One Punk Under God

[Scum_of_the_Earth]

I read his book before I ever began attending the church I now call home. It brought me to tears over and over again with the absolutely grace he shows towards those that raked his family over the coals and completely ostrocized them and made their lives horrible. It really convicted me of the forgiveness and grace I was called to show towards those that hurt me. And as he talked about Revo ministries, I began to hope that someday I could find a church such as that.

For one to look at me, I look "normal" and would easily fit into any church congregation anywhere. I know how to dress to fit in and act to avoid trouble. But in my heart, with my passion, I don't fit into any "normal" church. That's why when I moved here and found my new home, I absolutely fell in love. I love spending Sunday nights serving food to the homeless, the drug addicts, and those that just need a hot meal, whether they choose to stay for service or not. And I love hearing the stories of God's grace and provision and deliverance in the lives of my brothers and sisters that I worship with.

I googled my church, and believe me, I know what it's like to have people tell you you're wrong when they have no idea who you are or what you stand for. I found incredily venemous remarks pertaining to our pastor, people in the church, and the church as a whole. My pastor has extended invitations to all of them to come check us out and see what we're about, but none of them has been accepted.

That's why I ask you all not to be so quick to throw stones. Just because something is different, doesn't make it wrong. I can assure you the staff of my church holds strongly to scriptural teaching, and if someone is living in sin and doesn't want to be told they're living in sin, they'll stop coming on Sunday nights, because they know the truth will be spoken. But in the same way that our pastor will tell you you're sinning, he'll bring you to his house to eat supper with his family and talk you through how to break out of your bondage.

I could go on forever. I'm absolutely in love with my church and for the first time in my 16 years of being a Christian, I see Christ in church, and it's a beautiful thing.

[apothanein kerdos]

To those who keep complaining about his attire - find me one verse that speaks out against it. Just one. And it can't be "Do not be conformed to the world" or "your body is a temple"...unless you want that to be shot down quicker than you can actually bring it up and defend it. Show me a scripture that says we are to dress a certain way when going to church or just living.

[Guest thepittman]

All it is one more link in the chain to seperate church from society. Having these kind of shows make people think that church is the jerry springer show. Its aimed at young americans to lead them away from God. Its happening more and more everyday. Like south park makes fun of religion this is the same thing. They are making struggling believers feel like fools. Soon religion is going to be just a silly joke the minotriy. All while the silent majority sits and laugh and eventually gets desensitized as well. You might call me crazy but I'm 23 and i can see it all around me. People my age group saying "you dont really believe in that stuff do you?."

When is enough going to be enough? I can't stand watching our countrys faith fall to the wayside. One other person and I are the only ones in my company (im in the army) that parents didn't get devorced. The way things are going on around me it makes me spirtually sick. Im looked at as a wierdo because i don't want to go to the club to find a girl for the night. Remember there is no "new world" to sail to this this time to set up a new christian society. We are soon going to defend what we belive in and put a stop to this. It is so hard these days growing up. Be put on Ritalin because your a hyper kid and turn you into a zombie and into depression. That is what happened to me, as well as near all the kids i grew up with. Some are in meth rehab clinics or in and out of jail because of herion.

I'll hold myself back from a TV rant this time. Something needs to be done. Please dont put your children on drug to make the teachers job easier. Throwing away discipline is to blame for that.

[apothanein kerdos]

The pittmann...prior to seeing this promo, had you ever heard or read about Jay Bakker?

[WillingToDie]

All it is one more link in the chain to seperate church from society. Having these kind of shows make people think that church is the jerry springer show. Its aimed at young americans to lead them away from God. Its happening more and more everyday. Like south park makes fun of religion this is the same thing. They are making struggling believers feel like fools. Soon religion is going to be just a silly joke the minotriy. All while the silent majority sits and laugh and eventually gets desensitized as well. You might call me crazy but I'm 23 and i can see it all around me. People my age group saying "you dont really believe in that stuff do you?."

