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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Please compare and contrast. Looking to join a new church.[/quote]

If I could only choose from those three I would go with a 'traditional' Methodist. However, if I could choose from any I wouldn't go to any on your list. Too many religions putting their own 'spin' on the word as well as the recent additions of churches who are created to make people comfortable in whatever non scriptural belief they want to have.[/quote]

[b]Churches are trying to survive financially in this new "feel good" customer-centered environment,[/b] so they need to adapt their teaching, or at least their emphasis, in order to bring people in and keep them there.  It used to be that fear of hell would be enough to get people to come to church, but hell is an unpopular notion these days, with fewer people believing in hell than ever before.   Heaven is still popular though, so churches may emphasize that.

What's also popular is something that has always been a side benefit of church - community - a nice group of people to see on a weekly basis, get some low cost childcare on Sunday morning and get help with health/family issues as they arise.  Sure, church people will pray for you, but they will also provide tangible help, especially if a lot of people at church know who you are and like you.[/quote]

I appreciate what you have to say but to me it's pandering for the sake of their incomes, for those who are paid, and to keep the numbers up. In some cases, like Osteen, it is all about image and income.

As to religions...when they deviate, add too or take away, I can't imagine God granting such dispensation nor can I believe those kind of things will be used at the end.

As to community...or fellowship...it is important...so much so it is talked about quite a bit in the NT. So is church structure, and accountability within that structure...but so many personal wants etc. get that changed.[/quote]

Olsteen is really the exception.  Most churches are struggling to get by - dependent on a shrinking base as more people become "spiritual but not religious" atheist/agnostic or just quietly drop out of church. The Pastor's salary and church upkeep are paid by church members, so it's not surprising that ministers want to keep the operation going - it is their livelihood, after all.[/quote]

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