Comments for Growing Your Church

Comment on Are We Stealing Sheep To Fuel Church Growth? by Kevin Collings

Kevin Collings — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 19:06:44 +0000

As a Catholic I know one thing-that without Christ NONE of us are Good enough to make it to heaven. It is through his grace and sacrifice on the cross that each and everyone of us will be granted eternal salvation. Like everything else in life we must try to live a Christian life each and every day of the week. Not just on Sunday and giving large amounts of money to the Church is not an instant pass to heaven.
Pastor Wine it would be good for you to know that my brothers in Latin America are espousing what the Church teaches. We are not a sola scripture Church. We do believe that each and every Christian must live out what Christ calls us to do each and every day.

Comment on Relevant Christian Ministry In Changing Times by pastor george john

pastor george john — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:04:31 +0000

Greeting in the Name of Jesus Christ!

Dear Brother and Sisters In Christ, Samoos Bible Care Ministries Pakistan (SBCMP) is a non profit, nondenominational Christian ministry working for the spread of the Gospel in Pakistan. We are working for this mission since the year 2004. In a period of only few years we have done an extensive work to send the gospel out in Pakistan. We live in a very backward and underdeveloped area of Punjab where people are illiterate, not only in the formal and non formal education, but as well as in the knowledge of the Word of God.

To get the Gospel to the people who need it, we have Sunday prayers. Also, we organize open-air prayer meetings in the surrounding areas where no pastor or evangelists are going with the Gospel. This way we are reaching those people who have never heard the Bible before.

Our vision is to reach the unreached millions of Pakistan through gospel crusades, evangelistic out-reaches, literature out-reach, mass media, native missionaries; and also through planting a dynamic church in every out-reached community – along with the least-evangelized areas of Pakistan that do not have a gospel witness.

Out Activities are: Crusades, Healing Meetings, Revival Meetings, Leadership Seminars, Women Prayer Meeting, Widows Care, Orphans Care Sunday School, Outreach Evangelism, Free Bibles Distribution and helping natural disaster effected people etc.

Here, I would like to explain some facts about Pakistan. Pakistan is the third largest Islamic nation in the world, with more than 150 million souls. 97.2 % of the population is Muslim. Christians make up just 2 % of the population; and these people suffer more than any other ethnic or religious group. Pakistan is in the very heart of the 10/40 Window – the geographic area where 95 % of the un-reached people of the world live. Between India and Afghanistan, Pakistan is a strategic nation. Since the September 11 attack, Pakistan has become the focus of the world. Pakistan is a country with different cultures, languages, people groups, economical backgrounds, etc. Pakistan has a desperate need for assistance in evangelism, Church planting, literature outreach, leadership training, and strengthening of the local Church. 97 % of the newly planted churches and new believers need a place to worship and fellowship. A shortage of Bibles, Gospel literature, faith-based books, leaders, and training material makes it difficult for Christians in Pakistan to grow in their faith and to sustain their relationship with Christ. More than half of Pakistan’s population has never heard about Jesus. Pakistan is an Islamic country, ruled by Islamic law. Christians of Pakistan make quite a sizable population, with more than 10 million souls. But they have to face religious discrimination, religious intolerance, oppression, social subjugation, and economic deprivation. Therefore, Christians are generally less privileged and backward. A growing body of believers continually struggles under government persecution; because it is officially illegal for Muslims to convert to Christianity. Since the country’s blasphemy law was created in 1991, an offended Muslim can accuse a Christian on almost any grounds. False and arbitrary accusations of speaking against the Quran or Muhammad are a common practice by Muslim fundamentalists. In the persecuted environment of Pakistan, 90% of the churches are not very well established. The majority of existing churches need buildings for fellowship, as they meet in open air. Native missionaries make great sacrifices for the sake of the Gospel. Many times, they go without food; and they travel hundreds of kilometers just to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ. In some parts of Pakistan, Muslim fundamentalists attack the missionaries, and they are forced to put off their work as well as their faith. Please keep them in your prayers as they seek to faithfully serve the Lord under great hardship.

