Don't Miss Attending Your Local Church

[Richard OFfill]

Have the Media Ministries taken on a life of their own? It seems like the world church is putting more money and emphasis on the media, ie Hope TV. The GC has spent millions for new studios at the GC headquarters.  Then there is 3ABN and the various ministries - It is Written ect.

More than once I have heard people say that they stay home on Sabbath and watch 3ABN. This has its potential advantages inasmuch as the 3ABN preachers are so much better than their local pastor. The problem is that these ministries are making appeals for money. They are raising millions because the media ministries seem to be doing so much more with the funds that members tend to be more impressed with what is going on at Hope than at home.

Have the ministries become para-churches - simulated churches? The TV programs are of course better choreographed and colorful than a little church in mid-america. But then the local church has something the media ministries do not have and cannot have and that is community. Watching a favorite speaker on TV cannot be a substitute for the 'church family'. By the way, to love our neighbor after the family relationship is the fellowship of church.

There can be no doubt that the media ministries they used to say in Star Trek, 'to go where no man has gone before'
,but they must be seen as the servants of the local church and not the other way around.

I am thankful for all of our outreach programs and know that the Lord is using them to touch hearts. I guess what I am trying to say that at the end of the day the Seventh-day Adventist church is the local church, its pastor and its members. Our offerings should go to our local churches before they go anywhere else.

I hope I have not been misunderstood.

[Pamela Adams]

Good points pastor......also the large churches seem to absorb all the "workers in church" talent etc. of the local small churches because of their programs they are able to offer members that the smaller local church cannot....another wound to the local church...knowing folks who go on Missions to help build churches far off....when there is plenty of property upkeep to do for the "handyman" deacons and maintaining the church in their local church and they do not have to pay to do it....interesting times...

[SDA4Life]

It's hard to imagine that the admonition to assemble together is fulfilled by sitting in front of a screen. People seem to forget that the primary purpose of our media ministries is outreach.

[Raven]

The various technologies which allow us to spread the gospel around the world are God given tools, but most of them are for the purpose of reaching people who cannot be reached by normal means--such as in Saudi Arabia, where mission work is nearly impossible. But none of these are meant to be substitutes for "the assembling of ourselves together" each Sabbath.  There could be no fellowship if everyone stayed home and watched 3ABN or the church service at Sacramento Central--no matter how inspiring that may be.  If one is forced to stay home due to illness or from some handicap, these are wonderful blessings, but if one can get to church they should be there. 

In our conference there are so many "retreats" available that one could be away from the home church a good share of the time.  Forgive me if I step on any toes here , but the ones that I roll my eyes at are the "Caring for Marriage" weekends.  Huh?  That's what I do every weekend by being home with my wife and kids.  And we attend church together.  Am I missing something here?

[ejclark]

I believe every one has made very valuable points and hit the nail on the head.  I'd like to add another nail.....Sabbath School lesson.

In our church, we very rarely make it all the way through the weeks lesson because we spend so much time discussing the topics.  And quite frequently after the sermon, I've had someone come up to me to discuss further points of interest from the lesson.  You just can't get that from a media based production.  And in my opinion it is very necessary.  Not only to build up the new member, but to also solidify the foundation of the long time member.

[newbie]

I'd rather have a 'real' person any day....   we can watch the screens at home on other days of the week or later in the day on the Sabbath depending on the material.

[Deborah Risinger]

These are great venues...but like all things, they can be misused.  We all have choices to make.

I do understand the issue, however....for shutins, the sick, the lonely far from a church and etc...they are a blessing.

What I am bothered by...(we have encountered in the area where I live), are ministries teaching how to move out to the country...now..... that would not be bad, except...they are doing webinars on Sabbath mornings.

When I was invited to sit in on one, I asked if they were doing this seminar at another time...I did not want to skip church to participate.  They wrote back and said "no" this is when we are doing it.  Question; Why compete with corporate worship?  This in my view an untrusting ministry....to compete with God Himself..... ?  As if information to move out of the cities is more important that meeting with God in cooperate worship.

I personally think these people, who put these webinars on, are thinking too much of themselves....and there are people, who will shun the church service, stay home to learn where to move and how to grow organic food....now, this is sad.

God's Blessings'
Deborah

[newbie]

I agree Deborah...  some things should not take the place of worship service... 

[reaching4heaven]

What I am bothered by...(we have encountered in the area where I live), are ministries teaching how to move out to the country...now..... that would not be bad, except...they are doing webinars on Sabbath mornings.

Do you know what ministry is doing this? Definitely not appropriate for Sabbath.

[Ed Sutton]

Also - there is an issue that needs addressing - "There am I in the midst of THEM" - who is the "them" and where is the "there' and who is the "I".

Matthew 18:
19  Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Them = 's  the agreed as to what they are praying for, the ones gathered together in His name.

Where ='s where the (them) are.

"I" = Jesus Christ by the agency of the conduit of the Holy Ghost.


God knows the difference between shut ins, disinfranchized believers, worshipers in lands where open assembly means risk of death, and I want to sleep in today cause it feels good.    god promises His presence in the local and coprorate Churches and according to need - the web supported gathering out of necessity.

One of the hallmarks of the times of lawlessness was and still God does not see,  God does not know.

The religion of Jesus Christ means something more than talk. The righteousness of Christ consists in right actions and good works from pure, unselfish motives....Christ came to do His Father's will. Are we following in His steps? All who have named the name of Christ should be constantly seeking for a more intimate acquaintance with Him, that they may walk even as He walked, and do the works of Christ. . . .  {ML 217.2}
     It is the work we do, or do not do, that tells with tremendous power upon our lives and destinies. God requires us to improve every opportunity for usefulness that is offered us. Neglect in doing this is perilous to our spiritual growth. We have a great work to do.  {ML 217.3} 

Go where God says He will be when He says He will be there, prepared to worship Him on His specified terms.    Go to learn to obtain from him to share as He opens the way. 

Jesus said, "Ye shall ask in My name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you." "I have chosen you: . . . that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you." John 16:26, 27; 15:16. But to pray in the name of Jesus is something more than a mere mention of that name at the beginning and the ending of a prayer. It is to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus, while we believe His promises, rely upon His grace, and work His works.  {SC 100.2}

If we believe that jesus will be at Church on His stated terms, rely that He has made the trip at the proper time, that the local Church has not shut Him out,  and now imitate him by getting up early enough to get the mission for the day done if we can physically do so.

Mark 1:35  And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

It is understood that if you have a communicable disease and are spreading it - stay home and do video or streaming video, even e-mail your local church and explain why you are not there, and request  a copy of the sermon ( it might have been something needful to hear ).

Be at Church - When Jesus visits on Sabbath, you need to meet Him there, and if that SDA Church does not want Him, find and SDA Church that does.