I paid a visit to streamingfaith.com to watch the live broadcast of New Birth Baptist Church only to learn that Bishop Long has discontinued airing the live broadcast of his services for those of us living in the metro Altanta area. He said that he has learned that certain of New Birth members were watching the service over the internet instead of actually attending the service.
Accordingly, he wants those of us living in the metro Atlanta area to personally come to the church if we want to hear him preach live on Sunday mornings.
Selah.
25 comments:
Perhaps offerings/attendance may be down? If so, what about a pay/offering subscription service? He may be missing out on reaching more people, especially those who are unable to attend. Just a thought.
AM I just checked that site out and it's pretty neat. Thanks!
Boy if I had been in the Atlanta area in the mood I was in a few years ago I probably would have decided NEVER to darken the door of New Birth would NEVER give them any coins. I was not going anywhere and dared a preacher to tell me that I was going to fall by the wayside if I did not attend anywhere. I did not attend anywhere regularly for over two years. It was the best decision I ever made. I was able to begin to decide what I truly believed without the clatter of preachers. It was also during those years that I quit watching Christian media for the most part. If I had not listened to Gary Carpenter's messages online for a while I would have scraped up enough nerve to go to the church I now attend for the first time.
At one point Bishop Jakes would broadcast his church services free to anyone. Then he decided that he would only allow his partners and members to access it.
I'm glad I attend a church where they do not go beyond their financial means. They will sell books and CDs of the messages at bare bone costs. The messages preached during services are online for people to listen to. At some point they are planning on doing streaming media.
Because of their heart to reach people without sucking them dry they have had people in more and more foreign countries offering to pay for publishing the pastor's book and translating it into other languages. Bandwidth can get expensive. I'm sure that people are praying to speak to others to help out with that as well when they are ready to launch streaming media.
This is disappointing to me.
Both men just do not know how many people they are missing by not continuing their services over the internet for all to see, especially on Sundays.
Pam, I am still recovering from listening too many "word" preachers when I was much younger when the charismatic movement was at its height. Sigh.
you know, since this newest "fallout" of political searches through their money books and their motives, so many (rev's-preachers-pastors) are changing their 'tactics'.
but are they changing them for the correct reasons,,,we may never know ...
what was once good ground can turn into bad ground because the leader/sower did not continue to provide the correct nutrients to the soil, took short cuts, and got hung up on quanity instead of quality!...to name a few reasons...
but they seem to be running-hiding- some that are taking their messages from the internet resources are not neccessarily correct, but i would say that it has to do with how much money they are bringing in each sunday-sunday. and not many if any are sending them $ via the internet.(as you mentioned in your post)
as for t.d. only allowing his members to access his sermons via internet- when i found that out years ago, i stopped going to his site- i cannot find it anywhere that Jesus made people pay to hear the Word that God was saying through Him! (different than taking up collection)
that sorta made me go huuummmm--i still caught him on tv every now and then-- but it was not the same to me once i saw money greed peeping out from under his skin.
Giving to a chucrh or website that promotes encouragment is fine by my book, i am not made aware of who God leads to do so, that is between God and the people He is giving the desire to do so-but i know that God is not in every church building-congregation as some would have you to think.
I agree that yes, we should fellowship with others, but making sure that God sent you to that congregation-that church is very important-
i do not agree with 'church hopping' which many do just to impress others that they went to church on sunday. (this is not the same as visitng)- Plus i have children and taking them from church to church is confusing for them--i am not going to start them off in their lives eating off any table from any plate just because it says church.
people need what they need, and if those needs have been made-voiced to God in prayer with Faith and thanksgiving has been offered for His answer-then i say again, that is between God and the person.
I do not go to church, i started going 6 years ago when I fully gave my life to God - and quickly heard God tell me, be careful-remember why I put you in here-'for a moment' to learn many things, most of which dealt with "what not to do -how not to treat people in a church ". and i learned much!
i stayed til God told me not to come back and that He was closing down that church. and just as He said to me, it happened.,
Oh the church is still open, but it has not grown, not maturing as Good Fruit should.
the preacher was hung up on sex topics,money and other judgemental subjects and not really spreading the true word. the place was full of titles, and the attitudes people get when they think that 'theyare' the titles in and of themselves.
gossip being spread from the pastors wife---and so on, and so on,...