Islam may be the greatest challenge before the Church in this Century; but it may also represent the largest potential harvest. There are one and one-quarter billion Muslims in the world; nearly 25% of the world population. Most have never heard the Gospel of God’s grace in Christ Jesus. Instead, they follow a religion based entirely on works and judgment. If we don’t bring the grace of God into that world, the hostilities of this decade will only grow and intensify. Politics will not resolve this issue; only the Church has the answer.

This is harvest time, and the fields are truly white and ready for harvest. Let’s take the message of God’s saving and healing power to the ends of the earth, and bring in a mighty harvest of souls for God’s glory. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of millions for eternity.

We would like to request that you take part in this greatest harvest of any Islamic nation. It will be a blessing for us to partner with you for His glory. Please pray for this Godly vision and join hands with us for national transformation, under the power of the Holy Spirit.

So, my dear co-worker in Christ –so please join us with the hands together and lift up in your prayer to keep spread the word of God in Pakistan.

May the blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ and the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and forever more!

Your Fellow Worker in Pakistan.

Pastor George John.

Comment on 5 Reasons Why Christians Should Tithe by mark

mark — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:29:47 +0000

concerning davids comment to russ. people like to use this text to say that jesus commanded tithing. they think that because this passage is in matthew that it seems to fall under the heading of new testements. but hebrews 9:16-18 says that where there is a testement there must also be the death of the testor,for a testement is in force AFTER men are dead since it has no power at all while the testor lives. therfore since jesus had not yet died it is only logical that he was talking about the old covent law,which he himself was under, remember he came to fulfill the law. if one wishes to tithe thats between him and the Lord, but dont say that it is new testement law, see also acts 15

Comment on Are We Stealing Sheep To Fuel Church Growth? by Phillip Wine

Phillip Wine — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:00:02 +0000

Interesting article.
Some things I do have a different thought on though. I am a pastor of a small church. My goal is to reach the lost. I have a firm belief that if a person is attending a church that preaches the gospel and believes that the only way to salvation is through a relation with Jesus Christ than I do not seek to have them in my church.

What you say about all the growth of the pentecostal churches in Latin America is wrong though. I have been there. First of all, most of the “catholics” there do not believe that they are going to heaven solely based on what Jesus did. They think that they might make it if they are good enought and do the right things. Salvation is not based on works but faith in Christ. So if a pentecostal or other evangelical church has growth because a catholic person found Christ, that church is seeking the lost.

Much of the growth also does actually come from unchurched people. I have been there doing street ministry to kids in the street.

From both sources, the LOST are being found.

Comment on 5 Reasons Why Christians Should Tithe by gerry

gerry — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:57:16 +0000

the main reason we pay tithes is that as citizens of the kingdom of Heaven we can preach the gospel all around the world and to take care of those that are least fortunate than us when we give to the poor we lend to the lord the tithe is just a word that means (taxes) paying 10% tax on everything we have thats the only way the kingdom will grow i live in canada i do not have a say how much tax i pay or gets deducted from my paycheck christians accept this practice to pay there taxes to the government but to with hold them from God i do not understand i do believe that those that do not do not have the revelation of it
imagine standing before jesus when he says DEPART FROM ME I DO NOT KNOW YOU AND YOU SAY WHAT DID I MISS HE SAYS YOU FORGOT TO TITHE and you never see him again

Comment on 5 Reasons Why Christians Should Tithe by gerry

gerry — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:27:42 +0000

i think the problem people see in tithing is that it is mentioned more in the old testament . Tithing in the old testment there were three tithes , no one mentions that u could borrow from your tithes but who must pay it back 5 percent interest . or if u had a lots of crops that would not make the trip u would exchange them for money and buy what ever your hearts desire was . abraham giving to melchezidek was an example giving to christ its an everlasting covent , why we do not see tithing in the new covenant is because its covered in the old testament and tithing is before the law .

when jesus was on the earth he was talking to old covenant people the new covenant does not start till the holy spirit came to the upper room .

