Praising The Lord ... In A Ford

(CBS)  You drive in like you would at any other church - and listen to the program like you would at any other drive-in.

"Good Morning and welcome to the drive-in Christian Church," says Pastor Larry G. Deich.

That's right, a drive-in church, CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman reports. Give Pastor Deich a halleluiah.

About 50 years ago, the church took over the old Neptune Drive-in in Daytona Beach, Florida, and ever since it's been offering a double feature of salvation … and convenience.

"It's the message of God," Deich said. "We just deliver it a different way."

"And it works for us," said Mary Hoss. She and her husband, Bill, used to go to a conventional church. "Since I've been retired, I've decided to take the easy way and sit in the car."

Folks here like being able to dress however they want and bring whoever they want.

Hartman observed: There's more dogs there than people, practically.

But the main reason people give for coming here instead of a church building is that it isn't a church building.

"The great outdoors that the Lord has made for us - and to sit here and hear his word, outside!" said churchgoer Norma Jean Harrison.

That's pretty much the church's credo.

"We say we worship outdoors by the seashore like Jesus did," Deich said.

"But the disciples weren't packed in a minivan," Hartman said.

"No, they weren't," Deich said. "But they were probably standing next to donkeys and camels and, you know, the transportation of the day."

Still, transportation today is much more isolating. What about community and fellowship? Well, worshiper's in mirror may be closer than they appear.

Before and after every service they gather in the old concession stand for donuts or coffee or just to put a name and face with a make and model.

The whole place really is convenient.

"Isn't there a risk, when all is said and done, that it's so convenient - God won't count it?" Hartman asked.

"No, God doesn't work that way," Deich said.

In fact, pastor Deich believes that God is AAA okay with the drive-in church.

"I know she does," Deich laughed.

[trealistorm]

Honestabe8, most of my friends are Atheists. Hence, I have learned civil and respectful discussion. :) Otherwise, said friends would no longer be friends.

It is important for anyone on any side of any issue or anny question to not only appreciate the other point of view, but to seek to know more about it and to understand it.

For this reason, I study foreign languages, culture, and philosophy/religion. Otherwise, why would anyone bother to listen to me if they didn''t know I appreciated their view? See my homepage at http://trealistorm.gather.com .

[honestabe8]

trealstorm: first of all, thanks for being civil. sometimes topics of faith (or lack of it) get unruly. secondly, i am sure there are people of all stripes who feel that they are under attack for their faith (again, or lack of it). this whole "woe is me" schtick gets old.

[trealistorm]

Honestabe8,

Yes there are those who believe they are constantly under attack for their beliefs, whether they profess to be Christian or Atheist.

And quoting anyone or any work to one who does not believe it, as you say, is useless.

But there ARE Christians who are under attack for their beliefs, and there ARE non-Christians who are under attack for their beliefs (namely, ***). Not every single person in the world is under attack for what they believe. But they are there and often around us.

[honestabe8]

trealstorm: apparently, some people like to feel they are suffering slings and arrows because of their worship of the lord...

the same people don''t seem to realize that quoting the bible (or any book for that matter) to those who don''t accept its authority doesn''t carry much weight.

[trealistorm]

Honestabe8, I agree fully. Theists mock atheists as much as atheists mock theists. Personally, I think it''s ridiculous.

You cannot convince someone of what they refuse to believe no matter how eloquent or rational your argument is. If someone has decided they disagree with you and will not be convinced by you, that''s it. You can never convince them of what they refuse to believe.

This applies to both theists and atheists. The theist cannot convince the atheist there is a God, nor prove it; likewise, the atheist cannot convince the theists there isn''t a God, nor prove it.

[honestabe8]

Also, Garbage: Theists mock atheists on here all the time, too.

[honestabe8]

GarbageStopr: fibonacci was just pointing out how it is a leap of logic to go from "something created us" to "therefore the christian god is the creator". how is that mocking?

[trealistorm]

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men''''s faces."

It is amazing how many modern-day pastors and Christians to whom this one declaration can be applicable. When we become judgmental and begin to shut people out of our church, because they are gay, because they are liberal, because they support abortion, because of whatever reason...we are shutting the kingdom of heaven in their faces.

How VERY Christian to pass judgment on those around us. How merciful.

If Jesus is our Appointed Judge, it is his to judge. Not for us.

[trealistorm]

GarbageStopr,

As a Christian, I have studied my Bible extensively. And is it not Jesus who, coming across a woman about to be stoned for adultery, says to the Pharisees "Let him who is sinless throw a stone first."

[garbagestopr]

More from our Lord:

Matthew 22:18
But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?

Matthew 23:13
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men''s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

Luke 13:15
The Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn''t each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?

John 8:11
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.


Jesus also commands that we repent (turn from) our sins.

This is judgment.

He is the Appointed Judge of all of mankind.