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The reports are everywhere now about the declining numbers of church members and baptisms – especially among Southern Baptists; so much so that church leaders address it at almost every opportunity as if attempting to somehow spark a zeal in remaining members like a coach might do in the locker room of a losing team at halftime.
Everyone is trying to figure out what’s wrong.
This might come as a shock to many, but I would suggest that the answer here might just be nothing is wrong – that those declining numbers that are troubling the pulpits of American churches right now may well be God’s will being carried out by His own being called out of a growing apostasy flourishing within them.
Entire article here: Paul Proctor -- Are Christians Driving Church Numbers Down? (http://www.newswithviews.com/PaulProctor/proctor178.htm - broken link)
The problem is the touchy feely feel good churches with their false gospels tickling the ears of those who want a simblance of righteousness without having to give up their sin.
I think that as more sects of Christianity push their radical fundamentalism on the country, logically, their numbers will go down, unless we see a huge decline in education in the coming years. In my city, progressive, mainline churchs (mine included) are gaining members. Maybe people prefer a positive message and preaching love rather than end-of-the-world, fear, and divisive messages.
I think that as more sects of Christianity push their radical fundamentalism on the country, logically, their numbers will go down, unless we see a huge decline in education in the coming years. In my city, progressive, mainline churchs (mine included) are gaining members. Maybe people prefer a positive message and preaching love rather than end-of-the-world, fear, and divisive messages.
That is exactly what they prefer because it is ear-tickling. The cross and Gospel is divisive as Jesus preached it, and this scares them. It is to their own detriment. Church is not about making you feel good and all the touchy feely stuff...it's about preaching the Gospel message and learning how to be disciples of Christ.
, mainline churchs (mine included) are gaining members. Maybe people prefer a positive message and preaching love
Interesting;
Progressive actually means liberal.
Mainline actually means non Biblical.
Possitive Message actually means a new gospel.
Love actually mean hate.
When you go to a doctor would you prefer the doctor just tells you everything is fine without even examining you or would you prefer the doctor examine you and if anything is wrong tell you and if possible offer a cure?
That is exactly what they prefer because it is ear-tickling. The cross and Gospel is divisive as Jesus preached it, and this scares them. It is to their own detriment. Church is not about making you feel good and all the touchy feely stuff...it's about preaching the Gospel message and learning how to be disciples of Christ.
We'll have to disagree on that then. I don't believe in fire, brimstone, fundamentalism, hate, divisiveness - if that's your thing and it makes you feel like you know it all and will be one of very few in heaven, then more power to you.
Progressive actually means liberal.
Mainline actually means non Biblical.
Possitive Message actually means a new gospel.
Love actually mean hate.
When you go to a doctor would you prefer the doctor just tells you everything is fine without even examining you or would you prefer the doctor examine you and if anything is wrong tell you and if possible offer a cure?
I don't believe in your "cure". I wouldn't go to a witch doctor to cure me, or a faith healer. You think you're medicine is going to heal me. I think you're a snakeoil salesman/quack.
If I get sent to hell for living a life rooted in love capable of elevating me above any desire to "sin", I certainly don't want anything to do with a heaven that would condemn that.
Has nothing to do with touchy-feely or feeling good. It's simply what works best.
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