Most of us spend our time chasing after things that have nothing whatsoever to do with Christ or the people being trundled off to hell.
My obsession with the pulpit pimps forced me to tie the following video (I found it at Julian of God’s site) from John Piper and Reach Records to the time the pimps are wasting building up huge congregations, huge buildings, huge homes, and huge stashes of stuff.
Apparently Highland Park Baptist Church in Prince Georges county Maryland has decided to up the ante in the facade race. They are now involved in a multimillion dollar building project. I suspect (though I can’t say for certain) it’s at least partly in response to John K. Jenkins’ memorial and mausoleum built out in Kettering. Here’s a shot of the planned monstrosity.
And of course you defenders of the pimps will say “But it takes money to do ministry!” After all, that’s the same thing you said when I pointed out the $55 million price tag for the Mausoleum on the Kettering (aka First Baptist Church of Glenarden).
But take a look at the following quote from Piper’s site and then let’s revisit the idea of ministry requiring money, lots and lots of money:
This prison is the largest maximum-security prison in America. It is one of the most famous prisons in the whole world. It has only murderers, rapists, armed robbers and habitual felons. The average sentence is 88 years, with 3,200 people in one place serving life sentences. Ninety percent of the inmates will die here. This is a place of hopelessness…
This little narrative describes Angola Prison in Louisiana, former hell hole and detention nightmare.
Here are some words used to describe the environment now:
There is a local extension of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the prison and about 140 prisoners are enrolled. There are six churches in the prison and they train their own pastors. They send trained “missionaries” to other prisons to plant churches. They do this without using any tax money. But O the money—and lives—it saves!
Let me draw your attention to a statement in the quote. The PRISONERS send missionaries to other prisons to plant churches.
What is the difference between these men and the pimps who have a church on every corner of the decaying cities? Rather than making a bunch of noise about the need for money, these men are trusting the power of the Holy Spirit to make a difference, both in their prison and in providing opportunities to present the gospel to others.
They don’t have a big building. They don’t have a luxurious and sprawling campus (except to grow their food), and they definitely don’t have Armor bearers (aka inexpensive butlers and drivers). Instead, they have a love for God and a passion to see other men come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
These men do what I keep talking about. They disciple. They tell folks about Jesus Christ and His salvation and then they work one on one with the men who accept the message of life. They don’t try to pack the pews. They don’t come up with inane programs that make the congregation feel good while assisting them in avoiding the task of every Christian - telling others about the good news of Jesus Christ. They even send people to other prisons to tell them about Jesus Christ.
Oh, and if you read the entire article on Piper’s site, pray for GB, he is scheduled to die in January.
That’s an amazing story, thank you for spotlighting it!
I would not turn down a visit in that prison. I would love to worship in that place. I would gain more peace there then in many of our churches today across the country that major on money and fame. Thanks for the insight Melvin. PJ
Isn’t this what Jesus did with the 70 disciples? He sent them out to introduce the gospel. He didn’t ressurect a Mega-synagogue for all the people in Judea to hear him speak and then drop money at his feet. This is proof that you don’t need money to share the gospel.
Interesting article Melvin………….. to God be the glory!
I know this has NOTHING to do with the current post, but I found a cool website for memorizing Scripture. It is http://www.memverse.com. If you already know if it just consider me late to the party.
Which of these institutions, then, have the real prisoners?
FYI, everyone. Angola Prison was first featured by National Geographic in a two hour long documentary about 10 years or so ago, which was very good viewing. A second installment revisiting the prison and some of the previously featured inmates from 10 years ago aired a few months ago on the National Geographic Channel. It’s a very interesting place and with interesting people. You can watch the 2nd installment at this link:
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/a-decade-behind-bars-return-to-the-farm-4329/Overview42#tab-Videos/06700_00
Wow Prince George’s County has to have the highest concentration of mega churches in the entire United States. But the average person that doesn’t attend church couldn’t tell you one thing the church does in the community. I think we are witnessing the fall of the black church. It has already become a womens club with little relevance for the average man.
Actually, if you contacted the Homeless Office at PG County Public Schools, they could tell you how many students/families have benefited from these churches….food, clothing, rent and utility bills for many!
(MN: So let’s do the math. I can build a big building to hold all the people and preach to them for about $1.5 million.
Let’s be outrageous and say it costs $1000 per month to support a homeless family.
And let’s further say that the church is going to support one hundred homeless families a month.
Now - First Baptist Church of Glenarden on the Kettering spent $55 million to build the church. If they had only spent $1.5 million, that would have left $53.5 million to help the homeless in PG county.
Here’s where the fifth grade math comes in.
100 families X $1000 = $100,000
12 months X $100,000 = $1,200,000
$55,000,000/1,200,000 = 45 years.
If John had chosen to put the $55 million into a homeless “ministry” with no investments and just using the money he would have been able to help 100 homeless families with $1000 a month for the next 45 years! Instead, they have Christian do nothings making cold sandwiches in the million dollar kitchen to pass out to the homeless on week ends. And maybe some hot food on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Yeah, ask the county how much they do - as opposed to how much they could do.
