Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting

[subllibrm]

It could be that that is exactly what he was talking about.

And I have yet to understand why anyone worries about the motivation or lack thereof in another person's walk with Christ. Engage with that person regarding that issue. If it is a problem then deal with the person and make the case to them why they should attend. Of course doing so may lead to the destruction of the assumption.

So I am not impressed by the declaration of insight into another person's motives on a web forum. Even less so the extrapolation of that conclusion into a one size fits all lament of why people do or don't do something.

One size fits all?  Isn't that an assumption on your part?  Seriously, who said that KJV1611 was making a blanket condemnation of all who miss Wednesday services?

And it doesn't take any real genius of observational powers to note that people have time for all sorts of things but never find time for Sunday evening or midweek service.  They know that the church is meeting, but willfully absent themselves for a variety of worldly pursuits.  That isn't judging motives.  That is making a simple observation.  Spurgeon did it.  Tozer said the same.  Macarthur, Mohler, etc, etc, ....

And I have made the same or similar observations. but it can be done without smugness and condescension. The OP is really about the 3 to thrive concept. Many churches have moved away from that weekly schedule (mine is in the process) without a decline in the maturity of the congregation. In fact we are seeing the opposite.

I have never been a big fan of the small group model because as a good old fashioned baptist I KNEW it was just a fad that had to be be bad. A little over two years ago I found myself in a micro group (4 guys once a week). I can say without a doubt that I have experienced more growth and closer communion to Christ than when I was a hard core three-peater. I am now looking forward to the move from evening service to a small group where my wife and I can develop fellowship together with other believers. One side benefit of the small group is that each group determines the best time to meet (which takes away at least one lame objection). Now do some quick math and count how many times I am meeting with the body each week.

There will be two types of people that I will be look at with concern. Those that aren't involved in a small group (I will encourage them to participate). And more so those who have and fall way. Even then it will be from concern for their well being, not some generic belief that they don't care or their priorities are screwed up. When I do finally run across that person who'd priorities are screwed up (yes, I now they are there) I will account it to them and not project it onto anyone else who may not be participating at that time.

 

[ALAYMAN]

And I have made the same or similar observations. but it can be done without smugness and condescension. The OP is really about the 3 to thrive concept. Many churches have moved away from that weekly schedule (mine is in the process) without a decline in the maturity of the congregation. In fact we are seeing the opposite.

I have never been a big fan of the small group model because as a good old fashioned baptist I KNEW it was just a fad that had to be be bad. A little over two years ago I found myself in a micro group (4 guys once a week). I can say without a doubt that I have experienced more growth and closer communion to Christ than when I was a hard core three-peater. I am now looking forward to the move from evening service to a small group where my wife and I can develop fellowship together with other believers. One side benefit of the small group is that each group determines the best time to meet (which takes away at least one lame objection). Now do some quick math and count how many times I am meeting with the body each week.

There will be two types of people that I will be look at with concern. Those that aren't involved in a small group (I will encourage them to participate). And more so those who have and fall way. Even then it will be from concern for their well being, not some generic belief that they don't care or their priorities are screwed up. When I do finally run across that person who'd priorities are screwed up (yes, I now they are there) I will account it to them and not project it onto anyone else who may not be participating at that time.

I have zero problem with anything you've written here, but I don't think that your example fits the model of who 16KJV11 was targeting.  And of course whatever observation and/or judgment we make should never come from a condescending or smug attitude, which should go without saying.

 

[subllibrm]

I have zero problem with anything you've written here, but I don't think that your example fits the model of who 16KJV11 was targeting.  And of course whatever observation and/or judgment we make should never come from a condescending or smug attitude, which should go without saying.

One of the problems with an internet forum is that smug is in the eye of beholder. Sounded like a duck to me but if it wasn't then I apologize to 16KJV11.

 

[ALAYMAN]

One of the problems with an internet forum is that smug is in the eye of beholder. Sounded like a duck to me but if it wasn't then I apologize to 16KJV11.

You're right, a whole lot is lost in translation on this sort of medium.  My interpretation of his words are in light of the body of his writings I've read, and the fact that he's a Hyles guy who ain't cut from that same cloth (ie, conservative, but more grace oriented).

 

[JrChurch]

Most churches in our area were closed tonight because of the weather.  Because of where our church is located, we don't call off services unless there is a state of emergency.  We had a wonderful, albeit short, service this evening. 
I have been going to church for almost 40 years and I look forward to each service.  Gathering together with sweet believers, praying, singing, hearing God's word….ahhhh, I'm ready to put my boots on and go again!