Big Business

I am afraid that church has become big business. Oh, I know that this is not news to most of you but I felt that I needed to add my opinion to the mix.

It is amazing that we (Christians) have allowed the mindsets of the world to influence and conjole us into the business frame of mind in reference to how we "do" church. Let me explain.

Instead of allowing God to bring the increase we do our best to do that for Him. Who needs the power of the Holy Spirit when we have high attendance day, Friend Day, Biker Sunday, Youth sunday, Homecoming and Revival, and etc. We can go and "enroll" people in our Sunday School class at the local Wal-Mart. (Yes, I have seen it done and heard preachers encourage their people to go to Wal-Mart and coerce folks and sign them up.) This is just wrong. We are doing nothing more than making liars out of them. They, in most cases, are saying what you want to hear so that you will leave them alone.

Remember, God does not need you to work for Him. He is self-sufficient and does not need anything. He allows us to serve Him by our work.

Here are some other ideas on the business of church...

Maybe I can sell you some sermons. You know, bundle all of my sermons up and sell them. They even come with the anointing that God had given me when I preached them.

If you allow me to I will come to your church and show you how to turn your meager 50 people on Sunday into 5000 in one week. Of course, there is a nominal fee for me to teach my tricks.

If you bring 10 friends with you to church this week we will turn the baptistry into a mud wrestling pit for the following week's service.

Also, we have turned our baptistry into a firetruck for our youngsters. Just get them to say "yes" to Jesus and they get to take a trip into the firetruck.

This Tuesday night we will be going out and visting people in the community. We will be using the "TWIST" program. This program is simple. You just visit with the people and tell them about Jesus. If they say no, change the way you shared Christ and do it again. If they still say no grab their arm and twist it behind their back. They WILL want to be saved then. This brings amazing results.

Also, we have a "Hot" program for little children. The gist of it is you invite all the children up to the front of church before your sermon. You then proceed to tell that about Hell and how hot it is. The scare factor is crucial here. You have to be dramatic so as to get the desired result. Afterwards, start counting how many want to get saved.

Another great one is the hand raiser. Forget asking anyone to stand up for Christ, just ask them at invitation time to raise their hand. Does "with every head bowed and every eye closed" ring a bell? How about "Yes, I see that hand and that hand..."?

And we must not forget the goldie oldie. If, during invitation time no "movement" is happening, ask folks to come and re-dedicate their lives to the Lord. Don't worry about rededication not being in the Bible, they will never know. Remember, generate movement at any cost. Besides, God needs a little help sometimes.

In the next post, I will elaborate how I know these techniques are true.

Church is big business you know.

Quote of the Day

"When sin is your burden, Christ will be your delight."
--Thomas Watson

A Book of Deliverance and Honesty

Some time ago I came upon a site that really intrigued me. It is a ministry that deals with "Christians" and "churches" who have compromised their beliefs to embrace the sin of homosexuality.

The gentleman who runs that site is named D.L. Foster. He was saved and delivered from this sin and wrote a book about his journey. I have to admit. I have not seen nor read anything so upfront and honest as this book. I do encourage you to read and admire the frankness of this man of God.

Are You Going To Church Today?

I hope everyone who reads this goes to church today or is planning on going to church today. I know that some can't for a plethora of reasons. The ones I am hitting on are the ones who can go but choose not to go for a plethora of reasons.

The way I look at it is I cannot afford not to go. I need to learn from God's Word. I need to see how my brothers and sisters in Christ are doing so I can minister to them if possible. I need their ministering in my life also. I also realize that we all need this one word; accountability.

So wake up you sleepy head. From the words of Keith Green's song "Asleep in the Light"... "Jesus rose from the dead and YOU...you can't even get out of bed."

MANLINESS

What is manliness? How are men supposed to act nowadays verses yester-year? I have from time to time enjoyed reading The Art of Manliness' site. I like reading about the way things used to be and how a gentleman should act. To me, those topics and many like them are gone. No one seems to care how a husband should treat his wife. Well, you know what? He should!!!


Think about it. Where in the world are you going to have a refreshing article on "Manly Smells" like you would here.


To me, this is a site that celebrates manhood. I think that is good and that men should NEVER cower or be made to feel inferior. If you are a man, God has made you that way, so be happy about and celebrate the differences.


Most of us will admit that it is great to see a "Man's Man." We respect that air that is given off when we see real men like

For those of you who don't know who these men are, can someone name them for me?

I say all of this to say...Be happy to be a man. Act like a gentleman, speak like a gentleman, and by all mean; show ladies that you are a gentleman.

LADIES, CHIVALRY IS NOT DEAD!!!

Quote of the Day

"Any person is a dispensationalist who trusts the blood of Christ rather than bringing an animal sacrifice, and any person is a dispensationalist who observes the first day of the week rather than the seventh."

Lewis Sperry Chafer

A Dirty Mouth

I was reading Defending.Contending. today and thought about this idea of a "dirty mouth."

Should people like Mr. Driscoll (who I know many like) ease up or clean up his "act" or is he just being relevant enough to reach his audience?

And, if he is just being relevant enough to reach his audience, has his relevance gone too far?

I am reminded of...

"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." (John 17:14)

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27)