Is it alright for a church to have a grocery store selling items that the Pastor wants his congregation to eat
I am serious there are other items being sold such as DVD and CD's of services, books, water, soda, potatoe chips the is suppose to be healthier we are told. Every Jan. the congregation is told to fast and pray. Then on Jan. 2006 we were told to fast 100% juice only (no food). For as long as we can take it. Then the 100% juice was sold to teach us this is what we were told by the Pastor to teach us how to fast and pray. The Pastor e-mail's everyone with his journal about his fasting experince for 40 days. It says in the bible fasting and praying in secret. I have been attending this church for 3 years. I try to block out some of these odd things that are going on since last Jan. 2006. I am not the only one that attends this church that is getting confused about what is doing on. We have been thinking about attending another church or just taking a break read the bible at home. Let God minister to us at home by reading the bible. This is a serious question Please help us!
Why not? After all, Jesus passed out loaves and fishes when he delivered the Sermon on the Mount. If your pastor thinks eating certain foods is a good idea, he is in good company.
Selling things in church is a little unusual, but if it is not done during services, I see no great harm, especially if the proceeds are going to the good works of the church. It sounds as though your pastor is very involved. That's a good thing and should be encouraged, even if you do not want to participate in every activity. If you are unwell, or if you are responsible for older people or children who attend services with you, it might be a good idea to talk to a doctor before fasting. Many people of many faiths do fast sometimes, but it is not an obligation every believer needs to do if there are health concerns.
If you are really uncomfortable with what your pastor is doing, make an appointment to discuss it with him. He may think he is doing something to make everyone feel involved and not know that it is offending some of his congregation.
November 17 2008 07:24 pm | Bible Juice
28 Responses to “Is it alright for a church to have a grocery store selling items that the Pastor wants his congregation to eat”
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Daniel B on 18 Nov 2008 at 12:47 am #
Sure why not
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Moiraes Fate on 18 Nov 2008 at 1:25 am #
I think that's psychotic and you need to get rid of him.
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Chippy1080 on 18 Nov 2008 at 1:31 am #
says in the bible fasting wont bring you closer to god, eating wont bring you farther away.
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melouofs on 18 Nov 2008 at 1:45 am #
If you do not agree with the methods used by the church, go and find one that is more siutable to your views.
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FLORIDA on 18 Nov 2008 at 2:33 am #
Not really.You can choose whether you want to eat it or not.
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free_your_fancy on 18 Nov 2008 at 3:01 am #
What denomination is this? You haven't offered specifics. Sounds very odd - I've not heard of churches doing things like that. Cults, on the other hand…
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Father K on 18 Nov 2008 at 3:23 am #
That's just whack. Do yourself a favor…find a new Church. Now.
That's a bunch of cultic hooey.
Do what your heart is obviously telling you….attend another church.
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jinenglish68 on 18 Nov 2008 at 3:51 am #
trust your gut instincts.
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Army wife on 18 Nov 2008 at 4:36 am #
This sounds totally outragoues to me. I'd go to another church.
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dog sneeze on 18 Nov 2008 at 5:23 am #
Time to find another church. It reminds me of Jesus cleansing the temple for all their money making in God's house.
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Kaye G on 18 Nov 2008 at 6:09 am #
According to the Bible, they were selling and trading in the temple and it was the only time Jesus got angry. So in my opinion, it is wrong. Just like it is wrong for a church to take donations from a lottery because they think it is immoral.
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sweetkas_69 on 18 Nov 2008 at 6:19 am #
God gave the people food. Not once did he say, " HEY YOU CANT EAT THAT", And he never did steal it back. WHAT KIND OF CHURCH DO YOU ATTEND???? THE LORD'S SUPPER WAS A FEAST, HE NEVER DENIED ANYONE.
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connor g on 18 Nov 2008 at 6:52 am #
I think I would be looking for another church. This sounds like nonsense to me for a Christian Church.
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Wayne T on 18 Nov 2008 at 7:28 am #
If he says you have to buy from his store, that is wrong. If he offers items at a price comparable to other stores, that is okay, but not if he requires you to buy from him. You definitely need a new church.
Fasting means doing without food. If you say you are fasting but you eat some things, like maybe fruit, that's not a fast. I wouldn't recommend fasting more than 3 days.
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obeyfez on 18 Nov 2008 at 8:00 am #
I guess it's ok as long as you aren't being told you HAVE to do it. You should be allowed to not participate in this particular ritual and you should be allowed to buy your own supplies. As long as you have the choice, then I would say it's fine. If you aren't getting as much spiritual guidance as you would like at this church then you need to find another one.
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tabby90 on 18 Nov 2008 at 8:34 am #
Help you with what? I don't see a problem. The church has some unorthodox practices that you obviously don't have to participate in. You can continue to go to this church and participate in the events you like or start going to another church or find your own way.
I'm sure the store helps support the church as well as manufacturers that the church agrees with. That's just voting with your dollar.
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Not Known To Me... on 18 Nov 2008 at 8:57 am #
HELP IS HERE
I don't know if it is legal or not but to get your answer go here.
This website will tell you if it is legal or not.
http://www.christianlaw.org/
. http://www.christianlaw.org/
. . http://www.christianlaw.org/
. . . http://www.christianlaw.org/
. . . . http://www.christianlaw.org/
. . . . . http://www.christianlaw.org/
. . . . http://www.christianlaw.org/
. . . http://www.christianlaw.org/
. . http://www.christianlaw.org/
. http://www.christianlaw.org/
http://www.christianlaw.org/
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http://www.christianlaw.org/
Jeanmarie RDH on 18 Nov 2008 at 9:32 am #
This guy is way off base here!
