"How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings , that publisheth
peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth
salvation; that saith unto Zion,
THY GOD REIGNETH! " (Isaiah 52:7) |
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 Strong and well-managed
¡§Why is it that 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??br> -Bodegon, Joel L. The Isaiah paradigm: Recapturing the Role of the Laity, p.11
Remarkable growth
"The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) is a significant element today in the religious mosaic of the Philippines. Boasting several million members ¡Kit has seen remarkable growth since its humble beginnings in 1914.?
-Harper Anne C The Iglesia ni Cristo and Evangelical Christianity,"Journal of Asian Missions (2001) Vol. 3, p. 101.
"Today, the Iglesia counts among its ministers Americans, Britons, Italian(s), Germans, Africans, Europeans, and otheer Asians,--and even in mainland China, the Igleia already has set up churches and its followers are growing daily.?
-Felix Y. Manalo?11th Birth Anniversarry; Eranio G. Manalo-Golden Anniversary as Ordained Minister," Manila Bulletin, May 10, 1997
Distinctive, imposing, dynamic
"the INC each year dedicates approximately 100 church buildings that bristle with magnificient spires, feature concrete soaring arches, are painted in distinctive pastel colors, and display high standard of maintenance. Enclose 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.?
-Robert Reed. ¡§From local to global: Thhe expanding mission ogf the Iglesia ni Cristo in the Philippines and throughout the world,? http?/www.ethicsstudies.ucsd.edu/html/springlectures.htm
A rock of sobriety
¡§The INC stands out like a rock of sobriety, unity and nationalism amid the political, and economic turbulence shaking the country today? -Editorial,?Iglesia ni Cristo¡¦s Exectiive Minister Eranio G. Manalo marks his 76th birth anniversary, ¡¨Manila bulletin, January 2,2001 ?.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? -Paredes, Ducky. Malaya, February 19,20003
A good example
¡§The Iglesia Ni Cristo indeed set a good example to other church groups and non-government organizations in extending assistance to our brother and sisters in war-torn palces in Mindanao,?Bes) Masangkay, who is also the president of the Quota International of Las Pinas, an NGO known for its various socio-civic services in the cities of Muntinlupa and Las Pinas,further stressed.? -¡§INC¡¦c Mindanao mission supported, Jully 28,2000
Epitome of compassion
¡§Beyond ministering to the spiritual well-being of its members, the Iglesia ni Cristo epitomizes compassion and concern even for those outside of its fold"
-¡§The Iglesia ni Cristo in the 20th Cenntury, ¡¨Philippines Free Press: 1900-2000 The Philippine Century, pp.214-215
¡§Yet for all it¡¦s 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¡Kits deeds in improving the life of its followers, both spiritual and physical are indelible tracks in Philippine religious movements"
-Villanueva, Robert C. ¡§A Church in Eveery Valley,?Philippine Free Press, July 30, 1994
Impeccable leadership
"Bro.(Eranio)Manalo¡¦s organizational leadership remains impeccable, if not admirable. Who else, for instance, ca move the INC as efficiently as the enigmatic Manalo"
-Lucero, Ferdinand o. ¡§The 30 most Inflluential Filipinos,"Men¡¦s Zone, June 1998
"for (Brother Eranio) Manalo, prayer rallies, especially one that has a them of peace amid genuine threats of war, should remain just that-prayer rallies, without these bing tinged with partisan politics"
-Editorial, The Daily Tribune, Februaryy 26,2003
Dynamic stewardship
"Under Brother Eranio¡¦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 brethen being added to the Church, in the numerous magnificient houses(s) of worship being constructed, and above all, in its overseas expansion."
-Editorial, ¡¨Iglesia ni Cristo¡¦s Executtive Minister Eranio G. Manalo 75th birth anniversary,Manila Bulletin, January 2, 2000
¡§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, Brother Eranio steered the Church to unprecedented growth not only in membership and in infrastructure projects but also in its stature before Philippine society"
-Philippines-U.S.A News Tribune, July 22-27,1994
God-inspired mission
¡§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" -Philippine Graphic Magazine, July 29,11994.
God's Message, April2003 issue 1997 |