Always grateful for feedback. While we did mention that online church can be a wonderful blessing to those who cannot physically assemble, we neglected to mention that online is a benefit for all those who don’t have a sound church near them. Sorry for that. And sorry you don’t have a good church near you. That is a bummer.

@moderncoaches

4 күн бұрын

Good save via comment.

@church_auditor21

4 күн бұрын

In the end days we will have a much harder time finding a fully biblical church if even biblical at all

@lillyanna8432

4 күн бұрын

thank you for rectifying. Sadly, in this day and age finding a faithful church is getting more and more difficult, its literally like walking though a minefield. Most churches in my area offer a moralistic do better woke version of worship and it feels more like a joining a nice friendly social club than a church, you are just not being fed the Word of God, that is why we participate on line, not because we can't be bothered to go in person. But I totally get what you are saying, we can't just go on zoom for convenience. Having a faithful church within a reasonable distance from your home is definitely a blessing these days, but we shouldn't look down on those who don't or can't get to one for whatever reason and make them feel like they are falling short or missing out or whatever.

@viacheslaavkhruuton4789

4 күн бұрын

Well done video, and I hope it is received in the spirit you meant. I'm sure this topic may offend some. I am also certain video/zoom services and Churches have many benefits to some people. There are some comments below of individuals explaining why this type of Church Service benefits them. In my circumstance I agree with what you are saying for those people who are able to attend a physical Church, but grew somewhat lazy to the idea of visiting a physical location after COVID did it's thing. I'm Catholic and I truly love being Catholic. I recognize it is not a walk for everyone however. My wife and step children are Protestant (Methodist) and also the Assembly of God. Being Catholic it's drilled into us to not miss. Whether you agree or disagree with this isn't the point. It's simply how we are raised. Lately I have been noticing my wife and step children (23 & 26 years old respectively) are making less of an effort to attend their Church at it's physical location. Instead they "zoom" , and even that has been falling off. Which prompted a discussion between all of us. They all state they are not happy and comfortable with their respective pastors. I've attended many of their services and obviously I compare them to my Catholic faith. Believe me, not every Catholic priest is hitting a home run with his homilies. But the difference is the Catholic Mass focusing on the Eucharist. THAT never changes. The homily in the Catholic Mass is 12-15 mins on average. With 45 minutes filling out the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. If we have a bad, or aubpar Priest - it's not about him anyway. Our Focus is always to be The Word, and Christ. When I attend their services, the Pastor/ Minister becomes the focus with a rather lengthy talk. Most times I've found their homilies to be spiritually "spot-on". But, of you have someone who is not captivating or charismatic, then the Assembly seems to suffer and they become complacent with that particular Church. I've told my Wife and step kids to keep going. I have references Hebrews as you have and I hope to inspire them to find Christ within their Assembly. It's easy in the Catholic Church with the Eucharist being the focus. I truly feel for my Wife and her kids, but I also feel they need to be part of the solution at their respective Churches. I feel they are missing out on vital spiritual nourishment when they are choosing to not attend their physical location, despite watching that same location on their computer instead.

@simeonyves5940

3 күн бұрын

Thanks Pastor Todd, as one who does not have a sound church near me, that recognition means a Lot :) and I mean that Genuinely! Sorry for my sheer despair in my Earlier comment, but with the only sound church to offer me fellowship being 121 miles away and me having no money to move.... I am in catch 22 at the Moment! so their Service Uploads, and the Sermon Uploads from my Second Choice of sound church (105 Miles away in another Town in the Same County) are a real Blessing Indeed and I, for a moment, thought it was being looked down on, My bad for not Understanding Properly! Still, Lord Willing, He will provide a way for me to get up north, to where I have been Offered Fellowship at a Sound Church, eventually.

It is most definitely not a substitute, but it is a valuable alternative for sure.

@jodyel

18 сағат бұрын

Agreed, and especially for homebound/shut in people. I thank God for it.

With rare exception, I watch a sermon from various pastors on KZread every day. I only learned the hard truth from pastors through my computer. I want to hear the truth thrown right at me. To think that attending a service once a week is enough, try again. Seek the Lord daily. If a local church does not preach out of the word of God, I won't be there.

@craigculbertson1240

2 күн бұрын

Yes amen! I love putting on sermons and just listening while I'm at work. However, Sunday morning should definitely be for actual church attendance, so long as you're able

Online church is add-on, not a replacement

@cassandrachenhalls3099

3 күн бұрын

Unless you are a shut -in and also caring for a very disabled adult son..,

@janetrankin9520

3 күн бұрын

Online church may be an add-on to some but for those who physically not able to attend, or without a church close enough to attend

@Veretax

Күн бұрын

The reality is people looking for people online is both a sign of the times and a sign of the failure of the church's ability to lead its people disciple its people and continue to propagate additional learning and disciples after they get past a net number of members that seemed to be enough to sustain it for some amount of time inviting others to join without exclusion. What's really funny is when a church will keep saying oh things were so great when we were at the other location but nobody can tell you why they aren't still doing the things they were bragging about that are now 10 years in the past. Churches have rested on their laurels laurels

@johntremblay704

Күн бұрын

​@cassandrachenhalls3099 Even then, it is not a replacement. It may, however, be the best you're capable of doing. If so, then that's great. Do the best you can. Our pastor and church leadership will visit members who are home or bed bound. Same with those in the hospital. This is fellowship. Not a member? Reach out to a "good" pastor, anyway. It is the duty of the church bring the word of God to you and fellowship with. If on the other hand, you're simply making excuses not to physically go to church, well, no one is going to bend over backwards to facilitate that.

