Date:   7/6/2005 4:20:40 PM ( 19 y ago)
Popularity:   message viewed 1461 times
URL:   http://www.curezone.org/blogs/c/fm.asp?i=989343

Like any other movements populated by humans, it's a double-edged sword. There's no guarantee that a given church, house or not, is doctrinally sound. One of the favorite slams against house churches is that they can easily become "cults", but that all depends on the caliber of membership. Either they know the Word or they get deceived, and if they don't know it they must find trustworthy leaders who do. On the other hand, big churches cannot be summarily dismissed as "seeker friendly" based solely on size or worship style. It really does take serious discernment on the part of every believer.

That said, if/when I jump the "seeker" ship, I have plenty of worthy receipients in line for giving. I'd much rather help build the AIG Creation Museum (already am but not enough) than the local youth center, and there's the many teachers online and in print that I've never been able to pay ("the worker is worthy of his wages"). And of course there's always missions. If you've read my article on giving/tithing in my web, you know I don't believe the NT teaches a percent or dollar amount for Christians. It's all "giving"; there is no tithe. But that's just my view.

I don't blame you at all for resigning, giving the reactions you're seeing. I've seen similar attitudes in our pastor as well, although not quite as obvious. People are just completely out of touch with the intent of Jesus and the apostles for the church.
 

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