Church on Sunday (1 Viewer)

[mr roboto]

I go to an evangelical megachurch. I'm pretty involved.

Say hi to Driscoll for me.

 

[shader]

I go. Sometimes I just stare at the statue of Jesus and wonder. I rarely fully believe. I know my kids do and I remember when I did. I felt a lot better about the world when I did believe without a doubt. I hope my kids don't ever lose that.

I'm with you. I had a loss of faith and remembered the words in Revelation 3:20.

Which one?

New International Version

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

New Living Translation

"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

English Standard Version

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

New American Standard Bible

'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

King James Bible

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.

International Standard Version

Look! I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with me.

NET Bible

Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English

Behold, I stand at the door and I shall knock. If a man listens to my voice and will open the door, I also shall come in and I shall have supper with him, and he with me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation

Look, I'm standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I'll come in and we'll eat together.

Jubilee Bible 2000

Behold, I stand at the door and call; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will sup with him, and he with me.

King James 2000 Bible

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will eat with him, and he with me.

American King James Version

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

American Standard Version

Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Douay-Rheims Bible

Behold, I stand at the gate, and knock. If any man shall hear my voice, and open to me the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Darby Bible Translation

Behold, I stand at the door and am knocking; if any one hear my voice and open the door, I will come in unto him and sup with him, and he with me.

English Revised Version

Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Webster's Bible Translation

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man shall hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Weymouth New Testament

I am now standing at the door and am knocking. If any one listens to My voice and opens the door, I will go in to be with him and will feast with him, and he shall feast with Me.

World English Bible

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.

Young's Literal Translation

lo, I have stood at the door, and I knock; if any one may hear my voice, and may open the door, I will come in unto him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Makes sense to have various translations for a book not written in English, doesn't it? I've read 3 or 4 different translations of The Brothers Karamazov (or The Karamazov Brothers according to the latest one). The bible's been around a lot longer than that book.

Does it? How can the word of god have any room for interpretation?

It wasn't written in English

 

[DiStefano]

Who goes, which church, and why? Does your spouse drag you? Is it habit?

I go to the Episcopal church every Sunday. I drag my spouse. Been going since I was little.

I think it would be more interesting to the other congregants if you left your spouse at home and went in drag.

 

[MAC_32]

Do you church goers give 10 percent of your salary to your church ??

that is a thing?

Once I went to a church with a friend and their family and each seat had a recommended monthly donation based on your income. Yes, this is a thing.

well, when we are out of non mortgage debt we plan to increase our donation but 10%? Umm, no. We are thinking more like $20 per week and $50 for special occasions rather than $10 and $20.

 

[matuski]

I go. Sometimes I just stare at the statue of Jesus and wonder. I rarely fully believe. I know my kids do and I remember when I did. I felt a lot better about the world when I did believe without a doubt. I hope my kids don't ever lose that.

I'm with you. I had a loss of faith and remembered the words in Revelation 3:20.

Which one?

New International Version

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

New Living Translation

"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

English Standard Version

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

New American Standard Bible

'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

King James Bible

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.

International Standard Version

Look! I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with me.

NET Bible

Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English

Behold, I stand at the door and I shall knock. If a man listens to my voice and will open the door, I also shall come in and I shall have supper with him, and he with me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation

Look, I'm standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I'll come in and we'll eat together.

Jubilee Bible 2000

Behold, I stand at the door and call; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will sup with him, and he with me.

King James 2000 Bible

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will eat with him, and he with me.

American King James Version

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

American Standard Version

Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Douay-Rheims Bible

Behold, I stand at the gate, and knock. If any man shall hear my voice, and open to me the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Darby Bible Translation

Behold, I stand at the door and am knocking; if any one hear my voice and open the door, I will come in unto him and sup with him, and he with me.

English Revised Version

Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Webster's Bible Translation

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man shall hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Weymouth New Testament

I am now standing at the door and am knocking. If any one listens to My voice and opens the door, I will go in to be with him and will feast with him, and he shall feast with Me.