The one thing I like about having the sermons online is for when I can't get there, such as recovering from surgery, being too sick, and other unexpected important reasons.

I attend church on Sunday and also listen to a lot of preachers on line..

@bill2066

2 күн бұрын

AGreed. I think he's referring to people who chose computer church and thats it.

There is nothing like being in church with other believers. I am grateful that I do have a good Bible teaching church.

My mother was bedridden for the last 3 years of her life, having an online broadcast helped her attend, (atleast digitally) every service, and until her last breath helped keep her faith. The bible says, do all things to the glory of god, why couldn't that effort be applied to a digital broadcast?...

@RachelNichols-writer

4 күн бұрын

She could not attend due to circumstances beyond her control. That's what streaming is for.

@williamcarmack4706

3 күн бұрын

Listening to a sermon is good, but hopefully the local church met with her during that time. Just because a person is unable to move does not mean members should be incapable of meeting with those that are incapable, especially the pastors.

@moderncoaches

3 күн бұрын

@williamcarmack4706 they definitely did, they where very caring.

Online service is what evangelized me, I was able to listen and read the Gospel and then get baptized with my family and been going to church following the Lord ever since

Some of us don’t have a choice. I live in a rural area where ALL the churches near me are either Arminian dispensationalist, Catholic, or Pentecostal. The closest reformed church is over 100 miles away and I’m not driving over 200 miles every week just so I can interact with a few people for a couple of minutes before and/or after the service. I listen to RC Sproul and John MacArthur every single day and learn more in a week than I would in a year in a typical Church. 90% of todays preachers are weak, woke and preach a false, non offensive, watered down gospel that serves nobody. I may be missing out on the personal interaction of a local church but I refuse to be part of a man centered, phony, woke church that’s more concerned with pleasing man than Christ. All churches are not created equal and 90% of them do more harm than good.

@sojourning7

4 күн бұрын

Amen! I don't agree with what is presented in this video.

@simeonyves5940

4 күн бұрын

Same issue here pretty much, other than my area being urban, but with the Exact same Problem otherwise!

@davidlafleche1142

4 күн бұрын

See my stuff.

@cliffbailey6474

4 күн бұрын

Start a house church like the Apostles. Do the work.

@cliffbailey6474

4 күн бұрын

@@simeonyves5940 Start a house church like the Apostles. Do the work.

Interesting that you have Nathan Busenitz explaining this. He is a pastor at John MacArthur's church. MacArthur once talked about in a sermon on why they do not have screens (people need to concentrate on the SPEAKER!). He added, that people do not want to see his nose hairs magnified on a big screen! I go to a big church and originally sat near the back. Last year I finally moved down to the front. I do find myself concentrating more on the pastor than the screen. Besides that, he can see me. I don't want him catching me looking away from him!

I remember one day in Sunday school I learned a very interesting thing about early church life. I’d already known that the church as the institution we know now evolved out of the early Middle Ages, evolving from house church gatherings. What I didn’t know is that during these house churches, Christians simply gathered together as one big family around a table, shared Communion, material goods each other might have needed, and encouragement through their troubles. Once the church became the institution we know now, it went from being family relationship based to performance based and its leaders lost personal touch with their congregations. It was a very interesting discussion.

@jodyel

18 сағат бұрын

Home churches are making a comeback especially in certain countries where one cannot openly practice ones faith. Where two or more are gathered...

I am a minister in South Africa. I record my sermons, not to post for everyone. I send it to the ones that couldn't make the service and I use it evaluate myself.

@Mpw1776

3 күн бұрын

Thank you! Wish more pastors had your attention to shepherd and not have the arrogance to advertise.

@TheOpendoormedia

2 күн бұрын

Not a good move. Those who are seeking Christ who might be going online to do so could actually come across your teaching and then be exposed to Christ. Unless of course, you hide your candle under a bushel.... Don't make that mistake.

I agree with you, But there are some of us that don’t drive and are disabled . God Bless your Message though , it’s very True !!!

The best church is a simple and peaceful one that teaches salvation through Christ alone, sings old-fashioned hymns, and has a congregation of decent and kind people that understand the complexity and cruelty of this world, but won’t have any part of it. That’s a rarity.

My work takes me away from home, so I am only home one week out of 3. I can attend multiple services in the 2 weeks I'm away and be taught from multiple preachers along the way, so I see it as a blessing. I do get the being a part of a church family, but, what if finding a good biblical foundational, teaching church is not possible? Way too many seeker sensitive and hyper charismatic churches in Australia, especially Western Australia.

we dont "watch" church, we "do" church. Its called corporate worship for a reason. We're involved with one another. We meet, greet, and encourage one another. We shake hands, give hugs, smile at one another. We laugh and even cry with one another. yes if youre a shut in or ill, or away somewhere, than what a blessing to be able to see your church family online, but its no where close to sharing the life of the church with one another in person. Another thing is if we're not meeting in person than no one keeps us accountable, and we need to be held accountable; We should want to be held accountable. I look forward to gathering with the saints. The Lords Day is my favorite day of the week!

@thardin69

2 күн бұрын

Congratulations

I agree, that people shouldn't replace going to church with watching online. I like to be able to watch sermons from pastors who have come and preached at our church or rewatch a good sermon.

The local church is not anything like the biblical church as stated in scripture. The kind of church talked about in this clip does not exist, except maybe in their circles. Please provide a list of biblically sound churches you’d recommend. I’ve done searches through MacArthur’s and Founder’s and there is nothing for over 50+ mile radius.

