This is what Ocean Pathway should look like. Paul Goldfinger photo © Blogfinger.net Click image to enlarge.
From Liquid Church Instagram
6/3/19 Ocean Grove, NJ
Paul,
I have never seen neighbors on the Ocean Pathway as angry as they are now. And, they are concerned that leaders from Liquid Church (LC) say they will be back every weekend. LC’s website proudly announces that they are branching out into Monmouth County via Ocean Grove.
Residents ask why the Town was ever alerted to this activity as they have been to other events, such as the Flea Market.
Neighbors on the Pathway were appalled to see some seven food trucks (some with neon and offensive signs) blocking off streets and feeding hundreds on he lawn. The beach was overwhelmed (no badge checkers.) Cars were parked illegally. Piercing, loud noises were broadcast from the Auditorium.
One neighbor went to the service and said there was nothing but loud music and screaming. The neighbors said the entire program was a pitch for members and it sounded like a cult. There were lots of teens in the group.
By the way, the LC website implies that they welcome LGBTQ which I find ironic given the Camp Meeting’s closed views. (Perhaps Camp Meeting didn’t do their homework or CM is desperate for money, assuming LC is renting facilities.)
Neighbors here don’t care about LC’s mission, they just don’t want them invading our lawns, beach, streets, and facilities which we pay taxes and CM fees to maintain and enjoy.
Another underlying issue—Why was Saturday night entertainment removed in favor of the Liquid Church fiasco?
Sincerely, OG Resident.
TONY BENNETT: This song supplies the mood that we usually expect in the Grove–especially on a Sunday at the Ocean Pathway.
As one who was born and raised in Ocean Grove I am saddened to learn of all the changes OGCM is instituting. And where has St.Paul’s gone? I returned in 1999 and then sold my home in 2010, moving out of town for good, with heaviness in my heart, to leave the town I so cherished. But now I’m glad to have gotten out when I did. Money, not religion, runs “God$ $quare Mile now.
Mr. G: We don’t do bedrock theology on Blogfinger, but your comment is more about the way this church engages the public to join their congregation.
So we allow it as an interesting and somewhat relevant topic in Ocean Grove.
We also have reported on the recent split within the Methodist church regarding issues such as gay marriage and female ministers.
And the Liquid Church did try to do its thing in the Grove where it met some resistance on the Pathway, and we wrote about that, as you know.
Blogfinger brushes against theology when we post photographs of services at the Boardwalk Pavilion, or Jews for Jesus blowing shofars in front of the Youth Temple, or the parade of characters playing out the story of the Nativity with a parade near the Auditorium Pavilion.
Religion is part of life and has been so for thousands of years, so Blogfinger will use its best judgement in covering reports such as yours.
Be happy for the internet, because your comment and mine would have trouble being carved out of a cave in France.
Thank you for participating.
No liquid church follows the heretical teachings of the emergent church movement. They have no real doctrinal truths that you can pin down upon.
They use rock music and new trends in technology to attract young people into its movement. They basically tickle the ears of potential new members with gimmicks to bring them in.
The head pastor is a nice guy but he is not ordained if my information is correct by any Bible based seminary or college.
And going to a church where the pastor serves god wearing an old shirt and jeans is a bit undignified when you are supposed to represent a minister of god
And one year they did a Christmas theme centered on Star Wars at their former location in downtown Morristown.
As a repeatable Lutheran I would not bother going to their church.
As a member of Liquid Church, it is interesting to read some of the comments here. I can accept the notion that the music is loud, but it is Christian Rock concert. I am not sure what volumes the other performers at this venue play at, maybe this can be addressed. I can attest that crowds can be large, and parking scarce it is a problem all religious services should have.
However, I cannot accept the faulty notion that we are a cult. This came up repeatedly from the nameless commentators. It is sad that a mere glance at the website gave a “cultish” impression.