World English Bible

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.

Young's Literal Translation

lo, I have stood at the door, and I knock; if any one may hear my voice, and may open the door, I will come in unto him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Makes sense to have various translations for a book not written in English, doesn't it? I've read 3 or 4 different translations of The Brothers Karamazov (or The Karamazov Brothers according to the latest one). The bible's been around a lot longer than that book.

Does it? How can the word of god have any room for interpretation?

It wasn't written in English

God didn't see it coming?

 

[Mr. Know-It-All]

I go most weeks to Community Bible Church. I like going to church for the most part. Mainly started going to get the kids in a youth group/Sunday school setting when they were little but grew to really love that church. If I miss a week or two every now and then I don't feel particularly guilty.

 

[beer 302]

Do you church goers give 10 percent of your salary to your church ??

You give what you are able, 10% is the number used in the bible I wouldn't say you're going to hell if you have to pay the light bill instead of kicking your tithe to the church. I know not all churches view it this way and our church hammers pretty hard on regular tithing but they also understand not everyone can tithe sometimes. Doesn't mean you are any less welcome. Give what you can, when you can. It's between you & God, not you and the church accountant.We go to the Church of God, very Pentecostal. I never went growing up, parents were both raised Catholic and Dad saw a lot of hypocrisy with it so he never had anything good to say about church. Wife was raised in Church of God but got away from it. We moved to SC where you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a church and started going about 5 years ago. Have really enjoyed it but the wife is becoming something of a zealot and it's pushing me & the kids away. Not sure where this is gonna end up.

 

[proninja]

Nowhere in the NT is 10% mentioned as an expected tithe number under the new covenant as it was under the covenant with Israel the nation. What the NT does say about giving is that it should be:

• Regular (1 Cor 16:2)
• Sacrificial (Mark 12:41-44)
• Cheerful (2 Cor 9:7)

Also, under the OT, total expected giving was closer to 25% than it was to 10%.

 

[tikigods]

Nowhere in the NT is 10% mentioned as an expected tithe number under the new covenant as it was under the covenant with Israel the nation. What the NT does say about giving is that it should be:

• Regular (1 Cor 16:2)
• Sacrificial (Mark 12:41-44)
• Cheerful (2 Cor 9:7)

Also, under the OT, total expected giving was closer to 25% than it was to 10%.

My church doesn't really keep tabs on who gives what.

 

[proninja]

Nowhere in the NT is 10% mentioned as an expected tithe number under the new covenant as it was under the covenant with Israel the nation. What the NT does say about giving is that it should be:

• Regular (1 Cor 16:2)
• Sacrificial (Mark 12:41-44)
• Cheerful (2 Cor 9:7)

Also, under the OT, total expected giving was closer to 25% than it was to 10%.

My church doesn't really keep tabs on who gives what.

That's a bit of a different conversation, but I can see reasonable arguments on both sides. On one side, it's hard for a pastor to not give preferential treatment to people he knows give a lot of money based on the practical economics of most churches (most of which are not wealthy at all, and really need the money.) On the other hand, if you are putting people into positions of leadership, it's nice to know where their heart is - and I wouldn't want someone in leadership who didn't have a servant's heart for the church - and I think it's basically impossible to have a servant's heart for the church and not give to it.

 

[James Daulton]

Nowhere in the NT is 10% mentioned as an expected tithe number under the new covenant as it was under the covenant with Israel the nation. What the NT does say about giving is that it should be:

• Regular (1 Cor 16:2)
• Sacrificial (Mark 12:41-44)
• Cheerful (2 Cor 9:7)

Also, under the OT, total expected giving was closer to 25% than it was to 10%.

My church doesn't really keep tabs on who gives what.

