Comments on: Great Piece: The First Mega Church http://www.christopherhopper.com/2009/12/great-piece-the-first-mega-church/ try not to blink. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:51:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Christopher Hopper http://www.christopherhopper.com/2009/12/great-piece-the-first-mega-church/comment-page-1/#comment-6069 Christopher Hopper Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:46:32 +0000 http://www.christopherhopper.com/?p=1571#comment-6069 But remember Sam, a more liberal state may have a converse affect on a Christian church. For instances, I live in NY State, one of THE most liberal states in the nation, as well as one of the highest taxed, rivaled by MA and CA. Secondly, we are a northern State...far from the Bible belt region. Yet our churches are FILLED with extremely conservative, doctrinally sound believers BECAUSE of the fact that our surroundings are so leftist. The socially adverse conditions of our environments MAKE US hold to core concepts, much like anti-Christian nations breed strong Believers. In contrast, I pastor many people, specifically from southern states, whose family has been in the church "for generations," and yet they are finally making core decisions themselves as twenty-somethings. Granted, this is not intended to be a sweeping generalization, just what I have personally perceived on my many trips abroad. But remember Sam, a more liberal state may have a converse affect on a Christian church. For instances, I live in NY State, one of THE most liberal states in the nation, as well as one of the highest taxed, rivaled by MA and CA. Secondly, we are a northern State…far from the Bible belt region. Yet our churches are FILLED with extremely conservative, doctrinally sound believers BECAUSE of the fact that our surroundings are so leftist. The socially adverse conditions of our environments MAKE US hold to core concepts, much like anti-Christian nations breed strong Believers. In contrast, I pastor many people, specifically from southern states, whose family has been in the church “for generations,” and yet they are finally making core decisions themselves as twenty-somethings. Granted, this is not intended to be a sweeping generalization, just what I have personally perceived on my many trips abroad.

]]> By: Christopher Hopper http://www.christopherhopper.com/2009/12/great-piece-the-first-mega-church/comment-page-1/#comment-6068 Christopher Hopper Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:39:01 +0000 http://www.christopherhopper.com/?p=1571#comment-6068 Ummm...say what? lol Ummm…say what? lol

]]> By: Christopher Hopper http://www.christopherhopper.com/2009/12/great-piece-the-first-mega-church/comment-page-1/#comment-6067 Christopher Hopper Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:38:39 +0000 http://www.christopherhopper.com/?p=1571#comment-6067 No problem. I always look forward to your comments! No problem. I always look forward to your comments!

]]> By: Sam http://www.christopherhopper.com/2009/12/great-piece-the-first-mega-church/comment-page-1/#comment-6006 Sam Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:35:36 +0000 http://www.christopherhopper.com/?p=1571#comment-6006 Aye I shall take your word for Barna, I have been to many churches, and it does not mesh with my knowledge. Yet*smiles* I am not all knowing so I shall believe ye. One thing though I disagree on, is the state differences. Tis what I think to be commonsense that a more liberal state would give more "liberal" answers to the polls. But, I shall keep me mouth shut :|.:) What about me post with the letters?? Thanks Sam Aye I shall take your word for Barna,

I have been to many churches, and it does not mesh with my knowledge. Yet*smiles* I am not all knowing so I shall believe ye. One thing though I disagree on, is the state differences. Tis what I think to be commonsense that a more liberal state would give more “liberal” answers to the polls. But, I shall keep me mouth shut :| .:)

What about me post with the letters??

Thanks
Sam

]]> By: Storyteller http://www.christopherhopper.com/2009/12/great-piece-the-first-mega-church/comment-page-1/#comment-6004 Storyteller Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:50:33 +0000 http://www.christopherhopper.com/?p=1571#comment-6004 Ah, I see. My apologies for misunderstanding, Sir Hopper. I agree that when people wish to do things differently than we would, we must show grace toward each other, and that often requires a sacrifice on someone's part. Thank you for clarifying. Ah, I see. My apologies for misunderstanding, Sir Hopper.
I agree that when people wish to do things differently than we would, we must show grace toward each other, and that often requires a sacrifice on someone’s part.
Thank you for clarifying.

