"Going to church" by sitting in your car has its advantages: It's easier not to get caught sleeping during the mind numbing sermon given by an unemployed preacher.

And sneaking the faithful in by hiding them in your trunk means they don't have to make donations.

Not to mention munching on El Taco Real Grande Burritos without worrying about someone else wanting some.

billnewbie, pull yourself away from scurrying around people's archives. You're making yourself look foolish.

More on point: What's your problem with clergy?

billnewbie, you missed the chanting nuns on ETWN to write your panicky screeds and post them twice. Turn your AC on. Use the plate money to pay the power bill. Pull yourself together.

And then, 5 minutes later, you went back for seconds on that other comment board. http://gazettextra.com/news/2012/jul/09/...
I have you all figured out!

But seriously, Gazettefan, I don't have to agree at all. Just because some self-appointed hierarchy decides this or that means nothing to me. I reject the notion that a hierarchical clergy is any closer to God than anyone else. Don't forget, if in fact you ever knew, the Bible says that we Christians are all priests, that no one stands between us and God, except Christ. That doesn't mesh with Catholicism, and John Eyster may take issue with that, but it's right there in the Bible. Therefore, any self-acclaimed "clergy" can make any hair-brained decision they like, it casts no shadow of doubt on what I believe nor does it suggest anything at all about the veracity of the Christian faith. Just because some fool claims to be the re-incarnation of Christ, or the vicar of Christ, or whatever title one may stake a claim to, and acts as if only he knows the true meaning of the Bible which he invariably interprets to his advantage doesn't invalidate Christianity or the Bible whatsoever.

By the way, did you notice that it only took you 5 minutes after my 6:05 post for you to reap a little self-gratification? And I don't even have a crystal ball!

But seriously, Gazettefan, I don't have to agree at all. Just because some self-appointed hierarchy decides this or that means nothing to me. I reject the notion that a hierarchical clergy is any closer to God than anyone else. Don't forget, if in fact you ever knew, the Bible says that we Christians are all priests, that no one stands between us and God, except Christ. That doesn't mesh with Catholicism, and John Eyster may take issue with that, but it's right there in the Bible. Therefore, any self-acclaimed "clergy" can make any hair-brained decision they like, it casts no shadow of doubt on what I believe nor does it suggest anything at all about the veracity of the Christian faith. Just because some fool claims to be the re-incarnation of Christ, or the vicar of Christ, or whatever title one may stake a claim to, and acts as if only he knows the true meaning of the Bible which he invariably interprets to his advantage doesn't invalidate Christianity or the Bible whatsoever.

By the way, did you notice that it only took you 5 minutes after my 6:05 post for you to reap a little self-gratification? And I don't even have a crystal ball!

But seriously, billnewbie, you must agree that the hair brained idea of the parking lot parish coming out of the head a clergy -someone who's supposed to be closer to lord by way of study- is just more proof of the folly of belief.

Yeah, ok, Major Frank Burns.

These types of articles never fail to bring out the atheist commodians that frequent the Gazette like a pack of hungry hyenas. They post a few snide comments that they think are oh so funny, basking in the glow of self-satisfaction for at least 5 minutes. Then they wait for their next opportunity for some self-gratification. Poor souls.

I don't care if it rains or freezes
'Long as I got my plastic Jesus
Riding on the dashboard of my car
Through my trials and tribulations
And my travels through the nations
With my plastic Jesus I'll go far

Sigma40: I think a lot of people could benefit from a sermon or 2. At my church people only go when they have to during the school year because their kids are required to or because it's Christmas or Easter. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but I think it's good to go church on a routine basis. I didn't go for over 20 years & I'm glad I'm back & I think it sets a good foundation for children.

Holy Cannoli! Hectic summer schedules? Huh? As John McEnroe would have said, "You cannot be serious!" Come on. If you are going to church, get off your duff and go to church. Another sign of the times. Actually, this is not really so surprising.