That's a bit of a different conversation, but I can see reasonable arguments on both sides. On one side, it's hard for a pastor to not give preferential treatment to people he knows give a lot of money based on the practical economics of most churches (most of which are not wealthy at all, and really need the money.) On the other hand, if you are putting people into positions of leadership, it's nice to know where their heart is - and I wouldn't want someone in leadership who didn't have a servant's heart for the church - and I think it's basically impossible to have a servant's heart for the church and not give to it.

Does your church have a "standard" or expectation of giving? My boss is an evangelical presbyterian and the expected (before taxes) giving level is 10%.

 

[tri-man 47]

Do you church goers give 10 percent of your salary to your church ??

Our giving level is roughly 6-7% of our net salaries. We have a niece who works with her husband for Wycliffe Bible Translators, and we give them a small amount of support each month as well.

 

[eurotrashman]

Nowhere in the NT is 10% mentioned as an expected tithe number under the new covenant as it was under the covenant with Israel the nation. What the NT does say about giving is that it should be:

• Regular (1 Cor 16:2)
• Sacrificial (Mark 12:41-44)
• Cheerful (2 Cor 9:7)

Also, under the OT, total expected giving was closer to 25% than it was to 10%.

My church doesn't really keep tabs on who gives what.

That's a bit of a different conversation, but I can see reasonable arguments on both sides. On one side, it's hard for a pastor to not give preferential treatment to people he knows give a lot of money based on the practical economics of most churches (most of which are not wealthy at all, and really need the money.) On the other hand, if you are putting people into positions of leadership, it's nice to know where their heart is - and I wouldn't want someone in leadership who didn't have a servant's heart for the church - and I think it's basically impossible to have a servant's heart for the church and not give to it.

Treatment? Like extra prayer time?

 

[proninja]

Nowhere in the NT is 10% mentioned as an expected tithe number under the new covenant as it was under the covenant with Israel the nation. What the NT does say about giving is that it should be:

• Regular (1 Cor 16:2)
• Sacrificial (Mark 12:41-44)
• Cheerful (2 Cor 9:7)

Also, under the OT, total expected giving was closer to 25% than it was to 10%.

My church doesn't really keep tabs on who gives what.

That's a bit of a different conversation, but I can see reasonable arguments on both sides. On one side, it's hard for a pastor to not give preferential treatment to people he knows give a lot of money based on the practical economics of most churches (most of which are not wealthy at all, and really need the money.) On the other hand, if you are putting people into positions of leadership, it's nice to know where their heart is - and I wouldn't want someone in leadership who didn't have a servant's heart for the church - and I think it's basically impossible to have a servant's heart for the church and not give to it.

Does your church have a "standard" or expectation of giving? My boss is an evangelical presbyterian and the expected (before taxes) giving level is 10%.

No. My church desires that its members give regular, sacrifically, and cheerfully, as that is the biblical expectations for the NT church.

 

[Christo]

Nowhere in the NT is 10% mentioned as an expected tithe number under the new covenant as it was under the covenant with Israel the nation. What the NT does say about giving is that it should be:

• Regular (1 Cor 16:2)
• Sacrificial (Mark 12:41-44)
• Cheerful (2 Cor 9:7)

Also, under the OT, total expected giving was closer to 25% than it was to 10%.

Doesn't tithe itself mean 10%?

 

[proninja]

Nowhere in the NT is 10% mentioned as an expected tithe number under the new covenant as it was under the covenant with Israel the nation. What the NT does say about giving is that it should be:

• Regular (1 Cor 16:2)
• Sacrificial (Mark 12:41-44)
• Cheerful (2 Cor 9:7)

Also, under the OT, total expected giving was closer to 25% than it was to 10%.

Doesn't tithe itself mean 10%?

You will notice that the only time I mentioned "tithe" was saying that it isn't anywhere in the NT, or the church age (which orthodoxy says we are in to this day.) Elsewhere I referred to it as "giving." I did this on purpose to avoid the very semantical argument you're bringing up.

