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Keep the Christian faith alive and well. Better we have these mega-churches than more mosques.

Is obviously cut from the same cloth as the chapel... so no surprise he defends them. Liked it though when he said that catholics shouldnt be scared-- all churches have a duty to bring more people to God.

listen to the video. The Chapel doesn't count Roman Catholics as being part of an evangelical church! As if we worship a different God? What the hell is thaat.

Sounds exciting!!

just look at the cult-ish gatherings.. good grief

Buffalo was late to the megachurch phenomenon. In Texas, Florida, Georgia, and California, megachurches are seemingly everywhere and have been for years. What happened in Buffalo in recent times was Catholics got bored or mad and didn't want to give up on God, so they ended up at The Chapel or Eastern Hills Wesleyan where they found a lively, active new way to worship God that seemed relevant and practical and, yes, biblical.

Imagine that. Buffalo late to a national movement? Surely this guy is making something up. He must have his facts wrong. We are ALWAYS cutting edge here, man! Always!

Members of the Chapel came to our church, made friends, then started saying "why don't you come to the Chapel? It's just better there" I have no problem reaching people for Christ, but I disagree with infiltrating other churches & trying to take people from them.

No Christian should fear another church that's main goal it to give as many people as possible repeated opportunities to receive the Gospel message. If they do there is something wrong. Having been raised a Roman Catholic and now worshiping in the Evangelical church, the difference I have experienced is the evangelical church focuses on the truth of God's Word as layed out in the Bible and a relationship with the living God vs. a religion. They see that they have a responsibility as laid out in the Bible to bring the Gospel to as many as possible. I'm sure they have no intention of targeting Catholics. What the Catholic Church must fear is that individuals might hear the message and think they have been missing something.

All Christians worship the same God, why does it matter HOW we do it?? A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is what is important...not what building you worship Him in.

God IS movin in WNY :-)

Roman Catholics don't teach salvation as the only way to eternal life with Christ. There is an emphasis in the Catholic church on good works being more important that believing and living for Christ. I think that is why Roman Catholics are not counted as evangelical. Why are Catholics so worried about a church coming in and "stealing" members. If you teach the truth in a way that is well communicated you have nothing to fear.

So the RC church is upset that they are not counted as evangelical Christians?Since when did Roman Catholics consider evangelicals as part of the "true church"? Maybe we should stop worrying about competition and start working together to see people served.

organized religion, especially in these so called mega churches is for the weak minded

After seeing the video of Pastor Jerry and reading Father Waite's letter. I believe I see what started this battle. Jerry mentions some stats that only 10% of Lockport is associated with a bible believing church. After hearing a number like this my reaction was wow there really is a need for more churches there. But then I thought about it. 10% does not sound right, it seems really low. Perhaps he was only talking about the Evangelical Protestant types. The problem is that if we assume this numbers exclude Catholic churches (and perhaps others) there will be a lot of insulted folks out there. The Catholic Church is a bible believing church. The church has many traditions and a well organized structure that might seem to cover up this fact but it is a bible believing church. I think Father Waite made this assumption as well and wrote his extremely energized and passionate letter to his congregation. He might have toned it down a bit because it was a bit mocking of the Chapel's worship style. We do not need Christians attacking other Christians. There are enough people and groups in this country actively doing that already. We all believe in the same thing: Jesus Christ IS the son of God.

You nailed it, brothah! Waite should have toned it down-- but Gillis was bound to insult.

Let's just Love each Other as Jesus Loves all of US,remember his Words:Not all who say Lord Lord shall enter the Kindom of Heaven,but those who do the will of the Father.So lets all work for the Kingdom and Praise JesusChrist as one Body.Sincerly Soldier Hector Pagan,SA.

