“Why is it every time we get to talking about a strong and well-managed, disciplined and powerful church, we invariably point to the Iglesia Ni Cristo?”
“We would even heave a sigh and wonder what makes the INC so influential. What makes its members so committed and disciplined that they attend services twice a week without fail? ”
“The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) is a significant element today in the religious mosaic of the Philippines. Boasting several million members…, it has been remarkable growth since its humble beginnings in 1914.”
“Today, the Iglesia counts among ministers Americans, Britons, Italian(s), Germans, Africans, Europeans and other Asians—and even in mainland China, the Iglesia already has set up churches and its followers are growing daily.”
“…The INC each year dedicates approximately 100 church buildings that bristle with magnificent spires, feature concrete soaring arches, are painted in distinctive pastel colors, and display high standards of maintenance. Enclosed by imposing fences and carefully manicured grounds, each church dominates the local skyline. The imposing sacred structures of this dynamic religion have thus imprinted both urban and rural landscapes of the Philippines
“The INC stands out like a rock of sobriety, unity and nationalism amid the political and economic turbulence shaking the country today..”
“The INC does have discipline and its leaders do keep themselves very low-key, something that we wish our own Catholic bishops would learn to do…”
“The Iglesia Ni Cristo has indeed set a good example to other church groups and non-government organizations in extending assistance to our brothers and sisters in war-torn places in Mindanao …”
“Beyond ministering to the spiritual well-being of its members, the Iglesia ni Cristo optimizes compassion and concern even for those outside its fold.”
“Yet for all its magnificent temples and imposing edifices and other signs of material wealth, the Iglesia has remained faithful to its mission as the church of the poor… its deeds in improving the life of its followers, both spiritual and physical, are indelible tracks in Philippine religious movements.”
“…Bro. (Erano) Manalo’s organizational leadership remains impeccable, if not admirable. Who else, for instance, can move the INC as efficiently as the enigmatic Manalo?”
“… for [Bro. Erano] Manalo, prayer rallies, especially one that has a theme of peace of amid genuine treats of war, should remain just that—prayer rallies, without these being tinged with partisan politics…”
“Under Brother Erano’s Dynamic stewardship, a fresh era dawned in the administration of the church, not in terms of new doctrines or new teachings but in expansion—in the ever-increasing number of brethren being added to the Church, in the numerous magnificent house(s) of worship being constructed and above all, in its overseas expansion.”
“Elected by Church elders almost ten years before his father’s death and blessed with keen intellect, good looks and charismatic leadership as his Father, Bro. Erano steered the Church to unprecedented growth not only in membership and in infrastructure projects but also in its stature before Philippine society.”
“Awed by the INC’s achievements, Senator Neptali Gonzales, a protestant pillar has commented, ‘the success of this God-inspired mission which he [Brother Felix Manalo] began in 1914, is all too evident in the fantastic growth of the church here and abroad. Its grand chapels which dominate our skyline are unequalled in their magnificence’.”
Yes brother, may I request that this column "What they say about INC" be updated as there are now many new and good comments about INC especially before, during and after the July 27 centennial celebrations. Thank you and more power to you!
ReplyDeleteAnd more and more columns are praising INC and their rules.
ReplyDeleteFor every 1 negative column about INC,there are more than 1,000 columns that puts positive comments.
For example,Sionil Jose said about Philippine Arena and sarcastically said that why waste money in Arena and put it on the poor. (Philippine Star July 2014).
But another commentarist praises INC's good behavior and others must follow the brethren'. (Pilipino Star Ngayon July 2014).