Greensburg Daily News
Greensburg —
Our Churches are becoming clubs, entertainment centers and dens of thieves instead of places of prayer. Jesus says this in Mark 11:17 "And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves."
I understand why we have changed the true function of the local New Testament Church and Jesus understands too, but He is not happy with what most churches are doing. Now this is what I mean by "most churches", the biggest majority of churches has bowed to the youth and has catered to their needs to satisfy the churches attendance. More people, mean more tithing income for the church to use to keep their programs alive.
The churches of this age are doing things what our churches of 40 years ago would never have done. And what might that be Pastor Paul? They have made it known to their membership that the hymn songs are no longer adequate (you know, too old the hymns just don't touch the heart any more) in their services and allowing songs that repeat the same verses over and over again. I know we could sing Amazing Grace over and over in a service and you would say ditto, you're doing the thing that you are against.
We are being told that the hymnals are out dated and that our children need to clap, sway and jump up and down during the singing time in church. This is now appropriate and makes the youth come to church. And also the Pastors message is considered overbearing if it last more than 15 minutes. When I got saved I couldn't wait till Sunday services so I started going on Wednesday night bible study.
Most of the newer churches (let's say ones that have started up in the past 10 years) have had to water down the Gospel so it would not upset the believers of evolution and those that say it is ok for a man to marry a man and a woman a woman and how about this, you must keep all the laws and commandments of our church or you may not go to heaven.
Hogwash to those churches, Jesus is the way and the ONLY way to heaven and if you want to have real church services look back about 40 years and sing the hymns. Worship and prayer are both intertwined together so that, "My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer." I hope I cleared up this stupid belief that the churches of old are too old fashion for the youth of today.
The Holy Bible should be the only guide for the elderly and the youth of today. And for the pastors or elders of a church to push away the elderly by taking away the type of service that they grew up with just so they can (entertain) get the youth to come in I say, "be very careful of your leading because the youth will follow you if you cater to their emotions."
Church is not a location but a body, a body of believers in a location. So try the old hymn songs again and ask your youth to read the words they say. You will see a big difference in their belief because of the Faith, love and hope these hymns bring.
We are looking forward to you visiting our church, Freedom Baptist where we sing out of the hymnal and the Pastor is allowed to preach longer than 15 minutes. As I have always said, "Make the devil mad this Sunday go to church."
We are located at 1006 east Main Street (the old Jackson office supply store). Our two services are 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday.
Pastor Paul Wenning
The Freedom Baptist Church
Greensburg
