14 characteristics of genuinely friendly Churches

[Karl]

I replied to play along with the OP, however, doesn't it say the Lord added to the Church daily, ...shouldn't we be prayerfully asking the Father what church He has planned for us to be a part of, where our gift can be used to edify and glorify Jesus Christ and be vital part in the Body?

 

[jasonc]

I replied to play along with the OP, however, doesn't it say the Lord added to the Church daily, ...shouldn't we be prayerfully asking the Father what church He has planned for us to be a part of, where our gift can be used to edify and glorify Jesus Christ and be vital part in the Body?

of course, some aren't good at greeting. im not.i get the you need to smile from a Christian brother. so I don't go into greeting. I have done it but that was some time ago. one can also be friendly and woo people to jesus. we don't have to blast a person first then ask them their names after we tell them they are going to hell.

 

[Karl]

of course, some aren't good at greeting. im not.i get the you need to smile from a Christian brother. so I don't go into greeting. I have done it but that was some time ago. one can also be friendly and woo people to jesus. we don't have to blast a person first then ask them their names after we tell them they are going to hell.

I'm with you on greeters, I have found that the Holy Spirit in me witnesses to me when I'm in the presence of another believer and vise-verse, there really isn't much small talk before we get down to the main subject of our hearts, ...Jesus Christ

 

[Jethro Bodine]

...add an electric guitar to your worship music, and your church will automatically grow 10%.

Really? Are you serious?

Does an acoustic electric count?

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Really? Are you serious?

Does an acoustic electric count?

I think so, maybe, maybe not, I'm not sure, what do you think?

 

[Willie T]

Sorry, Guys. Everyone knows it is the drummer who truly brings you to Jesus.

 

[Willie T]

But, seriously, if we insist on presenting a carbon copy of the church of the early 1900's, not many people will want to consider us.... and even THEY, in the 1900's, did not present the same church as was in the 1200's. Nor was church presented the same in the 1200's as it was in Jesus' time.

Jesus did not present God in the same manner the ancients did. He was relevant to His time, and spoke the language of that day.... THEIR time.

 

[Pizza]

The article mentions many good points and many churches would do well to improve in some of those areas, but if we're talking about the friendliness of churches, I think something about God's love might be appropriate somewhere in there.

The TOG​

I have not attended church in three years - because I could not find any of God's love in the churches around Forsyth County, GA.

No wonder churches are shrinking, attending church is like going to work - you are around people who don't really want to be around you.

 

[Pizza]

Plainly, some of you are totally missing the intent of the article.

I have seen several posts right here where I had to agree that the people had their theology down pat.... BUT from the way they described their churches, I wouldn't have set foot inside any one of them. You can preach God, and still not be the least bit friendly.

And given the choice, people will usually go to a friendly place (unless they are weird, themselves) to hear about God, rather than someplace that is hard-hearted.

Post of the day.

 

[Willie T]

I have not attended church in three years - because I could not find any of God's love in the churches around Forsyth County, GA.

No wonder churches are shrinking, attending church is like going to work - you are around people who don't really want to be around you.

I know Forsyth. I say, "A hearty AMEN".

<EDIT> Sorry, I was thinking of Monroe County.

 

[YosefHayim]

14 signs of an overall good church:

1. God the Father
2. God the Son
3. God the Holy Ghost
4-14. Fried chicken and pizza.

or should it look like this?

1.

• God the Father
• God the Son
• God the Holy Ghost

2-14. Fried chicken and pizza.

 

[Willie T]

There's no point in trying to change the subject of the article. He was writing about what makes a FRIENDLY church. NOT what makes a "good" church. He deliberately didn't even come near that kind of thought.

 

[YosefHayim]

There's no point in trying to change the subject of the article. He was writing about what makes a FRIENDLY church. NOT what makes a "good" church. He deliberately didn't even come near that kind of thought.

That's why I included the word "overall".

