Ask Paul

How will the church look like and operate in the future?

Paul — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:37:01 +0000

Q. Now a question for you.......How do you think the church will look like and be operating in the future? ..... Personally, I think it can operate on a web basis with meeting events on a fortnightly, monthly, evening basis. well, just a lot different to how it is going now. Im not sure if, with the way our lives have developed today, church can continue in the same way, or if people need 'Church' when they need it (instant gratification with WEB), rather than Sunday Morns/Eve nite in week and nothing the rest of the time. I will look forward to your reply. Have a lovely day!

(Name Withheld).

A. Hi ... An awesome an thanks for asking me and provoking thought. Here's my thoughts

1. I think pastors today have a big challenge. They must provide better revelation, community and entertainment than the web. Those 3 factors will determine whether folks value church more than online church. If folks have a great ''experience'' online more than they do in traditional church they simply wont go to church.

2. Secondly I believe its really important to have church simply because we as humans are made for community. Recent studies show that folks today are more disconnected from community than ever before. We chat but dont connect. We build communities but dont have real relationships. We have internet cyberfriends but no offline real friends. Imagine being maried to a cyberhusband ???

3. Thirdly theres nothing like the real thing? where you can get down have a ball, experience real people and see God move in a corporate gathering. I can't imagine the 17-21 year olds 'not' going to cardifff night clubs anymore because they can have music from itunes and buy booze online, and, neither can the church. Why, we love the company of our friends. Further I rather have fun and church with my friends than just be online with them! nothing can replAce the real thing, but we can and must reinvent the way we have church.

4. When we dont go to chruch we can rob each other of what's inside us, gifts prophecies encouragement etc there's nothing like a personal conveyance of these things when we are together. something that cannot be duplicated 'with the anointing' online.

5. The church should have church in both worlds, the web and in our community. We should conquer the two worlds and build a family on both, if we are to influence this generation and be effective. Finally the way we have church has been the problem not the church itself.... I think theres far more we can do to have a mega power church sunday night out...

...Paul

Who is God, jesus or the father

Paul — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:05:48 +0000

Q. Who is God, Jesus or the Father?

A. Jesus is God. 'Immanuel' God with us. The Lord God is the Lord Jesus. The Lord was known to the old Testament heroes. Isaiah the prophet called him the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace (Is 9:6) he was known to the prophet as the Creator ( Isaiah 44 ) The apostle Paul called the Lord the 'creator' (Col 1:16). Jesus is God in creation and Son in redemption.

Just like a man has a name and is both Father and Son so too Jesus the man is both the Father and Son. In the old Testament he is the Father in the new he is the Son. After his work on earth he remains God, all in all.

Paying for the gospel

Paul — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:35:01 +0000

Q. Why should I pay for the gospel? This is a question I have asked myself as its my intention to make mp3s available to you of this ministry. I've seen various responses to similar questions online and wanted to suggest my opinion.

A. 1. Then internet is the greatest medium available to us to preach the gospel and it should be used by all. It's the quickest, cheapest and fastest way to communicate today yet using 'media' files on the web can be costly.

2. You don't pay for the gospel, you pay for the medium it uses to bring the gospel to you,

3. If you want to go to a lawyer you would go to a fulltime one. If you wanted a builder you would go to a fulltime one now if you want ministry I would want to be part of a fulltime ministry. Brickies should build houses for a living, plumbers plumb houses for a living and preachers should preach for a living. We can't change the world with part time preachers.

4. When you pay others for their services it helps the preacher or speaker or ministry to remain fulltime. If preachers have financial support they can devote more time helping you, serving your family, doing things for the community and reaching the world.

5. Their preaching is a result of countless of hours studying and years of experience. That's the 'cost' of a message. However the 'price' to you is very little. When purchasing a product consider the cost the man of God has paid, not the price you purchase it for.

Paul

The end of the world?

Paul — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 11:04:52 +0000

Q. There is a lot of hysteria at the moment about the end of the world teaching. Films are making mega bucks out of it. Does such teaching actually bring fear in the lives of young people who are constantly bombarded with this message from church and Hollywood. If so what's the correct doctrine or bible perspective?

A. That's a hard question and a lengthy answer is required. Here's my one minute perspective. The disciples asked about the 'end of the world' (Matt 24:3). However Jesus mentioned only the 'end' (v14) if you were to study the term the 'end of the word' you will find an overlooked clue. The word 'world' refer's not to 'Cosmos' but to 'aion.' Not the end of the 'world' as the galaxies, heavens or earth, but to the end of an 'age' and therein lies the answer. Remember Jesus was a talking to Jews not American's. The Jews believed in two ages. The age of the law and the age of the Messiah. The answer is clear, the disciples were asking about the end of the age not the end of the world, and we know that the 'age of the law' ended with Calvary and the age of the Messiah came with Jesus Christ.

And yes the negative message may be responsible for high suicides in our cities. We the church must preach Jesus, not superstition or catholic doctrine of another advent which gave us futurism. We could be guilty of bringing fear and causing the deaths of many with a message of doom, gloom and boom. Jesus message was of the kingdom not of Armageddon! A correct message is critical as we could be found to be preaching 'another' gospel.

Ask me a Question

Paul — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:15:00 +0000

Hi and welcome to Ask Paul. As a Pastor and motivational coach I want to help build your life, ministry and also your business. I have over 25 years experience in ministry and love people which means impassionate about helping you succeed in life and enjoying the max life possible that God has designed for you.

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The Ministry. Apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists and teachers. I have tons of stuff for you and update my studies weekly on the five fold ministry. Let me help you build your gift and platform in the ministry. If you're a senior ministry looking for fresh ideas or a young preacher looking for a mentor im here for you.

How do I ask a Question? Simply browse through this journal and see if theres a answer to you question or post your question under comments below each post. or finally you can email me with your question.

Paul