Merry Christmas
Posted on December 25th, 2004 by catalyst into the Seasonal categoryI hope everyone is having as wonderfully awkward a Christmas as megachurchsurvivor. I also tend to agree with Mega that "we just scratched the surface". So, I do not think I am done quite yet. I may have one or two more posts in me.
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December 25th, 2004 at 10:21 am
Cat, am I to understand you stayed out east this Christmas or are you writing from Ma and Pa’s? Anyhow, have an awesome Christmas, we’ll see just how awkward it can get here when we arrive in a few minutes.
December 25th, 2004 at 10:39 pm
Saturday, December 25, 2004
The Big Debate.
I find it very humerous as a reborn Christian to sit and read these Well Church VS City Bible Church Debates. I have personally attended both churches and the members of City Bible Church posting comments on this blog only confirm why I left City Bible and by the grace of God become a member of The Well. As a reborn Christian let me tell you my first experiences at City Bible Church were not of a pleasant one. I am in no way knocking the house of God but rather telling my story of how unwelcomed I felt at City Bible from the beggining. Actually I am not even sure it was an unwelcome feeling but more of a “is the for real feeling.” It felt so unpersonal, commercial driven and the pastor was preaching to me via video conference from another temple about measure 36. This was the first time in my life I had ever seen Christians rally and show so much hatred towards any one sin. I was thinking to myself, “who is this pastor?” This man seemed more like a presidential candidate telling the people exactly what they wanted to hear and when they would cheer he would only dig deepper and harder into the homosexual debate. I felt so disgusted inside, almost like I was listening to a modern day Hitler brainwash his people. I was waiting for hands to go straight up into the air towards the monitor and pastor. This gentleman was supposed to be a Christian role model, he was a pastor! As a reborn Christian this so called pastor really let me down! I kept thinking to myself how can a preacher teach hate? Isn’t the entire point of Christianity to love one another and pray for each other?! To recognize that Jesus died for all of our sins so that we may enjoy eternal life in heaven. Does the bible not say that all sins were created equal? Love the neighbor? “Let he who is without sin, cast the first rock?” I am by no means stating in this blog that I agree with homosexuality and that it is ok. Homosexuality is obviously a sin and goes against what is taught to us in the Bible. You know what though City Bible? So is cursing, cheating, pornography, pre-marital sex and we all know the list goes on. How do you expect a homosexual to ever come to know God if you will not even give one the chance to do so through your church? Your pastor prays every Sunday to help members stop commiting the other “ok”sins I stated above but homosexuality is the “black ball?” I can assure you as a highly educated Psychology major that monogomy is not 100% pure in your church yet these people are allowed to come and worship on Sunday’s. Cheating in marriage is 1 of the 10 commandments for crying out loud. The point I am trying to make here is that we all have to work together and pray for one another in order to be a real Christian and practice the word of God. This is the entire point of Christianity. If we have forgotten this one simple lesson that Jesus has taught us in the bible than we have neglected and become blind to every lesson the son of God has set out to teach us. How can this Pastor at City Bible not hold out his arms and embrace these homosexuals and try and lead them into the heart of God? Would Jesus have turned his back to the homosexual human beings in disgusts? I think we all know that the Son of God would have probably had dinner with them and shown them as much love as he does for us heterosexuals. Jesus would not have stood upon a mountain top, preached homosexual hate to the Jews and Christians with one fist clenched as the crowd roared on! One guy who keeps posting as “ANONYMOUS” and is obviously from City Bible disgusts me with his Christian Ignorance. How ignorant are you? Especially calling yourself a Christian? Have you been to college as you have stated? Do you realize you sound as ignorant as some Arian Nazi on the Jerry Springer show stating, “I hate African American’s because yeah, I hate them!” How brainwashed are you? They say the mind works best when it is like a parachute, “OPEN!” I know I will never get my point across to you because you are exactly as ignorant as I have stated and it makes me sad. I pray for you and I mean that sincerely! The moral of this post we all need to reach out, pray and help every human being on this planet. We should be praying for non Christian’s the hardest and embracing them the most!!! Not turning our backs on them with disgusts! We Christians have the easy task accomplished. We have asked God into our hearts and for this will embelish in eternal life. All that Jesus has asked of us to do is spread the word of God and love one another. Some times we human beings make things so much harder than they have to be. A golfer watches hours and hours of video to get that perfect swing. A probaseball player does the same so he might get a hit of “The Unit.” Sometimes we forget the basic fundamentals as I see occuring in this blog from City Bible posters. Don’t break sinning down so small that you forget the whole picture and easy lesson. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and City Bible Posters, as much as you may be disgusted with me, I love you all and will continue to pray for you everday! God Bless.
December 25th, 2004 at 11:24 pm
Right on, C Hope! I think I know who you are, and I was around when you gave CBC a chance. They let you down and I’m so happy you found your home. At the same time, I’m also glad you have the opportunity to settle your differences with the church that dissapointed you so much, even if they don’t read what you wrote, it’s something that needs to be said. I’m not sure if you would be walking so closely with God right now if City Business had been the only church you attended. Luckily for them you stuck with it, and they won’t be held accountable for letting another soul fall through the cracks! Peace!
