 
Rjk
Member
Username: Rjk
Post Number: 645
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 17, 2007 - 8:52 pm: |    |
I was hoping someone could give me a quick history of these churches in Detroit.
A few weeks ago I drove through My grandmothers/mothers old neighborhood and as I went up Van Dyke I was amazed by the number of these churches.
Some of these churches seem so small that I wonder how they can survive financially.
Some months ago I was listening to 1200 am and they had a gentleman on that was discussing problems in the black community. He didn't really go into detail about it but he seemed to be a very harsh critic of these storefront churches though not churches and religion in general. I'm curious if anyone would know what his criticism could be referencing. Consolidation maybe?
Thanks for any info. |
Urbanize
Member
Username: Urbanize
Post Number: 226
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, March 17, 2007 - 9:03 pm: | |
Probably about how many storefronts churches there are out there and that not all of them can be a trusted and may be filled with hipocrits. |
Livernoisyard
Member
Username: Livernoisyard
Post Number: 2826
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 17, 2007 - 9:12 pm: | |
Those store-front churches on Van Dyke in the prairie south of McNichols always seem to get my attention as I pass them. There were so many of them. Even several in a block or two, apparently. How could they survive?
Seeing that at least one of them had a collapsed roof and the rest seemed abandoned long ago, it's obvious that they didn't survive to the present very well. |
Urbanize
Member
Username: Urbanize
Post Number: 227
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, March 17, 2007 - 9:13 pm: | |
Van Dyke reminds me of a south Livernois. |
Jimaz
Member
Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 1721
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 17, 2007 - 9:13 pm: | |
They're pretty common in Phoenix. I imagine they have to pay a lease which would tie them to a financial obligation. Commercialized theology has only a slim chance of not eventually becoming a mistake, IMHO. There's also the tax-exempt question if it should slip into a "for profit" status. |
Jimaz
Member
Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 1722
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 17, 2007 - 9:17 pm: | |
"What business model would Jesus endorse?" (Sorry but it was begging to be asked.) |
Bob_cosgrove
Member
Username: Bob_cosgrove
Post Number: 474
Registered: 03-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 17, 2007 - 9:20 pm: | |
Something I have wondered about for some time is the number of these small churchs in storefronts and converted homes. Many of them don't seem to hold services on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Church property and income isn't taxable. For many years until about 10 years ago, we had a minister whose non-functioning church owned his Indian Village home and didn't pay taxes on it.
Are many of these small churches tax scams, and if so, what is the City, State and IRS doing about it?
Bob Cosgrove |
Scottr
Member
Username: Scottr
Post Number: 423
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, March 17, 2007 - 10:18 pm: | |
quote:Probably about how many storefronts churches there are out there and that not all of them can be a trusted and may be filled with hipocrits.
That's not a problem limited to storefront churches by any means. However, it seems the chance for a scam would indeed be greater in a smaller, less noticed church than a large one.
jimaz's comment reminds me of something i saw once - "What would Jesus do... for a Klondike bar?" |
Jimaz
Member
Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 1724
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 17, 2007 - 10:40 pm: | |
 Theology aside, money doesn't grow on trees and trees are likely grateful for that.
(Message edited by Jimaz on March 17, 2007) |
Gannon
Member
Username: Gannon
Post Number: 8558
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2007 - 12:32 am: | |
I am inclined to investigate a storefront church before any of the mainline denominations.
There is too much momentum in the older organized religions for much of a move of the Spirit through them...it is MUCH more likely to happen in a dynamic small group of believers.
That said, you are also more likely to meet a true charlatan...as long as your discernment muscle works, you should be able to read them within five minutes of meeting. (hint, look in their eyes...they are said to be windows to the soul) Trust your gut instinct, we don't have that sixth sense for NO reason! (the converse is the most true, we DO have it for a reason)
Also, any church that bangs around guilt trips for tithes and offerings, where the preacher drives a vehicle worth more than the average residence of their flock members, is certain to be run by a charlatan or perhaps a collection of 'em.
They are likely worshipping money there anyways.
But, I've been in a few storefront and other small groups where the move of the Holy Spirit is palpable...so tangible that you almost need a machete to walk through the room.
You also know these places within a moment of entering them...their leaders are servants, with their eyes constantly towards God. Most often, there will NOT be simply ONE pastor, but rather a few who share the responsibilities without jealousy or competition. When they give advice, they attempt to aim their listeners first and foremost to consider God.
They know the main equations in the New Testament...God is Love. We are to love God with our whole mind, heart, soul, and strength. Then, after merging in love with Love, we then cannot HELP but love our neighbors and especially our enemies as ourselves, since we are changed from this in-dwelling of God/Love.
Most importantly, they will encourage not only simple faith, but the external evidence that their faith taken seed, and is growing so that they might show fruit in due time. These teachers are NEVER upset when a member of their church leaves, because if they've done their job well...this person will be the better for having spent ANY time around them.
They teach those sitting in front of them that they do NOT need their money, especially since they have meager overhead. Their payment will be later...after death. Often they also keep a job or two in order to cover their expenses and that of the church group.
Of course, I've seen humble and powerfully honest men of God turned from these humble beginnings into raving and ranting meglomaniacal managers...forcing building programs upon their trusty flock, and SO distracted by the Porno King or drug dealer next door that they simply forget to talk about God. That is very distressing, but I trust that God is dealing with them...I pray not harshly, but as long as we resist it always seems the heat gets turned up!!
I would NEVER discount a storefront church without investigation...I've seen powerful miracles performed in the simplest places. Never, ever seen one in a big old church.
Ever.
Cheers! |
Royce
Member
Username: Royce
Post Number: 2133
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 12:46 am: | |
Drive down Purtitan from the Southfield Freeway to Livernois and you'll see a good of churches. |