> General Discussions
Being called out of the church
GlenKlein:
We're still going to church as well. We just moved to a small-town in Michigan (from Colorado) and our local church has been great for our toddlers, as well as my wife.
We are fortunate enough to be able to have my wife stay home with the kids (ages 4 and 2). As some of you may know, that can be a pretty lonely existence for moms - especially in a new area, and even moreso where we live (out in the sticks). Our local church has been great for developing new friendships - for myself, my wife, and our two little girls.
We're going to a "baptist" church, but... I've heard through the grapevine that our pastor has studied topics such as "aion", "hell", "eternal", "tithing", etc... I thought it was pretty interesting to read the statement of faith that he put up on their website - he was very careful with his wording. I've yet to hear him even mention hell/eternal torment in any sermon (can you imagine that?! Never hearing of hell in a baptist church??) - but, when that day comes, I would imagine I'll likely confront him.
GlenKlein:
I think that's a pretty true statement in general bobby... even in the music!! We're worship leaders, and I can't believe some of the stuff I hear from people - they'd rather put on a "rock show" (basically - to draw in more people) than "worship" through one of the forms: music. It blows my mind sometimes some of the stuff I hear.
Look at these mega churches - and the wishy-washy preaching of guys like Joel Olsteen (just for an example), and then take a look at the amount of people that are packed in there! It's mind-boggling.
GlenKlein:
bobby - my initial thoughts were "man... that is so sad". I mean - you'd think - Wow! What an opportuity! But - the truth is... if that huge church were preaching the Truth - its seats would be empty. :'(
ned:
Hi Chuck
I didn't leave my church until about 6 months after God revealed His truth to me. I couldn't bear to hear the lies of the preachers any longer. I found myself shaking my head at what was being said. It was a big struggle for me to leave the church, but after I made a "list" of reasons why I should stay, I was amazed that they were all SELFISH, not one reason for me to stay brought God glory...that was when I decided if I want to follow Him in all honesty and spirit of truth, I need to leave...who was I to please; me or Him? I haven't been sorry (and it's only been since July 2 that I left).
Now, I feel I have darts from Satan to dodge....my daughter just starting taking piano lessons from the worship pianist last year, and clearly God has given my daughter the gift of music... she has already played one song during a Sunday morning worship, she is still in lessons, the teacher asked me if she could continue to play in worship about once per month (she has a plan that I'll come back to church). I told my I probably wouldn't attend. She is playing this Sunday and now my daughter says if I don't go, she doesn't want to do it...I don't want to be the reason she doesn't play.
I am really feeling like if I go, I am putting my family before God, which I know I don't want to do, but then part of me reasons that I'm only going for my daughter, not for the preaching, but like Mongoose said, sometimes we learn even from them. As you can see, I'm a little "up in arms" about what to do...my husband, who never attended church with us when we did go, says he went to church the first time our daughter played JUST FOR HER and so now I should go JUST FOR HER. Sorry, I've kinda turned this around to my problem...but it just seemed a right place to post this. Thanks for listening.
Marie
chuckusa:
Hello to all,
Wow, this is really a lot to consider. See, for me...it just seemed to happen suddenly. I had just assumed that I should find a good church for me and my family. I recieved a card in the mail (an ad really) for a local Baptist church. We have been going about two years now.
My last church was a lesson. I realize that now. The lies, anger, and phony love at that place was unreal! Why people would get all dressed up just to go somwehere to "pretend" they care, and that they love God and people, I will never understand. I was a complete alien there. Toward the end, I was even asked to leave because I was confronting people about the lies. I refused, just so I could cause them a little more discomfort, believe it or not. I was getting very angry at this point.
I once went to the "authority" of the church to ask for help with one of the women in the church. I had been trying to engage her about christ for several years. Now this woman was the most miserable, sad creature I have ever seen, and I did EVERYTHING I could think of to help her. I stood up to her abusive husband, I offered to put her up in my house, I gave her money to buy food and gas for her car, I prayed continuously for her...I did what I felt God wanted me to do. I loved her as God commands
When I took my burden to the church, here is what they said. "All we can do is pray for her, and besides, you shouldn't be messing around with a married woman"...and I was asked to leave again. This time I did.
The new church was to me at the time, such a breath of fresh air. I was welcomed like never before. I had never met christians like these before. This is a big church (5000+) but the pastor, believe it or not remembers every single persons name. Other people have also noticed this. For some reason I am impressed with this. I hear good solid teaching, but some of you hit it just right...it can be a little watered down.
Thank you Marie for your comments. My daughter is in the choir and the active teens program. She LOVES it there. I know how you feel, and I appreciate you sharing how you are handling this.
I feel like I must now be VERY careful what I do in this matter. Only recently have I felt like an alien here. I don't know why. That is why I started this thread...I really need some direction for this decision. God SEEMS to have just nudged me a bit, I'm aware of this feeling but not sure what to do.
Thank you all for you comments, I hope to see more. Just knowing I am not the only person who has felt this way is a blessing to me now.
I will be reading all these posts carefully.
Thanks and blessings to all,
Chuck
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