Posted on 02/14/2014 7:17:17 AM PST by marshmallow
Atlanta Pastor Barrett Owen said months of continuous news about Pope Francis I and his concern for “the least of these” inspired him to go public with his growing admiration for the Roman Catholic leader. He’s not the only evangelical who values the new pontiff’s approach.
A Baptist preacher in Georgia said months of exposure to television and online news reports about Pope Francis I just finally got to him.
And that’s a good thing, said Barrett Owen, pastor of National Heights Baptist Church in Atlanta.
“It seemed like he had a critical mass of news stories that just resonated with me,” Owen said. “He consistently overwhelms me how determined he is to give such a positive face to Christianity.”
Contributing to that media mass were articles and blogs published by agencies like Religion News Service and Christianity Today, often extolling the humility and least-of-these approach to ministry of the world’s most visible Christian leader.
So what did Owen do? He added to the deluge of evangelicals-who-love-the-pope commentary by penning a Feb. 7 blog on the topic for ABPnews/Herald.
Titled “#popecrush” after the trending Twitter hashtag for social media users infatuated with Pope Francis, the blog starts right off with a list of 10 things Barrett said he admires about the pontiff.
They include Francis choosing to ride in compact cars instead of limos, sneaking out of the Vatican to secretly visit homeless people and refusing to condemn homosexuals.
“The 10 items I listed in just seconds,” he said in a telephone interview. “They just came off the top of my head.”
(Excerpt) Read more at abpnews.com ...
LOL!! Good one.
Sadly, some Baptist churches (and other denominations) are getting caught up in the “Seeker Friendly” movement. You have church growth a mile wide and an inch deep. Watered down messages, praise band only music, stages with large screens, but no alter.
This is why we recently left our Church. The Pastor began by removing the word “Baptist” from the churches name. Then he had a Church growth consultant come in. Then he got rid of the orchestra and choir, then he told the congregation (Paraphrased): “If you’re not ‘all in’ with these changes, you’re not concerned for the lost...”
The seeker friendly movement is a dangerous trend many churches are adopting. Doubt me? Just take a listen to Rick Warren or Joel Osteen.
It seems that the Southern Baptists are the only ones worthy of the heritage attached to that name anymore.
I had to leave a very large, independent Bible church in my city for the same reasons. It was becoming seeker-sensitive entertainment to fill the coffers. And they almost had to, with the multi-million dollar building operation budget they had to meet each month. And people condemn the Catholic churches for gaudy opulence.
The last straw was on "Student Sunday" when the youth basically take over conducting services for the day. It's bad enough to have segregated traditional/contemporary "worship," but on this day, the contemporary fully eclipsed even the traditional. And by contemporary, I'm talking 100 dB screeching, drums, and electric guitar. The singing sounded like dry heaves, and the message was oh, so squishy, shallow and non-offensive.
I wrote a very extensive "dear John" e-mail to the pastor that day.
Every one of them, from right to left, believes in that item which made you, monk, say "Yikes": "We teach that every human being has the capacity and the freedom to read and interpret the Bible as she or he sees fit."
That's basic Baptist theology.
Once again, somebody straighten me out if I've got any kinks in this.
That's basic Baptist theology.
Once again, somebody straighten me out if I've got any kinks in this.
If that is "basic Baptist theology," then the SBC would not have disfellowshipped (excommunicated) at least two entire congregations in Texas within the past decade for "interpreting the Bible as they saw fit."
There is a difference between reading the Bible for yourself, asking the Holy Spirit to make the passages meanings perspicuous to you, and imprinting your own desired interpretation onto it. The Scriptures are unambiguous and very plain on the essential doctrines of the faith. Any departure from them is heresy.
Interpreting the “bible as you see fit” is treating the bible as subjective. Therefore, it can be interpreted in different ways by different people in different ages. That’s relativism. I think you are confusing the issue with something else.
I'd bet good money that the disfellowshipped churches claimed very sincerely that their Scriptural interpretations were the fruit of the insight vouchsafed to them by the Holy Spirit. 'Cause people rarely or never say, "Now, this isn't the Holy Spirit, it's just me."
Who interprets Scripture for you, Mrs. Don-o?
If I am wrong (and I could be!) I will appreciate being corrected.
The Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
I hear exactly what you’re saying!
Our church was turning into a huge Starbucks with a little religion thrown in. The music has turned into anything but praise music. It was nothing more than a Sunday morning Christian rock concert. Our pastor (probably about a 50 years old) and his associate pastors attempting to dress like they’re 20 year olds. Embarrassing!
Our pastor never, and I mean never gave any messages on any of the controversial (evil) things taking place in our society. His great goal is to reach the lost young people, but remained silent on the evils of homosexual marriage which, BTW is a huge topic hear in Utah. His stated philosophy is: “We have to tell them what we’re for, not what we’re against.” I guess our Pastor was not familiar with how Jesus and the Apostles dealt with sin!
Our Church views people in the following categories (and yes I’m serious!): 1) visitors, 2) regular attendees, 3) members, and 4) All In. Becoming very cultish to me!
I’m glad we left when we did!
Want a laugh (or cry), check this video out that makes fun of this seeker-sensitive movement. It really nails it!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RJBd8zE48A
I know it’s none of my business, but I would love to read the letter you sent to your church!
Even when they're wrong?
Oh, that's right. They're never wrong.
Eternity.
I'm still searching for a church in my area, and am heartsick that everywhere I go I find virtually the same thing. I'm leaning toward the Missionary Alliance Church groups (A.W. Tozer's chosen affiliation); most of them seem to be of foreign extraction, which is not a problem. They seem to have a keener sense of what's really Christian than native-born Americans.
What really irks me is the proliferation of these "themed" churches: Cowboy churches seem to be in vogue in my area. There should never be any theme but Christ, and Him crucified.
Same with the mega-church I mentioned, other than with a passing reference occasionally, and toned down at that. You know why they don't? They are cowards. If activist homosexuals got wind that an entire sermon was devoted to the wickedness of homosexuality, they would protest in front of the Church, and possibly invade the services as has been done several times.
That wouldn't be good for "business."
“But the Baptist view, as I understand it, is that each believer has the capacity to determine, between himself and God, what the meaning of Scripture is.” Never heard that before. Link?
Rick Warren and Joel Osteen are false prophets and hopefully not indicative of the direction of Christ’s church.
That wouldn't be good for "business."
I couldn't agree more! We expect political correctness, tolerance, and non-judgmental squishiness from politicians, but NOT from our Pastors! Best wishes and prayers that you find a church home where God's Word is Preached without apology. I look forward to reading your letter whenever you have time to send it via e-mail to me. Thanks!
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