I have been trying to find a bible teaching church in my area for three years. It is not easy these days. I am grateful to good pastors and churches for sharing their services online so that I can partake in the interim. Being a member of a church would be great, but at the moment it isn't doable. I watch John MacArthur's livestream on Sundays and other pastors through out the week. I'm also praying about it regularly and if God wants me to change what I'm doing, I trust Him to guide me in all things. For now, this is just the way it is.

@davidlafleche1142

4 күн бұрын

Where are you?

@bigbuck9984

3 күн бұрын

The service being live streamed is good for someone who is house bound,sick or away on vacation. But Jesus knew we needed to gather togther. We need other believers. If you want your walk to be growing you can't do it alone. As far as finding a good Bible believing church if you can do it in NJ you can do it anywhere. And all this talk about weak preaches isn't fair to the thousands of Preachers in small evangelical churches all over this country that stand up for the Gospel every day.

@thardin69

2 күн бұрын

@@bigbuck9984 You're pretty confident in "good Bible believing church" being everywhere.

@sidwhiting665

Күн бұрын

@@thardin69 that's not what he said. "Do it anywhere" may mean you have to move. I wouldn't want to live somewhere with no Bible believing church close by. I think this is what Christ meant when he said we'd have to lose our lives to save it. Might mean a job change, or moving away from family, friends, and the life we've known. Bottom line, if we're serious about following Christ, we need to meet with him and the saints on Earth more than we need anything else, and if we're not prepared to give up those things that stand in the way, how are we any different from the man who said to Jesus, "I will follow you, but first let me bury my father..." ?

4 years, the pastor never introduced himself. I volunteered for trunk or treat every year, made it a point to stand beside him, never introduced himself, smile and sat hi, that's it. Pastors are not like they used yo he, neither is most theology either

@dansteuer1411

Күн бұрын

Why didn’t you introduce yourself to him then?

@sidwhiting665

Күн бұрын

Were I in your shoes, I'd introduce myself to the pastor. Should he have introduced himself to you? Yes, he should. He should repent for that. But on the other hand, should you have sat by and done nothing for 4 years? Nope, that was also a bad decision. Instead of having a relationship, you have hurt feelings. That's not the way the church should be. And if you were at my church, you'd almost have to have a notepad to remember all the people -- including all 5 of our pastors -- who would would be introducing themselves to you, calling you the week after your first attendance to check up on you, and inviting you out for lunch to get a more personal relationship going. Maybe you did find a "bum" church.... okay, so go find a better one! We're out here.

Todd, Your points are well taken. However, as many have stated in the comments already they may not be in a position to attend a solid Bible based congregation. As for the reference to what the COVID lock-downs did to the church here in the USA. Well, we are to blame for bowing to the worldly authorities by closing our churches. As you pointed out several times in the video, we are commanded to assemble, congregate, fellowship in person. Also, the Constitution guaranties this right. God is the ultimate authority in all things. 🙀🙏

@sidwhiting665

Күн бұрын

I'd have to move elsewhere if there was no Bible believing church in the area. In fact, that would be my prime criteria before moving somewhere in the first place: must have a solid, Bible preaching church. If none exist, then I won't move there. Might I lose my job? Possibly. So what? Might I have to leave family and friends behind? Yeah, and that stinks. But to gain all the world and miss out on Christ? Nope, not willing to do that. I'd move out of the USA if there were no more Bible believing churches here.

Pastor Charles Lawson.......I live in Michigan and "attend" his church in Tenn. WHY? I am disabled, no car and my mobility is bad.....getting out of a chair is difficult at best. For me that's not an excuse.....it's my LIFE......if that offends some then.....well, sorry.

@PrisonPreacher

4 күн бұрын

Thank you!!! I can't get enough of Pastor Lawson's sermons. A true man of God and a very good preacher.

@Nov111805

4 күн бұрын

@@PrisonPreacher AMEN! The man that does Sunday school is GREAT! Such good TEACHING. And Pastor J.D. Farag.......love that man and someday I will get to meet them and say "thank you"! God bless!

I agree with the premise of the dangers of "online" or "zoom" church. I also agree that this is due to a deficient ecclesiology, one of the improper beliefs / attitudes is the notion that church is just the same in person or on line I think the teachings in Acts 2 are critical to an understanding of what local church is. Intimate fellowship with the other congregants, including celebrations like Communion, and active service, flies in the face of a consumer driven model. Local church is nothing close to what it should be when the congregants are not joined together in a true one another sense as they are when gathered in person. I do take issue with Hebrews 10:24-25 being used as a proof text for gathering together. I think a principle can be seen there, but I think the particulars of that verse are addressing an issue of the saved Jews in the church not fellowshipping with the saved Gentiles in the church. We do not see a cavalier attitude in the first century church about church attendance anywhere in the NT. We do see a significant sin issue with pride and assembling together as one body whether Jew or Gentile in the early church. Barnabas and Peter are a prime example of this, refer to Paul's discussion in Galatians. I am quite convinced through my study in Hebrews and chapter 10 that the issue being addressed is being divided in the church rather than attending the church services.

It’s hard to find a biblical church that doesn’t cherry scriptures and refuses to acknowledge the apostle Paul’s teachings

“E-Fam around the world” 🤦‍♂️

@al_0014

4 күн бұрын

Sick of the neologisms designed around excluding non-modernists

I have to agree. The online church gradually dissolves into entertainment rather than fellowship. Online services are good for the aged, infirm, and those in very remote areas. But online should be secondary to regular attendance. We are to be a community of believers acting as a corporate witness to the world through united prayer, word, and worship. With exception, online is largely an excuse for lazy spirituality. Get up, get out, get to church. There are six other days of the week to go online!

