Church Perspective - Latest Comments

Re: Possibly the Most Cost-Effective Way to Build a Church.

Mark MacDonald — Tue, 01 May 2012 08:28:34 -0000

May I suggest Mapquest?

Re: Possibly the Most Cost-Effective Way to Build a Church.

Ontvcruzl — Tue, 01 May 2012 00:12:23 -0000

we need directions to get there by wednsday

Re: Largest Private Aquarium in a Church?!?

Mark MacDonald — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:47:24 -0000

Wow. I've never had God post before (but often, I have people who think they are :-) I appreciate your comments. Something to think about:

Perhaps God see this as a Spiritual Hospital.

Re: Largest Private Aquarium in a Church?!?

God — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:30:22 -0000

A waste in every way, build a hospital.

Re: Largest Private Aquarium in a Church?!?

Penny Wisdom — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 01:43:25 -0000

This is just disgusting. Like many others, the money spent on this could have been spent more wisely had it been spent elsewhere...including McDonald's in my opinion. That money should have been put into public schools to fund this country's science and technology programs -- a place which would actually do some good. Another good way for it to have been spent would have been to give it to the poor, who actually need it.

As one previous comment author had stated, this place is just one of many testaments to human greed. If I remember correctly, one of the basic tenets of Christianity is kindness and compassion, but this place reeks of corruption and contempt. How about spending that money on medical programs for impoverished areas and save lives now instead of "saving" lives for an afterlife that may not even exist?

Let's not forget the words of one of this nation's Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin, who once wrote that "Lighthouses are more helpful than churches."

Re: Largest Private Aquarium in a Church?!?

Tigger23 — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:41:33 -0000

That is all that needs to be said good job! Nobody can argue that Jesus would have spent all that money on a fish tank. That was Gods money and this pastor wasted it on this fish tank its sad.

Re: Largest Private Aquarium in a Church?!?

Mark MacDonald — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:07:04 -0000

I don't know. But I know that everything He did was to bring glory to Him.

Re: Largest Private Aquarium in a Church?!?

Chris — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:25:29 -0000

I am sure Jesus would ahev spent $40,000,000 on a building rather than feeding and housing the poor.

Re: Largest Private Aquarium in a Church?!?

Mark MacDonald — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:09:13 -0000

@Shadow, you raise some interesting points. Thank you! I (the author of this blog) figure I should post again to let you know that I don't have ANY direct attachment to this church. I just wrote a communications blog about them.

I applaud you for your choices. A teacher is a noble profession and I wish you well. Be a servant to those you come in contact.

As I'm learning in life, there are few unbiased sources (not media, not school, not blogs) -- be careful when criticizing something that you know very little about. It seems that you could use this money better than you perceive the church to be using it. And maybe you could! But then someone would look at you and say they could use the money better.

This church (who raised the money privately) put a lot of thought into "serving" their community; they have more than one book (but they believe, as I do, that one Book has THE Truth). They don't spend the whole day in a country club environment -- they have outreach programs to help people who need it in their community.

Are they doing everything right? Probably not.

Did they spend too much money? Yep. Probably. But the congregation wanted a building that attracted. That demonstrated God's love (the aquarium shows how we can all get along; like fish from all around the world).

I wish you well -- I hope that you consider the teachings of Christ (he was an amazing teacher-model); and please don't throw out the Message of hope, peace, love with the Aquarium water :-) Have a great day -- I'm praying for you right now!

Re: Largest Private Aquarium in a Church?!?

Shadow — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:17:58 -0000

You people make me sick. $40,000,000.00, (yes, with all the zeros so you can see what wasteful children you are) on a house of hatred? Think of all the good that money could have done! Think of the waste of endless money and time as you people pay to maintain that monstrosity! At least THINK! Something none of you are clearly doing on your own! If you want to inspire children, teach them the joys of learning. Show them how school can be fun and books (not ONE book, books in the plural) can be a refuge for the mind and a garden for the imagination! Teach your children to love, and not bully. Teach children that everybody has something to offer... and not to be vain and have something to lord over others. If you want to show children beauty... donate to museums, the arts, theater and culture! Then petition to the schools for field trips! Petition the government for better school programs!

Is there anything lazier than spending a whole day in an extravagant building thinking about how nice it would be if things changed? Is there anything more selfish than making that building 40,000 times more expensive than one month's rent for a tiny, low end two bedroom apartment?

For the record: I work full time. I'm in school as much as I can be. Why? I want to be a teacher, so I can better the world. between rent and bills, I'm broke. But I learned as a child doing service projects through GSA that time can be just as valuable as money. I donate several hours a week to charity as a sacrifice to those who mean everything to me. Don't you dare sit in your $40,000,000.00 fish tank and say you're better than me.

Re: Largest Private Aquarium in a Church?!?

Mangagraphix — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:43:27 -0000

I'm sorry, but that place is a testament to greed and vanity. By building a monument to that you have built a monument to sin.

Re: Largest Private Aquarium in a Church?!?

