samuelg1 Posted December 9, 2019 Group: Junior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 11 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 90 Content Per Day: 0.06 Reputation: 26 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/02/2019 Status: Offline Share Posted December 9, 2019 (edited) I've heard and read the standard suggestion: go find a new church, God will lead you to the right one. I'm going to tell you my real world experience. EVERY SINGLE CHURCH I've attended is severely compromised. There really is no such thing as a church which teaches sound Christian doctrine anymore. If they do so, they are only emphasizing the elements which are politically correct these days, in essence, twisting and distorting Christianity to the point of non-recognizability. In effect, most every last church is preaching heretical Christianity though lies of omission rather than commission, and this is typically a best case scenario. Either way, it is deception and therefore heresy. I've made multiple attempts to address and correct some of the more severe problems at my current church. It has led to arguments already and I can tell that any more attempts to address problems would lead to a lot of friction and pushback. The destiny of the church is clear: it is being debased by people with their own political agenda and they are all fully backed by all of the pastors. It is a lost cause. I am totally fine being a Christian who carefully sources secondary sources, books, podcasts in addition to reading (or listening to) the Bible. I am tired of pastors saying stupid things which aren't taught by the Bible. It is making me angry and causing me stress. Who else is practicing the same? Edited December 9, 2019 by samuelg1 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael37 Posted December 9, 2019 Group: Servant Followers: 21 Topic Count: 241 Topics Per Day: 0.11 Content Count: 6,923 Content Per Day: 3.27 Reputation: 4,857 Days Won: 2 Joined: 07/05/2018 Status: Offline Birthday: 09/23/1954 Share Posted December 9, 2019 22 minutes ago, samuelg1 said: I've heard and read the standard suggestion: go find a new church, God will lead you to the right one. I'm going to tell you my real world experience. EVERY SINGLE CHURCH I've attended is severely compromised. There really is no such thing as a church which teaches sound Christian doctrine anymore. If they do so, they are only emphasizing the elements which are politically correct these days, in essence, twisting and distorting Christianity to the point of non-recognizability. In effect, most every last church is preaching heretical Christianity though lies of omission rather than commission, and this is typically a best case scenario. Either way, it is deception and therefore heresy. I've made multiple attempts to address and correct some of the more severe problems at my current church. It has led to arguments already and I can tell that any more attempts to address problems would lead to a lot of friction and pushback. The destiny of the church is clear: it is being debased by people with their own political agenda and they are all fully backed by all of the pastors. It is a lost cause. I am totally fine being a Christian who carefully sources secondary sources, books, podcasts in addition to reading (or listening to) the Bible. I am tired of pastors saying stupid things which aren't taught by the Bible. It is making me angry and causing me stress. Who else is practicing the same? Are you aware of small groups of like-minded Christians who meet weekly in their homes for simple fellowship with no pre-planned order of service and no hierachical structure? Perhaps you could pray about inviting others to meet with you in this manner. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Neighbor Posted December 9, 2019 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 18 Topic Count: 951 Topics Per Day: 0.35 Content Count: 13,560 Content Per Day: 5.03 Reputation: 9,041 Days Won: 6 Joined: 12/04/2016 Status: Online Birthday: 03/03/1885 Popular Post Share Posted December 9, 2019 10 minutes ago, samuelg1 said: Who else is practicing the same? Not me. (Q: Why would anyone be seeking out people unhappy with churches?) I love not one but three local bodies of Christ for the compassion of the membership, the active working by individuals there in living the word glorifying Christ in all that they do. If I have a problem with churches it is that I cannot manage to attend all three that I presently associate with at the same time. I am up early this AM to see if the one that I missed this week has now posted their service online yet, so that I can keep up. It may not get posted until Tuesday. Fortunately for me each does have archives of their services, prayer lists and notices of opportunity to participate in helping and just fellowshipping with one another. 10 minutes ago, samuelg1 said: EVERY SINGLE CHURCH I've attended is severely compromised. Well yes of course, the moment you ( or I ) attend. As Spurgeon is quoted as stating; The day we find the perfect church, it becomes imperfect by our joining with it. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samuelg1 Posted December 9, 2019 Group: Junior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 11 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 90 Content Per Day: 0.06 Reputation: 26 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/02/2019 Status: Offline Author Share Posted December 9, 2019 (edited) I've attended several of these small groups. One was composed of an odd mix of folks, some older, some younger. There was one lady who dominated discussions. She loved to tell stories of her abusive ex husband who she claims threatened and abused her in all manner of vile and criminal ways. She was in very poor health and she was wheezing and coughing the entire time while screaming about how crazy and violent he was towards her. Perhaps not surprisingly, most everyone in the group began to make excuses for why they could no longer attend these meetings (something always came up) and I believe the group disbanded in short order. I attended another, this time with younger adults for the most part. This group had a "party" mentality and it became clear that the guys' agenda was to "hook up" with one of the prettier gals in the group. It disbanded due to the pathetic sexual desperation of some (several) of the guys in the group. I've begun attending another "small group." I am not hopeful of the group's prospects. Again, these meetings seem to serve as a thinly veiled opportunity for singles to meet. There are some younger adults but the majority are middle aged and older married couples or single folks looking to find a Christian partner. Sadly, there are some newly wed ladies (who are all older) in this group who are acting more like new age, hippie swingers than devoted married folk. I've heard some stories about the local "young adults" groups and they don't seem to be able to sustain any momentum. One or two or three initial meetings are well attended, then attendance tanks, and the group disbands. Later, one or more of the local churches attempts to revive these meetings, beginning the process all over again. Edited December 9, 2019 by samuelg1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BibleStudent100 Posted December 9, 2019 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 11 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 411 Content Per Day: 0.20 Reputation: 352 Days Won: 0 Joined: 09/01/2018 Status: Offline Share Posted December 9, 2019 Good Morning samuelg1: God wants us to worship him publicly in association with other true Christians. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Hebrews: “Let us consider one another so as to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking our meeting together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24, 25). When we gather with fellow believers at Christian meetings, we have a wonderful opportunity to praise and worship our beloved God. We also build one another up and encourage one another. As we associate with other worshippers of God, we strengthen the bonds of love and friendship in the congregation. It is important that we look for the good in one another, as God looks for the good in us. Do not expect perfection from your fellow believers. Remember that all are at different stages of spiritual growth and that every one of us makes mistakes (Colossians 3:13). Seek to build close friendships with those who love God intensely, and you will find yourself growing spiritually. As mentioned earlier in this thread, as soon as we find the perfect church, it becomes imperfect, because we have now joined it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Adams Posted December 9, 2019 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 25 Topic Count: 61 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 9,605 Content Per Day: 3.98 Reputation: 7,795 Days Won: 21 Joined: 09/11/2017 Status: Offline Share Posted December 9, 2019 I quite understand your predicament brother... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Adams Posted December 9, 2019 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 25 Topic Count: 61 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 9,605 Content Per Day: 3.98 Reputation: 7,795 Days Won: 21 Joined: 09/11/2017 Status: Offline Share Posted December 9, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, BibleStudent100 said: God wants us to worship him publicly in association with other true Christians. But where do you draw the line? Most like to deck their places with pagan evergreens. They do x-mass and Halloween and Ishtar (easter) etc. They see the millenium as real in a physical way. They preach rapture stuff.. They do not hold the Sabbath Holy but agree with Rome's change to sun-day. They say the Holy Spirit gifts are not for today.. They do not believe in God's Divine Counsel. They will not accept that Gen 6 and Deut 32 and Psalm 82 should be understood in context of much of the world's evil. They appear not to accept that "the The Kingdom is nigh unto us.." They think the protestant Canon is to be worshipped.. and the RCC canon is to be ignored entirely. They are afraid of "extra-biblical" books because they do not understand inspiration and how it worked/works. So many camels it boggles the mind... There is more... Edited December 9, 2019 by Justin Adams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeauJangles Posted December 9, 2019 Group: Royal Member Followers: 44 Topic Count: 229 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 10,900 Content Per Day: 2.93 Reputation: 12,145 Days Won: 68 Joined: 02/13/2014 Status: Offline Birthday: 08/14/1954 Share Posted December 9, 2019 2 hours ago, samuelg1 said: I'm going to tell you my real world experience. EVERY SINGLE CHURCH I've attended is severely compromised. A lot of them are. I can't say they all are, however. 