Am I right?

[theseed]

To see how popular a church is, visit on a Sunday morning. To see how popular the pastor is, go on Sunday night. And to see how popular Jesus is, show up on Wednesday night.

Tell me am right or not?

[GreenEyedLady]

http://pages.prodigy.net/indianahawkeye/signs02/22.gif

[aReformedPatriot]

To see how popular a church is, visit on a Sunday morning. To see how popular the pastor is, go on Sunday night. And to see how popular Jesus is, show up on Wednesday night.

Tell me am right or not?
ha, its stinks how the prayer service is always the one thats least attended. I went to a baptist church in MO until I moved. It was always packed no matter the service. It was fantastic.

I dont see a problem with it, as long as you dont consider it all for show and go for those reasons. You can worship the Lord anywhere.

[Blazin4Christ]

awesome, I guess you can say the same 4 my church, we recently celebrated our 50th anniversary, and ever since it is always full.

[SumTinWong]

To see how popular a church is, visit on a Sunday morning. To see how popular the pastor is, go on Sunday night. And to see how popular Jesus is, show up on Wednesday night.

Tell me am right or not? Not really. Our church has 60 loyal members and to open the church up other than on Sunday morning has not been a reality economically or for the older folks that make up half the church they can't make it at nights because of the weather.

So no I do not think you are right.

[ZiSunka]

To see how popular a church is, visit on a Sunday morning. To see how popular the pastor is, go on Sunday night. And to see how popular Jesus is, show up on Wednesday night.

Tell me am right or not?
For churches that can have all those services, yes, you are exactly right. You learn more about a church on sunday nights and at wednesday prayer meetings than you ever will on sunday morning!

[theseed]

Not really. Our church has 60 loyal members and to open the church up other than on Sunday morning has not been a reality economically or for the older folks that make up half the church they can't make it at nights because of the weather.

So no I do not think you are right.
The weather and money are usually minor obstacles. Peter was willing to walk on water (big obstacle) to get to Jesus, and he did not have silver or gold either.

[theseed]

:wave:

[Andyman_1970]

The weather and money are usually minor obstacles. Peter was willing to walk on water (big obstacle) to get to Jesus, and he did not have silver or gold either.

Huh.............. :scratch:

Why did Peter get out of the boat and walk to Jesus????? Peter was a disciple of Jesus (a Jewish rabbi). In the 1st century a disciples WHOLE LIFE revolved around learning what your rabbi knows, so that you can do what your rabbi does, so that you can become like your rabbi. Peter gets out of the boat because he wants to be like his Rabbi. BTW, who does Peter lose faith in when he's sinking (hint: Jesus isn't sinking)?

Anyway, to equate that Peter desiring to do what his Rabbi was doing to we must "risk life and limb" to make it to church is at best an exegetical stretch.

As for the OP, I would agree that you can learn alot about a church on the Sunday night and Wednesday nigh services.

I do however disagree the implication that attending a Wednesday night service (as opposed to those who don't) somehow demonstrates one "loves Jesus more".................I'll need chapter and verse on that one...........

[theseed]

Why did Peter get out of the boat and walk to Jesus????? Peter was a disciple of Jesus (a Jewish rabbi). In the 1st century a disciples WHOLE LIFE revolved around learning what your rabbi knows, so that you can do what your rabbi does, so that you can become like your rabbi. Peter gets out of the boat because he wants to be like his Rabbi.Correct, Jesus should be our rabbi too. We should want to be like Jesus, our rabbi.BTW, who does Peter lose faith in when he's sinking (hint: Jesus isn't sinking)? Peter sinks because he loses faith.Anyway, to equate that Peter desiring to do what his Rabbi was doing to we must "risk life and limb" to make it to church is at best an exegetical stretch.Logical inconsistancy, why is it a matter of life and death on Wednesday, but perfectly safe on Sunday? I do however disagree the implication that attending a Wednesday night service (as opposed to those who don't) somehow demonstrates one "loves Jesus more".................I'll need chapter and verse on that one...........I agree, but the explanations so far have seem inadequate based in the information I have.

[Andyman_1970]

Correct, Jesus should be our rabbi too. We should want to be like Jesus, our rabbi.Peter sinks because he loses faith..

This is absolutly not related to the thread, and I don't wish to start a rabbit trail, so feel free to PM me if you would like to discuss further..........who does Peter lose faith in?????

[Logical inconsistancy, why is it a matter of life and death on Wednesday, but perfectly safe on Sunday?I agree, but the excuses I've heard so far are lame.

Just to clarify, I did not equate attending on Wednesday a matter of "life or death" - my Wednesday comment was addressed to the OP, not Uncle Bud's situation.

Again, to take from the Text you cite that somehow Peter's actions are to demonstrate to us that we should risk "life and limb" to attend any church service are a stretch at best...........with all due respect.

With all due respect, who made you the "excuse" police? For one person a reason not to attend may be perfectly legitimate (and at peace with God I might add) and said excuse may not be legitimate (ie "lame") with someone else (not at peace with God).........who are we to judge.........God knows their hearts. My job as their brother in Christ is not to police them, but to encourage and love them, to bear their burdens..............

Please know theseed, this was said with all due respect.

[RadicalRabbit]

honestly?

I think your statement might work for some churches... but for many others its harsh judgemental balderdash.

what about the church that doesn't have *wednesday service*? (wed service is quite uncommon here) this doesn't mean that the congregation are not faithful to Christ?


Also it implys that the same person is speaking both services (most often that is hyperbole too). in many places the Senior Pastor doesn't have much to do with the evening service - it might be the youth orientated one Where the Y pastor runs the show. Or the contempory service.

what about churches that have split services?


no I think judging like this is quiet detrimental.

