I found it a little more difficult to come up with this week’s discussion topic than usual.  Usually I know what I want to discuss at least a week ahead of time but this time I could not narrow it down.  There are still lots of questions in me but I am just not sure if they would interest you.

And current topic discussions seem to be a little heated to some but be assured, on my part, that they are just discussions.  Part of the reason I wait to comment on this Tuesday thing I am doing is to get real responses because I know that sometimes I am going to be a little controversial.  And I really value your input.  So I wait.

Then it has a tendency to get a little deep sometimes but I love you guys, and these discussions.

But this week will be, I think, maybe just a little less opinionated and more thoughtful.  But opinions are thoughts, so I don’t know really.  So here we go.

I have been reading about the different church models many ministries are trying.  Most seem to have the bigger is better mindset but there seems to be a growing movement based on the benefits of “house” or “home” churches.  These seem to be smaller groups of Christ followers just getting together for scripture exposition, worship and prayer time, and fellowship in either a home or some other small establishment.

Some think that this is the proper model after studying the early church, especially as depicted in some parts of Acts.

What do you think?

Do we need large buildings with many members and paid staff?

Do we even need the small 100 member churches with a small building but as much of the traditional trappings of church as they can afford?

Can a house church do what Christ instructed us to do?

Love you all.

I am blessed.  I have been fortunate in the choice of where I attend church.  My church is filled with some very loving people, a great pastor, powerful praise and worship and many opportunities for Kingdom work.  It is my first church and my first pastor. 

But some of you have had to change churches for some reason or other.  And a lot of you have gone through a pastoral change.  I wonder sometimes about how someone goes about changing their church membership. 

A few weeks ago we discussed some of the things we like and look for in a preacher.  This week’s discussion is in that same vein. 

So, let’s say you have had to move to another state where you do not know anyone.  Maybe it was employment related.  You make the move, settle into your work, and then start looking for a church. 

Here are a few questions about this process I want you to answer.

How soon do you start your search for a church?

What are some of the methods that you would employ to check out different churches?

What would you look for in a church that would make you want to become a member?

No, I am not leaving the church I am at.  I am thrilled to serve right where I am and I just started a new blog for my church here. It is also listed in my Blogroll.  So no, I am not going anywhere at the moment.

I was just wondering.

Love you all.

Let me wish all those veterans and active duty personel that have served to protect this nation and my family a very happy Veterans Day.  If you know a vet, let them know how much you appreciate their sacrifice. 

On to todays town hall discussion.

I haven’t had the opportunity to sit under many preachers.  I have been to a few revivals and watched a few TV preachers.  I recently read some comments by some people about great preachers and their different styles.    

As far as styles go, there are some who carefully try to exposit the scripture, some who address topical issues with scripture, some who do both, and some who do neither and instead try to twist scripture into something it is not to bring about something they want.  There are the quiet scholarly teacher types, there are the loud and fast talking charismatic types, and there are the performance based types of preachers that just seem to be putting on a show. 

There are preachers that wear suits, some who dress casually, and some who wear Metallica t-shirts.  There are some who stand at a pulpit, some who sit on a stool, some who pace the stage, some who get down there with the flock and some just never are still at all. 

I have seen or heard of many different types of preacher and do not intend this to be anything derogatory at all.

The questions for this Tuesday are as follows…

Does a preachers dress mean anything to you?

What type of preacher do you prefer, especially as your pastor?

What exactly makes preaching “good” to you?

What famous or at least known preachers have you enjoyed hearing?

Love you all.

This is my take on the situation that I brought up in the Town Hall discussion yesterday.  I had so much to say that it turned into a post instead of a comment.    If you just found this, go here to know what I am talking about. 

First, I am extremely happy with the response this week.  I am also happy that we have a diversity of thought displayed here also.  And this is what I want, your thoughts.  It is so easy to find what some famous preacher or theologian has to say on any given situation.  Google any topic and you can find various discussions ranging from legalistic to everything goes, from way out there to just plain ridiculous.  The internet has actually allowed us all to ‘borrow’ opinions instead of come up with our own. 

But I see some evidence of thought here today.

I held back details on purpose so we could get an idea about the general attitudes about a commercial enterprise in a church.  Whether the very idea would offend God, or not.  Not you or me, but God Himself.  If it doesn’t bother Him then it sure shouldn’t bother me. 

This is what the pastor of the church had to say about what he was doing…

And I also hear that his people are workers.  They are doing something for the Kingdom up there.  And Brother Lawson must be doing something right. 

As for the objections; I, like Dee, first thought about the temple incident.  But I also see it as Jesus being upset about the manipulation of the faithful by imposing unfair exchange rates, thus profiting from the abuse of the righteous who only wanted to get closer to God.  See this post and think about what Jesus would do if He showed up at some of these ‘ministry’s’ today. 

And Chris’ thoughts are new to me; I will have to look up some on this idea about the sacrificial system being what Jesus was angry about.  I do believe God was unhappy with this system, even though he instituted it.  And He had a new program coming, that Christ knew about, that would abolish the need of the system.  But it is very interesting and I am glad to hear from you.  Keep studying and you should come back and comment some more.  I wish I could have did this ‘back when.’

Leigh brings up some valid thoughts about the distractions that I had not thought about.  Bathroom trips during services are something all churches have to deal with.  And as for those that are jittery and can’t wait for it to be over and this may sound harsh and unloving but, I say stay home.  What are they there for anyway?     Jesus wouldn’t need a Starbucks, but He would probably be hanging out in one, and not the one in church.

Sabrina brings up the idea of where does it all stop.  This is a valid observation.  We see a lot of churches that have abandoned the mission because they went too far.  But this is something we have to rely on our leaders to ascertain.  And if they do not use Godly judgment on these issues then we must bring it to their attention.   

And I am definitely in agreement with Connie about Jesus doing whatever it took.  You suggest nose piercing.  What about hands and feet?  Paul also talked about being all things to all people. 

Tammy talks about the opportunity for fellowship.  I can vouch for her and say that this has happened to and for her a number of times.  She means true fellowship, where a few meet and minister to each other, over coffee or whatever, and it turn into a meeting with the Holy Spirit.  He could show up in Starbucks to meet, comfort, guide, and instruct.  Who would keep Him out?

And I knew John would love the idea.

As for me, I am all for it.  As long as some boundaries are maintained.  And let me say that I don’t drink the stuff.  Coffee, that is.  Never have. 

If the concession closes during service, if it stays nonprofit and any proceeds are used for ministry or charity, if it increases fellowship, and brings some to church that otherwise wouldn’t come, then what is it about this that would bother God. 

Brother Lawson is offering some menu items free and all others at a reduced price.  And he is trying to get it open on weekdays. 

Just imagine that guy that comes every weekday morning to get his favorite concoction at a reduced price, and is continually served in Christlike love by that sold out to Jesus teen with the nose ring, and decides to come to a worship service and turns his life over in service to our King. 

If he is the only one that ever gets saved by doing this Starbucks thing, then those at Daystar have dealt a blow to the enemy camp.  As for me, that is what it is all about. 

Keep up the good fight, Pastor Jerry Lawson. 

Love you all