December 26th, 2004 at 12:36 am
Megachurch…Survivor,
You know exactly who I am and I can assure you I am a brother at that! Thanks for taking me into your new house at The Well and showing me what I have sought after for so long! It is so funny for me to see us in a rented church on Sunday’s and feeling richer than City Business members could ever feel even with there $800,000.00 lighting systems and monitors. Does City Business even know how many kid’s mouths in Africa that money could feed? It disgusts me to see finances spent in the ways that City Business allocates it’s funds. Lets continue to pray that the man up above answers our prayers and that this blog actually works and open’s up more hearts to the Lord! Hey City Business, let me ask just one honestly opened question if I may? If you were in Africa and saw little kids starving away on the left and on the right a brand new sound system with plasma monitors, what option would you allocate your finances too? I think we all know the answer. Now do something about it! Much Love! I’am out!!!
December 26th, 2004 at 1:07 am
Hey C Hope, you’ve crossed a line; your comments are despicable. You don’t have to sink to that level to make a point. Hey Mega-mouth, you know better than to overlook that kind of specious crap.
December 26th, 2004 at 9:27 am
Hey Anonymous-
How about we both post our real names on this website. I am 100% proud and passionate about every word I have written are you? If you agree, let’s posts our real names to the public. I am only saying exactly what I would say right to your face and City Business for that matter. I honestly care and pray for you but you lash out at me? Mature. Christian Mature. I really hope you want to post your real name with me. If not, hide behind your little curtain and fantasy world. Love you Anonymous!
December 26th, 2004 at 9:32 am
I love City Bible! So passionate, so full of venom! They make it easy to join and nearly impossible to leave without being made to feel like an outcast. That, by the way, is a key component of most cults. Not saying they are a cult, I’m just saying they share a few common views. That Africa crack was pretty funny, seeing how it was for the most part a joke. Maybe you could prove that it’s not true by adding a new missionary or two, you haven’t done that for years. I was tired of giving to the Githins over and over…oh wait, their back stateside, who does that leave?
December 26th, 2004 at 10:03 am
I was just made aware of the Prossers by my wife, so please, no need to write a correction!
December 26th, 2004 at 11:23 am
Mega - yep I’m in town. We should get together.
December 26th, 2004 at 1:13 pm
Mega Church Survivor…
I know this man pesonally and what he speaks is the truth! Like I have stated I am a newborn Christian so City Business could have easily steered me into there fellowship if I had felt like they were moving me closer to God. The sad fact of the matter is that City Business did not move me closer to God but rather pushed me away even further. The Well from day 1 was a gold mine filled with love, the word, open arms towards every human being and most of all the truth. I have another challenge for you “ANONYMOUS.” Not only shall we both pledge our real names out to the public in this blog being not afraid to speak our minds, I will match you dollar for dollar with any donation you would like to disperse to starving children in Africa or the homeless shelters in Portland. We can both personally deliver the money. Do you have the courage to take on this challenge? Remember, God will always provide so finances are not a worry to me. Let’s see if you practice what you preach at City Business and believe the same…”God will provide.” So here we go…”real names” out in the open and a dollar to dollar match for God’s struggling children. Get back to me. God Bless, I am out.
December 26th, 2004 at 1:26 pm
One last thing I almost forgot to mention “ANONYMOUS.” The money needs to be both of our own, not donations collected or money raised. This money will come from the both of our hard working jobs. This could be a really cool thing we both do if you accept the challenge. Get back to me. Much Love!
December 26th, 2004 at 1:40 pm
You are unbelievable. Get a life.
December 26th, 2004 at 2:37 pm
new anonymous… wow christian hope that was an interesting comment i really like when you compared the pastor of city bible to hitler! i cant imagine how you could have made yourslef sound more pathetic and stupid. but i guess anything is possible and since you are no longer going to city bible but attending the well why do you care what happens at city bible? isnt that why ther are different churches so you can find the one that is right for you? but why does it bother you so much that people might like city bible and agree with what they teach? i know you probably wont listen to me since i am just one of those ignorant people who ACTUALLY attend city bible!
December 26th, 2004 at 3:00 pm
Hitler? WOW, and I thought I was bitter. At the same time if there is a problem with the teaching @ CBC shouldn’t people stand up for the truth? Maybe in a slightly kinder way I suppose.