@thardin69

2 күн бұрын

" online is largely an excuse for lazy spirituality". Have any proof?

Paul Washer says to find a church closest, to the Bible! Not a church closest to your home! I find it impossible to go from southeast Colorado, to get to Grace to you Church, in L.A, every Sunday! Yet it is absolutely possible to study daily, hours a day, in the Word! Amazing what’s actually in my Bible(KJ), that I never heard in church! Like 2nd Corinthians 5:16, or Hebrews 6:1&2, never heard 1st Corinthians 15:1-4, 2nd Timothy 2:15, rightly dividing the word of truth! I’ve judged that any church within a minimum 2 hour drive, would kick me out, of I didn’t walk out first! I’ve been to most of them! They all preach Jesus before the cross! Never heard anything from that great 13th apostle, chosen by Christ, who was a murderer, blasphemer, hater of those who followed that man, who claimed to be God! Jesus! That man who was converted, on the road to Damascus(Acts 9), who went on to write 13 books of the New Testament! All I ever heard was you have to do this, or that! Rules, that not even one of them could keep! I’ll go with Paul, who says in Ephesians 2:8-10, that by Grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: The last verses in 3rd John, John writes I have many things to say, but will not write with pin and ink!

@promaster1351

3 күн бұрын

washer teaches a faith plus works gospel and also says a one time little prayer is not enough for salvation.....jesus said it is and also that even a child can get saved.....the thief on the cross got saved by a little prayer and hes in heaven today.......

@mpetershat

3 күн бұрын

For the vast majority of Chtistians of the world, Catholics, the closest church is the right Church.

@promaster1351

3 күн бұрын

@@mpetershat how can that be.....they teach a faith plus works salvation...one must keep the sacraments....go to confession, pray to mary as the other mediator.....purgatory too......no sorry its not the right church......i grew up and went also to catholic school......it is not ever the right church....

Online is great when you cannot go in person. Such as travel, disability, sickness, hospitalized, or profession where you have to work some sundays

@MomLAU

3 күн бұрын

We met on Zoom during the pandemic.

@Mpw1776

3 күн бұрын

Travel - go to a local church on Sunday and then watch your church during the week Disability - your church should help Sickness and / or Hospitalized - viable but ask someone to come to you Profession - go to a local church

@Mpw1776

3 күн бұрын

@@MomLAU church should never close

@stacybarb1758

2 күн бұрын

@@Mpw1776 those are some good ideas. There are some people who do have to work on Sundays as well though. Most helping professionals that meet society's 24/7 needs have requirements to work some weekends. Such as hospital staff, law enforcement, child welfare, etc. Also online church is a huge encouragement to those living overseas who don't have a local church or one in their language. But to those who can, go in person to your local church. It is a body. Your gifts are meant for the encouragement of the local body

Online “church” is not church. No congregation, no church.

As someone who has been stuck with online church lately, I can definitely state that it is nothing like being in the building, interacting with others. We are not meant to walk through this alone.

Online church is great for the odd Sunday that I cannot attend, or if want to hear a sermon from someone who is not my local pastor, but it will never be able to replace the things that I would miss not being in attendance at the church. The singing is obviously not the same and I would miss the opportunity to meet and talk with fellow Christians.

There’s no church around my area that gives more than a soft message. We HAVE to go online to be fed. Not ideal, but it’s what alot of us are dealing with.

Online church is necessary where a good Bible-believing Christian church/congregation is absent many of us are faced with not having adequate facilities to go to for the message/teaching that we would like to have...online churches fill that gap; many churches are failing because they have become apostate/new-age and are mear shadows of their former glory.

@whistlep4494

4 күн бұрын

That’s true but that’s where prayer comes in and asking God where to go.

@davidlafleche1142

4 күн бұрын

Even worse: Quick Prayerism.

@sojourning7

4 күн бұрын

​@@davidlafleche1142Right...I so agree with you. Prayer is a form of worshipping God.

@davidlafleche1142

3 күн бұрын

@@sojourning7 Do you know what "Quick Prayerism" is?

@sojourning7

3 күн бұрын

@@davidlafleche1142 I thought I did, but no I don't.

Hebrews 10.25...is erroneously and continually misunderstood. This involves far more than "church attendance!" This is warning of turning agaiant Gods perfect sacrifice, back to their "old ways"...apostasy.

@carolberubee

4 күн бұрын

And if this verse is interpreted and applied the way Todd and Nathan (love those guys!) are doing here, they must know it assumes that the elders are teaching truth, not Gnostic, or New Age, or legalism.

@theeternalsbeliever1779

3 күн бұрын

Heb. 10:25 is not misunderstood at all. You're simply trying to distort it into saying something it clearly doesn't say because you refuse to accept Paul's words at face value. The command to assemble together is very clear. There is no way that anyone could possibly misunderstand what he's saying. The problem isn't that ppl are misunderstanding it. The problem is that you simply don't want to comply with a very clear edict from God.

Today at church a young mom I had never met struck up a conversation with me. She mentioned they were looking for a Christian school for their child. With my teaching experience I was able to give her some things to consider. This never could have happened if we weren’t sitting near each other.

e-sacrements 😮 I am glad my church streams as to use it when I am I'll or after I broke my leg. Definitely not a long term solution.

Our live streamed service was a blessing when my Mom was temporarily in the nursing home. We were able to watch together. But it certainly doesn't take the place of being there in person.

