Exaggerated Churches

unitedpraise10 · #1 04-09-2015, 10:13 AM

I realize this is somewhat of a random post, but I've been thinking about this a lot lately. It seems as though social media has not only presented a way for indivuduals to exaggerate themselves as something they are not, but also churches seem to be doing the same. A few days ago I saw a post from an Apostolic church that extremely exaggerated their Easter attendance (by more than 500). I was shocked, and disapointed, simply because I knew it was impossible. It seems some pastors and people think it's important to maintain a 'one up' mentality with the church in the next town over.

With that being said, (in my opinion) when a church steps out onto the social media and or website/blog field, it's needs to be done with purpose and a mission for the furthering of the Kingdom. Social Media is a great tool to be used by the church, let's use it with class, and let's use it correctly.

Monterrey · #2 04-09-2015, 10:31 AM

Evangelistically speaking.......

That is a polite way of saying that the preacher is exaggerating the truth. Course they justify it by saying that they are just trying to raise the faith of others.

n david · #3 04-09-2015, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unitedpraise10

I realize this is somewhat of a random post, but I've been thinking about this a lot lately. It seems as though social media has not only presented a way for indivuduals to exaggerate themselves as something they are not, but also churches seem to be doing the same. A few days ago I saw a post from an Apostolic church that extremely exaggerated their Easter attendance (by more than 500). I was shocked, and disapointed, simply because I knew it was impossible. It seems some pastors and people think it's important to maintain a 'one up' mentality with the church in the next town over.

With that being said, (in my opinion) when a church steps out onto the social media and or website/blog field, it's needs to be done with purpose and a mission for the furthering of the Kingdom. Social Media is a great tool to be used by the church, let's use it with class, and let's use it correctly.

How do you know it was impossible? Were you there?

KeptByTheWord · #4 04-09-2015, 01:05 PM

I think everyone wants to "exaggerate" and stretch things a little to make themselves look better. Fishermen and hunters are notorious at this...

Lafon · #5 04-09-2015, 02:04 PM

I try never to place trust much in unsupported "rumors," especially when it comes to matter such as this, but if it were true that someone exaggerates attendance numbers (for whatever the reason), then such a deliberate act is known as LYING, pure and simple, and I would want absolutely nothing to do with it, the Pastor or even the church that did it!

Jito463 · #6 04-09-2015, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lafon

I try never to place trust much in unsupported "rumors," especially when it comes to matter such as this, but if it were true that someone exaggerates attendance numbers (for whatever the reason), then such a deliberate act is known as LYING, pure and simple, and I would want absolutely nothing to do with it, the Pastor or even the church that did it!

I was just about the post the same thing. You beat me to it.

CC1 · #7 04-09-2015, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n david

How do you know it was impossible? Were you there?

My question also. I know that in the past some churches have had astronomical Easter Sunday numbers because they have had special services at Nursing Homes, and other places they have counted and sometimes even additional services so the total number could be be greater than their sanctuary could hold.

Also some churches make a big push for kids with Esater Egg hunts, etc and could have many times their normal number of children to inflate the numbers.

n david · #8 04-09-2015, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC1

My question also. I know that in the past some churches have had astronomical Easter Sunday numbers because they have had special services at Nursing Homes, and other places they have counted and sometimes even additional services so the total number could be be greater than their sanctuary could hold.

Also some churches make a big push for kids with Esater Egg hunts, etc and could have many times their normal number of children to inflate the numbers.

I could see a church trying to get away with fudging the numbers by 50...maybe 100. But 500?!

Servant's <3 · #9 04-09-2015, 09:54 PM

I don't care if you had 500 new people or 1 new person... long as the word was preached and God was there. Why are we so worried about numbers?

Isn't 1 soul precious enough? I know it's precious enough to the God we serve. I'll take 1 person who hears and obeys over 10,000 that the seed falls amidst the rocks.

FlamingZword · #10 04-09-2015, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n david

I could see a church trying to get away with fudging the numbers by 50...maybe 100. But 500?!

It is called rounding up.
I have often created mathematical formulas that round up or round down, depending on what is needed.

mathematically it is possible to round up to 500 and not lie, you just have to tell people you are rounding, up, but do not tell them by how much.