Annette443pink

Wow. Just saw the date on the post I just replied to. Guess I've been "dumpster diving" again (as someone once called it).

There is no doubt in my mind. They most definitely do. I wonder if the right leadership would see it and stop the trouble instead of it tearing down a church. Haven't seen the leadership intervene appropriately, so I don't know.

Smarty!

I don't know how to delete a topic i started or if I can.

Yea, I know what the church is there for. I've learned a lot about church in 9 years and have not forgotten. I think serving should be voluntarily. Not that it should be a requirement. Maybe it should be required to be serving before you join the church. I don't know. If a person is right with God, they will find a way to serve Him. You are right. Christian faith is about sacrificial love, grace and giving.

Well, Annette,first off, welcome to Worthy...hadn't seen you before... Ok, here's my take: if a church asks you to get involved and you don't feel the call of God, don't. Trust me, you would be miserable. If they get upset with you, remember that there is a ministry of helps mentioned (1Cor 12:28) and yes it's a good idea if you get involved with your church, but only if the Lord leads you to. Like for example, I'm in Bible school. They have most of us on a rotation in the ministry of helps, so that we can learn each area. Some are greeters, some ushers, some help with the TV ministry (like me), still others work in the nursery. Some of us are called to those areas and have an anointing on their lives to fulfill them. The people in your church that ask you to help in an area that needs help need to pray to the Lord to fill those posts with anointed people. Sometimes it takes a special anointing to be able to do some of those jobs, like cleaning a toilet. Now THAT takes anointing!!!! Or changing a diaper. Who knows, you could be changing the diaper of the next Billy Graham. No one knows. If they are upset about your not attending the ladies meeting, sounds to me like you should find another church that won't be upset about your not being there. This is just my thinking here. We have learned that the ministry of helps is a supernatural ministry and it takes anointed people to fill those posts. Read over Acts 6:1-7 and you will understand what the qualifications of a person who is anointed in the ministry of helps really are.... Anyway, that's my five cents...Inflation, ya know.... Anita & Chikachu I appreciate the scriptures. I did look them up.

The word of church needs can be put out without approaching one person alone. For instance: announced from the pulpit or call for a short meeting right after church or announced from the Sunday school class or a sign up sheet. I guess it depends on the person that you are thinking of asking. I, personally, don't like to be put on the spot.

Oh yes. I'm well aware of those numbers! I've been in church since '97 afterall. I've also seen people pushed into stuff and often they end up quitting anyway. They weren't cut out for it or weren't spiritually strong enough at the time or whatever. Sometimes the task turns into a burden instead of what it should be. I remember I was very inspired by one lady in church because I saw her involved in everything.

I was approached Sunday by one of our church ladies. She asked me to be involved in a specific ministry. Really, I was thinking that I did not want to be involved and especially when being put on the spot about it. Could I have said no? (this isn't really a question). I find that rude and pushy. If a person wants to be involved in something, they will be involved. She said that she just wanted me to get involved. It kind of makes me mad. I guess it's just pride on my part. I think it's partly because I got burned at my last church. I did get involved in a lot of things (because I wanted to, not expecting anything in return). Yet, when I had a problem after 9 years of being faithful I felt that my feelings were very much discounted. Should I take this out on the new church? I suppose not, but I am just not much into being pushed around right now. Then they ask me why I wasn't at some ladies meeting and I told them why and they dismissed my reasons and feelings about it. I don't need someone else telling me how to think or feel or act. What are your opinions about it all?

Thanks - I never knew they had such a site. Yes, I definitely have the traits of an introvert. Cool! Welcome to our world! It's brought me tremendous relief. I felt like a freak before.

Thank you for your input. You were so blessed to have parents like that and it's great that you know it. So sad that you lost them so young! Did you ever appear to walk away from the faith? I mean, if the world was watching you, would it appear that way?

I was wondering if any of you were raised by Godly parents. I don't mean people who called themselves Christians. I don't mean people who just went to church every Sunday. I'm talking about people who lived the life. Loved God's word and passed it on to the children. If so, did you follow the Lord after you left your home? What did your parents do right? What did they do wrong?

