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Church or Football? Football or Church? Now You Don’t Have To Choose.
www.caffeinatedthoughts.com ^ | 2/5/11 | David Shedlock

Posted on 02/05/2011 4:51:32 AM PST by grassboots.org

Picture of Church with Big Goalposts Behind It

The Pack is back.  And so is the Steel Curtain.

Probably a hundred million people will be watching Pittsburgh and Green Bay in the Super Bowl, with the Steelers hoping to upend the favored Green Bay Packers and gain their seventh championship ring.  Some will watch for the game, others for the halftime show.  Expensive, slick and sometimes funny commercials will be at center stage. A few viewers will be intrigued by the controversy surrounding quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger.

Where will Christians be sitting when they watch the extravaganza?   One church in Dallas, where the big game will be held, canceled services so it could rent out its parking spaces for $82.50 a piece to tailgaters and game attenders. While more and more churches cancel services on Super Bowl Sunday, probably millions of other Christians will trade away the worship of God for fellowship together at church-run Super Bowl parties.

In an earlier day, few American churches thought it wrong to schedule games on Sunday, as long as they were played after church.  It was a friendship made, if not in heaven, at least not in hell.

I remember the first time I saw sports come into conflict with church services.  I was a pastor of a very small Assembly of God church. The service was very near its end, as it was approaching noon, but I had not yet prayed to close the service.  Suddenly two families got up from the back row, waved sheepishly at me, and rushed out the door. Today, in most mega-churches they would hardly be noticed.  But in a congregation of 20 or 25 people, six is a mass exodus.  I was hurt.  I was offended.  I later...

(Excerpt) Read more at caffeinatedthoughts.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Religion; Society; Sports
KEYWORDS: church; sabbath; steelers; superbowl
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1 posted on 02/05/2011 4:51:35 AM PST by grassboots.org
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To: grassboots.org
While more and more churches cancel services on Super Bowl Sunday ...

You can't have 2 masters.

2 posted on 02/05/2011 4:58:26 AM PST by pnh102 (Regarding liberalism, always attribute to malice what you think can be explained by stupidity. - Me)
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To: grassboots.org

I’ve always done 0730 Mass and then began super bowl party afterward.

In 2003, God was a Buccaneer fan!!


3 posted on 02/05/2011 4:58:34 AM PST by Le Chien Rouge
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To: pnh102

Excellent application, puh102.


4 posted on 02/05/2011 4:59:46 AM PST by grassboots.org
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To: grassboots.org

One church in Dallas, where the big game will be held, canceled services so it could rent out its parking spaces for $82.50 a piece to tailgaters and game attenders.

Confirms my view of Texans in one sentence.


5 posted on 02/05/2011 5:44:10 AM PST by Walkingfeather
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To: Walkingfeather

Hmm?

In Austin here.

I have church today and church tomorrow, and church on monday. :)


6 posted on 02/05/2011 5:46:12 AM PST by BenKenobi (one of the worst mistakes anybody can make is to bet against Americans.")
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To: grassboots.org

What is the size of this particular church ?

Does it have a website ?


7 posted on 02/05/2011 5:51:26 AM PST by wonkowasright (Wonko from outside the asylum)
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To: grassboots.org
"While more and more churches cancel services on Super Bowl Sunday ..."

Cancel all services or just evening services? The game isn't until 6:00 PM (Eastern time). My Sunday School starts at 9:00 sharp. Thus, no conflict between Church and Football.

8 posted on 02/05/2011 6:29:42 AM PST by circlecity
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To: BenKenobi

I went to school in texas, got my fill. My friend from college was asked by his minister to listen to the dallas football game during his sermon in his office then walk to the back of the auditorium and flash the score of the game as he preached. The culture lacks authenticity.


9 posted on 02/05/2011 6:37:19 AM PST by Walkingfeather
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To: Walkingfeather

I disagree. I’m not from Texas, but everyone here goes to Church on sundays. Where I am from the pews are empty. Texans, in general, are kind and generous folks.

Calling them shallow? Frankly, I don’t see it. Sorry.


10 posted on 02/05/2011 6:48:19 AM PST by BenKenobi (one of the worst mistakes anybody can make is to bet against Americans.")
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To: grassboots.org

Football IS America’s religion


11 posted on 02/05/2011 6:53:23 AM PST by montag813
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To: Walkingfeather

“The culture lacks authenticity.”

So, tell us where you are from!


12 posted on 02/05/2011 7:23:57 AM PST by antisocial (Texas SCV - Deo Vindice)
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To: grassboots.org
I was hurt. I was offended. I later...

You cut off in mid-sentence. Had to rush to a superbowl party?

13 posted on 02/05/2011 7:27:10 AM PST by Larry Lucido
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To: Walkingfeather

Audie Murphy was a Texan, and I’d pay the price of a Superbowl ticket to watch you say that to his face.


14 posted on 02/05/2011 7:35:07 AM PST by MikeSteelBe
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To: wonkowasright

It is apparently Centerpoint Church in Arlington on Collins Street, but I cannot find a website for it. Perhaps it has moved.


15 posted on 02/05/2011 7:37:49 AM PST by grassboots.org
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To: Larry Lucido

You are a funny one Larry.

The rest of the paragraph reads:

I later found out they were headed to a major league baseball game. I didn’t say much. But I am sure the look on my face showed them how I felt.


16 posted on 02/05/2011 7:40:13 AM PST by grassboots.org
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To: montag813

Unfortunately you are right.

The Sabbath, and for Christians that is Sunday, is set aside for spiritual rest and renewal. Not just an hour on Sunday morning but the whole day.

I also like football and if I really want to watch a game played on Sunday I record it and watch it later.

Additionally I will note that much of what apparently takes place in the adverts and half time at the Stupid Bowel should not even be allowed in a Christian home.

If football is more important to you than Christ, then say so, otherwise render unto God the things of God.

AND THAT INCLUDES THE SABBATH, ALL OF IT!!!


17 posted on 02/05/2011 7:40:54 AM PST by slorunner
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To: grassboots.org

Yes and I think you are right it has no website.

Doesn’t sound like a big outfit.


18 posted on 02/05/2011 8:27:13 AM PST by wonkowasright (Wonko from outside the asylum)
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To: grassboots.org

If their Church is any where near the Stadium it would be a night mare to get too for services, I am on east coast . Our Church has Souper Sunday , We stay after morning services and every one brings their favorite home made soup to share, and then watch the game together


19 posted on 02/05/2011 8:56:10 AM PST by drumr337 (I voted 4 Palin)
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To: antisocial

texas,


20 posted on 02/05/2011 12:27:00 PM PST by Walkingfeather
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