I attend my church regularly, 99% of the times there are services. We video our second Sundsy service. Having recently been shut in by an injury I understand the value and joy of being present each week. There are others who truly providentially hindered from being in a worship service. GOD will be the ultimate judge of whether people are giving a legitimate reason or an excuse. I have observed - when at church and checking the number of people who are watching online - that the number has increased significantly from when this was instituted about 6 years ago; and there seems also to be a correlation between increased numbers online when there are local or near local Sunday events. My own recent experience of being house bound has stirred my yearning to be gathered with my brothers and sisters in Christ to worship Him!

While people use "PTSD" and other excuses of modern-day "mental illnesses" not to fellowship with God's people, there are people in wheelchairs, with actual disabilities like down syndrome who physically attend churches and joyfully praise God thereby putting those people to shame. Communion by definition is something you do in a COMMUNITY a holy gathering/assembly of God's people, not in a closet or at home in front of a computer screen. Baptism is a PUBLIC proclamation of your faith in Christ, not something you do at home alone in your bathtub. Church is a gathering of God's people that preaches the full counsel of God (the true gospel), participates in the administration of the sacraments (Lord's Supper and baptism) and is governed by biblical officers who carry out biblical discipline. If you don't like being with other believers now (who are the Bride of Christ), what makes you think that you're going to be ecstatic being surrounded by those same people you don't get along with and a multitude of other believers for all eternity? How can you claim to love God whom you cannot see if you don't love the Bride of Christ whom you can see every day? (1-John 4:20). If you don't love the Bride of Christ, you don't belong to Christ. If Jesus Christ, who hang on a cross bleeding for your sins is not worthy of you physically joining a chorus of praise now, then you don't deserve eternal life with Him.

I completely agree. Thank you.

I've heard of people who have the ability to go to church say "We just have church by ourselves at home." If that is the case, who is the pastor? Who are the deacons? You are not being a biblical church when you do it at home all by yourself. Hebrews 10:25 is dealing with the willful disobedience of staying home when you have the ability to go to church (that is the key - you must have the ability to go). The issue is one of the heart's desire to be with God's people. Hebrews 10:25 is not applicable to those who do not have the ability to go to a good Bible-preaching church in person, but for those who can - go to church and serve in church!

@solideomusical

3 күн бұрын

This is the question I always ask and never get answered. Hanging out with some believers is great but it doesn't replace the assembly of the saints.

I have learned alot from online pastors, but I always look forward to being able to GO to church. Not going was the worst thing about 2020 and the mess that happened. I hope my church never shuts it's doors again.

I am happy that you are on line because I cant find one church that is not woke here in my city in Sweden. So thank you for that I am grateful for you.

I always attend church for the late Saturday afternoon service, and I watch one of the three services on Livestream on Sunday morning at home. I usually pick up something new when I watch the Livestream service for a second time at home. Plus, several dozen of our church members have become missionaries in places like Uganda, Spain, Japan, North Africa, and many other places. They can stay connected to the church by watching the services through Livestream.

Most Pastors these days are spineless, noodle-back cowards who -don't- won't address the issues of our times out of fear of losing members. losing members = losing money. We have a lot of hired hands and not true shepherds. The best thing for the church in America would be is to have the 501(c)3 status removed. It never was required anyway. I'd highly recommend a book called "Pagan Christianity" by Frank Viola and George Barna.

1:27 assembling of the saints Hebrews 10:25 This verse got me to go back to church.!!!! I was addicted to online preaching. But Hebrews 10:25 kept coming into my mind for 2 months and I finally listened and started back to church.

@michelleslack9985

4 күн бұрын

AMEN

@sojourning7

4 күн бұрын

It doesn't say...assembly of the saints...it says: assembling of ourselves together. It does not say a specific group of people, although Hebrews is actually referring to the Hebrew children.

_"3 Reasons Online Church Is a Seriously TERRIBLE Idea"_ I can give 33 reasons why going to a church building is a terrible idea. Let's let people decide what works best for them, and let the Holy Spirit be their guide.

@sojourning7

4 күн бұрын

Right...this is between God and the individual. The Holy Spirit leads us to all truth. I trust God...not man.

@AlignWithJesus

3 күн бұрын

The Word of God telling us to assemble together > my feelings

@PrisonPreacher

3 күн бұрын

@AlignWithJesus Where does it say to assemble together in a church? Which denomination? Should I go to the one where the pastor says if I don't give 10% of my income that I'm a "disobedient Christian" a "thief" and that I'm robbing God?" Or should I go to the one with lasers, light machines, and fog machines? Also, where in that passage does it mention churches having 501(c) 3 tax exempt status? Churches today are big business. I'd rather assemble in homes with other Christians and study the word with them.

@theeternalsbeliever1779

3 күн бұрын

"Let the ppl decide what's best for them". That is the kind of statement someone makes when they worship their own deceitful reasoning. That logic didn't work out well for the Pre-Flood world, the ancient Israelites, or the "Christian" nations today. God's Spirit doesn't guide ppl to churches that rejects 1 Cor. 1 where it clearly preaches against sectarianism and the existence of denominations.

@sojourning7

3 күн бұрын

@@theeternalsbeliever1779 Right!...Jesus said--I will build my church. Man-made denominations where not instituted by Lord Jesus.

The church I currently ‘attend’ is done only thru Zoom! I agree that it has its benefits for shut ins and those who may be ill or in the hospital; but I am missing the gathering of the body of Christ and have since experienced a disconnect from my church family! No one calls or reaches out! The sheep is abandoned!

YES YES YES. AND? YES. Glad you are bringing this up. ONE is fooling themselves if they believe they can go to church through a computer cable.

