Kountzer Posted January 19, 2014 Posted January 19, 2014 There is this road in NW Houston near where I live. I drive this road almost everyday, going to work, and coming back home. Along this route is a nearly abandoned methodist church complex. It is a nice edifice that has a church school, main worship building, and a parsonage for the Pastor. My guess as to why it is nearly abandoned is because of urban demographics, relocations, etc., to put it nicely. That is not my reason for mentioning this church, however. On sabbath January 4th, we passed by there and noticed they were having church. The sign said Saturday worship 11:00am. You could tell it is not a new fledgling congregation, strapped for money, because they have off duty police officers directing traffic outside. That type of service costs. A new sign had been placed, calling the church the St John's NW campus, or something like that. There are several churches named St John's in this region, but it was my guess that it is a referral to the St John's Methodist church, located close to downtown Houston. This particular church is mega sized, and prosperous. The Pastor used to write a weekly column in the Houston Chronicle. I don't know if he still does, or not. One of the famous members of this congregation is the singer Beyonce, and her family. I went to their website and it explained that the church has three worship services on Sunday, and that they had just opened up a Saturday service at 11:00am at their new NW campus. So, that explains the Saturday service at 11:00am. Now, where am I going with all this? No where. I was just making an observation. Would I consider attending a the Saturday service at 11:00am? Probably not, but that's just me. Quote I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs. Frederick Douglass
Moderators Kevin H Posted January 19, 2014 Moderators Posted January 19, 2014 The Methodist churches in Houston TX have been more open to studying God's word on a deeper level than most of us are willing to do so. Until the pastor of the 1st United Methodist Church died here a while back he had Dr. Jim Fleming work out of the 1st United Methodist Church and other area Methodist churches while he was looking for a place to set up his ministry (now settled in La Grange Georgia) For this willingness to help Dr. Fleming and for those years of being willing to sit down and have serious Bible study with Dr. Fleming, we should expect to see for a while God's blessings upon them. How I wish we were as open to the Bible as those good people are. Quote
Administrators Tom Wetmore Posted January 19, 2014 Administrators Posted January 19, 2014 That does happen at some of these mega churches because of the large numbers attending. They need multiple services to accommodate everyone. Some time ago I figured out that based on the reported numbers at Willow Creek that there were more Saturday churchgoers at Willow Creek each week than there are Adventists in the Chicago area. I also recall hearing that some Catholic Churches hold mass Saturday evening, perhaps as much to accommodate the Sunday football fans or golfers. Can we say these people are Sabbath keepers? Quote "Absurdity reigns and confusion makes it look good." "Sinless perfection is such a shallow goal." "I love God only as much as the person I love the least." *Forgiveness is always good news. And that is the gospel truth. (And finally, the ideas expressed above are solely my person views and not that of any organization with which I am associated.)
Moderators Kevin H Posted January 19, 2014 Moderators Posted January 19, 2014 Some of the churches in Israel hold their services on Sabbath rather than Sunday. Quote
Moderators Kevin H Posted January 20, 2014 Moderators Posted January 20, 2014 Also, there has been new studies into the writings of Paul which is seeing him as more Jewish and that the law was not done away with. There is a growth among scholars that the Sabbath while not required of gentiles, was yet not done away with. That even if a Jew accepts Christ that God still expects them to keep the Sabbath and that Gentiles are welcome to keep the Sabbath, and that churches have been discussing how to apply this principle. Quote
Members phkrause Posted January 20, 2014 Members Posted January 20, 2014 Also, there has been new studies into the writings of Paul which is seeing him as more Jewish and that the law was not done away with. There is a growth among scholars that the Sabbath while not required of gentiles, was yet not done away with. That even if a Jew accepts Christ that God still expects them to keep the Sabbath and that Gentiles are welcome to keep the Sabbath, and that churches have been discussing how to apply this principle. Kevin, what do you mean by Paul being Jewish??? Not sure I get your meaning? Paul was Jewish! Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Moderators lazarus Posted January 21, 2014 Moderators Posted January 21, 2014 The contractor who is going to be working on our church goes to a Saturday evening service at his church. It's a non-denominational Sunday church. He jokingly calls himself an SDA. Could this movement be a way the Lord will get folks to think about what is the true day of worship? Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
Windsor Posted January 21, 2014 Posted January 21, 2014 Loma Linda has a megachurch called "The Rock" which also has a Sabbath service. Some of those attending have Adventist backgrounds. Quote Remember Adventists Online?
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