so i pray at home with my family, with those that God will send our way, and i hold tight and close the Visions that He has put into my spirit-into my heart to accomplish for Him and His Kingdom-He also has given me the desire to accomplish for Him. these, i hold them in my heart close!!
as i am waiting on Him to tell me when to move on these Visions and assignments - I am
praising Him from the time i get up till the time i go to bed this is what i do and have been doing for six years and secifically during this past year-from sept.06-till now- and i will continue to do so-
He wakes me up at all hours of the night and morning to pray for those that i see in my spirit-some of whom i know and recognize - many others i have never actually laid eyes on, but i see their images and spirits in my spirit--i know that God has secluded me from many in order to teach and remold me-to mature my gifts) and my life--and that is fine-ok by Me-this is what i asked from Him-and this is what i reap! Yea-Amen!
i do not believe that people have to go to church to be with God and to do His work. i believe it helps when the congregation is in one accord-but it does not help when you have a building full of people yelling and praying in the Name of Jesus but everyone has their secret motives and no one is on One accord .
ok, i'm taking a break to eat of some breakfast! lololo
thank you Lord for all that You have supplied to my family here in this home and on this website! in Jesus' name I thank you and give full praise to Your name- Yea Amen!
spreading Gods Word is a gift and honor to be called and chosen to do so.....it is not a business that man created!
God is onto motives....
Wisdomteachesme, enjoy youself.
This was years ago when I noticed Bishop Jakes only allowed partners and members to view the Sunday services. This was probably the last time thta I watched him on a regular basis.
The Bible says that the Holy Spirit is our teacher. The five fold ministers should be training us to hear from the Holy Spirit, who will teach us right and wrong doctrine (1 John 2).
Soror, actually he did this about a month ago based on church attendance, because he told us he was going to do it. I was glad because I have some church friends that started just attending services via streamingfaith a little too often..for no real reason. I am little puzzled why people are taking this beyond that.
I honestly feel like Bishop Long is being picked apart on here constantly and everyone else is acting like their pastor/church is the closest thing to Jesus or flat out perfect in their eyes. Everytime he does anything its being scruntized to be something it was never intended to be. Alot of this is coming from "church people" with no facts. Its just personal opinions that are boardering on judgement because they have to have someone to judge "in the name of Jesus". Can't wait until God does more of this alleged cleaning house, because many are putting their pastors/churches on the same pedestals they claim megachurches put their pastors on. Very puzzling and disheartening.
accept what God allows.
it is what it is......
God "allows" alot of things, but that does not mean they are of him.
Judging and picking people apart that you personally do not like is not of God. That is just a sad folly and cop out for your own personal issues that you rather not focus on.
Please don't put this mess in God's lap and try to make it seem spiritual.
let me add this clarification:
i don't go to a church right now. when God directs us to do so-believe me, i will not hesitate to be there early.
:)
ms latonya,
i'm not really sure what you are talking about, my mention of e. long is not judging him or any of the other hundreds of pastors that broadcast via internet. i think there is something else that you read into my comments, but i'm not sure of your specifics.
God allows satan to create manipulaton, people make the decision whether to follow the course set by the manipulation or not to follow it. God allows him to do this and uses all his mess to teach us and make us who we were created to be.
Transitions are a definite in life and it's apparent that churches/organized groups are going through a huge transition. All Churches, groups , All people, go through transitions if they intend to grow- it's life- but people get set with how things are and get settled.
so we can either allow the change to grow us or fight it. and when a large group of people who do not want to change fight change, there is going to be a rippling effect that happens. and it will effect many that are not even involved. and it will be positive and negative results.
I do understand your anger that i hear in your voice, and i hear the love that you have for your church and your pastor, and i can understand your hurt by what you read and hear being said Specifically about your church, it's members and the pastor--you are really angry, and being able to vent is a good thing. i hold nothing but love toward you because you feel that you must vocally/publically take up for your church and your pastor.
i learned long ago-it's one of His Teachings, to see into situations and not just on the surface of it and when i do, i can accept what God allows.
and it will get better for your place of worship and all places of worship - it will be well.
as long as faith is given a fighting chance, it will be better.
please know that i still stand by my comments. concerning the post topic.
pamela i feel the same way, that we are tobe guided, trained, taught, to know how to come to HIm and listen for Him.
that's good.
wisdomteachesme,
I hear your point. Thank you for reading past my frustration. It used to be a time that I would let rumors, gossip and church chatter about my church and other churches just go over my head, but I am frustrated that mostly black people spend this much energy dissing churches/pastors with usually no merit to their stories. Some have allowed this to become a cop-out excuse to not take spiritual responsiblity for themselves, or they are so angry at the church for their past hurt that they spend alot of energy going off about what they see wrong. Well, if you see that much wrong then step in there to help make it right. Sideline judgement is no better. God will complete destroy mess in his time. He has proven this time and time again.
