A reader noticed that the New York City Church held their second grand opening this past weekend. This time the grand opening is at Times Square Arts Center in Midtown Manhattan.
Initially, I had a bunch of snarky comments about how they're running the church like a Mattress Store, with a bunch of Grand Openings and Going out of Business sales. But then I started to sort of feel bad for them. I hate to say it, but I'm kind of pulling for this group.
They are clearly struggling as this is their third location in less than six months. And trying to start any new business in Times Square has to be tough. I still think they made a mistake opening a church in the most expensive city in America, espcially when your home church is 3000 miles away. But, you know they really don't need me piling on. So, I have to say, I'm starting have a change of heart. Part of me wants them to succeed.
Of course, part of me also wants them to fail miserably, so I'm not that changed. I guess I just feel bad kicking them when they're clearly down.
So I have a question, and it’s not even snarky (love that word). Why does anyone feel it is necessary to start a new church at Times Square area when David Wilkerson already has one? Are there other churches in the area as well? Why does there need to be a CBC-esque one? Just wonderin’.
Do you realize how many people live in NYC? As a NYer myself, the more churches the better! God can use them all and we need more of Jesus in NY. Maybe everyone on this page should start living what the Bible says instead of spending their time judging others. Love Jesus and show that love to others. This website isn’t making a difference in anyone lives. Maybe you should think about reaching out to people who are going to hell instead of staying on your high horse. Just saying. There is a bigger picture!
There is nothing more judgmental than the statement “You are being judgemental” .
Thank you Anonymous, now we are even…except that our blog posts are funny and hard hitting and your comment was obvious and boring.
Our motto is “If you’re gonna judge…judge with style”.
Anonymous lies.
About this blog not making a different, part. And God doesn’t need the help of the churches. Yeah, He can use them to reach people, but “God can use them all” almost sounds like He needs our help.
[Comment ID #31507 Will Be Quoted Here]
Because there are millions of people who pass through Times Square everyday, and to the CBC-esque mind, those are millions of untapped resources.
Don’t you mean: “those are untapped millions”, Eleytheria?
but why do they keep changing location if they had the initial place for a buck or something really cheap??
Wow…haven’t really followed the whole NYCC thing. That website is a trip. I was in the “Livin in Another World” production for ES back in 1994-95. He was something else.
I have to agree though…why do they need all this money and hoopla to start a church? Just get some people together, start meeting in a living room somewhere, and trust in God to do the rest. I was apart of a church plant in Portland that had no people and no money but 8 years later it’s thriving. Now I’m again apart of a church plant with no people and no money…this time in Los Angeles California. We want to reach the heart of the entertainment world and bring the Gospel to people who have no idea who Jesus was or is (well besides what they saw in “The Passion of The Christ” film).
You know the problem with most Christians today….faith! It’s been my problem for the last 5 years. I want to control everything. Its easy to give God lip service and say “here God you take control of this.” But in reality I like to trust in my own resources. If I have enough money in the bank account, enough support from friends and family, and enough time and opportunity to get something done then I feel I am ready to go after it. But if I don’t have all those things backing me, I freak out and worry constantly that it will never get done. Oh me of little faith!
Seems to be the same problem this church is having. Just trust God and go for it people.
I still think they made a mistake opening a church in the most expensive city in America, espcially when your home church is 3000 miles away.
that was weird, i meant for it to look like this
sounds like Benny Hinn. But in all fairness, they aren’t as rich as he is.
What do you mean we’re “clearly struggling”? This congregation is actually growing. That’s why we’ve moved … and will do so again next Sunday, October 18, on our second anniversary in the Concrete Jungle! Between 90-100 people have been cramming into our small auditorium at the Times Square Art Center, so we’re moving on up to the Jackie Onassis High School, 120 W. 46th Street, the location used for filming the original “Fame” movie. The auditorium here seats 300 people, enabling us to have more room for others to attend, and giving us classroom space for children’s church besides.
Small groups started several Sundays ago, and our outreach group has been ministering to people on the Bowery. Got a group headed there this afternoon, in fact. God is clearly blessing and growing this congregation. Come visit us if you’re ever in NYC
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