Church of God a cult?

[Pleye]

The Church of God Cleveland TN is not a cult:preach

No, but the are Purpose Driven.

I'm glad this thread is still open.

In case you remember, I was looking at this church recently. They were the closest to "good" in my area. I emailed the pastor and asked about Warren and their congregation but he never replied.

So I checked into it myself. I had a HARD time finding info on the net tying them to purpose driven, but on their website their was one reference. I found one document about spiritual development (a pdf) that recommended using purpose driven for small groups.

http://www.churchofgod.org/pdf/SR_section3.pdf

I found this using google (by searching their site), not from their own site's search engine.


And in this article called "A Theology of Social Action":

http://www.churchofgod.org/articles.cfm?sid=8827

The purpose of saying all of this is that I believe Bono is an example of a prophetic voice the Church needs to recognize today if we are to complete and live out this theology of action and engagement, as we partner with those within popular culture from whom we may have been previously separated.

Social Gospel. Partnering with non-Christians for social purposes. And of course, recommending Purpose Driven for small groups.

So much for me going to Church of God.

[Waiting...]

No, but the are Purpose Driven.

I'm glad this thread is still open.

In case you remember, I was looking at this church recently. They were the closest to "good" in my area. I emailed the pastor and asked about Warren and their congregation but he never replied.

So I checked into it myself. I had a HARD time finding info on the net tying them to purpose driven, but on their website their was one reference. I found one document about spiritual development (a pdf) that recommended using purpose driven for small groups.

http://www.churchofgod.org/pdf/SR_section3.pdf

I found this using google (by searching their site), not from their own site's search engine.


And in this article called "A Theology of Social Action":

http://www.churchofgod.org/articles.cfm?sid=8827



Social Gospel. Partnering with non-Christians for social purposes. And of course, recommending Purpose Driven for small groups.

So much for me going to Church of God.

If you search long enough, you will find problems with every denomination. Do not let Satan use this to keep you out of church. Many here use this as an excuse to NOT go to church. Rapture Ready, as great as it is, should NOT be your church. Get into a local body.:wave

[jaysmom]

Yes, if you find the perfect church you won't be able to go-for then it wouldn't be perfect anymore.

I'm sorry, but it looks like you scrounged and rooted for the purpose of finding "something" that would give you an excuse not to attend. I apologize if that wasn't your purpose-but it seems to be.

[Pleye]

Waiting,

I didn't have to search long at all. A matter of minutes.

Now let me ask, do you think the Church of God adopting Purpose Driven small groups is a good idea? Do you honestly think that is Satan trying to keep me out of the Church of God as you stated?

And Jaysmom, after the last 2 churches we were at went purpose driven you better believe that I am checking ahead to see if the next church is purpose driven - because I won't attend another one that is. Besides, if I do, Rick Warren advocates kicking me out because I oppose his view. Is it prudent for me to attend another after being in 2 that were already?

To further answer your question, I specifically contacted the pastor asking if they were purpose driven and if he recommended the books - but he won't answer me back. So what do you do then? Just go? Nope, go to the national site and find out for yourself.

I've also contacted 2 other churches in my area who are purpose driven, Rob Bell fans, and proponents of the "new teaching methods."

So let me get this straight. Do both of you really want me to attend a purpose driven church? Or are you suggesting that I blindly join a church without finding out if what they belive is Biblical first?

[Waiting...]

Waiting,

I didn't have to search long at all. A matter of minutes.

Now let me ask, do you think the Church of God adopting Purpose Driven small groups is a good idea? Do you honestly think that is Satan trying to keep me out of the Church of God as you stated?

And Jaysmom, after the last 2 churches we were at went purpose driven you better believe that I am checking ahead to see if the next church is purpose driven - because I won't attend another one that is. Besides, if I do, Rick Warren advocates kicking me out because I oppose his view. Is it prudent for me to attend another after being in 2 that were already?

To further answer your question, I specifically contacted the pastor asking if they were purpose driven and if he recommended the books - but he won't answer me back. So what do you do then? Just go? Nope, go to the national site and find out for yourself.

