City Light Church is another independent, fundamentalist, ultra-conservative "Christian" church here in Ocala (we have a number of these). It was started in 2008 by Ken Brown and his wife, Paula. So far as I can tell they have no affiliation with a larger body nor accreditation from a recognized institution; which means that they can preach and teach pretty much what they want with no accountability.
[Pastors or priests in the mainline churches (e.g. Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian) are required to complete a bachelor's degree at an accredited college and then usually must complete four more years of graduate training which includes a period of internship. That is followed by examinations which determine their fitness for ministry after which they are ordained by their church body to function as pastors or priests.]
The City Light website states Mr. Brown has attended a college, but there is nothing to indicate he has a degree from any institution of higher learning.
The church affirms all of the so-called "fundamentals" which became popular among certain groups in the early 20th century: The Bible is the inspired word of God and is without error; Jesus is God's son, born of a Virgin, who suffered a sacrificial crucifixion by which God will forgive all who confess Jesus is Lord. Jesus now lives in heaven with his father but will return in the end times to gather all of his followers and carry them off to heaven, etc., etc.
None of this is to say that City Light doesn't do some good work and maybe even help people. But everything they do is predicated upon the need to convert people to their particular beliefs so that they don't suffer incredible pain in hell for eternity as punishment for their sins.
The church building has seen several incarnations. I believe that prior to City Light, it was a museum of sorts.
You can learn more about City light here.
18 comments:
They must be converting a lot of people to have such a large building! The whole concept of starting a church seems odd to me.
Interesting. There are several of these churches here too and one of them is called "City Church". There are so many people attending their services that traffic gets backed up on the highway when church lets out and they have to have police out there to control it. I always seem to get caught in up in it when I'm trying to get somewhere on Sundays.
We have plenty of independent churches here as well.
Well, if they offer positive direction and solace to parishioner, I suppose it's okay, but it doesn't appeal to me.
Never had an interest in fundamentalist churches. They usually claim to have all the answers, but seldom are able to ask an intelligent question.
It is a nice large building. Interesting information here, Lowell, thanks for sharing.
We have regularly had people knocking on our front door ready to happily preach to us, convert us, or who knows what else. Most recently it was a pair of perky teenaged girls asking if I wanted to pray with them...Now if they offered me a DQ blizzard it might be a different story...
Here it is all Catholic and anything else you're going to hell :)
Beautiful church.
i wouldn't have even thought this building was a church! so many super churches these days! i like the little old church buildings myself :)
Interesting. Such a large building. Do they fill it with a large congregation? There are many indie churches here also---they come and they go. Hopefully they help people---somehow.
MB
Oh I forgot to add: best to belong to "The Church of 'What's Happenin' Now, baby'" and just move on with life. LOL
MB
I would not have guessed that building was a church. I guess that's why they have the big sign.
I'd be inclined to give it a wide berth.
I'll steer clear of this place.
I respect all religions. Each owns choose according to their beliefs. Good church !!
Un abrazo.
Looks perfect for a museum!
I do not like these kinds of churches. They only want to help those who think like they do, and I don't find that a very Christian outlook.
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