Virtual church

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by Freeindeed

How would a lost person know where to find a house church? Someone who is desperate because of their life's circumstance looking for help can easily find a church.

I pray our churches can continue. At the same time, I'm mentally preparing for the possibility that they will not be able to.

My pastor and his wife are elderly, they have been quarantined for covid19.
We are currently renting a building and Pastor has mentioned a few times that unless the church keeps giving we can not continue to rent.
Many of our small flock are currently unemployed. Some are elderly and are not online.
We are being told that this lock down could continue in one form or another until we get a vaccine.
Online church won't cut it for the long term. I want to be mentally prepared for an alternative to life as it was.

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by Freeindeed

How would a lost person know where to find a house church? Someone who is desperate because of their life's circumstance looking for help can easily find a church.

If the first century persecuted church did it, without buildings, large gatherings, google maps, or yelp, we can do it. They grew a lot during persecution.

[Nicodemus1968]

Originally Posted by Amanah

There are two things I read recently that are concerning. I am going to try to find the links.

*Harvard produced a report that says we are going to have to practice some form of social distancing until 2022.
https://www.foxnews.com/science/soci...?cmpid=prn_msn

*Facebook has censored online streaming church due to content.
here is a link, though not the account a read recently
https://www.churchmilitant.com/news/...dia-censorship

It’s been said that some 92% of church goers are liking the new platform of the church. Think of it, they’re able to stay in their pj’s and listen to worship music, hear the preaching, and if the preaching gets too hard, we’ll then go ahead and tune to another “softer” preacher. As you stated now Amanah, they’re going to have the recorder on hearing what is being said. Why would church’s go for this platform? I’m not on social media, and I know a lot of church’s that are, my prayer is they would rethink that platform.

The Church I Pastor is Home Mission’s. It may be easier for us to stop the building meetings and go to the homes, rather than a large assembly. Yet, in my opinion, social media is not an alternative, and if your going on that platform then when they do censor your services, you better not complain.

Look what was told to Moses,
Exodus 18:17-26
And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. [18] Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
[19] Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
[20] And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
[21] Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
[22] And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
[23] If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so , then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.
[24] So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
[25] And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
[26] And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

We all know it’s easier when the church is together in a building and the Pastor is able to preach to everyone at once. Yet, right now that’s not happening in some places, instead of compromising we take the leaders in the church and put them over small groups and have house church in several homes. The Pastor instead of doing it all himself can visit each group and show his support. They can pray, sing, teach/preach all in the home.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Barb

Sir, I never said I thought you were the devil. Please do not put words in my mouth. If I misjudged you I apologize, but your post did not indicate concern for the elder, his family, the church he pastors, or the host of people whom he loved or loved and respected both he and his ministry.

You keep insisting Bro. Gerald had pre-existing conditions... did you know him personally? Have you read his medical chart and know his history? How do YOU know he had a pre-existing condition that brought on his death?

Children and young people in good health are dying as well as old folks with ailments. I wish you would lay your judgment aside until you know the FACTS.

And for the record, if you would read my post to gain clarity instead of glancing over it in order to give a response you would see that I ONLY posted of his death to make others aware as they had been praying for him per my request. To accuse me of using Pastor Gerald's death in any way is just wrong.


True, every death is not Covid related, but when the doctor treating the man says that it is the cause, I trust his training and judgment.

Once again, you are not listening to me or anyone else. You have made up your mind that the facts as you see them are indeed facts.

I'm sorry you think I am feeding the rats or clutching at pearls or being a naive nellie... I am not.

Sister, you mention that I don’t know the elder’s charts. I don’t, but this virus isn’t what people are making it out to be. What people see as good health isn’t. Obesitiy in this country isn’t taken into consideration. Some doctors don’t even look at fat percentages as a problem. Hey this elder could of been thin and slim. But, not EVERYTHING is COVID 19 related. I know you see that, and mentioned that in your postings to me. I’m trying to be adamant about the fact that our media “mainstream” and not mainstream are causing panic. In Broward we have COVID 19 ghosts all over the place. When it isn’t even there. Yes, there are legit cases, but we are being sold a bill of goods. The elder? His family? He passed, he went to be with the Lord. That is totally a separate issue from what we are discussing here. Wether he died from natural causes or was eaten by cannibals in Borneo. Both would be sad, both would be the cause of the loss. But what is interesting is that we are getting upset over the cause of death. Because afterall that is the focus of the day. We have had elders who’ve died, we prayed for their family with heartfelt condlances. But their cause of death wasn’t important. Now it is? Sister, you aren’t funded by George Soros. But, this is what hysteria does to people. We are told that non Jewish Germans and Poles captured then marched off Jews to the camps. Sadly it was German Jews and Polish Jews who helped the powers at the time herd the Jews to incarceration.

The Apostle Paul had his troubles not just from Religious leadership of the Judeans. But from what he called false brethren.
We need so badly not to take the bait, not to accept everything being piped to us through the sewer pipe of the media. But, when we hear of a sick and dying saint now, we immediately go COVID 19?

You pearl clutching? I’m speaking in general with all those who are repeating the tune of the Pied Piper. Sister I appreciate you, and I’m sorry you think I’m unfeeling towards families of the dead. I’m not going to apologize for pointing out that we are being conditioned like the proverbial Pavlov’s Dog, and right now the foam is getting pretty thick.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by Barb

Sir, I never said I thought you were the devil. Please do not put words in my mouth. If I misjudged you I apologize, but your post did not indicate concern for the elder, his family, the church he pastors, or the host of people whom he loved or loved and respected both he and his ministry.