Jesus got pretty mad when people were making money in church-he said it was a house of prayer! Many christians put down those churches who have Bingo ect. Who is this guy to tell you what to eat? He's gone astray here.
Leave!!!
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Preacher on 18 Nov 2008 at 9:53 am #
Your pastor is acting inappropriately and needs to be told so. The church has no business in the retail business and has no business shoving religion down the throat of everybody.
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derajer on 18 Nov 2008 at 10:27 am #
The act of selling something at the Church that they are encouraging you to get/buy is not inherently wrong. Just like at my church we might have Sunday school classes that require a book like "How shall now we live?" or "A purpose driven life" or any other such things, however, I do believe that this "juice fast" and the way that the pastor is encouraging it are very strange and might make me think that perhaps it is being done for personal gain by the pastor. Fasting is used in the bible, and has benefits, but it is not an important act like reading the bible or praying. So the question is, why is your pastor doing this?
Edit:
Ofcourse there is also fundraising, there is nothing wrong with a church fundraising as long as they make it clear that they are doing it and why they are doing it.
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idahomike2 on 18 Nov 2008 at 11:13 am #
Fire that pastor right now…if that can not be done then find a real church home…. join with those of like mind and start your own Church in your home… Follow God's Word as The Holy Spirit leads you… If you stick with God's Word He will lead you as He wants you to go… that fellow sound more like a cult leader than a pastor… run… you are better off at home.
You are invited to read over my website if you like… I am just one old guy and not looking to start any group of my own… but it might give you an idea or two… I will pray for God's guidence for you.
http://www.mikesfaith.com
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Susan Donahue on 18 Nov 2008 at 11:42 am #
Why not? After all, Jesus passed out loaves and fishes when he delivered the Sermon on the Mount. If your pastor thinks eating certain foods is a good idea, he is in good company.
Selling things in church is a little unusual, but if it is not done during services, I see no great harm, especially if the proceeds are going to the good works of the church. It sounds as though your pastor is very involved. That's a good thing and should be encouraged, even if you do not want to participate in every activity. If you are unwell, or if you are responsible for older people or children who attend services with you, it might be a good idea to talk to a doctor before fasting. Many people of many faiths do fast sometimes, but it is not an obligation every believer needs to do if there are health concerns.
If you are really uncomfortable with what your pastor is doing, make an appointment to discuss it with him. He may think he is doing something to make everyone feel involved and not know that it is offending some of his congregation.
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lookn2cjc on 18 Nov 2008 at 12:30 pm #
Whatever kind of strange church do you go to? I guess this is where Jesus would come in and overturn the money changer's tables….
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Nathan on 18 Nov 2008 at 1:01 pm #
I have to ask you a very important question right here; Have you spoken with your pastor about this? This is vital because you will get a lot of advice about this situation, but you and your pastor are the only ones who really know what going on. You are the only one who understands your situation, and he is the only one who knows why he is leading your church in this direction. On the surface it seems strange; however that does not necessarily make it wrong. More importantly, if you do not trust your pastor enough to follow his leading, then why attend that church at all? A pastor is not inaccessible, they should be approachable by their congregation.
You should also ask yourself: Does this go against scripture? Probably not, yet you are not out of line to share your misgivings with your pastor about this.
Also, fasting can be done as a congregational activity and there is no need to keep it a secret. The whole point of keeping it to yourself was so that a church member wouldn't go around bemoaning their starving state while really bragging about what they were doing.
Finally, you should attend a church. This is as much for your benefit as it is for others in the church. We both minister and are ministered to when we attend a church. I hope this helps.
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Theophilus on 18 Nov 2008 at 1:51 pm #
You cover a lot of issues.
First, does the pastor tell you what you are supposed to be praying and fasting over.
Praying and fasting without a reason is non-sensical.
Second, does the pastor believe that everything in the Bible is the word of God or just a buch of good stories to help guide our way.
If he thinks that Adam and Eve did not really exist. Or that there was no flood. Or thinks stories like Daniel in the Lions Den or Shadrach, Meshech and Abed-Nego in the fiery furnace or tales to teach truths, then I would flee from that church and find another church that believes the Bible is the word of God.
As to the issue of the church having a store and selling goods to the congregation, it is not a violation of anything as long as what he is doing is in the best interest of the congregation and not in his own best interest.
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Spinner/ParkPlace.Biz on 18 Nov 2008 at 2:31 pm #
What you have typed in is showing the signs that your Pastor is on a change in his life and wants to see how much control he has with his followers… This has happened many times over the years and sometimes ends worse but in most case the Pastor is just replaced and followers go back to Learning more and spreading the word of GOD…
The fasting is giving of yourself??? And could harm some people!!! GOD doesn't want you to harm yourself in any way!!!! NO matter what anyone says…
Have Faith
Family 1st (GOD is Family)
Help Others
Yourself
Side notes the Bible was writen by men…
Changed by men
Some men think they can use the Bible in different ways Good and Bad… Teaching is Good … Power or control is Bad.
You have to make the choice for you and your family….
I have Faith…. I had lost everything but I had faith….
GOOD LUCK…..
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Me I and Myself…..
Bruce on 18 Nov 2008 at 3:17 pm #
Run like Hell!!!!!!!!
You are in a cult situation and definately not a church that is teaching you about Jesus. SO get far away before the "pastor" brings out the vats of cool-aid!!!
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Midge on 18 Nov 2008 at 3:29 pm #
Watch out for him. Especially if he wants you guys to start drinking kool-aid
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