 

[Ignoratio Elenchi]

Nowhere in the NT is 10% mentioned as an expected tithe number under the new covenant as it was under the covenant with Israel the nation. What the NT does say about giving is that it should be:

• Regular (1 Cor 16:2)
• Sacrificial (Mark 12:41-44)
• Cheerful (2 Cor 9:7)

Also, under the OT, total expected giving was closer to 25% than it was to 10%.

My church doesn't really keep tabs on who gives what.

How do you know how much to deduct on your tax returns? My church sent a year end statement of our contributions.

 

[tikigods]

Nowhere in the NT is 10% mentioned as an expected tithe number under the new covenant as it was under the covenant with Israel the nation. What the NT does say about giving is that it should be:

• Regular (1 Cor 16:2)
• Sacrificial (Mark 12:41-44)
• Cheerful (2 Cor 9:7)

Also, under the OT, total expected giving was closer to 25% than it was to 10%.

My church doesn't really keep tabs on who gives what.

That's a bit of a different conversation, but I can see reasonable arguments on both sides. On one side, it's hard for a pastor to not give preferential treatment to people he knows give a lot of money based on the practical economics of most churches (most of which are not wealthy at all, and really need the money.) On the other hand, if you are putting people into positions of leadership, it's nice to know where their heart is - and I wouldn't want someone in leadership who didn't have a servant's heart for the church - and I think it's basically impossible to have a servant's heart for the church and not give to it.

Treatment? Like extra prayer time?

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[tikigods]

Nowhere in the NT is 10% mentioned as an expected tithe number under the new covenant as it was under the covenant with Israel the nation. What the NT does say about giving is that it should be:

• Regular (1 Cor 16:2)
• Sacrificial (Mark 12:41-44)
• Cheerful (2 Cor 9:7)

Also, under the OT, total expected giving was closer to 25% than it was to 10%.

My church doesn't really keep tabs on who gives what.

How do you know how much to deduct on your tax returns? My church sent a year end statement of our contributions.

No idea. My personal business expenditures allow me plenty of deductions. Church deductions wouldn't amount to much considering I don't even give close to 10% of my income.

 

[lakerstan]

Anyone ever attend a Universalist Unitarian church?

Oddly, I had never heard of this until I did a wiki search for Andre Braugher the other day. I was curious where he got his acting education and this was on his page.

To answer the OP's question, went to church when I was a kid, and then started thinking for myself. If I did believe in God, this would be the type of church I would go to.

 

[pecorino]

Eastern Orthodox Christian but I go to a Greek Orthodox church because it is close to home. I should go every week but I miss now and then. I go for lots of reasons but number one would be for Communion.

 

[Politician Spock]

Do you church goers give 10 percent of your salary to your church ??

We gave 14% last year. Trying to hit 15% in 2014.

 

[slackjawedyokel]

Do you church goers give 10 percent of your salary to your church ??

You give what you are able, 10% is the number used in the bible I wouldn't say you're going to hell if you have to pay the light bill instead of kicking your tithe to the church. I know not all churches view it this way and our church hammers pretty hard on regular tithing but they also understand not everyone can tithe sometimes. Doesn't mean you are any less welcome. Give what you can, when you can. It's between you & God, not you and the church accountant.We go to the Church of God, very Pentecostal. I never went growing up, parents were both raised Catholic and Dad saw a lot of hypocrisy with it so he never had anything good to say about church. Wife was raised in Church of God but got away from it. We moved to SC where you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a church and started going about 5 years ago. Have really enjoyed it but the wife is becoming something of a zealot and it's pushing me & the kids away. Not sure where this is gonna end up.

Studious observation clarified the whole tithe thing. I have not found biblical support to give 10% of income to a church. What I have found is a history of priests who were devoted to meeting with God and representing the sacrifices of that particular tribe. That tribe gave a tenth of food, etc., to care for the priests. This model is used in churches today but is not specifically mandated. Jesus walked around telling folks that the content of their heart was equal to the actions that would be present. So my thinking is that generosity and selflessness is paramount, while the outward and stuffy presentation of exactly a tenth can actually displease God (just my take on it). Imagine a millionaire who gives a tenth but might be feeling the need to give much more...