I continously see my church do so much good for the community and abroad. I do not want all the good to be downplayed by tomfoolery masked as concern. There is real kingdom work to be done and we are wasting time on things that undermine real work.
I am not just hurt by what is said about my pastor, but about several of these pastors. Sure. Senator Grassley's investigaton instantly made it seem like they "must" be doing wrong and there are some that have recently pushed themselves into the spotlight based on unsavory situations, but there are accusations flying about others things that we do not have facts about. Why are we as Christians swinging axes as if we have all the answers? We are no different than SandraRose's hateful commentary in that respect. We are just swapping the Hollywood celebs for pastors/church stuff and trying to make it seem spiritual. Gossip is gossip.
I believe while we as Christians have a responsibility to speak the truth, we also have to be careful not to create dissension, negativity and hearsay just to be heard.
If we are to draw the sinner, then while we speak truth to them we cannot then turn and say "did you hear about Rev. So and So?". That is not going to work.
i'm sure there are many that feel the way you do latonya,
and yes many have been deeply hurt by what has happened to them in churches, by church people and pastors. their anger and growth will take it's course to run before they are fully healed. and it is a good thing that they are using the courage given to be able to do so.that is a sign of maturity.
what i have read here is personal experiences and the opinions from those experiences. i don't think-(i'm not sure as no one has said directly) that anyone here is saying that t.d or e. long has done something directly to them. but they are in the spotlight- no matter how they got there, they are there.
and with being in the spotlight comes opinions. both positive and negative.
your church and your preacher and his style of preaching suit you and those that go there-but it may not be right for me or many others and there is nothing wrong with that.
and i for one am very glad that God called the different teachers and preachers as He has. as He said , to Rejoice in the differences that He created. So He knew that it would take different syles of preaching to bring and keep the different people that He wants with Him. it does not make one church wrong and one church right-it takes different types of preachers style to meet the needs of the different people that God created.
i equate it like teaching in a school- there were many math teachers in my school-i would hear child after child talk about how the teacher didn't like them, or they were not learning anything because they could not understand the teacher- it is about teaching style and what is compatible for that individual child i would say. not wether the teacher likes you or not.
once i helped the student see things in a different way, it was easier for them to make better decisions concerning how they conducted themselves and how they were going to learn. and some students were moved to a different teacher- some were not.(didn't work with every student-some just do not want the answer-but to stay in the porblem and complain.)
And yes, many people here and on other blogs speak out of hurt and some of that hurt is directly from their experiences from going to and being a member of a church.
they need to vent in order to heal-that is what i hear at this blog. helping each other get past what they are going through-at this part of their journey--encouraging them, no matter what comes out of their mouths/hearts, if it will help them heal then it needs to come out.
maybe you have not experienced what some of these people have, and just as your church has all the community outreach programs and other help works, others have an outreach of help to offer via blogging/internet sites, or just talking on the phone to different people.
all the works that the members at your church and your pastor are doing are good if they are helping, and it should matter none to any what we think, only God will weigh it all at His time.
we are not here to try to bring down e. long- many are here to talk and rejoice about God and all His goodness. and if releasing hurt and pain is part of the conversation here (and at my blog) then that is what is being directed to take care of. if talking about the condition of the different churches in and around america is how we do it- then that is just what needs to be done, in order to help some sort things out in their minds and spirits, their hearts.
maybe you are reading and hearing anothers hurt and pain and it may sound like hateing to you, i don't know...
God is the Master refiner and that is truth no matter how big a person's minisry is or how small it is, the work done unto God in the name of Jesus will all be weighed and set in the fire for Him to see the fit of it.
God calls many different people to do many different things.
that is an honor tobe one that He has called.
to help others have the courage to do this and be this...
Philippians 3:13-14: "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
to continue to speak life instead of death. to bring God's words over and in your life so that you will see them turned into flesh,,,
everyone is at a different stage of their journey and everyone still has things they need to accept, grow through and move on with, God knows the correct timing, as long as we follow His lead- we will see the healing that each of us requires in order to press forward.