[RED that's ME]

Thread is re-open please be careful the words you say and remember to be Christ-like.

[ZiSunka]

I think everyone is getting upset over nothing. If your church doesn't have other services, it's no big deal. It doesn't mean you are bad Christians or that you are lazy, stupid or uncommitted. It just means you only have one service.

But if you do have more than one service, you usually learn much more about the church at the other services where they aren't expecting visitors. It's like at your house, you doll things up and are on best behavior when visitors come on sunday afternoon, but you are more relaxed and yourself on a weeknight when it's just your family around. So with churches. On sunday, people doll up and are on good behavior for the sake of the visitors, but on wedndesday, people come in tshirts and jeans and are more themselves because it's just your church family there. :)

[theseed]

This is absolutly not related to the thread, and I don't wish to start a rabbit trail, so feel free to PM me if you would like to discuss further..........who does Peter lose faith in?????
If you feel it is worthwhile, start a new thread and I will discuss it more there--we can see what The Bible says.

Just to clarify, I did not equate attending on Wednesday a matter of "life or death" - my Wednesday comment was addressed to the OP, not Uncle Bud's situation.

Ok, fair enough. However, I cite Peter as an example of someone who was willing to go to great lenghts to see Christ rather then risk life and limb.

With all due respect, who made you the "excuse" police? For one person a reason not to attend may be perfectly legitimate (and at peace with God I might add) and said excuse may not be legitimate (ie "lame") with someone else (not at peace with God).........who are we to judge.........God knows their hearts. My job as their brother in Christ is not to police them, but to encourage and love them, to bear their burdens..............

I apologize for not explaining and being insentive (sorry Uncle Bud). I have edited my posts accordinly. Ministry and Missions is the true test of how much a church loves Jesus.

[theseed]

honestly?

I think your statement might work for some churches... but for many others its harsh judgemental balderdash.

what about the church that doesn't have *wednesday service*? (wed service is quite uncommon here) this doesn't mean that the congregation are not faithful to Christ?


Also it implys that the same person is speaking both services (most often that is hyperbole too). in many places the Senior Pastor doesn't have much to do with the evening service - it might be the youth orientated one Where the Y pastor runs the show. Or the contempory service.

what about churches that have split services?


no I think judging like this is quiet detrimental.
All your points are valid. I'm just speaking generally, and that I don't think wheather and money, generally, should not be deterants.

[Andyman_1970]

If you feel it is worthwhile, start a new thread and I will discuss it more there--we can see what The Bible says.

Feel free and PM me if you want.........I don't have the time to start a thread tonight.

Ok, fair enough. However, I cite Peter as an example of someone who was willing to go to great lenghts to see Christ rather then risk life and limb.

That was why I posted the bit about the disciple/Rabbi relationship - Peter didn't merely want to go see his Rabbi, he wanted to go do what his Rabbi was doing..........that's what disciples did - whatever their rabbi did. Since Jesus is rather silent on our church attendance, I found it somewhat a stretch to compare a disciples desire to do what his Rabbi was doing and church attendance (at least from this passage).

Have we beaten this dead horse long enough.............LOL

I apologize for not explaining and being insentive (sorry Uncle Bud). I have edited my posts accordinly. Ministry and Missions is the true test of how much a church loves Jesus.

No problem dude, I'm sorry for getting a little "wound up" on the subject.

Peace be with you my brother..................... :wave:

[RED that's ME]

Life happens! The Bible says not to forsake the assembling........ but God himself understands there are some occasions that missing a church service can't be help. God is the one who sends the snow drifts and other things that might detour us from going to -A- church building.

The word forsake means to totally turn away. Paul was a church attendance promoter but he didn't attend church while he was in prison he had church 7 days a week where he was at.
The church is NOT a "building" but God's people and we don't have to be in a "certain" building to have church. Church shouldn't just happen on Sunday during a "certain" hour but it should be a 7 day a week occurrence. Should a person in a hospital bed get up and get dress and head over to a church building? I've seen people come to church sick as a dog(southern term) and that is wrong IMO cause God allowed them to get sick for a purpose and coming and sharing their sickness with other believers isn't wise. This is not to say we should use excuses not to meet together with other believers. I believe that every chance we get that we should go to our respected "church buildings" to meet with other believers to worship and to encourage and to learn from God's Word.

You don't have to go to church building to find Jesus or have church. I have Jesus right now within me sitting at this computer. There are several people that I have Bible discussions and prayer time over the internet some might call that having church.

To reply to the first post yes many people have their priorities wrong and should make attending church top on their list every time they possible can and not put other non-essentials first.

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=forsake (http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=forsake)
One entry found for forsake.
Main Entry: for·sake http://www.m-w.com/images/audio.gif (javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?forsak01.wav=forsake'))
Pronunciation: f&r-'sAk, for-
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): for·sook http://www.m-w.com/images/audio.gif (javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?forsak02.wav=forsook')) /-'suk/; for·sak·en http://www.m-w.com/images/audio.gif (javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?forsak03.wav=forsaken')) /-'sA-k&n/; for·sak·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English forsacan, from for- + sacan to dispute; akin to Old English sacu action at law -- more at SAKE (http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=sake)
: to renounce or turn away from entirely <friends have forsaken her> <forsook the theater for politics>
synonym see ABANDON (http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=abandon)

[theseed]

The church is NOT a "building"

On a related topic, here is a devotion.

The Church is a Building (devotion). (http://www.christianforums.com/t732445-the-church-is-a-building-devotion.html)

[Andyman_1970]

On a related topic, here is a devotion.

The Church is a Building (devotion). (http://www.christianforums.com/t732445-the-church-is-a-building-devotion.html)

I'll agree, Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night are not the church..........those are times when the church gathers.