Denominatios are walls that divide the Body:))

Last time I checked Christ had only one church. According to scripture that one church is comprised of people. What kind of people? Those who have repented of sin and received God's forgiveness through what Christ has done on the cross. If a person 'attends' a church but has not done that then they are what is known as a 'professor'. Those who truly know him are 'possessors'. All denominations are comprised of both groups - professors and possessors. You see it is not the label thats important or the denomination. Whats important is that one knows and understands the truth. Interestingly I see that we here have comments from both groups. To me it its not an issue 'where' one worships. What matters is 'who' they worship. And if its Christ then they are brothers and sisters. Churches like Crosspoint focus on the message of salvation through faith. Some churches don't. What I say is to the Catholic folks is this, set aside some quiet time, pray, read His word, and develop your own faith. Don't worry about what the Chapel is doing.

If anyone has any questions about the Chapel's motivation to serve other communities, then they should look at thechapel.com and watch some of pastor Jerry's sermons. This man preaches with passion and truth, and has nothing but respect for other denominations. He makes sense!!!

Praise God for churches like the Chapel.

For all those that don;t think the Catholic Church is a "Bible based" Church - just remember the Catholic Church decided which books were in the Bible. The Reformation brought some Christians who deleted 7 books plus some chapters form the Bible. What does Revelation say about those who take away from my words? Plus I Tim 3:16 says the church is the pillar and bulwark of the truth.

God Moves in mysterious ways...this is one of his ways. I agree with "ONLY ONE CHURCH". There have been many wars, arguments, and divisions in the name of "religion". Perhaps we are moving towards those things that unite us in our belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our growing faith in God our Father. With that ever increasing faith we will all be led to where we should be. It is better that people belong to a church that increases their faith and who learn about the love of our Father than to be lost and wandering.

The mega churches are part of the evangelical roll your own church movement. Don't like what your hearing? Start your own church. I find the idea that common folk can find something in the bible (probably a sixth level translation) that has been missed by almost two thousand years of dedicated scholarly study of the documents in as close to their original forms as possible. If you don't at least read Greek, Aremaic and Hebrew and work with as close to original documents as possible you probably should not call yourself a bible scholar. Current english translations are terribly flawed. I have attended a couple of these churches and find myself feeling like I am at a Kariouke contest. Oh Well.

It is a NON-Denominational church. The true meaning of Christian--your a follower of Jesus Christ. He is your personal Savior. There is no good works to get you into heaven except to ask Jesus into your life and truly repent of your sins. Love God with all your heart and LOVE your brother.--That is what the Chapel is about. Jesus

Read Revelation about your statement for a one world "religion"

You sound like one of those 'condos'. What are condos you ask. Well they are Christians who are very legalistic. They are always condemning others. Only they have it right. They use the Bible to wound other believers. Examine your heart dude!

Do Roman Catholics consider themselves evangelical? If they don't why are they upset at the statistics?

The very positive side to ALL of this is it has people thinking about God. There is nothing better than that!!

Jesus condemned the Chief priests and Sadducees of His day all the time. These men were scholars of the law and the prophets, i.e. the old testament. They looked at the letter of the law more than they kept the heart of it. SO just because you study "theology" does not mean you hear what God is saying through His Word. And yes, the bible is meant for the common man to study. This is not to say certain scholars are like the Pharisees are clueless, but to say Jesus exhorted others to study the scriptures. In Matthew 9 Jesus quoted Hosea 6:6 (“I desire mercy and not sacrifice”), and then told the Pharisees to “Go and learn what this means” (Matthew 9:13). If I can understand what is revealed in scripture I can know how to please God. It is the foundation of faith and the call to true obedience. Also, Jesus consistently rebuked those who elevated human tradition to the authoritative plane of God’s word. When answering the charge that he didn’t follow the tradition of the elders, Jesus quoted from Isaiah 29:13: “in vain do they worship me; teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Mark 7:5-7). So don't claim untruths unless you've really listened to what the scripture was saying! That said, there are some wonderfully faithful Catholics that know their bible, and some equally wonderful non-Catholics that do also. God decides to whom He reveals His word, not Religion!

That doesnt' even make sense. I didn't say anything, I just stated to read something. How is that being legalistic? Read John 1. Jesus is the Word.