I've also contacted 2 other churches in my area who are purpose driven, Rob Bell fans, and proponents of the "new teaching methods."

So let me get this straight. Do both of you really want me to attend a purpose driven church? Or are you suggesting that I blindly join a church without finding out if what they belive is Biblical first?

First... I did not say Satan was trying to keep you out of a Church of God. Reread my post. I said find a church...period.

Second... You seem bitter about something that happened in the past. I could be wrong, but I hope you get it sorted out.

Third... good luck finding the perfect church. You will not find it. But, I think that is your goal, isn't it?

[Pleye]

First... I did not say Satan was trying to keep you out of a Church of God. Reread my post. I said find a church...period.


You said
Do not let Satan use this to keep you out of church.

We were talking about the Church of God.

We were talking about the Purpose driven life.

If you weren't referring to those 2 things when you responded with "Do not let Satan use this to keep you out of church" then I'm not going to ask about it any further.


Second... You seem bitter about something that happened in the past. I could be wrong, but I hope you get it sorted out.


No, I am not bitter about something that happened in the past. I'm exhausted from spending my time trying to find a church that has a MAN as a pastor who will stand up and expose the darkness, but I keep finding pastors who are leading their churches into darkness. I think anyone would be frustrated, angry and tired with this. Take a look at Jesus and the money changers for an example of how I feel.


Third... good luck finding the perfect church. You will not find it. But, I think that is your goal, isn't it?

Interesting how you skipped my concerns. You are the one talking about a perfect church, not I.

I am not looking for a perfect church and I find it insulting that because I am trying to find one that is not purpose driven you consider that to be some flaw in my personality. You are not the first person to insinuate that because I do not want to attend a purpose driven church that I am looking for the perfect church.

Let me repeat. I am not looking for the perfect church. I am looking for one that is not purpose driven and I WILL NOT attend one that is blindly walking with the New Age movement. Very simple request.

In my posts abouve I am discussing the purpose driven life churches. Reread this part in which I asked:


So let me get this straight. Do both of you really want me to attend a purpose driven church? Or are you suggesting that I blindly join a church without finding out if what they believe is Biblical first?

I would appreciate if you answer that instead of insulting my concerns by erroneously assuming I am looking for a perfect church. If you could please answer those 2 questions above. Also, do you have a particular concern with me asking a church if they support the purpose driven life before I attend?

[Waiting...]

OK. We obviously can not communicate with one another. Good luck in your search for a church that does not have a MAN as a pastor. Peace.:wave

[wife]

No, but the are Purpose Driven.



So I checked into it myself. I had a HARD time finding info on the net tying them to purpose driven, but on their website their was one reference.


Waiting,

I didn't have to search long at all. A matter of minutes.



it was a hard search.... yet only took a matter of minutes.. this doesn't make sense


If you search long enough, you will find problems with every denomination. Do not let Satan use this to keep you out of church. Many here use this as an excuse to NOT go to church. Rapture Ready, as great as it is, should NOT be your church. Get into a local body.:wave




We were talking about the Church of God.

.





He only said church....... threads get derailed all the time.. He didn't imply that you should join the CoG. He only said that you shouldn't let Satan keep you out of church, not Church of God.

[Anddra]

First... I did not say Satan was trying to keep you out of a Church of God. Reread my post. I said find a church...period.

Second... You seem bitter about something that happened in the past. I could be wrong, but I hope you get it sorted out.

Third... good luck finding the perfect church. You will not find it. But, I think that is your goal, isn't it?

I think you are reading too much into Pleye's posts. I too left a church because of what was going on there. For that reason, I too would check out any other church before making any form of committal to it. Indeed, that is the correct thing to do in such mixed days as we are in today. The fact that someone is doing the right thing does not mean they are looking for the 'perfect' church, just one that is not following wrong teachings.

[Anddra]

OK. We obviously can not communicate with one another. Good luck in your search for a church that does not have a MAN as a pastor. Peace.:wave

That is a misquote. Pleye said...

I'm exhausted from spending my time trying to find a church that has a MAN as a pastor who will stand up and expose the darkness...