 

[Kathi]

if I didn't know you personally and I heard you talk about mr.hal Lindsey and I marched in my debate mode and sullen look that I do get with correction and said you are WRONG. im sure that wouldn't sit well. sometimes it takes timing and subtility and wisdom. im not saying pulling the truth, but what you are doing is classicly what willie t is talking about.

if my jewish family came to hear me talk about isreal and hers sins today. they might walk out of that church. if I knew them coming I would tell them what I believe first and let them decide. that is because they are kin. I know my jewish family and how they are going to react. I have cringed when some post matthew 24 and say isreal will be judged again for the murder of the Lord. lts as if you don't know that jews hear that and think well im hated already and we haven't even met.

Excuse me.....I have seen Hal Lindsey once.I do not promote Hal Lindsey.Yes,I am pre-trib but there are many more pre-trib teachers who I respect.Like Dr.Charles Stanley.

 

[jasonc]

Excuse me.....I have seen Hal Lindsey once.I do not promote Hal Lindsey.Yes,I am pre-trib but there are many more pre-trib teachers who I respect.Like Dr.Charles Stanley.

the point you have made for me with this post. I haven't listened to Stanley in a while. I kinda cant unless its pod casted or available over the net. radio in truck broke

 

[Kathi]

Don't yell at me.
You know I'm sensitive.

The guy who wrote the article is from the Southern Baptist Convention (the SBC).
As a former Southern Baptist, I am well aware of how they continually throw statistics at you.
Such as: add an electric guitar to your worship music, and your church will automatically grow 10%.
Things like that.
I was just commenting on how they are just giving us more statistics, because this is what they do.

I did not yell at you but I certainly did give you the evil eye.A female trait.I am not into "denominations".I am a "Christian". That is it.I am not into all the politics and rituals that go with the different "religions".I have a relationship with Christ.Not a religion.

 

[Willie T]

Very seriously, though, one very important point was made that the members have to be intentional in staying aware of the way they may seem to visitors. My own wife was shocked when someone once told her that they, at first, thought she was aloof and stand-offish when they first visited at our church. I'm the one not too friendly in our family, not her.

 

[jasonc]

I did not yell at you but I certainly did give you the evil eye.A female trait.I am not into "denominations".I am a "Christian". That is it.I am not into all the politics and rituals that go with the different "religions".I have a relationship with Christ.Not a religion.

odd for one that isn't into demonations that if you were to meet me in person and I was teaching on revalation. I highly doubt you would bother to listen to me or concede points. isn't that how demonations are formed?

I have listened to a lot of end times, I still do , most pastor I listen to on the radio are of that ilk. yet most of the time(unless they say something ignorant about amil or partial preterism) I will listen to them even if I don't agree. sometimes it to get my arguments against it right or at times, hmm I didn't see that there. ok that is another view of that chapter with a futurist view. ok I will adjust that into my arguments.

 

[Kathi]

odd for one that isn't into demonations that if you were to meet me in person and I was teaching on revalation. I highly doubt you would bother to listen to me or concede points. isn't that how demonations are formed?

I have listened to a lot of end times, I still do , most pastor I listen to on the radio are of that ilk. yet most of the time(unless they say something ignorant about amil or partial preterism) I will listen to them even if I don't agree. sometimes it to get my arguments against it right or at times, hmm I didn't see that there. ok that is another view of that chapter with a futurist view. ok I will adjust that into my arguments.

If you were teaching Revelation and I felt you were taking me off in left field......you are right.I would not listen.There are a lot of different end time views not just pre-trib.In fact pre-trib is not that popular right now.

 

[Kathi]

Very seriously, though, one very important point was made that the members have to be intentional in staying aware of the way they may seem to visitors. My own wife was shocked when someone once told her that they, at first, thought she was aloof and stand-offish when they first visited at our church. I'm the one not too friendly in our family, not her.

I once attended a Church that the Pastor was so aloof and rude I did not go back....Nope you lost me Church.