December 26th, 2004 at 3:08 pm
First and foremost why do you all call yourself “anonymous?” Are you scared to put your real name on the line? Second, why is my challenge ridiculous? It is for a good cause and you can prove a point to me that you are for real. Third, I am not knocking all people who go to City Bible, only the igorant members who are blind to what is going on or are scared to speak out on behalf of there church’s wrong doing. Lastly, I did not mean your preacher was “Hitler.” He just controlled the crowd with such power and authority it was obvious that even someone who disagreed with his point of view would not have dared spoken up. So on hindsight it was like a Nazi propaganda speech. Raise your hand and agree or be banished from the church. I guarantee that not everyone agreed with your pastor. What if there was a gay Christian Male or Female in the crowd? I am sure that made that person feel like a real supported member in your so called Christian Family at CBC. That kind of speech is exactly what they needed not to get help from a Christian friend. Your use of the word ignorance completely baffles me. One, because you have stolen my word and tried to twist it around on me. A classic non witty retaliation. Two, because if you were as educated and so strong about your beliefs as me you would let your name be known to the public. You want my name? Let me know. I will personally give you not only my name but my cell phone number as well. You spit such ignorant jargon out like a chump KKK member hiding behind a sheet. What is your name? I am not knocking your beliefs. This is America and we are all entitled to have faith in and believe what ever we so choose to. On the other hand, don’t hide behind the name “Anonymous” when you are scared of people knowing exactly who you are and what you believe. I would have so much more respect for you if you would just come out. It might even make me quit posting on the blog and taking advantage of your child like mind. Come out of the closet who ever you are. We might just be good friends. Think before you write and repond to my posts. At least make it a challenge. Seriously! Megachurch…help me out. This “anonymous” person is killing my hope that Americans are still getting somewhat of an education at these so called college’s they graduated from. I love you CBC. It might not seem like it but I sincerely pray for all of you. As for the KKK remark. I am just trying to burn enough fire in your belly so that you get the Gull to give us your name. I do not actually think you are a KKK member, got that? I just think you are as scared a member who hides behind a sheet and is embarassed to show there real face and what they preach.
December 26th, 2004 at 3:12 pm
One last thing. I do not care what City Bible practices or preaches. If people are happy at your church, fine so be it. You are all entitled to your right which is an excellent freedeom we American’s get. Just don’t go preaching hatred and singling out one “SIN” to the nation when you are forgetting about all the other sins that exist. You know in the bible it states that if you get a divorce and remarry that that marriage is adultry? Oh know, you better have your church dig hard into that one. Cmon CBC, where is the love? Come over and we can all pray together. I mean that very sincerely.
December 26th, 2004 at 4:22 pm
Keep talking, christian hope, youre sounding more and more wacky with each post. I missed SNL last night, but this is almost as good!
December 26th, 2004 at 6:12 pm
hahaha!! ok first are pastor is hitler and now all the members of city bible are part of the KKK? oh my gosh! why stop there i mean come on pastor frank could be the antichrist! or better yet satan himeslf!! you are so messed up you dont know what your saying but by all means continue you only prove you ignorance with every Word you write.
December 26th, 2004 at 6:39 pm
“you only prove you ignorance”
Right, thats real smart.
December 26th, 2004 at 6:57 pm
(I’m a new anonymous)
I just wanna say, either that anonymous up there is the biggest idiot ever, or he’s joking around. I hope he’s joking.. because he’s acting like a 12 yr old.. Maybe it is a 12 yr old. hmmmm…..
December 26th, 2004 at 11:48 pm
Kids, kids let’s get along now! Both sides need to see things objectively or just move on to the next topic. At any rate, both sides are getting pummeled and neither side is entirely correct. Peace!
December 27th, 2004 at 12:28 am
I agree with wwjd
December 27th, 2004 at 8:24 am
In the beginning this blog demonstrated the glory of freedom of speech; now it is demonstating the shame.Democracy/community requires self control both physical and verbal. Politeness is a form of love. “Correctness” whether politcal or religious is a form of control. Name calling has no place in a sincere(loving) dialogue or in this case a sequencial monologue. Speak the truth in love, or don’t speak. God “reads” every posting and knows the heart behind it.
December 27th, 2004 at 8:24 am
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
December 27th, 2004 at 8:33 am
thank you for posting that twice, just is case we missed that first on. ooh there is another on right below it! GOOD THINKING!
December 27th, 2004 at 9:36 am
I’m not going to babysit people on this blog. I’m leaving the comment from Christian Hope up, because it says more about him than it does about City Bible.
January 3rd, 2005 at 3:45 pm
Hey Christian Hope,
This is the first time I have posted on this blog. I have been reading it for about the past three weeks. I know who most of the original creator’s and poster’s on this blog are, because I have known one or more of their siblings for years. I feel that I know where most of their feelings and thoughts came from. But now I believe that you are using this blog to push a personal belief. I do not have anything against you, I just do not think your view of CBC is fair since it is based on personal interpretation and not facts.
I attend CBC, I have for fifteen years, I became a “member” about a year ago, the reason I did this is because I Believe in the Values and Mission of CBC. But as a Christian who bases my personal relationship with Jesus Christ on the Bible, I can say that every one of my beliefs does not line up exactly with CBC. But I will also say I have also attended “The Well” and my beliefs do not line up exactly with “The Wells” either. Personally I am not a Christian because of my experience at church. I am a Christian because of my relationship with Jesus. When I attended the Well, I thought it was a great church. But I attend City Bible Church, because I know it is where God wants me for the time being. When God tells me to move on then by all means I will follow his direction. I will not let my experiences control what I do.
All I know is that If God tells you to do something, and because of an experience, of your own or of somebody else, you do not do it, you are the one disobeying God.
I do not believe there is any church’s beliefs that line up exactly with the Bible and if anyone thinks there is than that is the person I would call ignorant. Like I always say ignorance is bliss. Anyone content with ignorance is a moron.
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