But remember, it’s not FBCGotK’s job to help the homeless. It’s yours and mine. )
Mr J, been trolling about here and there. I’ve read your site some over the years. Commented at various times, but mostly read the comments of others and watched the site progress. As far as the gentleman on the metro saying that the site is a ‘bunch of bickering.’ I’d have to agree. Most of your posts begin with you making a statement about why the ‘pimps’ and people like them are wrong, and what is the right way to do things. From there you proceed to talk over (the internet equivalent of it) the people who do not share your perspective, and hand out e-high fives and back slaps to all the devoted site visitors who do agree with you or attack any of the unwanted opinions that might pop up. I’ve actually looked at some of the posts that had 80+ comments on them. When those kind of numbers occured, it almost ALWAYS indicated that there was some bickering. Go back and check. And by bickering, I’m sure that he meant that in the sense that Webster’s Dictionary or any common english speaking adult means it. Back and forth haggling over small, simple, or trivial matters.
Anyway, not sure why I even look at this site. The idea of one man, trying to tell another person that he/she has adopted the wrong man-made interpretations of the Bible, and that they should instead be adopting interpretations A through C is a bit ridiculous. There are as many interpretations of the Bible as there are pages, but I suppose you and your close circle of friends are the only ones that have actually stumbled upon the absolute, undeniably correct version. That must be a great relief to you all given how likely you were to end up with the wrong ideas about pre-destination, the trinity, losing salvation etc.. How fortunate that you managed to figure out the truth that so many are incapable or unwilling to see. Anyway, I’ll go back to trolling after this (most likely) unless you have something new to say. P.S. If there actually is a god, I’m sure that he is absolutely astounded with how much time and energy you waste in his name.
Perhaps Monolith visits the site because he wants to hear the truth rather than tradition.
Stick around Monolith.
Oh, I hope this isn’t too trivial, but you’ve been lurking, not trolling.
I do not comment often, and when I do they are relatively small comments. On top of that, I understand, Melvin, that you are a grown man and have the ability to stick up for yourself, but I must object to much of what Monolith has said.
Monolith, you say that Melvin simply high-fives those who share his view. Understand what the site is about: It is not about debating the merits of sprinkling verses submersion or whether or not the pulpit should be “center-stage” or off to the side. We are talking about men and women who say audacious comments such as God wants all His children to be filthy rich, which is obvious untrue FROM SCRIPTURE. These men and women preach and teach immortal souls incorrect knowledge about God. Again, we are not talking incorrect such as wine verses grape juice for communion, rather matters that hold eternal weight and effect our lives here on this side of the grave.
So, when people come to the site and say, “How dare you talk down about so-and-so…!” Melvin’s response and the response of those he agrees with always says, in one way or another, “This person is leading Christians astray.” Thus the “bickering” is not small squabbling, but debating over matters of great importance. Not that I am comparing the two, but I wonder if Athanasius was told to stop bickering as well.
Concerning those of Melvin’s “close circle of friends” who stumbled across the truth? They are called Christians and throughout history there has been teaching that is orthodox and unorthodox. To get doctrine wrong concerning the Trinity is BIG, Monolith, and changes the very fabric of the Church (read Eph. 2). And there are equally important issues at stake here. Does predestination change a person’s eternal standing? No, but there are incorrect doctrines that do and those who teach contrary must be brought to the forefront, named and called out for what they teach.
And, yes, there is a God and I am sure He is perfectly fine with people who defend the truths of His Scripture.
(MN: I’m kind of glad I apparently accidently deleted Monolith’s comment after I inserted my own comments. Your response was much more astute than mine. )
Mel,
I know I haven’t posted in a while, but I just wanted to say shame on you for insisting that people think for themselves and use rightly divided scripture as the rule of life, faith and thought. Furthermore, shame on you for thinking that the Holy Spirit had anything to do with the changed lives of those inmates. Lastly, how dare you create a site that causes your readers to “bicker” amongst one another and hold televangelists and pulpit swindlers–I mean–preachers to a standard that exemplifies what happened in Acts chapter 17 verse 11…
By the way, while you’re so busy doing this, have you had a chance to pick up your copy of the limited edition, individually signed and numbered copy of “It’s Your Time”?
I guess monolith was right about you…You’d better get your act together mister, or you and those folks at RABC are gonna wind up causing real spiritual growth, err, I mean–havoc throughout the body…
R4C
(MN: I gave $2500 as a gift for the signed, custom-packed commemorative edition. I’m expecting this book to be life changing. If I don’t get my Liberty XL2 within the next six months, I’m going to demand my money back. )
R4C, I clicked on the link. Isn’t it amazing how these pimps get to decide that it’s somebody’s time? If there is one phrase I am sick of hearing it’s that one right there. “It’s your time, it’s your season….blah, blah, blah.” Why come nobody ever prophesies that ” prison and hardships await you” (Acts 20:23-25)? Because you won’t get invited back to the conference, or get people to send you money. Or have an “international” ministry where you get to “speak” into people’s lives. Sorry for the threadjack Melvin, but man that link made me righteously indignant.
Great comment, Ken. I find resistance to this verse from Philippians: For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. One lady said, “I like the first part, but not so much the last part.”
Those who are rich by presenting God as a granter of only the pleasant things in life would do well to read what Jesus says in Luke 6, “But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full.” My advice to them: you might as well enjoy the riches you’re getting from your false gospel to the hilt - because unless you repent, this is Your Best Life Now.
Lord how mercy God bless you Ken and Stan for your comments! And whoever started this thread! Im giving you all cyber high 5s!! Keep it going! Burns me up too when everyone construes constructive criticism as touching Gods anointed when the people they are taking from are just as anointed!