When is enough going to be enough? I can't stand watching our countrys faith fall to the wayside. One other person and I are the only ones in my company (im in the army) that parents didn't get devorced. The way things are going on around me it makes me spirtually sick. Im looked at as a wierdo because i don't want to go to the club to find a girl for the night. Remember there is no "new world" to sail to this this time to set up a new christian society. We are soon going to defend what we belive in and put a stop to this. It is so hard these days growing up. Be put on Ritalin because your a hyper kid and turn you into a zombie and into depression. That is what happened to me, as well as near all the kids i grew up with. Some are in meth rehab clinics or in and out of jail because of herion.

I'll hold myself back from a TV rant this time. Something needs to be done. Please dont put your children on drug to make the teachers job easier. Throwing away discipline is to blame for that.

I'm sorry, but I am seeing a complete lack of connection between what you are arguing here and what was in the OP, much less what been said so far in this thread.

[KarenJo5]

If Bakker is preaching the truth of the Lord then we should all be thankful that he is doing what he is.

If only 1 person comes to Christ through this church then it will have been worth it.

I too in my life time have been judged by some church members and it hurt at the time. Thank God I have always had true Christians who do not judge in my life.

[Emily~Anne]

Is this thread about wether or not we should open our homes, churches and hearts to goths, punks, drug addicts etc., or wether or not it makes sense for a mature Christian to dress in a way that either represents darkness(goth) or disrespect(punk)?

Is it not possible to be a beacon to all, yet see why it is wrong for those desiring to glorify God to dress punk/goth? Why is it assumed that if a church sees what is wrong with punk, goth style, drug addiction, etc., that they probably turn all these people away at the door? I truly believe that is generally a big fat lie based on an assumption, I have never ever come across a church like this.

We are to be in the world, but not of the world. Why is this such a hard concept to grasp?

Edited December 11, 2006 by Emily Anne

[WillingToDie]

Is this thread about wether or not we should open our homes, churches and hearts to goths, punks, drug addicts etc., or wether or not it makes sense for a mature Christian to dress in a way that either represents darkness(goth) or disrespect(punk)?

Is it not possible to be a beacon to all, yet see why it is wrong for those desiring to glorify God to dress punk/goth? Why is it assumed that if a church sees what is wrong with punk, goth style, drug addiction, etc., that they probably turn all these people away at the door? I truly believe that is generally a big fat lie based on an assumption, I have never ever come across a church like this.

We are to be in the world, but not of the world. Why is this such a hard concept to grasp?

The original point of this thread was just to express my excitement about a ministry developed specifically for reaching the people that other churches and ministries would turn away at the door.

The thread has, since then, most likely evolved into covering both topics.

And dressing "punk" is not just about disrespect (although it can be), nor is goth just about "darkness" (although it can be). The reasons people people dress in different ways differ from person to person, and it is wrong and fallacious to try to jusdge somebody's heart on the way they dress.

[Emily~Anne]

Is this thread about wether or not we should open our homes, churches and hearts to goths, punks, drug addicts etc., or wether or not it makes sense for a mature Christian to dress in a way that either represents darkness(goth) or disrespect(punk)?

Is it not possible to be a beacon to all, yet see why it is wrong for those desiring to glorify God to dress punk/goth? Why is it assumed that if a church sees what is wrong with punk, goth style, drug addiction, etc., that they probably turn all these people away at the door? I truly believe that is generally a big fat lie based on an assumption, I have never ever come across a church like this.

We are to be in the world, but not of the world. Why is this such a hard concept to grasp?

The original point of this thread was just to express my excitement about a ministry developed specifically for reaching the people that other churches and ministries would turn away at the door.

The thread has, since then, most likely evolved into covering both topics.

And dressing "punk" is not just about disrespect (although it can be), nor is goth just about "darkness" (although it can be). The reasons people people dress in different ways differ from person to person, and it is wrong and fallacious to try to jusdge somebody's heart on the way they dress.

Yeah, I know some people dress in black for it's slimming effect, that is not goth.

So what else is goth and punk about?

[apothanein kerdos]

Still waiting for scripture Emily. You have yet to supply any.