What do you guys think about this route to marriage?

[Philip]

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/20 ... arter.html



As, on the surface - and the surface ONLY - does this appear to be like the mass weddings of the Moonies!

[PaulSacramento]

A wedding does not a marriage make.

[RickD]

When I see "Megachurch", I'm extremely skeptical of anything that comes next.

[Philip]

I doubt seriously if you guys read the article. Big churches can be good, too (don't know about this one). I know, because I grew up in one. But this one mandates FIRST "11 weeks of intensive marriage counseling, a married couple to mentor them for the next year." And apparently they have to be a believer as well. No small church even does that level of counseling and mentoring. Typically, churches have you do two sessions with an associate pastor, and that's it!

That church's beliefs seem pretty kosher: https://www.concorddallas.org/about/about-concord/ I doubt Christianity Today would run that article if they were cult-like or out there.

[Philip]

BTW, Rick - if a church is solid in its teachings, doctrine and habits, leading people to Christ, and it is growing large - well, that's a very good thing. I think there's a great big church where we're heading!

[Fliegender]

I noticed that the couples in the marriage photo were all African American. At the risk of sounding, uh...racist*, blacks like this type of show. It’s fine with me.



*African Americans also dance better, run faster and sing on key much better than Pastel Americans.

[RickD]

At risk of beating a dead horse. From the "we believe" link you posted:

WE BELIEVE: Mankind was originally created in God's image but being tempted by Satan, chose to sin and rebel against God. As a result of this fallen condition, God's image has been marred and all men and women are born separated from God and in need of salvation. Through personal repentance and faith in Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross, we are forgiven our sins, reborn by the Holy Spirit and restored into fellowship with God. (Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:9-13, Romans 5:8-12)

WE BELIEVE: The Holy Spirit persuades us to repent of our sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. He lives in us, teaches us, equips us with spiritual gifts for effective ministry and empowers us to live, grow, and serve in obedience to God. (John 16:8-10, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-9)

Specifically the part I underlined. It's clear that they are taking an unbiblical meaning of "repent", and saying that repenting of our sins is necessary for salvation.

[Philip]

Rick, what they believe about repentance isn't my point - though I agree that it's often used wrongly per doctrinal belief statements.

What is important, to my point, is that there are many people who have come to Christ in churches that don't understand God's desires for us concerning marriage. And for a church to counsel them in the right direction, make sure they are believers, to mentor them in that direction can be nothing but good. And some WILL come to salvation as often one person in an unmarried couple isn't saved - and so as long as that is a question and mandate put to them - ONLY two believers are to be married - then that can bring an unbeliever into a dialogue with a church's pastors that otherwise would not. Will some pragmatically "convert" without true faith, so as to get married. Of course - but no one can peer into a persons heart about Baptism, or any other public, faith-related declaration.

[Philip]

I noticed that the couples in the marriage photo were all African American. At the risk of sounding, uh...racist*, blacks like this type of show. It’s fine with me.



*African Americans also dance better, run faster and sing on key much better than Pastel Americans.

A rather dumb comment - especially injecting racial stereotypes, however humorously intended, into a topic that should have nothing whatsoever to do with race!

[RickD]

Rick, what they believe about repentance isn't my point - though I agree that it's often used wrongly per doctrinal belief statements.

What is important, to my point, is that there are many people who have come to Christ in churches that don't understand God's desires for us concerning marriage. And for a church to counsel them in the right direction, make sure they are believers, to mentor them in that direction can be nothing but good. And some WILL come to salvation as often one person in an unmarried couple isn't saved - and so as long as that is a question and mandate put to them - ONLY two believers are to be married - then that can bring an unbeliever into a dialogue with a church's pastors that otherwise would not. Will some pragmatically "convert" without true faith, so as to get married. Of course - but no one can peer into a persons heart about Baptism, or any other public, faith-related declaration.

Philip,

I was just responding to your comment here:

BTW, Rick - if a church is solid in its teachings, doctrine and habits, leading people to Christ, and it is growing large - well, that's a very good thing. I think there's a great big church where we're heading!

I was just showing that they're NOT solid in even the most basic teaching about repentance, and the gospel. Like I said, whenever I see Megachurch, I'm automatically skeptical of anything they do. In other words, if they make church membership their priority, most likely, they're doing it to make a lot of money. And if you look at their beliefs about tithing, you'll agree with me.

[Philip]

Rick: I was just showing that they're NOT solid in even the most basic teaching about repentance, and the gospel. Like I said, whenever I see Megachurch, I'm automatically skeptical of anything they do. In other words, if they make church membership their priority, most likely, they're doing it to make a lot of money. And if you look at their beliefs about tithing, you'll agree with me.

That church is not my focus - mine is churches and marriage. And there are a ton of Christians who are living with their girlfriend or boyfriend - so addressing it is a good thing. I couldn't even tell you that church's name. But I should have looked closer before linking the doctrine.

[RickD]

Rick: I was just showing that they're NOT solid in even the most basic teaching about repentance, and the gospel. Like I said, whenever I see Megachurch, I'm automatically skeptical of anything they do. In other words, if they make church membership their priority, most likely, they're doing it to make a lot of money. And if you look at their beliefs about tithing, you'll agree with me.

That church is not my focus - mine is churches and marriage. And there are a ton of Christians who are living with their girlfriend or boyfriend - so addressing it is a good thing. I couldn't even tell you that church's name. But I should have looked closer before linking the doctrine.

I think I agree with what you're saying. When people are living together without a commitment, it would generally be better if they were committed to each other. Especially if there are children involved.