Bill Gates on Church Attendance
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Tue, June 14, 2005
- Viewed 281
- (49) comments so far
Seems like a common criticism. Kind of goes along with the 'church is boring'; 'I don't get anything out of church' mindset that many non-Christians feel about the church.
So what is the church and it's believers to do to reach people who think like Bill Gates?
Many churches have done a great job at making church relevant, interesting, and applicable to conditions that unsaved (yes, sinners) are going through; only to be criticized by other Christians for guess what... being relevant and watering down the message.
Many churches have concentrated on meeting felt needs: more topical messages; trying to relate to real-life issues that people are having in today's society. Find a need and fill it; only to be criticized by other Christians for being humanistic, centering on man's needs and not Christ.
FOR YOUR INPUT: So my question... how would you approach Bill Gates? If you're church is not being relevant or meeting felt-needs of unbelievers, how would you get past his criticism that your church is not worth his time? How do you convince someone who has everything (earthly speaking) that he needs Christ?
In an interview with TIME magazine, Bill Gates is quoted as saying: "Just in terms of allocation of time resources, religion is not very efficient. There’s a lot more I could be doing on a Sunday morning." Of course, by "Sunday Morning" he’s talking about a church service. To Bill, church and religion are not worth one hour of his time. It’s just good time management.
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bernie dehler on Tue, June 14, 2005
If I had a chance for a heart-heart with Bill Gates… I’d share the “four spiritual laws.”
Q: Do you believe in God?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you believe that you are a sinner, and seperated from God?
A: Yes.
Q: What can you do to “atone” or make-up for your sin?
A: Nobody’s perfect.
Q: I know, but still, what can you do about it?
A: Be the best I can.
Q: How does that cover your sin?
A: I guess it doesn’t.
BTW, same for philosophy and religious works (praying 7 times a day, memorizing Scipture, torturing yourself, etc.)—none of it covers your sin.
Then I’d explain how there’s nothing we can do, and that Jesus took the punishment for us. Explain what it means to know Jesus as LORD and SAVIOR. I’d also talk to him about the power of the Holy Spirit and the promise of eternal life, and try to answer any of his questions.
As Todd said, ultimately, there’s nothing we can do; it’s God’s work. Salvation is a miracle. All we can do is sow the seed, and God will cause the growth.
We need to clearly state the problem (sin/seperation) before we proclaim the cure. It’s unnatural for a man, who thinks he’s healthy, to take medicine for a sickness. And that’s what we are holding out… the cure…
...Bernie
http://freegoodnews.blogspot.com/
Rick on Wed, June 15, 2005
the lost (Bill Gates) aren’t looking for “church” however you define it.
people are looking for unconditional acceptance & love, purpose & meaning in life.
they don’t need you to point out they’re condemned, in their heart, they already know they’re condemned, that they don’t measure up to the standard (however they define it).
especially if you’re given the opportunity to question what they initially say has given/is giving them unconditional love & acceptance, purpose & meaning.
we spend too much time focused on their depravity when they know they’re depraved…their looking for LIFE…so share with them about LIFE.
John 16:3 and this is “eternal life” THAT YOU MAY KNOW ME the one and only true God and Jesus Christ.
Justin on Wed, June 15, 2005
Sounds like all of you are saying about the same thing… Are you really listening to each other?
Sure, there are a few differences in approaches and “gray area” doctrines; but the approaches are all similar.
Don’t forget that the church came after Christ left the earth. It was a place were Christians could gather to edify and encourage each other. The outreach was from each individual, like several of you pointed out, to bring them to Christ. The “assembling” then played the part of enhancing and developing the new relationship in Christ, right?
Soooo, let me pose this question… Is the church gathering (organizational structure, as we know it) for the lost or saved—or is it really for our own pride?
Al on Wed, June 15, 2005
So my question… how would you approach Bill Gates?
“Bill if you don’t become Born Again by faith in Christ alone you will spend an eternity in Hell.”
Is that too politically Incorrect?
BeHim on Wed, June 15, 2005
TODD WRITES:
These people will not get saved in your average church, cause they will never step in the door because of their preconceptions.
And they won’t listen to strangers that try to push religion on them, because there is no relationship. no friendship. no trust.
BeHim responds:
Sharing The Gospel isn’t about making friends, it’s about caring for them yes but about opening the door to share The Good News.
The woman caught in the “very act” knew she was condemned already but the door was open when she realized her condemners (if that’s a word…lol) were also in the same sinking boat she was in. After they were gone, Jesus shared The Good News.
BERNIE WRITES:
We need to clearly state the problem (sin/separation) before we proclaim the cure. It’s unnatural for a man, who thinks he’s healthy, to take medicine for a sickness. And that’s what we are holding out… the cure…
BeHim responds:
Bernie, you’re absolutely dead on brother! A dear friend of mine used to ask if people he was counseling wanted something to help with their symptoms or if they wanted to the cure for the disease that causes the symptoms? First define the problem.
RICK WRITES:
people are looking for unconditional acceptance & love, purpose & meaning in life.
Is God’s Love Unconditional? IS there a condition to His Loving us unconditionally?
