Do you think Two Church services a month is enough?

[OGIA]

Originally Posted by Michlow

And that is why we need balance! We need to do both! As James said "15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. "

We need both!

Michlow, I'm not trying to be contentious, but did you know WHO James is writing that letter to? It's to saved people, and their "brothers and sisters" are other saved people. I say that all the while recognizing the necessity to reach the hungry, poor, destitute, sick, etc who are NOT "saved". I do agree there must be balance, but just wanted to make sure we don't take scripture out of context.

But I honestly believe that you need to love people UNCONDITIONALLY beyond just wanting to save them. You need to love them whether or not they ever accept the Gospel. Some people are hardened and bitter and it may take years or they may never change. It is just as much a sin to ignore their spiritual needs as it is to ignore their physical needs. That's why we need to do both.

You won't get one argument from me about this!!

I'm learning just how long a process this is with some people, and I've really only scratched the surface! There is a population that doesn't CARE about their soul at that moment; they are starving and only want to know what you've got to feed them! I certainly can't blame them. And this is exactly what the Lord encountered, isn't it? He fed thousands, but not many of them ended up following Him. He knew and even said they were following Him for the food.

Originally Posted by Michlow

I think so many are well-meaning, but confused. They truly have a love for and want to save the lost. But they seem to think that they need to get them saved first, and then they will address their physical needs. So they spend all their effort on the vehicle they believe will usher in that salvation...the church (organization). The get involved in building the church, the programs, the "ministries". And they do it with good intentions, but I just believe they are missing something.

Again, I agree; but please don't use this as a reason not to find a local body to fellowship with. As Sister Murphy said, that is what the gifts of the Spirit and the 5-fold ministry is for.

The group I've come into is STARVING spiritually, because all they've been doing is feeding (physically and emotionally) the needs of others for years now. They are weary and discouraged. They don't have the edification (food) a body of believers can and is meant to provided to them, even IF they are not born again (I expect they will be, though! ). They still need that spiritual energy that only comes from a local body through the Holy Ghost.