This topic truly tickles me as i can relate. I'm not much into the touch thing. I don't really mind hugs. My brothers andmother kiss me, but I never kiss them back. The only people I kiss are the ones living in my house. And, if my mother or brothers move in I'm not kissing them. I don't really mind them kissing me, but I'm not kissing back. Definitely would not want anyone at church kissing me!!

hey original poster. check out this website. I know what you are feeling. I can definitely be that way (referring to your first post). www.theintrovertadvantage.com I hope that link works.

I felt hurt by some in authority at our church. We had a problem. We discussed it with those in authority and it involved them anyway. They only told us what our problems were and wouldn't deal with the issue. Basically, that we were the cause of the problem. We didn't want to leave, but the pain was too great. It wasn't good to go to church and feel miserable every time we left. When we did leave, we discussed our reasons with no one. The people who were involved knew and that was it. I still feel resentment towards these people. I know it's wrong. I pray for forgiveness and pray for blessings and help for those people. We did find another church. I hope you can as well.

Here is a question that was posted on another forum. The other forum hasn't got many members yet, so I wanted to post it here and see what people here have to say. Thanks for your input. Hello everyone. How was the past wk for you all? We are watching Passion. As long as I can breath I can pray anyhere anytime. How? Inwardly, silently. In my school days I didn't know there was suppose to be a bible or bible teaching in school. It was a somewhat shock to me when all the fuss arose about it and against it. Prayer taken out of public schools I didn't know it was in them, it wasn't where I went to school. Slightly confused. taking away a freedom is not being able to preform the freedom. I can pray anywhere anytime. There's not enough hours in the wk. for bible study ? Slightly confused

I've wondered sometimes what us people who believe we should go to church would do if we only had one church like those on Little House on the Prairie. If we were offended, would we quit altogether?, would we try to start our own church? or would we try to make it work? I'm no holier than anyone else. I did leave a church after almost 10 years.

tah - that's a shame the way that person handled that. Unrelated to that person, I'd think that if you have someone share something with you, you may be able to trust them with something of yours.

i thinks it easier to be superficial b/cc you dont have to deal w/ the tough stuff...right away that is! b/c you WILL deal w/ it at some point. possibly another issue may be we dont want to come across as 'not having it all together.' we dont want to somehow appear less spiritual or weak. sadly the church doesnt have room for these 'less spiritual' individuals. having said that, i do believe all your points fit as well. its a collage of contributing factors. none more sad than the bodies exclusion. That has to be one of my number one reasons for not sharing. I know what I need to do and I don't want to do it. I don't want to let someone else know because they might push me to do it. Dealing with it. That can be such an issue. The other stuff is true as well. Being afraid of being judged. I think it's good to start off with sharing with just one person you feel you can trust.

You're welcome. I found 15 in my small town. Makes you think more. Sad thing.

http://www.familywatchdog.us

I've noticed that in some Christian circles that we are very superficial. That we are afraid to open up and share what we are really struggling with both spiritually and otherwise. Anyone got any ideas why? Sometimes it can be people being afraid of being judged. Often it is pride. The lost expect us to be perfect, it seems. We often think that fellow saints expect us to be perfect as well. Maybe if just one person would show what is truly in their heart maybe others would join in. What do you think?

Thanks for the help!

I believe that God hears our "silent prayers". Does anyone know of any Biblical examples of this or backing for silent prayer?

I don't believe God is telling those who feel "short changed" that they are meant to be single. God looks on the heart. That's hard for man to do, but it doesn't mean there is no one out there who could love you. I'm not sure what to say without knowing you. I'd say you need to spend a lot of time in prayer and waiting. The waiting is the hard part. Easy to pray. Hard to wait for an answer. I've had people tell me I was "pretty" all my life. It's never meant a lot to me. Sometimes it's even seemed like a curse. The people that it has drawn to me. Not sure what else to say. Keep your chin up. Seek God.