I was surfing aimlessly on the web and found an ad for a church here in the Kansas City area. Since I was bored, I decided to follow it and check it out. What I learned out seems a little odd to me.
-Their location is in the north-northeast part of the metro area.
-They offer directions on their website to people in every part of the metro area.
-All five of the staffers pictured on the website have a family resemblance and three share a last name.
-Much attention is given to the pastor's family including his wife and three grown children.
-They prominently speak of how most of their members came to Christ through them.
I'm not trying to be picky of anything but when you combine those five factors and a few other things that I opted not to mention I am left with a less than favorable opinion of the church.
- Why do they need to advertise so extravagantly on the internet (it was not a "Christian" website I saw the ad on)?
- Why try so hard to get people from so far away (we're talking a 90 minute drive from one of the places the website gave directions from)?
- Is it really a positive that your entire staff is immediate family of the pastor (I don't know for sure but it looks like it)?
- Why is it a bragging point that you are predominantly "first generation believers"?
Comments (14)
I'm all for 'family' oriententation, but not sure about what you discovered, especially when it comes to religion. Isn't that usually how religous cults get started? Ya know, the ones with the high barbed wire compounds you eventually hear about in the news....
@Irish_Russian -
Agreed@tialoca_talks -
I thought the same thing...@rachelserine -
I can too.@armnatmom -
Honestly, other than the importance of the pastor's family there is almost nothing said about family.@mejicojohn -
When I was in 7th and 8th grade a friend of mine was trying to start his own religion. I don't think he was drunk when he came up with the idea but both of his parents are doctors so he had probably stolen some drugs from his parents. He was also big on trying to make money so that was probably part of it.It might be a good idea to inquire a little more deeply into the background and history of this church. Unless they have something to hide, the pastor should be willing to answer reasonable questions as to the church's affiliation (with what parent denomination, etc), the name and background of the founder, when the church was founded, where the pastor(s) received training, etc.
It is wise to be careful where one makes one's church home. Sadly, some churches are unreliable, but many others are all right.
Peace!
David
@Grampa_David -
If I were more interested in this church I'd inquire about it. I'm just not that interested at this point in time, I'm fairly happy with where I've been attending for the last few months.@dropsofjupiterihh - Well everyone know that if you get in on the "ground floor" you get to take advantage of most of the perks before they bring out the kool-aid.
@Irish_Russian - that's about it.
@firetyger -
I don't have any such classes in my background but there were definitely some red flags going up for me also.