I don’t see how this could ever work…

Using technology for this purpose is great.  This is especially true since we are all so used to watching TV.

I hope these churches are also using this technology to send their sermons to missionaries, retirement homes, nursing homes, and other locations that might support satellite venues.

We hope the results will be more time for the pastors to spend one-on-one with people needing personnal attention.  If not that then training ministers that are devoted to meeting with each one of the believers that watch the sermons.

I find your comments, Bernie, very ironic given the fact that you run a website that encourages us to access any number of Christian radio programs.  What is the difference between a pastor using video and a pastor using radio to get their message out?  I could as easily argue that a lot of radio preachers are driven by their egos.  I sense that underneath your diatribe is a lot of anger that may have nothing to do with video preachers.

Ricky,

Unfair.  I’ve heard radio preachers solicit funds quite regularly at the ends of their programs; and at the same time, never heard an unusual push for funds at any of the multi-site churches I’ve attended.

Couldn’t the same thing be said about radio preachers as video preachers?  Why do they need to be on the radio?  Don’t they think there are good local preachers that can do a good job? Instead of spending thousands of dollars buying radio airtime, why don’t they take their time and money to train up leaders?  No… they’re just in it for the ego and the popularity, and the money.  (I’m being totally sarcastic here… but that’s what’s been said about multi-sites).  From my experience, it just couldn’t be further from the truth.

Satellite churches are no different than one-site churches when it comes to finances from what I have seen.  There is a difference between a multi-site church and a tv program. 

Be careful with your comments Ricky.  I just deleted your last one that had to do with me ‘catering to people who purchase my services’.  You’re over the line (once again).  Please stop or you’ll need to leave.

Todd

Todd:

“Unfair. I’ve heard radio preachers solicit funds quite regularly at the ends of their programs; and at the same time, never heard an unusual push for funds at any of the multi-site churches I’ve attended.”

No, it’s not unfair at all.

Sure, we’ve all heard radio preachers beg for money but what I said in my earlier post is correct in that they can only hope that: 1) someone is listening, and 2) that those who may be listening will give.

The satellite “church” is far better off in that: 1) they have their audience incapsulated within a structure, and 2) they get to seek funds face-to-face with their audience through passing the plate or through teaching tithing, et al, thus guaranteeing a much larger take than the radio preacher.

So, there is a huge difference between the two.

Bernie,

You said, “It’s distressing to me that so many people can’t see right thru this and see the Pastor’s purpose of personal kingdom building. It’s basically a cult-building technique.”

Again, that’s just unfair.  Do you know any multi-site pastors?  Have you ever attended a multi-site church? 

I’ve sat one-on-one with a very prominent multi-site pastor and I can tell you that what you said could not be farther from the truth.  It is just not the case from those that I’ve come into contact with.

I know it’s hard for some to comprehend, but many multi-site churches have one question they are asking:  “How can we reach more people for Jesus?” And the multi-site format is working to do exactly this in many places.  It’s a model.  It’s not perfect.  And it’s not for everyone.  But to say it’s all ego driven is not only unfair, but undeserved.

Todd

OK… one more post before I hit the pillow.

For those of you who have followed this post (or those of you who have been faithful readers of this blog) you know that I’ve spent way too much time defining what this blog is about and defending myself from the disagreement and arguing of a few individuals.  I’ve reached a few conclusions:

1.  Some of us will not ever agree on some topics this side of heaven.

2.  Those who disagree with the direction and topics on this blog tend to take away from it’s purpose and goals (being that of a safe place to discuss ministry matters without being taken down the same path over and over again; or worse yet, attacked and humiliated).

3.  I’ve spent way too much time defending myself and my beliefs here.  And, to be honest, we’ve pretty much come full circle in that we discuss and argue with the same people on the same things over and over.  I just simply don’t have time for that and won’t be able to be drawn in to those type of discussions here.  It’s just not a valuable use of my time.

4.  While I had hoped the rules would help keep people more in line; they haven’t worked as well as I’d hoped they would (although there is a vast improvement).  So, starting now, I’ll be previewing all comments and approving them before they are posted on the blog. 

Sorry to have to go this direction, but it just has to be done.

I like a lively discussion just as well as the next guy; but I don’t like it when every topic (no matter what it is) ends up in the same place.  So hopefully this will end this problem.  If I find that things improve and that the focus is more in the direction I’m comfortable with, then maybe we’ll be able to switch live commenting back on.  (I’m online most all day, so there won’t be a long delay with comments… they will just be monitored before they’re posted).

I have a file folder full of fun and interesting things I’d like to post, but most all of them are things that have to do with things that I know have caused a stink here before.  (That’s why there haven’t been many posts this week).  As we move forward slowly, we’ll test things out together.  I’m always open to hear ideas from you on what you’d like to discuss here.  My hope is that we’ll be able to discuss these things and not get diverted.

OK… enough for tonight.  Need to get some sleep.  Tomorrow’s a brand new day (that the Lord is making).  How great is that?!

Todd

Hang in there Todd you are doing a great service to the body of Christ here!Love you all! KD

Our solution at Seacoast (and most other multi-site churches I’m in relationship with) is to start campuses AND new churches. When we find a leader who’s heart is to plant a new church and to be the primary communicator, we help him do just that. (We help found a group called The Association of Related Churches. We have helped plant dozens of churches over the past four years through the ARC. We are deeply committed to church planting.) When we find a leader who feels his gifting and calling is to be a campus pastor, we help facilitate that call as well. We feel we are able to deploy more rather than fewer leaders.

As to the accusations of being a cult, being ego maniacs, avoiding the IRS (which is a new one, by the way), beating our pets; not a problem. As long as people are moving from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, we’ll take the arrows.

Thanks for keeping the conversation fresh Todd. I look forward to the new and improved MMI.

The new generation is not a life without high technology, and because the churches of all denominations have to look for new ways to attract believers.Himself Pope in January this year, acknowledged the usefulness of the Internet. 81-year-old Pontiff, whose first appeal to the world through the Network was held in November 2001, praised the Internet as a “wonderful tool” that can and should be used to disseminate the word of God and peace on a global scale. However, the universal nature of networks, which can satisfy both sublime, and ignoble human needs entails, according to the Pope, the need for regulation, because providing access to truly boundless treasures of accumulated knowledge of mankind, Set, however, makes no rights wise and can easily contribute to human dignity.