Greetings -
I read an e-mail this a.m. sent to me from a Christian brother. He asked a question about my blog www.eaglelionflame.blogspot.com. His question was relative to the small number of "Followers, "...how come only 7 and 8 are there?" I thought perhaps others have the same question so I decided to post my response to him here (his name will NOT be used). My reply will be posted on both blogs.
Ref: Question about number of "Followers" on blog, "...how come only 7 and 8 are there?"
Sandra's response:
The Lord knows and He rules that...
There are people who probably read the blog and do NOT comment.
I have learned that it is better to have a few "Followers" who are faithful than many who are not (remember in our Lord's Word, He talks about having a remnant).
Also, Genesis 18:32
And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.
Matthew 12:11
And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Matthew 7:14
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
There are Christians who have services in their homes with small groups that are on fire for our Lord. The typical model for house churches, I believe, is no more than 15 members. Also, there have been pastors who started out in their homes with few members and have grown to large and even mega-church sizes. Certainly, some mega churches do great ministry in love for our Lord. Mega-churches are NOT my style. I prefer small more intimate church settings. GOD has a specific place for all of His sheep.
Relative to my blog, when I first created it in March of this year, there was a concern about followers. The Lord ministered to me about that. For real, it is HIS blog. "Whosoever will" will join it. The Lord did tell me to have it open for anyone who desires to view/comment. Some people have blogs that only allow who is invited. www.eaglelionflame.blogspot.com and www.lioneaglesoar.blogspot.com are public because GOD can move on anyone to read it and GOD knows what happens from there.
I am grateful for the bloggers who join with me to celebrate our Lord. We are few in number but we love our Lord. It is a pleasure to fellowship with such people.
Note: I noticed that you signed on as a "Follower," but rarely comment on the blog....
Another note: Others may have the same question that you expressed...so I will post my response on both blogs in case others are curious, as well.
I will remove your name before posting...
Thank you,
Love in His service,
Sandra
Last notes: (not in my e-mailed response to the brother who asked the question):
Big does NOT necessarily mean better. The major aim is to glorify GOD whatever the numbers.
The only comments that the Lord told me to forbid on the subject blogs are comments that promote businesses, products, and services. Marketing and promoting sales is NOT acceptable on www.eaglelionflame.blogspot.com or www.lioneaglesoar.blogspot.com. The only focus is loving, obeying and trusting GOD in spirit and in truth for He seeks such to worship him.
John 4:23
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Preview of today's post - Saturday August 14, 2010:
ReplyDeleteAsked and answered
Thank you for posting this. As I am new here, I was worrying about how to get followers. Now I'm not going to worry about it. The Lord will lead the ones he wants me to have to my blog. It's in his hands, and I also think that smaller is better. I sometimes wish I didn't attend such a large church, but the Lord has me there for a reason, so I am there.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie -
ReplyDeleteYou are certainly welcome...
Note: I responded to Julie earlier on this via e-mail. I decided to add to what was stated there and to place some scriptural content.
Here is what I e-mailed to Julie with modifications shown here:
Hi Julie –
The most important thing to know/remember is that we are to individually bloom where our Lord plants us - the same goes for us collectively. GOD is not tripping on church size be they small, medium, large or mega. He requires love and obedience from us – where ever He decides to place us. His most vital requirement is that we love Him as FIRST LOVE...when we do that...all else is in order....
Much of the world defines success by bank holdings, positions, education, people connections, possessions, numbers, etc.
THE TRUTH - Plain and simple: SUCCESS IS PLEASING GOD!
The Word of GOD states in Luke 16: 22, 23 that the rich man went to hell – the beggar was in Abraham’s bosom. Of course, all rich people are NOT going to hell nor are all beggars going to heaven. Our heart conditions determine our final destinations…. GOD IS THE SUPREME JUDGE OF ALL – HE ALONE ALWAYS KNOWS PRECISELY WHAT RESIDES IN EVERY HEART.
Luke 16: 22, 23
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried.
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luke 12:19
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
Luke 12:20
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
I started a blogspot years ago for a presence, but I just couldn't commit my time & energy to getting it going. I dedicated my energies to my website which I could work on or not. It's up to 500 hits a week. No money asked for.
ReplyDeleteI go to four or five groups in my big church, dropping thought bombs and offering conservative Christian topical materials. I am influencing probably 75 people through all that. And through them, I see my ideas circulating through twice as many. And that's without any position in the church besides member!
My small group is independent of my church. It's made up of five people. It's been like that for years, even though I pray blessing upon it. They gravitate toward putting me in a pastor's role -- and I push back, wanting them to also be facilitators under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
For some months, I have been attending Sunday School which, if done properly, is more participatory. Regular church service has an important role....but I seem to be more inclined to the Sunday School setting because there are less people and some attendees speak up with views that are helpful. Also, questions may come forth that others can chime in with answers, suggestions, or helpful advice.
ReplyDeleteTimothy, how did your small group form? Do you all belong to the same church? I am glad that you push back on the pastor role - the facilitator way can be better for the use of talents and gifts....of all body of Christ participants.
I am a big fan of how church was done in the book of The Acts. There is a lot in there about house churches. Hey people, are we having "house" church on this blog? (smile)
GOD has a purpose for large churches, I'm sure...one of our Lord's vital concerns is holiness where ever the venue/place.
I read somewhere where a Christian man said that there is not much mention in the Bible about pastors. Pastors and shepherds have a role in the body of Christ, according to the Word of GOD. I do not know if there is an over abundance of them or what. One of main concerns is holiness being a focus and GOD's people being relevant in what we do...
I heard one pastor ask a question something like, "If your church body left the community, would the community miss you?" If the answer is no, then the churches are not relevant enough to be missed. Something is wrong with that picture.
Lord, please help us all...
My wife & I were members of an Episcopal church. I offered prayer, deliverance and blessing to it. But when I aimed at the denomination itself, the Lord said, "No. Their sins are too many." Whoa! That meant our time at that church was doomed.
ReplyDeleteThe pastor gave two weeks notice. We were in positions of authority in that church, so we had to pray whether to pull out who we could & leave or stay & help with the transition. After three hours of prayer we understood we were to stay until the Lord told us to go. That's what we did.
When we pulled out and went to a United Methodist church, two other members pulled out and went to a conservative Anglican church. We got together for teaching, discussion, breaking of bread and prayers. Later, a member of their church joined us.
Here's a page on my website that explains how the church went wrong around 300 A.D.:
http://orderofsaintpatrick.org/church/constantine-church.htm
The Roman government built a heirarchy of "priests" and "bishops" that were more like the pagan religions in Rome!
Here's someone else's website on small groups today:
http://housechurchresource.org/
Here's Rev. John Wesley's church structure that changed the English-speaking world in the 1700's:
http://orderofsaintpatrick.org/church/methodist-church.htm
Are we having "church" on a blog? A little. We can pray for each other, encourage one another, exhort one another, but that's about all. Go to biblegateway.com and search the New Testament for "one another" and "each other". You will see how much we miss.
Thank you Timothy - interesting - I will view those links. Would you mind, please, sending them to my e-mail because I could not successfully click on them here. Thank you
ReplyDeleteRef: Us having "house" church on this blog, I know it cannot compare to a true house church.
That is why I placed the word "house" as I did. It was a moment of lightness...of sorts...