Sunday, Apr. 10, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Dear Father PaulDear Father Paul: Which is best, a large church or a small church? Sandy, Fayetteville.
Dear Sandy: Neither. I've personally been a member of a very large "megachurch" and am now pastor of a very small church. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. The megachurch we were part of in Atlanta a number of years ago had over 10,000 members. The Sunday services were awesome: a 50-piece orchestra, 200-voice choir and some of the best preaching I've ever heard. The church had a wonderful building and dozens of different programs and ministries. The only problem was that (because of the sheer size of the place) it was nearly impossible to make friends or build really meaningful relationships. Getting to really know the pastor was a challenge, too. He seemed like a great guy, but he was insulated by a large number of secretaries and associate pastors. That wasn't his fault, it just goes with being big. Still, we were members there for over five years. Most small churches, on the other hand, are small enough that you can really get to know practically everyone in the church, and build lasting and close relationships, especially with the pastor and his wife. You'll feel like you are part of a close-knit family. The downside is that the small church may be meeting in rented space, and not yet have lots of programs and ministries. You'll also probably be asked to "get involved" and not just warm a pew, a scary prospect for some. It becomes a personal choice in the end, but I think people should, most of all, look for a church (big or small) where the presence of the Lord is in evidence; where God is present and ministering in the services and where the people and the pastor have as their number one priority the worship and praise of God. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as you visit various churches. He will guide you.
Dear Father Paul: Is organ donating wrong? Bob, Fayetteville. Dear Bob: Jesus said in John 15, "This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you, greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you." Jesus demonstrated his love for mankind when he gave his body on the cross. You may ask, what does that have to do with the question? Just this, Jesus gave ALL (not part) of his body BEFORE his death (not after) so that we could have eternal life. That took unbelievable love! The Apostle Paul touched on this same kind of love among humans when he said to the Galatian Christians, "you (loved me so much) that you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me." Many Bible scholars think Paul had a vision problem. Wow! Some object to organ donation on the grounds of wanting to be physically complete at the resurrection upon Christ's return. It should be understood that the resurrection will involve more than simply the raising up of our bodies. See 1 Corinthians, chapter 15. Truth is most of us will have "returned to dust," Eccl. 12: 7. While we need to take care of the habitation of our spirit (our bodies), to donate an organ to save the life of another is not bodily abuse. On the contrary, such a donation, whether before or after death, is a noble and godly thing. Special to George: Your son is a teenager...what more can I say? Teenagers are rebellious by nature. Show him the same kind of love that God the Father in Heaven has for you. You will be amazed. Father Paul Massey will answer your question. Write him at P.O. Box 510, Fayetteville, 30214 or paulmassey@earthlink.net
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