You keep insisting Bro. Gerald had pre-existing conditions... did you know him personally? Have you read his medical chart and know his history? How do YOU know he had a pre-existing condition that brought on his death?

Children and young people in good health are dying as well as old folks with ailments. I wish you would lay your judgment aside until you know the FACTS.

And for the record, if you would read my post to gain clarity instead of glancing over it in order to give a response you would see that I ONLY posted of his death to make others aware as they had been praying for him per my request. To accuse me of using Pastor Gerald's death in any way is just wrong.


True, every death is not Covid related, but when the doctor treating the man says that it is the cause, I trust his training and judgment.

Once again, you are not listening to me or anyone else. You have made up your mind that the facts as you see them are indeed facts.

I'm sorry you think I am feeding the rats or clutching at pearls or being a naive nellie... I am not.

Yes we know you are passive aggressive. Act innocent but try to chop down anyone that disagrees with you in a nice way. This is the norm for your posting..... you want to claim “ facts “ yet you have no facts of “ children “ dying in the United States. I would be surprised if there was even 20 minors that have died but you claim “ facts “ that they are dying. No proof, no facts but what you say is the gospel because like every other post you make, you know everything.

[OnTheFritz]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Read this one post.

Fritz, you have no life.

This is what narcissism looks like, folks. I drop by occasionally and make a comment, while this guy seems to do nothing but participate in this forum. I have no life, he says.

I single you out because you are everywhere in every thread doing your thing. Evangelism must be your side hustle.

And to be fair, some of the other people that I could comment on are so far gone that I don't even bother. Esaias, for instance, is already on another planet. I think it's nice that you all keep him around though. It is entertaining.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

Yes we know you are passive aggressive. Act innocent but try to chop down anyone that disagrees with you in a nice way. This is the norm for your posting..... you want to claim “ facts “ yet you have no facts of “ children “ dying in the United States. I would be surprised if there was even 20 minors that have died but you claim “ facts “ that they are dying. No proof, no facts but what you say is the gospel because like every other post you make, you know everything.

You sir, do NOT have a clue about me! I do not try to chop anyone down who disagrees with me... this is absurd!

Bro. Beni and I have a strong misunderstanding... neither one of us is getting what the other is saying.

But you want facts about children... here's one from my home state...

https://www.mlive.com/coronavirus/20...edotcom_sf&utm

I'm sorry, truly sorry if you think I am a meanie... you are wrong.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by Barb

You sir, do NOT have a clue about me! I do not try to chop anyone down who disagrees with me... this is absurd!

Bro. Beni and I have a strong misunderstanding... neither one of us is getting what the other is saying.

But you want facts about children... here's one from my home state...

https://www.mlive.com/coronavirus/20...edotcom_sf&utm

I'm sorry, truly sorry if you think I am a meanie... you are wrong.

So one child on May 30th??!! That’s news because it’s rare. I read where a cat got it too so should I start saying that there is cats all over getting the virus??? It’s rare for kids to die from this... I specifically didn’t ask you for “ 1 example “ because just like you way over here in California I read about that same exact story... why??? Because it’s rare and the media is pushing us to think that.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by OnTheFritz

This is what narcissism looks like, folks. I drop by occasionally and make a comment, while this guy seems to do nothing but participate in this forum. I have no life, he says.

I single you out because you are everywhere in every thread doing your thing. Evangelism must be your side hustle.

And to be fair, some of the other people that I could comment on are so far gone that I don't even bother. Esaias, for instance, is already on another planet. I think it's nice that you all keep him around though. It is entertaining.

Esaias? Interesting how you sectioned him out. Fritz, you have no life. Because you make claims about others but can’t seem to get them out of your mind. You say you don’t post here much and that the forum gets your attention rarely. But you lurk here. You visit and read away. Fritz, you are the person you accuse others of being. You would never stand toe to toe with anyone, and give them the pablum you puke here. So, keep posting, you always reveal how much of a sociopath you really are. Get a life, because you don’t have one. Never will.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

So one child on May 30th??!! That’s news because it’s rare. I read where a cat got it too so should I start saying that there is cats all over getting the virus??? It’s rare for kids to die from this... I specifically didn’t ask you for “ 1 example “ because just like you way over here in California I read about that same exact story... why??? Because it’s rare and the media is pushing us to think that.

What is your problem with me?

Is it because I am a woman with an opinion?

Several days ago I answered someone's post, don't recall who... Bro. Beni had been on vacation or whatever, came back, and we were in discussion.

So what is the deal?

People disagree all the time... that's life.

Do I feel he was missing the point all over the place of where I was going, and making light of the death of an elder...yes, but I said so TO him, hopefully without being condescending or disrespectful. If I was, Bro. Beni, I apologize.

See, that's the problem with internet discussion. Because we are behind a monitor or phone we feel free to make things personal. Bro. Ben and I have not said anything online we wouldn't say if he and his wife were sitting across the table at my favorite diner... if it were open.

Your posts to me have been personal... so what's your beef with me?

If I'm bugging you because I am disagreeing with you, ignore me. But let's try and keep it civil... please.