Church people

[Guest shiloh357]

Hi Angel.

You raise some very valid points here.

Some churches are so loose with their standards that it's hard to tell the difference between them and the world.

Short skirts, bad manners, backbiting, rumors, and many other faults can ruin a Godly congregation. We have become so informal when it comes to the Lord's house that the message we send is one of lackluster spotted confusion.

I believe the church should be the example of what God is in the community. This is where we show the world what the Bible means by separation. A lack of standards shows only that we are willing to compromise to gain the worlds favor. And money.

More later.

t.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Right on ted!!

[angels4u]

Traveler,

I don't have a church and there are none close to where we live only a small church with about 8 members .

I feel I need alot more to feed my soul. ( I know)

as I said my husband refuses to drive every time for 1 hour to go to a church in town (2 hours driving every time)......

[ted]

I don't want to get personal so shut me up when I go too far, but is it possible for you to show him that you plan on going on that drive anyway?

If you are led in that direction, that is.

Just a thought.

t.

[angels4u]

He knows I will not do that...and the winter driving here can be very bad.

I find the commitment to do that on my own too much.

I don't really have alot of support in this area from my husband, he talks about everything but will not get personal about the Lord. He feels preached to or something, he always knows the right words to say to somebody else--but to me he is very distant about his relationship with Jesus.

This is very hard for me to take and sometimes I don't know what to think anymore, the Lord knows my heart....

It is hard to find the right person to talk to about all of this, and I have difficulty with opening up about all of this I feel its a struggle and I can't get out of it!

Thanks, Angels

[Guest Thomas I believe]

Angels, I will keep you in my prayers, God will open those doors angel. He will guide you. He never lets us down, we just have to trust in Him and I know you know that. Lets all get praying about this ! Lets pray that you find that Church that you need ! Heavenly Father, we come before you in Praise and Thanksgiving. Lord your will is exactly that and we obey you. Lord please bring comfort to your churches. If they are not of You repair them. Shake us all Lord that we would worship you in a respectful way, keeping all of the world out and that only your spirit would dwell in our churches, that are motivation is to learn and grow in You. Direct all churches to seek you and only you. Lord We pray that angels would be content in a church that you lead her too. Lord guide her and her family to that which you would chose. Open that door Lord and let Angels find peace in a place of worship that is pure and controlled by you. We know all is possible in you Lord, we trust in You and we are right now trusting that you will open doors that need to be open. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

Michael

Edited November 2, 2004 by Thomas I beleive

[ted]

Praying with you, Angel.

PM me if you want to.

t.

[His son]

Angels,

I would suggest you go to the church with 8 members. Whereever 2 or more are gathered together in His name He is there. I have pastored, directed ministries, taught, and been a street evangelist, and I have found the best relationships with people, and as a group with God in smaller gatherings. Try it it can't hurt.

[angels4u]

Thank you so much for your help,

Michael thank you for your prayer, it means alot to me .

His Son,

That's what we problaly will do, go to the small church, we went there actually for years, the people are very friendly, the preaching is sound .

thanks,Angels

[Yahsway]

arent we all suppose to be the church, not a building or place to go to per say but to be that which Yeshua is building. The church made without human hands?

If morality is an issue in any assembly such as not dressing modestly, backbiting, gossiping, ect..Then this makes me wonder what word is being brought forth from the pulpit?

just my opinions.

[Shelby]

I didn't really realize how to answer the poll. Was it a question I ask myself, is something that pertains to why I go to church? IDK

I choose Do you trust people? I have a hard time just trusting everyone with my personal stuff. I get along with people very well, but I do know that I have a barrier where I keep people at a distance from me until I think they have proven that they are sufficiently trustworthy. Of course this stems to my upbringing and issues in life, but it has worked thus far, I try not to use this method, but it does work.

Church can be political, but I think there are ways to stay out of it. For one, don't take sides, don't speak about others, and don't whine. No church is perfect. Go to church, not expecting for the church and worship to bless you, but to gain a blessing whether the sermon made sense or not, or the projector broke down, that same person keeps standing to testify with the same thing, and they talk forever. yada yada. It is not the churches responsibility to bless you, God does use the Church to. It is your responsibility to come expecting a blessing. I have learned this the hard way.

In my church the pastors are moved church to church every 4 or so years. (usually less). We love it, a fresh set of ideas and interests and skills. There are times when we get a set that aren't to our liking or interests. They have their own agenda and we aren't on board. We can write and whine, or we can wait it out, OR we can pray for our pastor. Our prayers can do so much for them. We also rotate leadership, so there is no one who has been the leader forever just because they agreed to way back when. We want people to stay fresh and use their skills for the Kingdom. One of the first places people get burnt out is at church. People get excited upon first attending, and start committing themselves to many projects and become ever committed even if they don't realize it. Then it becomes a burden for them. This way people can choose each year if their position should be replaced or if they want to continue. Then people are usually more willing to participate, they aren't locked down for life. No one is replaced unless asked to be, or there is a spiritual problem with their leadership.

People need to take ownership of their churches. IT is the peoples church; not the pastors. The pastor is the one doing the "upkeep" hired by the people, but the people must take initiative to make sure their church is Biblical, and living according to God's standards and therefore their standards.

(I will step down now from my soap box. One thing I have learned on these boards, I have many soap boxes)

As a pastor, I have come to head with a few members who want me to be the beginning and end of their happiness within the church, but it isn't easy to be all to all. But I try to be available to all. Let the CHURCH rise up! And choose to have CHURCH in their building and their hearts.