 

[RevDawg]

I go every week.

Because I'm the pastor.

 

[slackjawedyokel]

To answer the OP...

I was not born in a religious household. Around 14 I had a spiritual encounter with God at a youth event. I was majorly diehard for a decade but ended up in a non-denominational church that ended up engaging in cult like activity. Needless to say I got my family out of there years ago and ever since I have struggled with cynicism toward the modern church. I accept responsibility for my poor attitude about it but it really took the steam out of my church involvement. I'm a lone ranger these days other than a brief appearance in a pew every few months. I still believe but I am detached from the church body.

 

[tikigods]

Anyone ever attend a Universalist Unitarian church?

Oddly, I had never heard of this until I did a wiki search for Andre Braugher the other day. I was curious where he got his acting education and this was on his page.

To answer the OP's question, went to church when I was a kid, and then started thinking for myself. If I did believe in God, this would be the type of church I would go to.

You would go to the UU church?

 

[proninja]

I go every week.

Because I'm the pastor.

Which denomination or tradition?

 

[tikigods]

I go every week.

Because I'm the pastor.

I'm guessing Baptist.

 

[RevDawg]

I go every week.

Because I'm the pastor.

Which denomination or tradition?

We self-identify as an emergent church. It's not a denomination, but a relatively new movement within the church (15 years old) that takes seriously how our culture and world has changed. I actually was part of the team that started our church 8 years ago.

Our heroes are people like Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, Phyllis Tickle, if those names mean anything to you.

 

[RevDawg]

I go every week.

Because I'm the pastor.

I'm guessing Baptist.

Used to be. I was raised as a fundamentalist Baptist. When I was 30, I had a crisis of faith that led me away from fundamentalism and to a much different kind of expression of my faith in Jesus.

 

[slackjawedyokel]

I go every week.

Because I'm the pastor.

Which denomination or tradition?

We self-identify as an emergent church. It's not a denomination, but a relatively new movement within the church (15 years old) that takes seriously how our culture and world has changed. I actually was part of the team that started our church 8 years ago.

Our heroes are people like Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, Phyllis Tickle, if those names mean anything to you.

Guys that are not so discriptive of what sin is or is not... IE gay Christians. I have no dog in fight obviously but it is a point of contention among Christian groups. I guess I'm of the thinking that I don't care what anyone else does so long as I do what I believe to be obedient.

 

[jamny]

Phyllis Tickle...tee-hee

 

[RevDawg]

Phyllis Tickle...tee-hee

 

[tikigods]

I go every week.

Because I'm the pastor.

I'm guessing Baptist.

Used to be. I was raised as a fundamentalist Baptist. When I was 30, I had a crisis of faith that led me away from fundamentalism and to a much different kind of expression of my faith in Jesus.

Are fundamentalist Baptists like the Westboro people?

 

[pollardsvision]

Don't go. Was raised Methodist. Took my kids. But now that they are all adults, I no longer attend. Take advantage of everyone else being there to dine out for breakfast on occasion though.

Sunday morning's also the best time of the week for grocery shopping.

 

[proninja]

I go every week.

Because I'm the pastor.

I'm guessing Baptist.

Used to be. I was raised as a fundamentalist Baptist. When I was 30, I had a crisis of faith that led me away from fundamentalism and to a much different kind of expression of my faith in Jesus.

Are fundamentalist Baptists like the Westboro people?

The Westboro people are the only people like the Westboro people. Fundamentalist Baptists are more like the duck dynasty people. Very Republican, very traditional, and have a tendency to worship the way things were in the 50's. They generally adhere less to a historical confession or Creed, and more to a modern evangelical way of reading the Bible.

 

[beer 302]

I go every week.

Because I'm the pastor.