]]> By: Christopher Hopper http://www.christopherhopper.com/2009/12/great-piece-the-first-mega-church/comment-page-1/#comment-6003 Christopher Hopper Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:27:25 +0000 http://www.christopherhopper.com/?p=1571#comment-6003 Sam: Barna is usually known for being very accurate. As far as state to state, if there is any state discrepancy, my travels usually find that people "raised" in a Christian culture, especially the south, often lack the foundational beliefs that their predecessors had. Sam: Barna is usually known for being very accurate. As far as state to state, if there is any state discrepancy, my travels usually find that people “raised” in a Christian culture, especially the south, often lack the foundational beliefs that their predecessors had.

]]> By: Christopher Hopper http://www.christopherhopper.com/2009/12/great-piece-the-first-mega-church/comment-page-1/#comment-6002 Christopher Hopper Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:58:36 +0000 http://www.christopherhopper.com/?p=1571#comment-6002 Thanks for the stats. Barna (who is actually a dude, come to find out!), does good research. Surprising, actually, as you'd think "smaller" would breed more foundational theology. Thanks for the stats. Barna (who is actually a dude, come to find out!), does good research. Surprising, actually, as you’d think “smaller” would breed more foundational theology.

]]> By: Christopher Hopper http://www.christopherhopper.com/2009/12/great-piece-the-first-mega-church/comment-page-1/#comment-6001 Christopher Hopper Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:56:24 +0000 http://www.christopherhopper.com/?p=1571#comment-6001 Storyteller: Thanks for your comments. I think the point he was making about sacrifice is not the method of church (as he sounds as much of a proponent of cell ministry as you are--house church or small group), but in the sacrifice of the individual to help accommodate growth. For example, in your structure, let's say 1,000 new Believers are added to your house church tomorrow. As you said, more house churches would be started. By whom? Presumably, if you are of age, you would be enthusiastic about training up leaders and multiplying the Body of Believers. But your sacrifice is that your house church wouldn't look the same, as the people you used to be fellowshiping with are no longer in your group. Granted, the semantics might be over the fact that you're not of age to lead one, or you have others designated to run new home churches, but the fact remains somewhere, someone will being doing something new, and this "small thing" is the sacrifice. Change always equals sacrifice. And in the church world, breaking old or comfortable patterns is uncomfortable. As for people leaving the church over needs being met, I do not think he was posting to compare those leaving verses not leaving. If he was, the growth rate of Christianity and church size world-wide is staggeringly exciting! Like you, I believe that the needs of the individual are addressed on a local level, but met on a corporate one: strength of resources in numbers. Storyteller: Thanks for your comments. I think the point he was making about sacrifice is not the method of church (as he sounds as much of a proponent of cell ministry as you are–house church or small group), but in the sacrifice of the individual to help accommodate growth. For example, in your structure, let’s say 1,000 new Believers are added to your house church tomorrow. As you said, more house churches would be started. By whom? Presumably, if you are of age, you would be enthusiastic about training up leaders and multiplying the Body of Believers. But your sacrifice is that your house church wouldn’t look the same, as the people you used to be fellowshiping with are no longer in your group. Granted, the semantics might be over the fact that you’re not of age to lead one, or you have others designated to run new home churches, but the fact remains somewhere, someone will being doing something new, and this “small thing” is the sacrifice. Change always equals sacrifice. And in the church world, breaking old or comfortable patterns is uncomfortable.

As for people leaving the church over needs being met, I do not think he was posting to compare those leaving verses not leaving. If he was, the growth rate of Christianity and church size world-wide is staggeringly exciting! Like you, I believe that the needs of the individual are addressed on a local level, but met on a corporate one: strength of resources in numbers.

]]> By: Christopher Hopper http://www.christopherhopper.com/2009/12/great-piece-the-first-mega-church/comment-page-1/#comment-6000 Christopher Hopper Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:43:29 +0000 http://www.christopherhopper.com/?p=1571#comment-6000 You bet, bro. Thanks for always reading. ch: You bet, bro. Thanks for always reading. ch:

]]> By: Sam http://www.christopherhopper.com/2009/12/great-piece-the-first-mega-church/comment-page-1/#comment-5999 Sam Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:21:11 +0000 http://www.christopherhopper.com/?p=1571#comment-5999 Jason, I believe the survey to be inaccurate, but besides that. These numbers would differ widely from state to state. Say, Florida and the bible belt, or all the liberals in Oregon. Jason,

I believe the survey to be inaccurate, but besides that. These numbers would differ widely from state to state. Say, Florida and the bible belt, or all the liberals in Oregon.

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