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Originally Posted by Ivan  Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Peters I have seen the fruits in my own extended family resulting from the following a "radio" minister. It is often the case that those that get the widest recognition get such because they are talented communicators, often much better than our own pastors. But then we may very quickly begin to compare our pastor's oratory skills with the radio minister and the next thing you know we are skipping from church to church looking for one like that radio minister. I even know someone that commutes from Sacramento to LA (5 1/2 hours) several Sundays per month to attend MacArthur's church because he couldn't find anything as good here. I don't think that's what God desires of us. | As much as I like Johnny Mac I would not drive 45 minutes or even a half hour on a regular basis to hear him and I would dare to suggest that he would tell people who drive five and a half hours that they would better serve the LORD if they would find a local church to pour out their lives. |
I totally agree, Ivan. I might drive a half hour if there were absolutely no other churches of like faith and practice, but I would hope to see a church planted closer to home as well. We have made the decision to get involved in a local church plant here that is affiliated with the SBC rather than drive 25 miles to more settled "Reformed Baptist" works. I know others who would likely disagree with our decision for one reason or another. As it turns out we are probably more likeminded with our church than those others but we didn't think that would be the case prior to some discussions with them.
It's very difficult to get involved in a church driving that far unless you are just after the preaching. In that case, it's hardly better than someone who just sits home and listens to podcasts. It's also very tough for personal evangelism. "Come to church with us, we drive 3 hours round trip every Sunday!"