YES! Deny that condition and you’re in his wrath.
We may look for people to accept us for who we are but God is not like us, He will not accept us as we are. He accepts His Son and IN HIM we are acceptable to God.
RICK WRITES:
they don’t need you to point out they’re condemned, in their heart, they already know they’re condemned, that they don’t measure up to the standard (however they define it).
You assume they know. Most do not… they deceive themselves or blatantly attempt to say “it is not sin”. It’s not my standard they need to measure up to, it’s God’s standard.
Keep in mind, we’re talking about an unbeliever. Their hearts are wicked and deceitful above all things. It’s too dangerous to assume they know they are sinners.
Care to answer a question Rick - Scripturally speaking, what are we saved from?
RICK WRITES:
we spend too much time focused on their depravity when they know they’re depraved…their looking for LIFE…so share with them about LIFE.
A good choice of words Rick. Depravity. It helps define sovereignty. But I won’t get into that hear.
I will disagree Scripturally with you, they DON’T know or think they are totally depraved, they have no conviction, shame or guilt.
BTW. If they are looking for Life, would that assume they are dead? Do they consider themselves “dead”? No. First, explain how and why they are dead so you can share The Good news of life with them.
JUSTIN WRITES:
The “assembling” then played the part of enhancing and developing the new relationship in Christ, right?
Soooo, let me pose this question… Is the church gathering (organizational structure, as we know it) for the lost or saved—or is it really for our own pride?
BeHim responds:
Our gathering together is for the saved! To have one voice in honor and praise of God.
When we Worship we “should” Worship the True and Living God for all His Goodness, Kindness, Faithfulness, etc. BUT it doesn’t seem this is how “gathering together” is defined in today’s christianity.
BTW great question Justin.
harold on Mon, June 20, 2005
Being a lay person and not a pastor, I always enjoy reading the pastors’ comments.
My first thoughth was: Bill Gates will go to heaven the same way I will, you will or the new Pope will. No one gets special alterntives but is showered with unmeasurable love. Many “important” people are in heaven and many missed the “Boat” (They must have been at the airport!”
Tez on Mon, June 20, 2005
It is very hard for rich men who are already unsaved to recognize their need for a relationship with God no matter how seeker friendly or relevant you are.
(Matthew 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.)
We must get these individuals to recognize their need for God by getting them to see thier sinful state without a loving Jesus to pay for their sin.
Mark Grothe on Mon, June 20, 2005
Rick writes:
the lost (Bill Gates) aren’t looking for “church” however you define it.
people are looking for unconditional acceptance & love, purpose & meaning in life.
they don’t need you to point out they’re condemned, in their heart, they already know they’re condemned, that they don’t measure up to the standard (however they define it).
especially if you’re given the opportunity to question what they initially say has given/is giving them unconditional love & acceptance, purpose & meaning.
we spend too much time focused on their depravity when they know they’re depraved…their looking for LIFE…so share with them about LIFE.
John 16:3 and this is “eternal life” THAT YOU MAY KNOW ME the one and only true God and Jesus Christ.
My response:
I have to agree with Rick. I believe too many are focused on Kingdom building but not in Kingdom growing. What I mean by this is that too many go out and evangelize people lead them to Christ give them some instruction about what to do next and then leave them hanging. They do not go and follow up with this person.
I think of what Jesus did with HIS disciples when HE called them. Some HE called directly. Others were indirect. Remember Andrew? HE talked to him directly and Andrew followed. It was an immediate response. So what did Andrew do? He immediately went and told Simon otherwise known as Peter. Peter became one of the pillars of the early church. Remember also he struggled but he did respond.
The point is this, sometimes we are unable to reach someone ourselves. In reality let’s look at this situation. Do you truly believe that Bill would sit down with someone like us? He is focused on his business and those who will help him make more money. I would suggest instead that if we are unable to approach him himself or show him what it means to truly be a Christian, then maybe we talk to those around him. It has been my experience that someone of his nature may not respond to us because we are not worth his time.
I offer this as a suggestion.
First, we should pray for Bill. I read something someone wrote here and they mentioned that the Holy Spirit should do the work. This is important in whether we are discipling, witnessing, or growing a church, etc. I think many forget that prayer is the power plant of the church as well as other things. I believe it was Spurgeon, who, when he delivered a sermon, would a large group of others praying. This is what made his church grow bigger and spiritually.
Secondly, we should pray for direction of how we are to approach Bill. Maybe we are to find an Andrew. Maybe we will be the one. Let GOD show you.
Thirdly, we should pray that GOD would lead us to someone we could reach and that we could disciple so they could reach Bill. This is not only if we are unable to reach Bill ourselves but, it is also so we could be sure there is more who could relate to Bill and help him to have a fellowship around him to encourage him to continue to grow.
I am thinking of something Blackaby said in Experiencing GOD, we tend to get focused like a servant would according to the world’s standards of doing GOD’S will. A servant according to the world’s standards is one who receives instruction and carries it out. However, one of GOD is one who is moldable and remains in HIS hands. In other words, we let GOD use us and do the work. We are just there. Prayer will help one to get to that point.