Online church, not me on any day! We need to see the fruits of the Spirit produced in the pastor's life. I made it a point to introduce myself to the pastor of the church so he knows me, and I know him. Too many Christians; it’s all about church attendance. Hebrews 10:25, but many who quote the, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,” but fail to mention verse 24, which says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” If you fail to do the Love and Good Works, then what have you accomplished? Plus, is the exhorting each other not done? Just an assembly. It's nothing! It's not happening!

Good video format. I enjoyed watching this. Points were well made and backed up with scripture.

Amen brother!! Right on the money!!

Agreed. The importance of the assembly of the saints cannot be overstated. I'd ask anyone who doesn't want to attend church physically but is perfectly capable to go other places why they would go to less important places to do less important things, but not go to church, which is supposed to be about developing and sharing your most important relationship ever? Also, the whole idea of Heaven is the eternal fellowship of the saints at the marriage feast of the Lamb.... Why would you want that for all Eternity if you don't even want to hang out with the saints on Earth?

General MacArthur said, "there is no substitute for victory".

There are times when I’m ill 🤒 or out of town when I can dial up the live stream and not miss a sermon in a series. It can be a useful tool. But I agree that it shouldn’t be your only way you “attend” church.

Yes, my aunt is worried about her sons becoming luke-warm in their faith and recently confided in me that they no longer go to church because they watch it online. I agreed it is not good, since they have good churches nearby that they can easily go to. In their case it IS a sign of being luke-warm. We are called out... OF THE HOUSE!

Nothing beats being at church in person!!!

I thank you for this message. I wonder if you could address the subject of small groups.

I live in Buffalo NY, there 0 Calvinist churches near that are not Orthodox Presbyterian, and even those are a solid drive. Without online, I would’ve never found Voddie Baucham or others

@XshakeninjaX

3 күн бұрын

I like Voddie also. Have you heard of David Lynn from Christ forgiveness? He's good too.

@daniellineberry8879

3 күн бұрын

So you are looking for a church that teaches people have no choice and are predetermined to go to Hell by an unloving God?

@Brad_Man

3 күн бұрын

@@daniellineberry8879 yes exactly

@Brad_Man

3 күн бұрын

@@XshakeninjaX I have not, I’ll look into him! Thank you

@daniellineberry8879

3 күн бұрын

@Brad_Man why would you want something taught completely opposite of God's Word?

It all makes sense to me. I'm totally on board with everything, except for one thing. Breaking bread together. Who breaks bread anymore? Doesn't anybody have a knife?

The low view of the church comes from pastors telling the congregation to serve without being served, people are being given milk and not meat, discipline doesn't exist at all, so everyone is just getting a participation trophy. We all see this. The church doesn't look any different than my job at this point: everyone is family and my boss doesn't know anything

As I have mentioned before, here, the reason I stopped going to a church building because majority of them have idols like cross, crucifix, or they have images of what they think what Christ looks like. So what's a Christian to do? When these so called church building has these things that the Bible clearly said you can't inherit the kingdom of God when you are a idolitor , or have images

I'm a believer in attending church. The streaming is for those who are out of town or otherwise unable to attend. If you are "attending" in your pajamas so you don't have to go to the trouble of going, you are lazy. Laziness is not a Christian virtue, and your walk is suffering.

I think there are some overlooked points. I am not a fan of the whole online thing but some of the arguments did not play well in this video because of the nature of some churches. For instance the multi campus model. Some churches don't ever get to know a pastor because they are at another campus and all they see at their campus is the "Broadcast Campus" on a screen. They never meet or are in front of any of the main staff members. That first point though would still mean that the "Pastor" actually interacts with the members. I see pastors like Steven Furtick and other large churches and the pastor is escorted into the sanctuary after the worship starts and leaves before the service clears out. They don't interact with the members of the Church. A lot of these churches have admin staff and other pastors that meet with people during the week or in proxy of the primary pastor. You aren't ever probably going to have lunch with Steven Furtick. I hear the interns at their church are forbidden from approaching him, but they all must stand if he enters the room they are in. These big pastors don't participate in groups or lead a group etc. In a lot of these large churches your only opportunity for fellowship is a group or meeting other members after church. Problem is most people dash out of church these days. A lot of times before the end of the service. To me most of the issues you have with online church actually exist in the large church themselves. Can it be fixed? I'm not sure. It will never be fixed though when you have pastors that won't hang around with everyone. I have seen small time pastors of small multicampus churches of a few thousand people say things like "I'm not called to visitation". "I am not called to visit the sick in the hospitals" etc etc etc. To me that means they don't meet the criteria Paul sets out to be a leader in a Church or a pastor. But you hear things like that all the time. To me they should be disqualified but they are to arrogant to ever acknowledge a pastor could be in the wrong. Now we see these churches giving titles like executive whatever to pastors so they can put them in charge of people more qualified for certain positions with actual real world experience. But they want to underpay the "non pastors" and pay the "Pastors" way more than they are worth.

@davidlafleche1142

4 күн бұрын

The "multi-campus" thing is evil.

I find myself in a quandary. We put our services on Zoom (I manage the A/ booth). Many of the people who connect simply cannot get out to services, so if we stop Zoom services, they would be cut off from us. So Zoom is a real blessing to them. On the other hand, there are people who could most certainly come to services were they so inclined but who choose to connect via Zoom. I feel the loss of their presence. No idea what to think about it.

The modern gathering is nothing but a system that often mirrors business models. So online gathering is not a terrible idea in comparison. And as stated, "we" are the church. Not the building.

@AlignWithJesus

3 күн бұрын

Yes, “we” are the church, but the church is called to assemble together. Doesn’t matter if it’s in a building or whatever, we are called to gather together.

