PG4Him
Senior Member
Essay Moderator
Posts: 3,570
|
Post by PG4Him on Sept 13, 2019 8:24:02 GMT -5
At White Rock United Methodist Church in Dallas, which had much more space than it could fill or use, MWF converted some spaces into co-working offices, art workshops, classrooms for refugees, and even a community dance studio. With a mission of “Live local, worship local, serve local,” White Rock now focuses on “meeting, collaborating, and serving with our neighbors.”
By renting out some space and opening its doors wider, the church is not only financially sound but earning some revenue. “The walls of the church are porous now,” says Pastor Mitchell Boone, “so we have this kind of free-flowing groups of folks that come in and out of the church.” He adds, “I think it just reminds us that hope emerges in unexpected places.” churchleaders.com/news/358991-how-creative-repurposing-is-resurrecting-dying-churches.html/2
|
|
|
Post by John on Sept 13, 2019 8:39:16 GMT -5
The biggest problem I see here is at what point do you cease to be a Christian Church? Do these churches have any standards for members? Do they still require that those who are part of the church be born again Christians, or are they just happy to have anyone showing up? I suppose that if the churches actually stand on the truth, and as a result of this, they win real converts to Christ, this could be good, but I kind of doubt that is the case. The other issue is who are they renting to? A community dance studio? In a church? Does this open them up to anti-discrimination lawsuits if they don't grant equal access to homosexual groups and things like that? This is something new to me, so I am not sure if I am opposed across the board, or only if they compromise to reach people. I do see serious pitfalls.
I have traveled all over this country, and have seen church buildings turned into banks and storage facilities because there was no congregation left. As such, I understand the thinking, but there will be this giant temptation not to upset anyone. They will be so happy just to have someone sitting in the pews giving money and renewed energy, I can't help but feel like they will not want to preach the whole counsel of God's Word. They will likely become more like a community center or a club than a real church. A lot depends on the character and commitment to Christ and the truth of the people who are in charge of those churches.
|
|
|
Post by 2fw8212a on Sept 13, 2019 9:42:15 GMT -5
“...My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” - Isaiah 56:7
Again:
“...My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” - Isaiah 56:7
|
|
|
Post by John on Sept 13, 2019 9:51:08 GMT -5
“...My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” - Isaiah 56:7Again: “...My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” - Isaiah 56:7 I am not understanding your point. Are you bothered by the way they are using their church facilities or okay with it?
|
|
|
Post by 2fw8212a on Sept 13, 2019 9:53:37 GMT -5
“...My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” - Isaiah 56:7Again: “...My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” - Isaiah 56:7 I am not understanding your point. Are you bothered by the way they are using their church facilities or okay with it?
“Consider what I say,
and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.” - 2 Timothy 2:7
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2019 10:47:23 GMT -5
At White Rock United Methodist Church in Dallas, which had much more space than it could fill or use, MWF converted some spaces into co-working offices, art workshops, classrooms for refugees, and even a community dance studio. With a mission of “Live local, worship local, serve local,” White Rock now focuses on “meeting, collaborating, and serving with our neighbors.”
By renting out some space and opening its doors wider, the church is not only financially sound but earning some revenue. “The walls of the church are porous now,” says Pastor Mitchell Boone, “so we have this kind of free-flowing groups of folks that come in and out of the church.” He adds, “I think it just reminds us that hope emerges in unexpected places.” churchleaders.com/news/358991-how-creative-repurposing-is-resurrecting-dying-churches.html/2 Turning the Father's house into a house of merchandise came to mind, right in line with what Letters said. And if a church is sincerely wanting to "serve" the people of the community around them, I don't believe they should charge for the privilege, and that way it is clear who is beholding to who, ie, the recipients of blessing and love and charity are beholden to the Father so to speak, rather than the church being beholden to its "customers". That pastor is right when he says the church is porous now....except that it is not a good thing...unfortunately it has been invaded by the world. That only begins to touch on what is wrong with that approach, as I'm sure you agree sister, and that is why you posted this. It's just wrong, and sadly is another symptom of falling away. There have been many churches calling themselves "Community" churches in the last twenty years or so....this is a way that only seemeth right, because we are supposed to be in the world but not of it.
|
|
|
Post by frienduff on Sept 13, 2019 18:32:11 GMT -5
The biggest problem I see here is at what point do you cease to be a Christian Church? Do these churches have any standards for members? Do they still require that those who are part of the church be born again Christians, or are they just happy to have anyone showing up? I suppose that if the churches actually stand on the truth, and as a result of this, they win real converts to Christ, this could be good, but I kind of doubt that is the case. The other issue is who are they renting to? A community dance studio? In a church? Does this open them up to anti-discrimination lawsuits if they don't grant equal access to homosexual groups and things like that? This is something new to me, so I am not sure if I am opposed across the board, or only if they compromise to reach people. I do see serious pitfalls.
