Change the Method, Not the Message.

[HVAC Instructor]

that looks an awful lot like flamebait... and it was unnecessary. certainly you're capable of carrying on a conversation like a mature adult.

-M

Sorry, but it was an assumption out of the blue that made absolutely no sense. Not flamebait at all.

Have I somehow offended your religous sensibilities?

[Martin]

sorry, but it was an assumption out of the blue that made absolutely no sense. not flamebait at all.

i don't take issue with you calling it an assumption... what i take issue with is your choice of capitalization. certainly that much was obvious.

-M

[HVAC Instructor]

i don't take issue with you calling it an assumption... what i take issue with is your choice of capitalization. certainly that much was obvious.

-M

Fair enough then. I only intended to emphasize the point, not to flame.

[metro]

How many folks tithing would have the bells to walk in and ask for their tithe back?....Probably a little cynical but I'm certain the guarantee and the whole take money from the bucket wouldn't be offered up as much if they weren't raking in the cash

Have nothing against LC but it's beyond evident their cash flow is plenty strong

We also planted over 1000 churches worldwide last year too........ 1 out of every 27 iphones on the planet has downloaded our YouVersion Bible. 1.8 million people worldwide watch our services online in over 40 different countries and over 35 different languages. Sounds like following the Great Commission to me. Using resources to teach the Gospel to all nations..all at no cost to the user. There are churches out there that charge for sermons, videos, materials, etc. but you can't knock LC because we give all our resources available for free. Ironically, I don't hear any of the critics in this thread knocking on the churches out there that charge for this stuff. Go figure.

LC is also one of only about 100 churches to receive ECFA accredidation for financial integrity. In all fairness, why aren't the other 3500+ churches in the metro being singled out. They aren't certified by a highly respected organization on their financial transparency and integrity. With success brings more critics though....

http://www.okctalk.com/faith-values/...editation.html

[HVAC Instructor]

Ironically, I don't hear any of the critics in this thread knocking on the churches out there that charge for this stuff. Go figure.
[/url]

It is good to hear that LC has integrity and does not charge for sermons, although I've never heard of a church that did. However EVERY church I have ever been in does ask for offerings in some form or fashion. Nothing wrong with that either. Gotta pay the preacher, buy him a house and a car and pay his kids college tuition, etc, and the utilities if not taxes...

But I am an equal critic of all religion that uses guilt and fear to get people into their buildings, and ultimately their money into the church coffers. I am also opposed to the tax exemption enjoyed by religious organizations. They rake in BILLIONS of dollars and pay not one dime in taxes. That is morally wrong and unjustified. Churches should pay property taxes and any other tax like any other business because thay ARE businesses, and in some cases BIG businesses taking up prime real estate space and passing their share of the communities tax burden onto the citizens of the community. What a racket...make the non-believers pay your taxes, LOL!

[metro]

Just curious, is it also a racket that the "non believers" or world makes the church take a large part of care for the homeless, needy, etc. then, when we should raise taxes and let the government to a worse job at it?

[bluedogok]

It is good to hear that LC has integrity and does not charge for sermons, although I've never heard of a church that did.

What he is talking about are materials like handouts, videos, Powerpoint presentations, etc. for other churches or groups to use instead of packaging them and selling them like some other churches do.

[HVAC Instructor]

Just curious, is it also a racket that the "non believers" or world makes the church take a large part of care for the homeless, needy, etc. then, when we should raise taxes and let the government to a worse job at it?

How many homeless shelters does LC operate?

[metro]

Not sure since I'm not on staff, but we have hundreds of different ministries we fund. The one I DO know of is Mercy Ministries that caters to poor and needy over by N. Lincoln. We also help out and support regularly the City Rescue Mission and other local homeless shelters. We held a "Homeless Block Party" several months back with over 3000homeless in attendance.

Here is a link to our Mercy Ministries page, and a link if you want to get plugged in by helping us at the City Rescue Mission the 2nd Friday of every month.

LifeChurch.tv - NW Oklahoma City - LifeMissions - Mercy Ministries

LifeChurch.tv - Edmond - Blog - City Rescue Mission-Second Friday of Every Month

[metro]

What he is talking about are materials like handouts, videos, Powerpoint presentations, etc. for other churches or groups to use instead of packaging them and selling them like some other churches do.

And the actual sermons (both the sermons in print form for pastors) or the actual video, as well as we provide at no cost video messages for churches around the world to use at no cost, if they want to give their pastor a break from preaching, or just to have the opportunity to have some of the world's greatest leading pastors speak at their church, that they otherwise could not afford to bring in. We also provide youth videos, kids videos, praise and worship videos and music and just about anything else you can think of at no cost. What a great way to give back to the Kingdom of God, that should be United as One (especially to the smaller churches who otherwise would never have the resources to do such quality materials.) Now that's the church at large coming together as one as talked about in Acts 2.

VideoTeaching.com

LifeChurch.tv - Free Church Resources

[Midtowner]

huh... i didn't know you were jewish.

-M

The OT tithe as IIRC was more of an income tax paid to the Levites (a landless tribe) which would in turn donate 10% of their income to the church.

The Catholic Church way back when decided that this meant they'd get 10% of everything.

It seems to me though that even under the OT, only 1% [10% of 10%] actually made it to the church since the Levites, while also administering the Temple, etc., also performed many ministerial governmental functions. Thus, only a 1% tithe seems to be justifiable.

[possumfritter]

I have always believed the best way to get the "message" out is to simply live your life the way the "Mesenger" taught us. If someone is drawn to you by the way you live your life, then you have done exactly what you should have been doing and you are free to share your beliefs with them.

On top of that, those that do follow the "Mesenger," ought to accept the fact that everyone has a right to believe as they do and to accept their beliefs.

Finally, I have to add, I stopped attending churches in the metro area because of the fact that they were not teaching from the Book, but rather from their wallets. I just got tired of it to be quite honest with you.

That's my two cents.