@solideomusical

3 күн бұрын

Let's talk about some of the problems with 'non-building' churches...

@thardin69

2 күн бұрын

The best post I've read in a long time.

I'm torn. On one hand the church has typically embraced new technology. The printing press was embraced by the church to use as a tool to spread the gospel, radio, especially short wave radio was used as a tool to spread the good news. Televangelists has been a mixed bag, there's some really good television based ministries, but there's been some bad as well. I'm all for using the internet to help sprinkle some seeds hoping that they fall on good ground, but it's gotta be used in a method that it convinces people to not only grow in Christ but encourages them to become a member

Online Sermons by faithful preachers is a way for some of us to be fed with the Word of God when our local Church does not provide such spiritual food. The reality of the situation is not everyone has a good and solid Church within 2 hours of them. Yes, you need be in fellowship with a local body. And as long as that body is not heretical and strives for Faithfulness, then that is the Church God has called you to. But the sermons online help feed us who are not fed spiritually in these Churches. It's a blessing from God, not an indictment.

There are less than 10 million actual Christians in the US and almost 8 billion total people on earth. The vast majority of people are in places where witnessing is illegal or dangerous but they can now be reached through secured Zoom, Teams and other meeting tech as well as online streaming (please get your terms right). While, if you are in, the very limited free world then have at it but understand that online studies are the absolute best tool for the gospel today and small minded people are killing what should be growing. Want to have church in Iran? Zoom, want to have church in China? Zoom via portable Starlink, etc. if the church isolates itself to in person meeting in the US before brunch on Sunday then it will continue to be weak. Also, using passages that assume no such thing as tech to rule out tech 2000 years later is a bit messy.

I will also add that I agree with Todd here the church needs to get back to doing what it needs to be doing instead of just feeling time is entertainment on Sunday morning. They need to shake things up and they need to get people into learning again. Unless they do that then they have lost their purpose

Amen. Blessings.

While I agree that in person services are best, we’ve been to too many churches that don’t actually encourage fellowship. Pastors and elders that make it uncomfortable to talk with others after services, rush people out the door, or run programs without teaching the leaders how to interact with the people are damaging to the congregation.

Go to church and be a blessing!❤

I go to Park community Church here in Chicago, but i still listen to Adrian Rodgers, every Sunday amongst other Godly true Pastors. Like you said, for the sick & shut in or someone looking or doesn't have a doctrinally sound Church, it's fine. ❤

The reason that churches are abandoning our modern day church practices are because our modern day church practices abandoned many of the Biblical principles taught in the New Testament by the Apostles. Focus has long been placed on a single, or a small handful of pastors that preach a sermon to a gathering of people. Christians tend to believe that the purpose of going to church is to learn about the Bible, and while that is important, there are so many other things that are of great significance. Each body of believers should intimately know one another. This is one of the reasons why gatherings were in houses in the New Testament. I have commonly said that you should be able to tell me which car belongs to which person/family when you go to church. This is also why communion was celebrated weekly as a full meal, not just a little piece of bread and some wine or grape juice. Paul wrote harshly to the Corinthian church about divisions where one group was eating before another, instead of waiting. The issue was that people were going home hungry because the food was gone. In our modern day church everyone leaves hungry! I have much more to say on this, but for those who are interested please look up NTRF.

Even though the church is dying for different reasons, I feel as if for those who still believe, but are disenfranchised by institutional churches, house churches and social media personality-churches and their leaders are becoming more popular. We each have our needs or reasons for attending personal Bible studies (house churches) or learning Christian lessons through online personalities, but the important thing is, people are still learning and getting inspired by the Gospel message.

Church has become so worldly. I’m just looking for a bible based church. Hopefully, I will find one soon.

Online church services can be arranged for unreachable or if there are any crisis or situations where it's hard for church members to attend the church together. And this should not be an issue to discuss whether an online church is the next step for Church services,No!!!!! To have a fellowship together personally is all that matter in our Christian beliefs.

Just a thought online sermons are also nice for pastors. They continually prepare and feed others and sometimes it's nice to have someone else speak and you just set back and soak it in, however nothing replaces in person gathering together or the pastor's study time. It shouldn't be used to steal sermons.

For those that choose online,how do you practice communion!? Just curious to know how that works out.

Go to church everyweek.❤

I worked at a church and the Pastor was very militant towards the staff and not very pleasant but boy when Sunday came around he was so sweet to everyone. 🙄

I go to church weekly and also watch services of past churches I attended or have visited, and one I would like to visit. A church that I wish was near me.Non-seeker sensitive, more traditional SBC in the Bible Belt type church.

Not to mention the trend of readily supplying "prophetic" words online intended for who knows who, from where in whenever time on whatever topic 😫😠! It's one of the biggest hit-and-miss catastrophes I have ever seen.

@davidlafleche1142

4 күн бұрын

Those kooks couldn't hit the sky if they fell out of their private jets.

@fredhall5038

4 күн бұрын

I quite agree.

I understand but me Quadriplegic and millions others around the world handicapped paralyzed stuck in bed and wheelchairs can watch sermons online infact I was saved in my paralyzed state I found Spurgeon, Paul washer, MC Arthur on KZread in India, so does that mean were not saved because we watch online. So I don't agree that online service should be stopped. Its a huge blessing for everyone who can't attend a good preaching physically.

Hebrews 10:25 says, “… not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” We will all be back to the house setting at some point when the cable networks , The Interlinks , and the applications we use on a daily basis are under the strict control of the powers that be who reside in high places, when they implement the new protocols and drag net the system to filter out the Gospel and the Truth . You will be only left with the people standing next to you find wheat and water near you drink from your own cisterns Do you HARD COPY, Amen .

