Enigma:

Inesqor bros, it is very tiresome; interestingly, this thread had not been that antagonistic (though I haven't seen each and every post) and it is right to examine our praxis along our doctrine.

Hmmmm **? No, I think not as I don't get the reference, sorry. 

JeSoul:

But the very purpose of church as we see in the very examples of the early church was coming together, sharing in communion and meals, building each other up, serving each other, discussing the bible in depth, and using our gifts to help each other.

The whole point of this thread is that the above ^^ is almost impossible to do effectively in a large church setting. And in light of that, what is the point of having a big church in the first place? I hope this makes sense. Thanks!

ayettymama:

all these parlour room churches are soo not kool!

elelem:

The early church was God centered and they paid attention to the needs of the breathren but most churches now are pastors and reverend centered and they are forced to pay attention mostly to the needs of the pastors and their family

Analytical:

Folks,

Just to make some quick observations:

The scriptures made it clear that the early church not only met from house to house (smaller groups), they actually also met in large congregations using upper rooms (more like halls in the upper floor of buildings), Solomon’s Porch (a large space within the outer court of the temple) that can take a large gathering etc.  They all couldn’t have been living in Solomon’s Porch!

Acts 2:
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart

47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 5
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things

12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.


As the number grew so did their needs and they continued to meet as a congregation and from house to house:

Acts 6

1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.

2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

3 "Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

Then entered Stephen and the other deacons selected to take charge of the daily administration of needs etc.  There is nothing wrong in coming together as large congregation but care must also be taken that no one is neglected by also meeting from house to house and in smaller groups.  This was what the early church did.

Check the Church at Corinth below and notice how distinction is made between when they come together as congregation and when they are in their houses:

1 Cor 11
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.

21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.


The early church was not a perfect one, just as ours is also not a perfect one.  They had their own Annanais and Saphirra etc  Even in the midst of the 12 small group close to Jesus, there was a Judas 'The Betrayer' Iscariot, a Peter 'The Denier' Simon and a Thomas 'The Doubter' Didymus!  Acts 6 sounds so familiar, especially when the church is growing, hence the wisdom in appointing deacons who attend to the needs of the congregation.


JeSoul and all who love His appearing, God bless you richly.

OLAADEGBU:

@Analytical,

Good job. We need more of your pin point analysis especially in the NL Christian thread.

Enigma:

Why don't you tell us and also tell us what point you are trying to make?
@enigma,the biritish brought us the anglican communion and christianity in general but church attendance on the british isles until recently was at an all time low.rather than criticize mega churches maybe we ought to pray for God to effectively utilize them in making him famous.i was at a morris cerrulo crusade tagged mission to london in 93 and a bunch of wheelchair bound chaps picketed the event with placards reading rights not miracles.i doubt if such hostility still persists after nearly 20 years of the likes of kicc in london.

england is cold towards the pentecostal movement but things are changing.pastor osgood's calling was to hav a church with 5000 members and his phone no even had 5000 in it and see what God is doing through him in london.i believe in the mega church as even the most conservative of churches back home i.e deeper life started out like a cell but we all know the story and it happened in less than a decade.
Because any person with sound Christian doctrine can see that these folks often make a mockery of Christianity with their false doctrines driven by the fact that the god of these fellows is their belly. We don't like them misrepresenting our faith. As just one example maybe you should search the Net on how your Paula White uses Psalm 68:19 as an attempt to fleece the flock into committing themselves to giving $68.19 per month to her partners in crime.

bros,only God sabi who dey serve am oooo so i advice you make judgment his call.only last year a very conservative tv evangelist came out of the closet after his atrocities started surfacing.i only wish we understood the significance of the blood of jesus and how our perceived right standing before him is like filthy rags.who are you to judge,is it not christ that died?
Perhaps somebody who chooses to stop attending KICC is actually using God-given intellect and has awakened to biblical truths and sound doctrine?

hmmmmmm,are you saying there is something wrong with the message at kicc?
Johnny just come to thread insulting people who had been discussing reasonably cordially; is that what they teach you at New Wine?

egbon naija,is asking if a group of people are a bunch of jokers insulting? my bad if it is, i thought it simply meant are u kidding me or come off it.
If you are biblically ignorant and foolish enough to part with 10% of your monthly income to your "church" instead of doing as Jesus taught, which is to help the needy around you, don't worsen the ignorance and folly by insulting those who know and follow Jesus' teaching!

i hav never ever regretted paying my tithe and trust me my finances are pressed down,running over and shaken together.if you like you can call me mr yafun yafun or is he the only one  
So what? By the way, I know New Wine and I have been there a couple of times, what's your point? Is the issue being discussed whether a group meets in a former cinema? Or rather is the discussion about formats of meeting and whether the mega-church format in particular is desirable?

whats wrong in having themed events.most people i know think church is soooo boooooooooring.God gave us our brains to think and be creative so with a little crreativity if some people come to christ,why una dey sweat

Zikkyy:

I guess i miss this part. I have to agree its much easier achieving this with a smaller group.

I have one concern though; This approach will be effective if you live in an exclusive area in Victoria Island, Ikoyi or even Ikeja G.R.A where privacy is guaranteed. Let say you live in mushin and you have this small gathering for fellowship. Your neighbours observe and offers to join in, you accept and before you know it you hitting a membership size of say 100, what will be your reaction to such situation?

Do you announce that the membership size is getting too large and achieving the original purpose will be difficult and propose a breakup into more clusters?
If you do this, would you prefer you stick to your old friends (i.e founding members)?   

Analytical:

Folks,

Just to make some quick observations:

The scriptures made it clear that the early church not only met from house to house (smaller groups), they actually also met in large congregations using upper rooms (more like halls in the upper floor of buildings), Solomon’s Porch (a large space within the outer court of the temple) that can take a large gathering etc.  They all couldn’t have been living in Solomon’s Porch!

Check the Church at Corinth below and notice how distinction is made between when they come together as congregation and when they are in their houses:

1 Cor 11
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.

21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

away4real:

@ InesQor, please you made the below comments in one of the pages on this threads. Can you provide scriptures to back the statements in bold. Thanks.

The unsaved are meant to be reached OUTSIDE the church, not brought into church to increase attendance, and then cajoled with an altar call and threatened with hell fire into making a decision, and then told to keep paying 10% of their income to guarantee their continuity in God.

It's putting the cart before the horse. I pity the horse, I guess.

wyt:

i sugest we hav online bible discussion here in NL,
let pick a date and time. what do you guys think?

lasgidi4rv:

@ Jesoul: I can understand your apprehension of meeting at the home of "strangers" as you put it. Now of course you feel comfortable with the friends you already hang out with. May I ask if these friends share the same spiritual beliefs as you? Being a part of a church body affords you the opportunity to meet other belivers who share your faith. Iron sharpens Iron, so you may begin the step towards closer relationship by suggesting that there be small group meetings at the church premises. At least that way, you are on neutral ground and then go from there.