Quote:
Originally Posted by committed
Wouldn't it be great if the AFF and all other Pentecostal forums were a place of encouragement and uplifting words - sharing GOOD reports and testimonies of what God is doing - instead of trying to find something negative to say about one another?
I would say that the church isn't doing too bad, having grown from just a handful one year ago, to an average of 134 members. The Pastor does have a vision that so far has been right on target. Unfortunately, Sibling, you happened to visit on a Thanksgiving week-end, when there were several members out of town, as well as some viruses going around.
The message on tithing is not a norm for him. He doesn't dwell on finances, but if the Lord lays it on his heart to preach it - it doesn't bother me because I believe it. By way of clarification, you missed part of what he said about tithing. He's not going to take it all and live on it. It's for the MINISTRY - which includes assistants, music ministers, all those who are totally involved in the ministry of the church.
This past Sunday there was almost a full house (although the outreach had to be postponed because of the rain Friday and Saturday) - and an AWESOME service! The presence of the Lord was strong. Wish you had been there.
Don't be too sceptical. Do you believe there were 3,000 added to the church in the book of Acts? Why can't 1,000 be added today? If God made a promise, He will keep it - He won't let anyone down.
|
Suppose it hadn't been me but someone off the street that had heard that message? I was shocked by it, in large part because I have heard tithing sermons before that turned into a general altar call and they worked. This did not. Seriously, it was very uncomfortable to sit there through a sermon that was *entirely and completely* geared towards tithing and directed only to the members of the church. I listened--I was waiting--for standard apostolic preaching including
Acts 2 and I didn't hear a word of it.
As for cynicism--maybe it's all those years of education (including the process to become a lawyer) but "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." I don't consider that cynicism, but realism. I've been disappointed by more than a few grand visions that actually were more grandiose than based in reality.
*shrug* To each his own. It was just not a good experience for me.
SR
P.S. I am no longer a lawyer; I came to my senses.
Threaded Mode