Comment on Are We Stealing Sheep To Fuel Church Growth? by Gospel bearer

Gospel bearer — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 02:10:03 +0000

All I can say is…Your response is EXCELLENT! Inspired by the Holy Spirit!

Comment on Are We Stealing Sheep To Fuel Church Growth? by Stephen L

Stephen L — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 23:51:05 +0000

Hi Marvia. I have recently left my church of 7 years. In the best possible way, I expressed my frustration with the “christian fellowship” label but experiencing growing pentecostal type practises – tongues, encouraging us to do miracles, hyped worship etc. It didnt go down too well. I guess I felt misled and disappointed. But no-one seemed too bothered about pursuing me, not that I needed that, but where’s the love? I miss fellowship but it’s different now, I don’t really belong in any church I know, a bit frustrating sometimes. anyway, you take care and God bless you. Stephen.

Comment on Are We Stealing Sheep To Fuel Church Growth? by Tim Kurtz

Tim Kurtz — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 01:11:25 +0000

The ‘performance based hype church’ has at its core a reliance upon exciting the flesh. We subtly embrace accommodation over regeneration. Emotionalism and sensationalism have been falsely labeled as the anointing. Therefore we see people migrating from ‘church to church’ looking for the latest fad to satisfy the flesh. This is not new. The churches today are filled with modern day Athenians looking for the latest religious fad (Acts 17:21). To make things worse, manipulative leaders put out the bait to draw the weak. The weak in turn gobble up the bait and believe they are ‘being fed’. In the end no souls are won to Jesus Christ.
When we started our work nearly 20 years ago, the Lord clearly instructed me not to invite anyone to join us. EVERYONE who is a part of our church is there because they believe God sent them there. If they believe God said to leave, then they are free to do so. What is sad is that very few leave to expand the Kingdom. They simply go join another church they believe is more exciting. In nearly 20 years, of all the people who have left our work, less than 5 did so correctly. Most leave mad or looking for a platform to perform their ministry, or for the classic reason “I’m not being fed”.
Yes, people have come to our church disgruntled and complaining about the last place they left. I have learned that whatever complaints they have about the last place is what they expect me to satisfy. If they claim they weren’t being fed in their last church – then they expect me to give them what they want to hear. That usually ends when I confront their sin. If they claim their ministry wasn’t recognized in their last church – that means they expect me to give them a platform in our church. If they claim their last pastor was too controlling, that means they don’t want any guidelines from me.
The reason few pastors deal with this is because most are looking for ways to survive. They guise filling the pews with ‘saving souls’. That is why they eagerly accept transplants rather than converts. They know the more people they can attract, the more financially solvent their church will be. More money means they can produce bigger programs and give them the ability to erect larger buildings. These pastors know that people in the pews add to the perks of the pastoral system – a system that is not even found in scripture. In other words – to many pastors, people equate to money.
I love the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Not the buildings, but the ‘called out assembly’ that Jesus purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28). Whenever Jesus is not enough to satisfy, then the search for the fleshly exciting will take its place. The church is commanded to be fruitful, to multiply, to replenish the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28). I am committed to the values and structure of the church seen in the New Testament scriptures. A church where souls are added daily (Acts 2:47). A church where the Word of God is demonstrated (Acts 12:24; 19:20). And above all, a church that the gates of hell has no capacity against it (Matthew 16:18).

Comment on 5 Reasons Why Christians Should Tithe by Wes Gibbs

Wes Gibbs — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 23:12:15 +0000

Its interesting, Marvia, that the word, “tithe”, only appears in the title. I am against the use of the term, as it clouds the issue of “giving”. There is no scriptural basis/evidence for Christian Tithing.[At least I cannot find it!!]. I am totally ashamed of some preachers/pastors/ministers etc insist that every member of the church give 10% of their gross income to the church – yet, some of these ministers “own” plenty homes, exotic cars, and much more. And, at the same time, some of the “tithers” in the church are struggling to “make ends meet”. A disgrace!! I take the view of John Wesley – “Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can”. We also need to feed the thousands in our community – and a little bread and fish is all we need – We just need to offer it to Christ and give thanks.