2 hours ago, samuelg1 said: I am totally fine being a Christian who carefully sources secondary sources, books, podcasts in addition to reading (or listening to) the Bible. We must supplement our spiritual well being, but church is more than YouTube. 2 hours ago, samuelg1 said: I am tired of pastors saying stupid things which aren't taught by the Bible. Yeah, same here. But, Billy Graham had an amazing way of preaching storylines into the word of God. 2 hours ago, samuelg1 said: It is making me angry and causing me stress. Perhaps you need to take a 'breather' for a while and take some time off. The Church is not wretched! 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael37 Posted December 9, 2019 Group: Servant Followers: 21 Topic Count: 241 Topics Per Day: 0.11 Content Count: 6,923 Content Per Day: 3.27 Reputation: 4,857 Days Won: 2 Joined: 07/05/2018 Status: Offline Birthday: 09/23/1954 Share Posted December 9, 2019 10 hours ago, samuelg1 said: I've attended several of these small groups. One was composed of an odd mix of folks, some older, some younger. There was one lady who dominated discussions. She loved to tell stories of her abusive ex husband who she claims threatened and abused her in all manner of vile and criminal ways. She was in very poor health and she was wheezing and coughing the entire time while screaming about how crazy and violent he was towards her. Perhaps not surprisingly, most everyone in the group began to make excuses for why they could no longer attend these meetings (something always came up) and I believe the group disbanded in short order. I attended another, this time with younger adults for the most part. This group had a "party" mentality and it became clear that the guys' agenda was to "hook up" with one of the prettier gals in the group. It disbanded due to the pathetic sexual desperation of some (several) of the guys in the group. I've begun attending another "small group." I am not hopeful of the group's prospects. Again, these meetings seem to serve as a thinly veiled opportunity for singles to meet. There are some younger adults but the majority are middle aged and older married couples or single folks looking to find a Christian partner. Sadly, there are some newly wed ladies (who are all older) in this group who are acting more like new age, hippie swingers than devoted married folk. I've heard some stories about the local "young adults" groups and they don't seem to be able to sustain any momentum. One or two or three initial meetings are well attended, then attendance tanks, and the group disbands. Later, one or more of the local churches attempts to revive these meetings, beginning the process all over again. The called-out ones are called out of the world and into fellowship with Christ and His body. We are the called-out ones, the ekklesia as the Greek word has it. Unfortunately the meaning of the word ekklesia has been lost in translation, but to cite a well-known verse the ekklesia exists where two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus. The idea that you need a special building, where special people in special garments conduct special rites and rituals using a special order of service that must not be deviated from week by week, is pagan! God puts people in families, and the ridiculous pretenses of denominations that think they have found the perfect "one size fits all" formula are as carnal as the day is long. A new denomination in our city is a break away from a crowd called "Harvest", which is a break away from AOG, which is a result of the so-called Azusa St., revival in 1906. So you walk into the newly furbished warehouse that now boasts the sign "Manifest Love Church" and supposedly realise that all the others have got it wrong because they don't manifest love in the way these people do, but in reality it's just the same template of Greco-Roman rhetoric that puts a person in a pulpit to programme the puppets in the pews. However, the good news is that God truly puts people in families, and if we are genuinely, earnestly, diligently seeking to fellowship in the name of Jesus for the purpose of edifying ONE ANOTHER with the Word of God, then we will find the family God wants us to be in. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samuelg1 Posted December 9, 2019 Group: Junior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 11 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 90 Content Per Day: 0.06 Reputation: 26 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/02/2019 Status: Offline Author Share Posted December 9, 2019 Interesting thoughts! This is an intelligent group and I will take some time to consider what has been written here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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