. But Michael the Disciple asked in another thread why cannot churches leave their doors open so that saints can come in during the day to pray? I am assuming that is what prompted this thread.
The answer was in short..so that thieves cannot come in and steal what took money to buy.
So I am merely wondering here, what is more important? The equipment in a building or the sanctity of a church auditorium where people feel they can come in to pray and touch God? I cannot help but think about what Jesus said about not storing up material things for thieves to come in to steal....
Personally, I feel I can touch God in my own home closet. And I do not need a church building to have worship to my Savior. So...I really do not have a dog in this argument. I am however, wondering these things. I hope that I am allowed to post my wondering?
That is not saying that all churches that have high technological equipment do not do outreach and soul winning, many do. However, I know some high tech churches that do not reach out to others in my region. All I am saying is that much can also be accomplished for Christ without all the equipment. If you lock up a church so that nobody steals the equipment contained in it, then what are you protecting more? Material goods or the ability for a building to be a shelter to allow prayer to reach souls?
When I was seeking God more than 30 years ago, I went to the local UPC church and wanted to talk to somebody. Nobody answered the phone. Nobody answered my knock on the door. Nobody was available. I felt shut out.
I did not understand this because my Catholic church growing up was always open. I could walk in there to have prayer anytime. When I worked at the hospital, the chapel was always open for personal prayer. The pastor lived on the premises and was always available for ministering, even if they did not teach the truth.
That being said, God sent a witness to me that espoused Oneness beliefs. I just am of the mind that it doesn't take the fancy stuff to worship God and it isn't worth the worry over it being stolen if one does not have it to begin with. For those who will
only attend a church that has these things, then what are they really worshipping? Does God have more respect for the the Crystal Cathedrals of the world over the saints who would meet in plain buildings and sing together praises without musical equipment?
But for those who would rather keep their church doors locked, ok. I will bow out. I do not really want to debate "to lock or not to lock". I just wanted to show another perspective.
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