In the 1990's, I attended a Sunday morning church service where the pastor turned the service over to a teenage boy for a report on their recent church retreat.
The boy played a video showing something that looked like that which we called a "slumber party."
In the video, nothing of God was ever mentioned at all.
Boys were chasing girls around the house while hitting them on the rear end with rolled up towels. Girls had their hair in rollers.
After the service, I spoke with pastor about this part of the service.
I told him the apostle Paul said when we come together in the church the following was to happen:
I Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
Edify: To build in spiritual ways, to cause faith in God to strengthen
I told this pastor I did not find this edifying and it should not be a part of the gathering of the church.
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Recently a man who identifies himself as a pastor asked me if I could send him a camera.
I told him the following:
"I'm only interested in sharing what God has given me while many ministers want to promote their works, mostly to gain favor with men and get money
Camera shows work, not God's word.
Might you more money but will not edify us in God's word."
Camera shows work, not God's word.
Might you more money but will not edify us in God's word."
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Ministers often send me photos of their orphanages and missions and members of their church.
They use this to try to appeal to the fleshly emotions of the human to get us to send money to them to support their work.
And it probably works in fund raising.
But it does not edify the church.
I see the same technique used in secular organizations when they try to get you to send money. Animal shelter people use this to appeal to your flesh by showing the animal in a crate to touch the heart and pocket book of animal lovers.
But we in the church are to edify one another in things of God, not in the flesh of the human.
Photos appeal to the flesh of man.
The word of God is given us to save our souls from damnation and to teach us spiritual things so we can conform ourselves to godliness while we live on this earth, living godly lives.
The word of God shows God HIMSELF.
Photos show the flesh of man and fleshly works.
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Matthew 7:21-23 (Jesus says)
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
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