;~)

gazettefan - You had to be cracking up when you typed that post to me! I got a little chuckle from reading it too!

gonfo..., do you always have to be so critical?

bibledude, is being a Cub fan a warning from the lord about what hell will be like?

By the way, do you know that pastor in Evansville who's always writing letters to the Gazette?

I guess I don't quite understand what the issue is with the church doing this. If you don't like what they are doing then don't go. If its not your church then there's no issue to begin with. If you like the idea then go. If you don't believe then ignore the believers all together and live your life as a non-believer. But to attack people because they do or don't believe in something is crazy. If you believe in religion or not the golden rule should still apply, "Treat others how you want to be treated". Life is as easy or as hard as we make it!

The live radio broadcast can be heard for over a mile away from the church. A good 15,000 of you could be listening via the radio every Sunday morning.

Hello, bibledude and st2011.., Hey, what part of the bible could Creflo Dollar cite to justify strangling his daughter?

packattack - I am not negative, your perception is.

A person can worship anywhere,pray anywhere, and walk with Jesus anywhere. The key ingredient is having a humble, contrite,loving and thankful heart towards our Almighty God in Heaven, who provides us freely with grace, peace, love, and mercy everyday. All that we have to do is to accept it!

Jesus said that if three cars gather in a parking lot and the drivers ask for anything in his name it would be granted.

I see the mobility issue but "time" issue. What does it take like 5 minutes to walk in and sit down? It is a shortened version? Is this what they mean by "time" issue?
Maybe they use a bicycle to collect.
The outside worship thing seems okay but you could at least get out of your car.

One of the key reasons the church is to gather together is for fellowship with other believers, as GF says, "read your Bible." This service misses the mark entirely. If my church had one I would not attend and would object to its existence as undermining what Acts teaches the church should be about.

Worshipping in autos is mentioned in the Old Testament.

Isiah 4:09 Ye will praise the Lord in thy beater car.

Read your bible.

Better yet, why not just send out the service on the web. Like a webinar. This would keep ALL that nasty human interaction out of the mix.
Just wondering.....do these cars sit and idle with the A/C running during the entire service?

Sigma40, Stress being a killer, why are you always so negative? Live an Let Live.

nicksmom - What do you mean "at least they are going"?
-
So does this mean that certain people who use their car as a religious sanctuary dont have to pay taxes on a annual registration renewal? If it applies to the building it should apply to the car if they are used for the same purposes.

The church is not a building.

jck, they just check between the seats and under the floor mats for loose change.

Does someone go out in the parking lot and walk from car to car to take the collection?

I went to church yesterday - it was indoors. I look at it this way - at least these people are going. My brand new church was 3/4 empty.

This sounds great at first glance. Help you're neighbor out type of thing. Except I can't help to think that after they help you, they'll guilt you into attending their church with them.

It's just another way for people to push their beliefs on others under the guise of being nice.

I was taught that there is no schedule so hectic that you can't go to church.
I'm just sayin'...

How is this promoting laziness and obesity? Sitting in a car at services is no different than sitting in a church. Unless you bring your own, you're avoiding the doughnuts and pastries, so isn't it actually healthier? Doing this is no different than those churches who host outdoor worship services at the courthouse hill area on Main St. God didn't just create a church- he created the world. It doesn't matter where you practice your faith.

I think this is a great idea! I don't think that it is "laziness" at all. I believe that this Church is making their services more interesting for the Community. You don't have to worship in "the House of God", you can worship anywhere! I don't believe that this is contributing to the Obesity Epidemic....geez....just a different, fun, way to worship. Keep up the good work and glad that First Lutheran has an open mind to the multiple ways people can worship.

Wow... Laziness has gone to a whole new level. Why dont these people just stay home and have this service via internet?...make way more sense. Isnt the whole "church experience" supposed to be in the "house of god"? Isnt that the point of going? While a lot of things lately are convenient, they are just feeding the obesity epidemic. This looks like a good place to panhandle.