tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post8849746999152776416..comments2023-06-09T12:46:12.932-04:00Comments on The Voice Of One Crying Out In Suburbia: Well because you see, it ISN'T a businessArthur Sidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848508095612688493noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-32772402939819868692013-12-31T16:57:19.183-05:002013-12-31T16:57:19.183-05:00Neil, I have written a lot about the idea of insti...Neil, I have written a lot about the idea of institutional religion as a means of control, especially as it applies to closed communion. When men decide that they get to edit the guest list for the Lord's Supper they place themselves in a dangerous and borderline heretical position.Arthur Sidohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03848508095612688493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-38895325702566915922013-12-31T16:55:39.745-05:002013-12-31T16:55:39.745-05:00Joe I don't disagree entirely. There are plent...Joe I don't disagree entirely. There are plenty of super institutionalized churches with "executive pastors" that do a lot of good work. However when we start off with the business mindset rather than the community and family mindset we end up with the system we have, tiny fiefdoms competing against the church across the street for the scarce resource of attenders.Arthur Sidohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03848508095612688493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-84606212149827019252013-12-27T11:25:14.556-05:002013-12-27T11:25:14.556-05:00The main purpose of the corporate church structure...The main purpose of the corporate church structure is CONTROL. It serves to keep the majority of members in their place and doing what they're told - to be complacent spectators and loyal givers of money. In that sense, church is a lot like a television. <br /><br />People sit and watch television programming that makes them feel good while they are asked to give their money to the sponsors of that “commercial” programming. The programming is designed to get the people to come back on a weekly basis in hopes they will continue to support the sponsors. Television has become efficient at this, as it has created millions and millions of what are called: “couch potatoes.” Mindless drones who watch programming like zombies, who can’t even remember the content of the programs they watched the week before. <br /><br />Churches have capitalized on the success of the television industry, using similar programming and advertising methods. Like the television industry, churches continue to adjust their programming to keep their viewers' attention and sponsors happy. Churches carefully and meticulously test and research their programming and marketing methods to help insure success in reaching a larger audience and increase financial support. <br /><br />Like television, churches are also creating millions and millions of “pew potatoes,” who attend every Sunday to sit and watch the programming and pay their support. Spiritually dead people who attend church and watch the programming like zombies, most of whom can’t even remember the content of the Sunday school class or sermon they watched the week before. <br /><br />Unfortunately, each church acts as an independent program on a specific channel. And they are all vying for viewers to watch their unique programs. I wrote a piece about this tragic reality on my blog: http://honorgodsword.com/ “"Church" Cannibalism: The consequence of being out of God’s will” <br /><br />Neil Braithwaitehttp://honorgodsword.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-17176430699949256332013-12-27T03:32:16.801-05:002013-12-27T03:32:16.801-05:00"...the institutional church of organized rel..."...the institutional church of organized religion operates more like a corporation than a family..."<br /><br />Uhmm, well, to be truthful, it ACTUALLY IS a corporation. Simply because it incorporates with the government as a "non-profit" corporation doesn't mean in the least that it doesn't operate just like a business. It is a business, just a "non-profit" one, with, of course, the loopholes in "non-profit" that makes it really not quite so non-profit.Steve Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10297044571819912511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-23098723830750412382013-12-26T23:24:33.618-05:002013-12-26T23:24:33.618-05:00I say it is a "service agency." Church...I say it is a "service agency." Churches provide a service. They offer people options. To fellowship, use various gifts to minister the gospel to the poor, or in some cases, free child-care, entertainment, a place to get married. What we resent is when the business doesn't serve the widow and childless, the lost and broken but the pastors, the rich young rulers and the 3 who crossed over to the other side of the street when they saw the guy in the street. Definition of business - an organization involved in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. church is a business by this definition. Can be good or bad.<br /><br />A good church can be run like a business. Just depends on what "service" is provided. Some people want the service of "checking off a box on their religious checklist with as little inconvenience and discomfort as possible." Blow up all the practices that you rightly critique and I say there is still a group providing a service to consumers.<br /> Vondonoreply@blogger.com