As a fellow Browns fan, I will pray for you

 

[Mad Cow]

LDS here, but that's widely known. Currently serving as the bishop of my ward (congregation). Have my usual three hours of church every Sunday, as well as about two hours of meetings and two hours of interviews and meeting with people that need to talk to me, in addition to one or two nights a week doing the same. And yes, I do pay 10% of my gross as well as a decent additional donation for welfare each month.

 

[Steve Tasker]

To answer the OP...

I was not born in a religious household. Around 14 I had a spiritual encounter with God at a youth event. I was majorly diehard for a decade but ended up in a non-denominational church that ended up engaging in cult like activity. Needless to say I got my family out of there years ago and ever since I have struggled with cynicism toward the modern church. I accept responsibility for my poor attitude about it but it really took the steam out of my church involvement. I'm a lone ranger these days other than a brief appearance in a pew every few months. I still believe but I am detached from the church body.

I'd love to hear more about the cult-like activity. Maybe not in this thread though.

 

[Arid Filch]

I am interested in religion. But more than anything, I am interested in some of the people who have posted in this thread.

Full disclosure: I went to a Catholic school, did the altar boy thing, but had parents of little faith, and I started questioning the Bible at a very young age.

Wife and I go to a Presbyterian church most Sundays. Neither of us believes in god but we both enjoyed the church experience growing up and thought it would be a good thing for our family to do. Been going about a year now, and it's been a positive thing in our lives.

What are the positives? How do you reconcile that with your lack of faith?

I go to an evangelical megachurch. I'm pretty involved.

How many people make up the megachurch? Do you feel that, it being a large group, they are able to maintain connection with the pastor?

Do you church goers give 10 percent of your salary to your church ??

We gave 14% last year. Trying to hit 15% in 2014.

How much do you make? And what kind of church do attend?

 

[Politician Spock]

I am interested in religion. But more than anything, I am interested in some of the people who have posted in this thread.

Full disclosure: I went to a Catholic school, did the altar boy thing, but had parents of little faith, and I started questioning the Bible at a very young age.

Wife and I go to a Presbyterian church most Sundays. Neither of us believes in god but we both enjoyed the church experience growing up and thought it would be a good thing for our family to do. Been going about a year now, and it's been a positive thing in our lives.

What are the positives? How do you reconcile that with your lack of faith?

I go to an evangelical megachurch. I'm pretty involved.

How many people make up the megachurch? Do you feel that, it being a large group, they are able to maintain connection with the pastor?

Do you church goers give 10 percent of your salary to your church ??

We gave 14% last year. Trying to hit 15% in 2014.

How much do you make? And what kind of church do attend?

Made $145K last year.

If I make 100% of my commission I'll make $156K this year. 25% of my compensation is commission based. My base is $117K. If we exceed our sales quota I make even more.

Our church is affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention, but it's run pretty autonomous. It almost seems non-denominational.

 

[slackjawedyokel]

To answer the OP...

I was not born in a religious household. Around 14 I had a spiritual encounter with God at a youth event. I was majorly diehard for a decade but ended up in a non-denominational church that ended up engaging in cult like activity. Needless to say I got my family out of there years ago and ever since I have struggled with cynicism toward the modern church. I accept responsibility for my poor attitude about it but it really took the steam out of my church involvement. I'm a lone ranger these days other than a brief appearance in a pew every few months. I still believe but I am detached from the church body.

I'd love to hear more about the cult-like activity. Maybe not in this thread though.

Meh, without naming the place... Pastor manipulating congregation members into giving him ownership of property and assets as a sign of faith. Expanding on actual scripture to the point where people are literally denying their natural parents and making church family their new family. Privately meeting with wives in the congregation to cause doubt in their marriage. Weird stuff. We were fortunate enough to discern what was happening before we were deep in their culture.

 

[proninja]

I go to an evangelical megachurch. I'm pretty involved.

How many people make up the megachurch? Do you feel that, it being a large group, they are able to maintain connection with the pastor?

