notes from lisa...

Recently, I was sharing with a friend. He sent me a note that asked the question, "Why would people leave churches that teach the Truth, only to go to churches that don't 'have the fulness of the Gospel' or to Islam, etc." Those who responded, thought the idea was absolutely ridiculous--and frankly, I do, too. The difference between myself and those who responded was, I understand HOW it happens. Not only do I understand HOW it happens, but I don't blame those who leave--at least, not entirely. I admit, there are people who leave churches for silly, immature reasons. Sure, some people will never grasp the importance of learning that "staying and praying" through most difficulties builds spiritual character. True, some folks are going to run from church to church every time things don't go their way--it happens. These are not the people I am referring to, though. In fact, those who leave aren't the focus, here. Why are the doors of our churche...

One of the most frequently quoted passages of Scripture is, you guessed it! 1 Corinthians 13th Chapter--we hear it at weddings, people write in books--Christian and non-Christian, it sounds lovely, doesn't it? It really does--Charity--or in our everyday, English language, Love. That's the subject of the chapter. There's a problem though. As beautiful as it sounds, many of us seem to miss the real crux of the message. For instance, those first two verses are a slap in the face for many--if honest. Listen to this translation from the Amplified Bible: "If I can speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a NOISY GONG or a CLANGING CYMBAL. And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so ...

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him . For ALL that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world . And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof : but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." 1 John 2:15-17 (KJV) The Amplified Bible states it this way:"Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-- the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things]--these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires...

In this 21st Century, when we are doing everything in a new and different way--seemingly, moment by moment, the church, too, has seen some changes. Churches used to be the place where "everybody knew your name"; now, though with the advent of the Mega-Church, you may not know if the person you are seated next to , is even a member of that assembly or not. I think Church growth is a wonderful thing--propagation of the faith is our responsibility as Christians, but have our methods gone awry? How does the Mega-Church fit with the requirements of the Church, laid out in Scripture? Whose purpose does the Mega-Church serve? Is there a better way? I am going to make a statement that many will disagree with--but here goes. I think Mega-Churches, primarily serve Mega-Preachers. In a church that has thousands of members, how can one pastor serve all of them equally--and if the answer is, to delegate to under-shepherds, then why not train these men (and women) when they come into...