Mark Grothe on Mon, June 20, 2005
I do need to mention that I truly believe in the fact that if yo lead someone to Christ, you should be willing to disciple them. This may be the reason Gates does not see the need to go to church. People do not take the time they should to disciple others.
Stuart on Mon, June 20, 2005
After prayer, I would ask Bill to give some thought to this question, “what does it profit you to gain the whole world and yet lose your own soul?” And then watch the Holy Spirit move.
Lorraine Jones on Mon, June 20, 2005
Bill Gates’ comments remind me of a number of individulas who do not see personal relevancy / importance of something for which they cannot dictate the outcome of. What he does do is raise the issue of “how” we are describing God to our people and “what” their subsequent expectations of God are. An authentic relationship with God takes work - just like marriage and raising children. The more you learn about the ones you are in relationship with, the deeper that relationship becomes.
What church helps us to do is: learn from a collective body about the ongoing status of their spiritual relationship; discuss the mistakes made and the things learned about oneself and God; how and to whom we can be earthly accountable, etc.
At best, church is a covenanting body of believers “pressing toward the mark, the prize of the high calling” as best they can. That covenanting body reminds us that we are not only responsible for ourselves but to and for others. Church forces us to not be comfortable or satisfied that “me and my house” are okay. The “others” are not just foreigners or those who live in different neighborhoods or those who are stratified from us by socio-economic factors. They are the people we sit next to; those whose children are failing in school; theose who have lost loved ones in Iraq; those who go home to empty cupboards; those who were laid off from Bill Gates’organizations; those who who need answers that money cannot buy.
The church forces you to “see” and in some cases “feel” the impact of your actions/inactions. There you see the futility of all your good works, donations, volunteerism, altruistic deeds, etc. The Church also asks you tough questions about why you do what you do and what you believe and what lengths you are willing to go while you are yet alive like the rich young ruler.
Perhaps, the church is waiting for the Bill Gates of the world to stop making excuses about what the church is not and to come and add to the glorious, sometimes frenetic, often challenging, never boring, foolish enterprise that we call religious experience. Not because we need another executive to transform our church into an efficient, modern boardroom; but because the executive needs the transformative love of an available God who can do what no other power can do for a fraction of the cost.
Stephen on Tue, June 21, 2005
I would remind him that God took the time to develop the Gospel message for the sake of Bill Gates. Jesus, God incarnate took the time to fulfill the Gospel message including the concept of the body of Christ-the church. I would also caution Mr. Gates that all material gain is of no avail when one stands before the LORD at the judgement. Finally I would say that it is because of God’s love it is his choice to make.
Fedman on Tue, June 21, 2005
Pray for him - then go and serve the guy somehow. Don’t promote the church just find a creative way to serve him. Also let him know that we UNDERSTAND that an hour on Sunday may be a waste for him and the key is a relationship with God and not the church - first to God.
Rev Sam on Tue, June 21, 2005
Yes, of course, there is always e means and ends to people’s life in the way they saying about the church. But, we have to know that even Christ with His own desciples had a hard time to convince them who He was.Until after His resurrection Thomas the betrayer stubbornly admitted when he saw the marks of the nails of His hands and feet.To be a Christian, you have to believe what so ever even though you didn’t it with your eyes. Bill Gate is like Thomas the betrayer, he has to see his eyes on those marks of the nails and then he would say"My Lord and my God”(like Thomas did say).Truely, to be a Christian is not easy because “it’s hard to believe because it is hard to obey”. As a Christian you have to have the Holy Spirit to help you in your weaknesses. Sometime, we might think that we are so smart but not. Likewise, Bill Gate might think he is so smart. Of course, he is a Millionare on earth but quess what in heaven, “ he is dowm in hell”. The Bible says, “ Bless are those who don’t see but believe. Moreover, Christ said that there will be wrong prophets that will come and say things in a wrong way about His name. This is a “paradigm shift” in the Theology of Faith in this modern Global Socio-Economic-political world.Billy Gram, the Father of the Faithful Americans who never fell to his knew since he started preaching the words of God.He said last week that he is ready to go to heaven. What a person of Chist he is.Surely, he is ready right? What about you and I? Are you ready? You can say Bill Gate is a sinner but need time(thousand of miles for that journey)
for him to be changed inorder to see Christ and believe.
God Bless!
Rev Sam
Rev.J.Cephas Z.K.Davis on Tue, June 21, 2005
As a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.I will first tell Bill Gate that he is not the owner of time,but the Creator.So he ought to redeem the time because the the owner can tell him that while you are so busy for I need my time,and he will be gone from this world.
The Bible says we should warn such people and if they do not turn from their evil ways God will not hold us for their sin.
It is because of wealth he does not have time,I will tell him all his stuff is not his,cause naked he came into this world,and naked he will returned.Will also remind him that one of the world weaithest man John D.Rockerfiller die and his account was ask,how much did John D leave and the reply was all of it.I this will cansience Bill Gate and remind him that he is not the owner of time.That he has to give time to it’s owner.I hope this message could reach Bill Gate.I believed after going through thishe will give time for Church
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