It's a multi-site church, but the location I go to runs about 3k weekly.

To your second question, absolutely not. It's one of the hardest things to do when your church gets big, and it presents a very real, difficult problem. Do you turn people away? Absolutely not. Is it possible for a church of 15k over multiple sites to have everyone connect with the pastor? Absolutely not.

What it does is create a void that mature Christians in the church need to step up and fill. It creates (well, it can create) a culture where if something needs to be done, you just do it. You can't wait around for someone else to do it, because everyone else who's doing stuff is really busy too. If you can't do it, you need to find someone, spend time with them, and help them do it. I don't know if it's ideal, and I don't always like it, but I go to church with some really outstanding people who love Jesus, will never be on stage, and take really good care of their fellow church goers.

You will find, at church, that there is no such thing as a perfect one. There is no church that has perfect doctrine. There is no church that has everything on lockdown. It's full of selfish, sinful people that have issues. I have some pretty big issues with my church, and I'm considering switching. Truthfully, I want to switch. But I want to consider others more highly than myself, and right now I'm in a position where I worry how it would affect them if I just did what I wanted to do and upped and left. I want to love the church, because that is Christ's bride, and if you love Him you necessarily love his church. I have found that when I go wondering what it is that church will give me, I end up frustrated. When I go wondering how I can help, it is a world better.

Hope that helps.

 

[Arid Filch]

I go to an evangelical megachurch. I'm pretty involved.

How many people make up the megachurch? Do you feel that, it being a large group, they are able to maintain connection with the pastor?

It's a multi-site church, but the location I go to runs about 3k weekly.

To your second question, absolutely not. It's one of the hardest things to do when your church gets big, and it presents a very real, difficult problem. Do you turn people away? Absolutely not. Is it possible for a church of 15k over multiple sites to have everyone connect with the pastor? Absolutely not.

What it does is create a void that mature Christians in the church need to step up and fill. It creates (well, it can create) a culture where if something needs to be done, you just do it. You can't wait around for someone else to do it, because everyone else who's doing stuff is really busy too. If you can't do it, you need to find someone, spend time with them, and help them do it. I don't know if it's ideal, and I don't always like it, but I go to church with some really outstanding people who love Jesus, will never be on stage, and take really good care of their fellow church goers.

You will find, at church, that there is no such thing as a perfect one. There is no church that has perfect doctrine. There is no church that has everything on lockdown. It's full of selfish, sinful people that have issues. I have some pretty big issues with my church, and I'm considering switching. Truthfully, I want to switch. But I want to consider others more highly than myself, and right now I'm in a position where I worry how it would affect them if I just did what I wanted to do and upped and left. I want to love the church, because that is Christ's bride, and if you love Him you necessarily love his church. I have found that when I go wondering what it is that church will give me, I end up frustrated. When I go wondering how I can help, it is a world better.

Hope that helps.

It helps a lot, because I am planning to move to Seattle soon. I will preach self-appreciation. My religion may not be popular with all groups but I want everyone to accept the idea that God loves you no matter what you do. If you do wrong, you have a chance to do right,

 

[proninja]

I go to an evangelical megachurch. I'm pretty involved.

How many people make up the megachurch? Do you feel that, it being a large group, they are able to maintain connection with the pastor?

It's a multi-site church, but the location I go to runs about 3k weekly.

To your second question, absolutely not. It's one of the hardest things to do when your church gets big, and it presents a very real, difficult problem. Do you turn people away? Absolutely not. Is it possible for a church of 15k over multiple sites to have everyone connect with the pastor? Absolutely not.

What it does is create a void that mature Christians in the church need to step up and fill. It creates (well, it can create) a culture where if something needs to be done, you just do it. You can't wait around for someone else to do it, because everyone else who's doing stuff is really busy too. If you can't do it, you need to find someone, spend time with them, and help them do it. I don't know if it's ideal, and I don't always like it, but I go to church with some really outstanding people who love Jesus, will never be on stage, and take really good care of their fellow church goers.

