Waterfront Community Church is a bunch of Crazies! They're giving away 100% of their weekend offering to help the poor and people in need! I can't believe they're doing this!! What about the Kingdom? How do they ever expect to grow? How do they get things done?
This is ridiculous, completely without precedent! (besides the books of Acts)
Watch the video from MSNBC:
Well, it's interesting anyway.
What do you think?
yes. they are nuts.
Comment by John (Human3rror) - Mar 02, 2009 @ 03:53 AM
At first I thought this was a one time thing - but they do it EVERY WEEK! THIS IS AWESOME!!!!
Sure, this has not been done before (as much as we know). But just because its never been done before doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be done.
The church is only 4 months old and seems to be growing. These people are not crazy, they are Christians.
Comment by Steve Patton - Mar 02, 2009 @ 07:05 AM
LOVE IT!!! When I look at our budget… and see all this money going to pay taxes, electricity and stuff like that it makes me wonder if that money is better spent somewhere else… and it can be.
I hope that church never changes!
Comment by Kevin - Mar 02, 2009 @ 07:22 AM
What an amazing example of how the Church (big C and little C) should be! Praise God for people like this!
Comment by Megan Walling - Mar 02, 2009 @ 07:30 AM
The Acts 2 church in action! How awesome is this!! What if more of our churches did this???
Comment by Cheryl - Mar 02, 2009 @ 08:18 AM
How do they pay the rent? He just said they rent space at a high school.
Awesome that they are doing it, but I wouldn’t say its 100%
I don’t think American Christians can even comprehend the concept of giving everything up.
Comment by Steve - Mar 02, 2009 @ 10:44 AM
Yeah, I don’t know the details of what they’re doing. I don’t think they’re giving away 100% of their money, just 100% of the sunday offering. They probably have donors that give outside of the Sunday offerings that provide the pastor’s salary and rent.
I just think it’s really interesting that they’re doing this. I wonder how it affects their church and the people around them. It would be great if this extreme act of service is helping outsiders get saved and grow in Christ. It could be that this has little affect on bringing people to Christ.
One thing’s for sure, they’re doing something that “no one else is doing.”
Comment by Jesse Phillips - Mar 03, 2009 @ 06:02 AM
Steve, interesting thought. I think if the guy is trying to build a megachurch on 1000 acres of land with all of the “relevant” bells and whistles - then no, it won’t work. But if he’s trying to build a church that reflects the ancient principles of “Christianity” expressed in the Bible, then he’s ON IT! Who cares if American Christians catch on en mass. Isn’t that part of the problem with American Christianity?
Oh and a side note, this happened in more places than just Acts 2. Besides, I think this is less of an Acts 2 church and more like the 2 Corinthians 8 church or a Philippians 4 church. I don’t see anyone “selling all of their possessions” like they did in Acts 2. I do see people giving abundantly despite the state of the country’s economy as well as their own personal economy like they did in 2 Corinthians 8.
Comment by Steve Patton - Mar 03, 2009 @ 06:05 AM
Not that it’s a sin to pay salaries and cover expenses!
The heart of generosity is being willing to give as Jesus did. I think this church’s heart is well-meaning, but clearly the numbers aren’t right!
It’s okay to have outside funders…maybe more churches should do what National Community Church (Mark Batterson) does- have a coffeehouse (or other business) to help pay expenses.
Does anyone know any other churches doing this?
Comment by Jay Brock @ The Sex Rev - Mar 05, 2009 @ 05:24 AM
Some Unitarian Universalist congregations have been doing it for a while. 100% of the Sunday offering is donated to a local charity (food pantry, homeless shelter, disabled vets, etc..). The church is supported by pledges.
This page talks about one church who has done it since 2002 and another one since 2005.
http://www.uuworld.org/news/articles/2389.shtml
Comment by Angela - Mar 07, 2009 @ 06:38 PM
I might become christian and join their church! :)
Comment by Harry - Mar 10, 2009 @ 04:35 AM
That’s awesome Harry, do it!
Comment by Jay Brock @ The Sex Rev - Mar 10, 2009 @ 04:46 AM
I’m also curious about how they are funding the pastor and the school rental.
Comment by indie - Mar 14, 2009 @ 11:28 AM