What we are is a growing group of passionate individuals, who want to make a positive difference in this world.. There are so many great things we are doing and in the current world we live, we need more organizations like Liquid Church.
I encourage you to watch and learn more about us. All our sermons are recorded.
Peace.
Michael: Thank you so much for participating in our dialogues on Blogfinger. I know that this is a stretch for you in terms of communication, but your willingness to join in on our turf speaks volumes.
–Paul @Blogfinger
Dear residents and constituents of Ocean Grove,
The posts and comments about Liquid at the Shore show that many people have questions. If you will excuse my rephrasing of the concerns, here is a partial list of questions that some people are wondering about:
What are the goals of OGCMA?
Is the OGCMA just interested in money?
How is the beachfront managed?
Doesn’t the OGCMA care about the year round residents?
Does the OGCMA actions negatively impact local businesses?
Is Liquid Church a cult?
How can Christians worship in a United Methodist Church setting and then later in a Liquid Church setting…aren’t they mutually exclusive?
Would OG be better off with all secular events rather than its mixture of secular and religious events (especially with respect to parking, traffic, restaurants)?
You might be wondering by now, are there answers to each of these questions which the OGCMA can provide which shows that their involvement is much better for the community? Absolutely! The answers may surprise you. But you won’t know unless you come forward to find out.
It really isn’t appropriate for organizations or their leaders to respond directly to anonymous online critics. It’s impossible to have a meaningful dialogue when the other person’s identity is masked and the format of communication is short barbs.
I prefer to describe both the future hopes and the current plans to achieve positive outcomes. On different dates within the last year Mr. James Jackson and I have each presented the CMA’s vision, plans and positive impact upon the entire community. Yes, that’s right…the entire community and not just the maligned “religious tourists.” Each of us spoke for over an hour at Ocean Grove Homeowners (OGHOA) meetings
I publicly described many of the exact topics in question (Saturday entertainment, money, beachfront management) at the end of season report which took place on the 2018 Labor Day.
The OGCMA maintains a website, at least seven Facebook pages, issues press releases, and prints a program booklet. We send mailings to every OG resident. The OGCMA actively discusses its vision, mission, and impact publicly.
My reason for highlighting all the means by which the OGCMA communicates with the public is to point out the reality that these forms of information sharing still seem to fall short in communicating our heart and mind with you. A more personal level of sharing is best done one on one.
The OGCMA’s doors are open. Our phone number is listed. Executive Director James Jackson and I live within the OG community and we are approachable. Make an appointment and let’s find common ground. Share your anxieties and perhaps we can find a way to be even better than we are now. Taste and see…Ocean Grove is very good and the OGCMA, along with so many other volunteer groups, is an vital component to this success.
Sincerely,
Michael Badger
President, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association
p.s. This was a long comment. In the future the OGCMA will most often leave a short comment to negative articles and comments by recommending concerned residents and constituents communicate directly with us.
Editor’s note: This is the first time that anyone from the OGCMA has attempted to communicate on Blogfinger,and we are appreciative and impressed.
We have allowed Mr. Badger to post such a long note today as a courtesy.
But from here on, he will have to follow the same comments rules as everyone else, and that includes brief comments about a particular post. (unlike his approach this time). I will advise him about the various ways that he can communicate with us at Blogfinger. We hope we will hear from him again. Paul @Blogfinger.net
Pumper Nichol: My husband and I are full time residents and also leaving the Grove. This will be our last summer here. Between the increase in taxes, the parking situation, the North End development (live on Main Ave so it just means more traffic) and the stupid no beach til noon on Sunday, we have had enough.
Taxed and liannucc: Is the Camp Meeting even required to get a permit for the Liquid Church event? That’s where to start.
Someone like the Homeowners Association should demand that the Township play a role in regulating these events. If that doesn’t work, let’s get active.
Awake! This whole thing is a mistake of epic proportions for the CMA and the town. Main Avenue businesses ignored in favor of out of town food trucks. Beach takeover without collection of fees, ON A WEEKEND!
