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Senior Member
Firstly I don't believe all churches in buildings should stop what they are doing but a few months ago was discussing with a friend what may happen to churches if there was a invasion or government crack down on church meetings and the necessity for all believers to be ready to meet in homes in the future when needed.
From statistics regarding mega or large churches - a big percentage of members don't go to small groups linked to their church - This should be a concern among pastors
My friend goes to a mega church and even though they have small groups many members don't attend - the focus is to be big by having campuses
Only God ultimately knows the motives of pastors but many prefer being big as it satisfies the ego and they get more 'blessings' running a big church
If God spoke to many of these leaders and said - shut down your large meetings and put everyone into a small group - they would rebuke that thought
BTW I ministered at a large church in the past so can say some of these things with a degree of accuracy - they had about 60% attendance of members attend small groups.
40% were content to go to a sunday service, pay their tithes etc. and they have done their christian duties
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Frozen Chosen
Our church was open today and as far as I know, there are no plans to close. We're right around the 200 ppl, possibly a few more.
Our schools (all of Alberta, K-12) are closed as of tomorrow, though, with no plan on when they'll reopen.
ETA: Apparently, post-secondary schools are included in that, as well as daycares.
I don't know what working parents are supposed to do.
Last edited by A.J.; 03-16-2020 at 02:14 AM.
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Senior Member
The church we have been visiting had service. I told the Pastor; "We are supposed to heal the sick, not fear sickness!"
He was on fire yesterday. Love his preaching.
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Senior Member
There is talk of tightening the number of max attendance to 50.
I drive through several communities to our church plant in a small village. I pass many churches along the 35 mile trip and was a strange sight seeing empty parking lots.
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Senior Member
The church we attend was open, and the attendance was pretty much the same as usual...
The leadership talked of "Walking in Faith, and Not in Fear," but Hubby and I were disappointed that no "precautions" were taken in terms of limiting physical contact, such as hugging, hand shaking, kissing on the cheeks, laying hands on people, etc.
One sweet Sister (who always sits behind us) was coughing the entire length of the service - It was a little un-nerving, I gotta admit
A question for discussion: If we (Christians) are indeed walking by faith, and claiming Psalm 91, are we to totally ignore the "warnings" from the government to "socially distance" ourselves, avoid crowds, and stay home, unless it's absolutely necessary to venture out?
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Administrator
Our church was open. We even had four visitors.
One visitor came because while on FB he ran across an FB post I put out on Saturday letting people know that we will not be closing based on fear. That seemed to bless him.
I taught/preached from Psalm 112, with a focus on verses 7 and 8 about not being afraid of evil tidings and felt led to show how our current "news" media is nothing more than the voice of Satan.
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Administrator
Originally Posted by
Romans828
A question for discussion: If we (Christians) are indeed walking by faith, and claiming Psalm 91, are we to totally ignore the "warnings" from the government to "socially distance" ourselves, avoid crowds, and stay home, unless it's absolutely necessary to venture out?
I visited a friend's church when our service was over for a little bit of fellowship. They had hand sanitizer in front of the door with a sign telling everyone to put some on before entering. I started to squish some on my hands (I always obey the authority of most churches I enter) but my pastor friend grabbed me and hugged me before I could do it.
Anyway, I don't have a problem with churches wanting to take "precautions" but I just believe that most of this is hyped up and, apart from telling people to do what they should be doing anyway, such as washing one's hands (heck, the Bible tells us to do that), I felt the leading to sway people away from unnecessary fear, including being fearful of HOLY physical contact.
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Senior Member
A question for discussion: If we (Christians) are indeed walking by faith, and claiming Psalm 91, are we to totally ignore the "warnings" from the government to "socially distance" ourselves, avoid crowds, and stay home, unless it's absolutely necessary to venture out?
If we (Christians) are indeed walking by faith, and claiming Psalm 91, are we to walk across an interstate with heavy traffic blindfolded ignoring Gov't signs no to?
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Senior Member
As a person who has worked in healthcare for over twenty years, let me say that it is certainly NOT LIVING IN FEAR to take certain precautions. We don't want what's happening in Europe happening here. And I'm quite sure there are Spirit-filled believers there. If anybody's church is not going to abide by the recommendations (I'm not sure if the "no more than fifty at gatherings" is mandated yet), then that's on them. Just be prepared to deal with any possible ramifications.
My church will be closed until Palm Sunday (as of now)...
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Administrator
Originally Posted by
Nikos
If we (Christians) are indeed walking by faith, and claiming Psalm 91, are we to walk across an interstate with heavy traffic blindfolded ignoring Gov't signs no to?
Satan used the same exact type of challenge with Jesus. He quoted Psalm 91 to get Jesus to jump from the pinnacle of the temple. Jesus refuted his suggestion using God's Word. Yet, this same Jesus touched LEPERS and healed them and He did it unafraid. This same Jesus said that His followers can do likewise.
When I used to debate Calvinists on the issue of "free-will" one of the questions they would ask is, "If you have free-will to do what you want then let us see you FLY." Numerous times I had to explain to them that God's gift of free-will does not mean doing something that is illogical and unreasonable. It was my way of showing what a STUPID and ASININE illustration they gave simply because they denied the truth of freedom to choose between reasonable and logical choices.
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