I have traveled all over this country, and have seen church buildings turned into banks and storage facilities because there was no congregation left. As such, I understand the thinking, but there will be this giant temptation not to upset anyone. They will be so happy just to have someone sitting in the pews giving money and renewed energy, I can't help but feel like they will not want to preach the whole counsel of God's Word. They will likely become more like a community center or a club than a real church. A lot depends on the character and commitment to Christ and the truth of the people who are in charge of those churches.
Yall we got a major large deception abounding . its language is all over churches now . They will call this LOVE . They focused and learned on the wrong version of a sensual love and the product is what people like luigi have become and it will get even worse than that . The delusion will be and is , That as long as folks have love , then they know JESUS . Sounds true right . GO look at what luigi is teaching . FOR it don't matter if they muslim , buddist , atheist , whatever as long as they BELEIVE in LOVE , HE SAYS THEY ALREADY BELEIVE IN JESUS . BAD NEWS . I warned out as I was led to against him . BUT HE AINT HEARING IT . YOU WATCH how muchworse this will get . And fast too . ITS all about bringing the world together as one under a guise of a false love . ANd it is working . WHY do we think that now more and more churches are starting to replace the word GOD with LOVE . AND say LOVE sent etc . ITS because of that last point . THEY WANT US TO BELIEVE in their love and thus they teach it to each religion in its own way . But the result is fast becoming , GOD is love , THUS ANYONE who loves their neighbor as theirself , KNOWS GOD . It don't matter if they walk in any sin , willfully or any religion , THEY teach , IF THEY Love their neighbor as their self , THEN GOD IS IN THEM . THIS is the final delusion right here . AND Watch where it leads . WE must more than ever feast on our bibles , follow the lamb and be here for one another . Lord willing I should be feeling better and better . IT might take a bit . Keep praying and hold the fort down strong . IF folks like luigi come here , WE MUST REBUKE IT fast .
|
|
|
Post by solid on Sept 14, 2019 11:41:59 GMT -5
If they can do this and keep bad people out, I think it is smart, saves the church from losing their building.
|
|
|
Post by John on Sept 14, 2019 19:56:58 GMT -5
If they can do this and keep bad people out, I think it is smart, saves the church from losing their building. In today's climate, I don't think this is possible. There are anti-discrimination laws, and if anyone rents a building for public use, I am not sure they can ban any group. For instance, if you make classrooms open to the Right to Life to rent, do you have to let Planned Parenthood have access? If you allow the RNC to rent a classroom, do you have to allow the DNC to rent a classroom? I would rather not get into that kind of situation, so for that reason, I would not do it. This is not so much about making merchandise as protecting the rights of the church. Keep a church a church.
|
|
|
Post by frienduff on Sept 16, 2019 11:31:15 GMT -5
If they can do this and keep bad people out, I think it is smart, saves the church from losing their building. In today's climate, I don't think this is possible. There are anti-discrimination laws, and if anyone rents a building for public use, I am not sure they can ban any group. For instance, if you make classrooms open to the Right to Life to rent, do you have to let Planned Parenthood have access? If you allow the RNC to rent a classroom, do you have to allow the DNC to rent a classroom? I would rather not get into that kind of situation, so for that reason, I would not do it. This is not so much about making merchandise as protecting the rights of the church. Keep a church a church.
Yall wanna hear something wonderful .
First , butero is right concerning these laws and etc . You cannot charge and discriminate and etc . But let me tell all a wonderful story . And this would be the response of any true christain and ANY true leader . A church was being sued due to a split had occurred . The larger mainline was and had accepted gay marriage and etc . The leader of this flock was being sued by the corporation for not going with the flow and times of the changes . Guess what his words to his flock were . It matters not if they win and we lose our building , WE can meet in a open field , but we wont be going down this road . THAT IS THE RIGHT THING . It don't matter what we lose for the sake of truth , WE WIN , even if we meet in caves and outcasted totally , WE WIN . ANd the thing is , WE should expect these things to come against us . JESUS said they would and SPECIALLY in this generation . I call for house , field and cave churches , because in truth the mainline vast majority has sold out and more will sell out under the banner of lets get along for the sake of a false love and unity . Nothing can or will stop what is coming and in truth , ITS only going to get far , far and much worse in the days ahead . Under this banner of all inclusive love our new titles from churches , religions and society will soon be HOHLRTFTE. Anyone wanna guess what the acryonm stands for . HATERS of HUMANITY LETS RID THEM FROM THE EARTH . WEAR IT WITH HONOR , cause by GRACE this lamb aint going in that direction . AND JESUS SURELY SAID MARVEL NOT IF THE WORLD HATES you , IT HATED ME FIRST .
|
|
|
Post by frienduff on Sept 16, 2019 11:52:32 GMT -5
I see our dear sister candance was here . YOU ARE LOVED DEAR SISTER . And let all rejoice in the LORD .
|
|