I will be the first to admit my disappointment with the churches I have attended and watched on TV and over the internet. I am especially disappointed at how materialism and marketing has become the hallmark of the gospel for many. I was also disappointed how sin from the pulpit to the pew was allowed to run rampant in the church without being addressed.
I have never seen Pastors go on so many vacations throughout the year. Many of them are rarely at their church.
I see how vain ambitions have become the preaching style for most.
I am sorry. I do not like the “bling-bling-sow a seed so God can bless you” type of teaching or preaching.
If I appear judgmental, I apologize.
I will check myself.
uknow sisteram, i think some people are so sensitive towards the truth that when truth is revealed they call it judging.
and for various reasons people do that.
the truth is truth and if you feel that way concerning the pastors and churches (some of them) then there is nothing wrong with your stating what you have observed and how it has affected you and your view of the situation.
keep saying what you feel, that is what you are to do, and if your words give conviction to another, that is the way it should be- many that feel convicted by a persons obeservations or opinions maybe should check themselves. that could God calling to them saying- Hey, what about this in you I'm trying to correct!
God comes through many resources to tell us what He wants us to know. thank You Father for this.
i don't like the marketing-bling- give me some money preachers either. they have been here a long time before us and i'm sure they will be here a long time after us.
John the Baptist put them in their places, calling them "vipers".
Can he be anymore obvious? God help us all. I wish these people would just go away already. I'm so glad that I was never "seduced" by Bishop Long enough to actaully want to ATTEND his church when I lived in Atlanta.
I'm wondering, from a technical standpoint, how he is able to block local people from watching on his website.
I think that it's an awful and controlling thing to do. What about people in nursing homes, those people whose husband insists on going to another church, the disabled, people without transportation, the list goes on?
It's DUMB. He should stop trying to control people, and either offer the service to everyone or no one at all. The message of Jesus is a free gift and shouldn't have geographic 'strings attached'.
That being said, I do like Eddie Long, I just think that this particular decision is a mistake.
On another note... I place our church's sermons online free of charge every week. It does concern me that other people -- who do not have the same beliefs or have an agenda, might download the sermons, and use phrases out of context to stir up trouble.
I assumed that this was why TD Jakes did it... but I don't know for sure.
Shecodes writes, "What about people in nursing homes, those people whose husband insists on going to another church, the disabled, people without transportation, the list goes on?"
I to had a sick and shut-in comment, but I punked out and erased it. You make a good point.
Shecodes, where can we find the sermons for your church?
Soror, I too disagree with bling-bling minstries. However,I feel that alot of people are being lumped into this category with no merit. We really have to be careful with this. Plus, it opens the door to comments from people that really just have issues with church period as the one above that people are somehow "seduced" by a pastor. To assume that every sista/brother/cat/dog that walks into a church is seduced by a pastor is insulting. But we open this door when we start labeling people. Like I said it becomes SandraRose Gospel style. And I know that really is not the true intent.
LOL...People with church issues seem like they are always sitting, around waiting for that moment so they can go on a tangent about what they hate or who they hate.
AM I totally agree. One thing I had to learn when I was out for a time was to take a long look at my approach to things. Ultimately each person is responsible for their approach to their faith. When it comes to Christianity we are to study the word and to the best of out understanding walk it out. I was one of them for a time that was hurt and angry because the expectations I had of preachers was not met. However as I prayed I had to separate the actions from the motives of a person.
When I made my comments about being disappointed with his decision, I did not think about him doing that because of dropped offerings. I was thinking about how the Internet is such an effect tool to reach people. I also thought about members that might be shut-in and cannot get there. You probably have people like I was a few years back that was literally scared to darken the door of a church because of past experiences. It is nice to have the online services as an outlet for people. As I stated had I not listened to messages online for a while I probably would have never gotten the nerve to step into another church.
As far as Bishop Long's motive is concerned I truly believe he had a pure one. When I watched his services on a regular basis fairly often he would mention the importance of church attendance and how it is imperative for growth. Many pastors feel that way. He wants to see his members. He just seems to really have a heart for the people to me.
ROTFLMAO!! I know Latonya was talking about me being that I was not coming regularly cause I was addicted to the Sunday service on Streamingfaith. I can't lie I was loving this. I sure will miss watching the service in my PJs. Now I have to get my butt up and go.
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