Posted on 09/26/2011 9:54:58 AM PDT by markomalley
2 or 3 times a week, I go past this church on the way home from work:
No big deal, never paid it much attention.
A couple of days ago, I noticed a slight change on the frontage of their property:
This sort of surprised me a bit.
I didn't, based upon the back and forth here, think that the OPC did "charismatic" things.
This understanding was confirmed by looking at the OPC website (here). Saying, We believe that the "charismata" (those first introduced at Pentecost and further dealt with in 1 Corinthians 12-14) have ceased with the end of the apostolic age. In fact, they identify beliefs that endorse charismatic gifts as "unbiblical" (pretty strong words...)
So it got me wondering. I could never picture an OPC Congregation renting out their church to a Catholic parish, a Lutheran parish, or an LDS group...Nor would it be reasonable to do so, as it would tend to lend some credence to the beliefs and/or practices of those groups.
So why a Pentecostal group? And a Hispanic Pentecostal group, to boot?
I realize that it is highly unlikely that any of the OPC FReepers who post on the RF are members of this congregation, so I'm not making some kind of an accusation. I'm just honestly curious. The OPC (and other reformed) FReepers who post on the RF seem to be pretty rigid with their beliefs. Renting out a church to a group who has "unbiblical" beliefs / practices like Pentecostals makes about as sense as renting out the church hall for a lesbian wedding.
So is this something that is normal / commonplace with OPC congregations or is this just an outlier?
I am not asking to mock, I'm just curious. Definitely not something I'd expect to see.
Groups in general have lost their way. Bills for parking lots, roof repairs, new hymnals, pastor’s salaries, etc. have become a driving force replacing sound theology and good teaching. You are seeing the results. The Rob Bells, the Brian MacLarens, the Joel Osteens are taking center stage to tickle ears. Home churches, such as those in the first century, are becoming the only places where doctrine is guarded without concern for budgets, buildings or big crowds. Another reformation is needed.
By "renting time" a congregation that owns a church can share costs. Sometimes they share with a private school.
An Islamic prayer group in this area rents time at a community Baptist church. The Disciples of Christ church rents out space to a Montesori school. A number of Korean churches rent time and space in other church buildings of even a different orientation.
The local Catholic church for this particular "parish" is pretty much financed by the activity of a private Catholic school ~ (to distinguish it from a parochial school).
This goes on all over the country. Friend of mine from South Dakota (where they grow grass seed for PGA courses) says his church building is shared by a variety of Protestants as well as Orthodox, Uniate and regular old Roman Catholic congregations. He's not sure who owns the building but somebody collects rent and keeps it clean. Priests and ministers circulate up there so there's a service every week by somebody, He used to sing in the "choirs".
Korean.
I recognize the script (there's a lot of Koreans in MoCo Md). But I can't read it.
It is Korean for Covenant Presbyterian Church
Thank you very much.
I got that. That's pretty common around here too.
What's so surprising to me, though, is for any church (particularly, considering how they act around here, an OPC church) to rent out to a group whose beliefs are so "radically" opposed to the owning congregation's stated beliefs.
So having clergy that take oaths of poverty and that do not have the responsibility for supporting an extended family might lead to a more sound theology and good teaching? Sounds like you are knee deep in the Tiber.
I used to go to a church that rented to a chinese church that came in after our service. It is one of the reasons I left the church (a small one though).
I believe that the main reason for “church”, after worshiping our Creator, is community. That is, we are a church family. Often that means hanging around for an hour or more in discussion of the sermon, or personal lives, or even potluck. But in that church it meant clearing out quick so the other group could set up. I really, REALLY hated it.
I’d rather have a cheap building where we could meet freely than a fancy one that we had to share with other congregations. In fact, I honestly believe it stimeys one of the main reasons for gathering in the first place - community.
So, you’ve never seen a synagogue rented out as a mosque for the local muslims? 8->
It’s not at all normal for the OPC. In my 25 years of OPCness, I’ve never seen it.
Congrats. That there may have been a world record leap.
No leaps involved. Just peeling the anti-Catholic onion one excuse at a time.
Lots of churches “reaching out” by renting space to other groups. A monument to multiculturalism. The beliefs may be closer than you think just cause the Spanish church advertises as pentecostal beginning and end does not mean that it is actually an all out tongue talking, prophesying, and slain in the spirit American style charismatic church. While the US charismatic movement has made inroads among mainline Protestant churches as well especially among the clergy who would not be such but for a deeper desire for things of God even if they do not meet Mom’s orthodoxy standards. A result of the ecumenical movement where most of them have met and are friendly with other ministers in town.
Obviously we need to get you some reading lessons to go with those new glasses. The Scriptures of the NT does not identify a profession such as "clergy". Elders were simply "greybeards" of families who were gifted to teach the message of grace. All had other jobs. Even Paul, the apostle, made tents for a living as necessary.
Rome has morphed this simple system into a monstrosity of epic proprotions...and failed. The sacerdotalists have wrongly made it into a profession and don't live in poverty, even though they claim to. I have seen the monasteries where they manufacture fudge, sell books, and enjoy a wonderful country life (Oregon, near McMinville). The protestors corrected some of this cult-like error, but not all. But, definitely no worry...no danger in me even putting a toe in the Tiber.
Obviously we need to get you some reading lessons to go with those new glasses. The Scriptures of the NT does not identify a profession such as "clergy". Elders were simply "greybeards" of families who were gifted to teach the message of grace. All had other jobs. Even Paul, the apostle, made tents for a living as necessary.
Rome has morphed this simple system into a monstrosity of epic proprotions...and failed. The sacerdotalists have wrongly made it into a profession and don't live in poverty, even though they claim to. I have seen the monasteries where they manufacture fudge, sell books, and enjoy a wonderful country life (Oregon, near McMinville). The protestors corrected some of this cult-like error, but not all. But, definitely no worry...no danger in me even putting a toe in the Tiber.
I didn’t realize it was an anti-catholic thread...oh wait, it wasn’t...
Every thread in the open Religion Forum, given enough time becomes an anti-Catholic thread. The most egregious offenders are self-professed members of the OPC. Quod Erat Demonstrandum.
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