You will find, at church, that there is no such thing as a perfect one. There is no church that has perfect doctrine. There is no church that has everything on lockdown. It's full of selfish, sinful people that have issues. I have some pretty big issues with my church, and I'm considering switching. Truthfully, I want to switch. But I want to consider others more highly than myself, and right now I'm in a position where I worry how it would affect them if I just did what I wanted to do and upped and left. I want to love the church, because that is Christ's bride, and if you love Him you necessarily love his church. I have found that when I go wondering what it is that church will give me, I end up frustrated. When I go wondering how I can help, it is a world better.

Hope that helps.

It helps a lot, because I am planning to move to Seattle soon. I will preach self-appreciation. My religion may not be popular with all groups but I want everyone to accept the idea that God loves you no matter what you do. If you do wrong, you have a chance to do right,

When you get out here you're welcome to come to church with us. If it isn't to your liking, I've got different recommendations too

 

[tikigods]

I go every week.

Because I'm the pastor.

I'm guessing Baptist.

Used to be. I was raised as a fundamentalist Baptist. When I was 30, I had a crisis of faith that led me away from fundamentalism and to a much different kind of expression of my faith in Jesus.

Are fundamentalist Baptists like the Westboro people?

The Westboro people are the only people like the Westboro people. Fundamentalist Baptists are more like the duck dynasty people. Very Republican, very traditional, and have a tendency to worship the way things were in the 50's. They generally adhere less to a historical confession or Creed, and more to a modern evangelical way of reading the Bible.

How would you characterize the people of the Westboro church? It sounds like they are like the Fundamentalist Baptists but a little more forceful in getting their opinion out there.

Am I way off?

 

[James Daulton]

Nowhere in the NT is 10% mentioned as an expected tithe number under the new covenant as it was under the covenant with Israel the nation. What the NT does say about giving is that it should be:

• Regular (1 Cor 16:2)
• Sacrificial (Mark 12:41-44)
• Cheerful (2 Cor 9:7)

Also, under the OT, total expected giving was closer to 25% than it was to 10%.

My church doesn't really keep tabs on who gives what.

That's a bit of a different conversation, but I can see reasonable arguments on both sides. On one side, it's hard for a pastor to not give preferential treatment to people he knows give a lot of money based on the practical economics of most churches (most of which are not wealthy at all, and really need the money.) On the other hand, if you are putting people into positions of leadership, it's nice to know where their heart is - and I wouldn't want someone in leadership who didn't have a servant's heart for the church - and I think it's basically impossible to have a servant's heart for the church and not give to it.

Does your church have a "standard" or expectation of giving? My boss is an evangelical presbyterian and the expected (before taxes) giving level is 10%.

No. My church desires that its members give regular, sacrifically, and cheerfully, as that is the biblical expectations for the NT church.

Didn't get a chance to post again yesterday but thanks for responding to my question.

 

[bagger]

Hell no.

 

[proninja]

I go every week.

Because I'm the pastor.

I'm guessing Baptist.

Used to be. I was raised as a fundamentalist Baptist. When I was 30, I had a crisis of faith that led me away from fundamentalism and to a much different kind of expression of my faith in Jesus.

Are fundamentalist Baptists like the Westboro people?

The Westboro people are the only people like the Westboro people. Fundamentalist Baptists are more like the duck dynasty people. Very Republican, very traditional, and have a tendency to worship the way things were in the 50's. They generally adhere less to a historical confession or Creed, and more to a modern evangelical way of reading the Bible.

How would you characterize the people of the Westboro church? It sounds like they are like the Fundamentalist Baptists but a little more forceful in getting their opinion out there.

Am I way off?

I don't know anything about their theology, except what it results in. Though I'm not a fundie, I'm not going to insult them by making a Westboro connection. Those guys aren't a church. They're a money making endeavor for attorneys.

 

[Black Box]

I'm a big fan of church.