Mark MacDonald — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:23:47 -0000

Tina, I'm not sure how much is too much either. And I totally understand where you're coming from. (Remember, I don't represent the church at all). Recall the story: Martha broke open a year's salary worth of perfume on Jesus's feet and He loved it (and the disciples complained).

I'm glad that IBOC helps the poor and has outreach programs -- and ultimately points to God's glory. That's what it's all about!

Re: Largest Private Aquarium in a Church?!?

Tina — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:41:42 -0000

I am a christian an I LOVE helping people..I am a single mom with 5 children on Easter spent what money I had to make food bags to feed around 40/50 people with about $100.00 I try really hard not to judge but when I see a church spent 40,000,000 on this its really hard not to think what could of been done with this money!! A $1000 tank would be great and not to think on what they spend daily to keep a on sight marine biologist...I'll stick with my small church where we take everything we have and help our community and missionary trips that we do.. I guess even christians get their priorities mixed up!!

Re: Largest Private Aquarium in a Church?!?

G.A.B. — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 22:55:04 -0000

I think this is awesome, a thing of beauty, wonder, and inspiration, and just divine in every sense of the word.

Few would say a regular aquarium is a waste of money. They would say it was a community resource with vast scientific, educational, environmental, and cultural potential. Why is an aquarium in a church community any different? The next Jacques Cousteau or Eugenie Clark could be seven years old and singing in that choir.

If critics believe the best way ( or only moral way) to spend money is by feeding the poor, that's fine. It's a worthy cause. But they should raise money and go do that, or just go do something useful, instead of dictating to others with different callings.

Human beings need to support one another. We should celebrate the accomplishments of others instead of trying to diminish those accomplishments just to make ourselves feel better for being lazy. I don't care if you are President of the US or bake the best cookies in the whole bake sale. We all have something good to offer if we can just get on the same side and do the hard work.

Re: The 5 Steps to a Failing Church

Mark — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:52:26 -0000

Totally agree (not that you were chopped liver; but the other part :-). I don't define what 'success' is here. I agree with scripture; that a church's size is no barometer of the spiritual health.

I chose to be positive and fan the flames of churches who seem to be doing it correctly; where God brings seekers and spiritual leaders together. And I pray for our church leaders that they will stay true to Biblical teaching and the lost will find Christ.

I'm glad you encourage that to happen!

Re: The 5 Steps to a Failing Church

Guest — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:52:34 -0000

Did I miss your definition of church success? Has it ever dawned on some people that you cannot measure the success of a church on how many crowds they gather? The late Michael Jackson & Elvis Presley also packed out stadiums with large fans and crowds.
The question is-- how many are really living for Jesus in large church services?
One would think if the crowds at various churches are a bunch of tares having a form of godliness but denying the power of God that is not success.

I recently saw on Television the Pope with a gazillion people turning out to kiss his ring and see him do Mass
(church service). What did this mean? The Pope has millions of fan/followers
Success is by whose standard? God also values a small crowd of people of ten living like real followers rather than ten thousand going to churches that may be nothing but cults or social clubs!

I was gleaning so much from a bible class once because of a great bible teacher but he quit because the attendance was only 15 people, what were we chopped liver?

Re: Largest Private Aquarium in a Church?!?

Godscreation — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 00:02:43 -0000

Read Your Bible...It's symbolic. The Bible says;"follow me and I(Jesus) will make you fishers of men.Why would you be disgusted about something "you" didn't have "nothing" to do with. If those of "us"(IBOC Family) are pleased with what God is doing through "OUR" Man of God, and blessing him to bring the "vision" forth, what's the problem?

Re: Cover Your Logo

Markmacdonald — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:48:12 -0000

Wow. Do you use duct tape? :-)

Re: Cover Your Logo

here — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:01:32 -0000

I don't like logos. I always cover all logos.

Re: Largest Private Aquarium in a Church?!?

Godscreation1963 — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:50:47 -0000

Thank you for your comment. We love and respect our Man Of God. We love what God is doing through him, as he teaches us how to live "prosperous" lives. TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY! Enjoy your blessings.

Re: Largest Private Aquarium in a Church?!?

Godscreation1963 — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:45:09 -0000

No, you don't hate Pastor Rush, You just "jealous" of him.

Re: Cover Your Logo

Markmacdonald — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:56:10 -0000

Starting and establishing a company is no easy feat. Praying for you David! Let me know if we can help in any way -- lots of great free tips, tricks and information in this blog!

Re: Cover Your Logo

David McQuinn — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:36:17 -0000

Mark, I remember you saying some time ago how a child should be able to draw your logo. That was memorable and true in my opinion. One of the reasons I've chosen the name McQuinn Media is that I have been known for my name in the city, even though I've always worked for someone else. Now, the real work--delivering on identity I have tried to create in Fredericton for 25 years :)

Re: Possibly the Most Cost-Effective Way to Build a Church.

college essays writing company — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:39:58 -0000

Very nice we want to also built the church in our city.

Re: Largest Private Aquarium in a Church?!?

Godscreation1963 — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:04:35 -0000

Are you helping to do anything in the community?