I agree with Todd, video church is a very very good tool to use. Because if you cannot find a good local charge, a Christian Church, then at least you can find good teaching online that could help you grow and help you locate a good church in the long run. Example, many people, during the plan-demic, Left church because they were never Christian. Others started learning the truth through great teachers such as Jack Hibbs and realized that her teachings were inadequate from their Shepherd. Then they start looking for a church that was still meeting for a home church that was meeting using the videos as pastors until the church is opened up or until they found a good church to belong to. Yes, online churches do not replace actual teachings or interactions, but those who are seeking truth May stumble across a good teacher that will teach him the true ways of Christ and to leave their Church of apostasy. Without it, they will still be following the Joel osteen's, Beth Moore, Benny hinn, Joyce Meyers... And learn fluff instead of the actual word.

I don't know what I would do without my church family. We do so much together, bible studies, fellowship, picnics, pray over each other, build each other up, serve one another, hospital visitation, pet care and the list of service goes one. Can't do anything like that with an online church. I watch online so I can get more sermons but I never have the chat on. I find that so disrespectful from all these "This is my church" people who chat the entire time the preacher is preaching. Not just to the preacher but also to God. You can't do both as in listen and talk at the same time.

You said that some comment that when we go to church we only watch it on a video. I say if you pastor can't get up there and preach leave that church. We went to a church 3 services every Sunday the first was live the others video, also they had 3 campuses and the other 2 were just video. I kept thinking this pastor was lazy to do his job, and if they needed other campuses then they needed other pastors to teach.

I will download sermons and listen to them at work. Just like I used to buy tapes of sermons and listen to them in my car. There's not much of a difference at all. But I do go to a Nazarene church with my daughter on Sundays as well.

Fellowshipping & praying with one another at the alter and knowing who needs visitation at hospitals & homes is so needed. The devil knows what he is doing & making ppl make excuses which will not go well with the Lord.

If its your local church, I see no problem with it because you know them. If you are watching a church in a different state that you have never been to that is a different issue.

@thardin69

2 күн бұрын

Tell us about the different issue.

We have multiple shut in members, members undergoing chemo/immune compromised, those of us with kiddos who have severe disabilities and don't always have the ability to stay within the service safely. The live stream means all of us in those categories, and probably more I don't even know about, aren't shut out of the body. You could have handled this with a lot more grace, friend. :(

I attend AA meetings on zoom because I was not welcome in at a live meeting near me. The zoom meetings are fine but I miss talking and laughing with live people. I'd go to a Christian Zoom meeting but I'm looking for a church to join, I looked at one and they have this idea to bring people from Africa to California for some reason. I don't want to go to that church because that points me to "Why aren't you supporting people right here in the USA, people of your own kind and not foreigners."

How do you plan on spending ETERNITY with a multitude of people if you can't get along with a few believers for AN HOUR a week? How can we say that we love God whom we cannot see but don't love our brethren whom we see every day? (1-John 4:20) When you belong to Christ, it's not enough for you to have theoretical relationships with theoretical people who exist somewhere out there in a far away galaxy and "agree" with you on everything. It's easy to love the Universal Church because they will never disappoint you, they won't get into your business and call out your sin. It's easy to talk about your solidarity with Moses, David, John and Paul because they never catch you on a bad day. If you're satisfied doing "church" in front of a computer monitor then it's highly questionable whether or not you belong to Christ.

I do think that churches particularly with elderly population that are shut in online streaming assists them in maintaining a connection to the church when their bodies won't let them. But would that be necessary if they were being visited like they should be is a question I think nobody has been asking

The real issue that needs to be addressed is why so many people end up hurt face to face in evangelical churches. If you haven't been, that's good. But it does happen more than you think. Also, I think you are on to something with the whole 'even a salesman knows there is value in face to face carbon copy, whatever. ' that's part of the problem too. Salesmanship. It's awful close to Conmanship.

I know I need to go in person but people think I'm weird in real life lol

@deannasage5491

4 күн бұрын

I'm sure you're not weird and listen it doesn't matter what people think it's matters what the Lord Jesus Christ God almighty thinks and he loves you you're not weird please don't worry about what other people think you just worry about what the Lord thinks and he doesn't think that about you at all you were made in the image of God you are precious❤

@happyappy19931

4 күн бұрын

I resonate with this. 😂

@deb4578

2 күн бұрын

​@@happyappy19931 I can relate as well. Churches are not the most welcoming of places.

Seems like it really comes down to the priorities of the church in question. It's leadership. Is online streaming one of a number of tools the church employs to reach as many people as possible? Does the church leadership consistently, in "newsletters" and from the pulpit, emphasize the essentialness of consistent in-person worship as the "best", though not the only, way to experience said church? If so, then I believe the church in question has a healthy view of purpose and helpfulness of this technology. It can be something edifying and sustaining for those who, for whatever reason, literally cannot attend in person. Of course, if the online approach is seen to be as appropriate as in person worship then there is a big problem. I used to watch Charles Stanley and John Ankerberg pretty faithfully back in the day. But that did not in any way substitute for attendance in my local church. Also, I identified more with my local church because I was there, building relationships and coming to identify with those people as "my" people. When some need arose, I would be a lot more likely to step up, as opposed to for Stanley or Ankerberg. I would just tuned in and watch them. If I just tune in and watch (whenever it suits me) "my" church pastor's sermon, every now and again, I'll never come to really identify with that church on a personal level and will be a lot less likely to help out if some need arose. Especially if I saw it as an inconvenience to do.