Did LC at least cover lifeguard fees? Doubt it! Residents robbed of parking as LC had people blocking spaces exclusively for attendees. Picnics on lawns and green strips.
No CMA presence at all! No booths. No representation. No 150 events advertised. No Choir Festival, No Classical series. No organ recitals. Nothing!
Anyone with denominational affiliation thinks this is a cult invading and taking over OG. As someone stated in another thread, what is Methodist about this mess? When will they stop? Never!
They will usurp more and more. “What’s happening Mon thru Thurs? Oh nothing?. Well we’ll use your facilities!” How long before the complete takeover happens? Sooner than you think.
If you go to Liquidchurch.com you will find more information:
“Rockin’ worship and relevance to modern life”
“Partnering with the Camp Meeting Assoc. of Ocean Grove.”
“Church is fun.”
“Laugh and learn.”
“Relaxed atmosphere”
See their Instagram account.
It is definitely time for action. I would say call a meeting and let’s hear what they have to say.
If they give answers we don’t like on to the next step. We have power- let’s use it.
I agree with Aggravated Curmudgeon. It may be time for a legal challenge.
Is it really proper for CMA to impose nuisance? Deny us parking?
At the very least we might reach out to the press who write fawning articles about Ocean Grove and correct their assumptions that this here is a little bit of heaven.
I visited the Liquid Church website, I, too, find it cultish and I am surprised that the CMA would rent their facilities to this entity. I find it odd that the CMA would allow the use of their facilities by a non-Methodist pseudo-Christian organization. I guess it’s all about the dollars and I think that the CMA is likely in a precarious financial position .
I am an Ocean Pathway homeowner and certainly do not look forward to this takeover of the Pathway every Saturday night.
Sadly, I am coming to the opinion that it is time for my family to reconsider home ownership in Ocean Grove and sell our property and move on. I am not alone in this opinion, several neighbors have offered similar observations. Very sad.
The website suggests that this is an evangelical organization promoting biblical views on solutions to contemporary life. A cult? – well, I think that all of evangelical Christianity is a cult.
What we see in Ocean Grove is their promotion at our expense. This is an imposition on residents, and demonstrates the insensitivity and disinterest in community relations here.
Who knows what the Camp Meeting is being paid for this.
I am very offended by their attitude, and don’t expect it to change. At some point the relationship between the residents and the CMA will need to be defined, perhaps by legally challenging their right to impose a nuisance on us.
The newest joke on the Jersey shore is Ocean Grove NJ.
Ready to tar and feather the CMA? Stokes is!
How’s the fire debris cleanup coming along?
Editor’s note: Sylvia–Is this a sincere question or is it sarcasm? In the absence of clarity, I can tell you that as of yesterday, the two piles of debris remain.
CMA should come out of it’s ivory tower and see how their decisions have degraded the harmony that once existed in this town. The “Mission” is a beautiful idea, but to support it, home base here is being wrecked.
And, just wondering why every CMA beach event has to be situated at the Bath Avenue beaches? How about spreading the love south? It’s bad enough that the North End has to contend with noise and crowds from Asbury.
Hopefully Michael Badger and Jamie Jackson will step up and respond to these concerns.
Liquid Church does not seem to fit in to the “CMA Mission” in many ways unless it is just about money. I have researched it ever since the postcard announcing the event arrived in my mailbox. It sounds very cultish.
I am a multi-generational Ocean Grover. and the CMA has received my last dollar of donations until they address this situation.
The offensive rice ball truck parked on Ocean Pathway facing the Auditorium on a Sunday morning was beyond ridiculous.
Reverend Stokes had to be rolling over in his grave!
It is clearly in the OGCMA program, p. 15, The Liquid Church will have services in the Great Auditorium every Saturday evening this summer starting at 6 pm.
Why these instead of entertainment? More money from these programs.