copenhagen Posted February 24, 2020 Group: Seeker Followers: 1 Topic Count: 9 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 78 Content Per Day: 0.05 Reputation: 17 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/14/2020 Status: Offline Share Posted February 24, 2020 I've watched portions of sermons by several megachurch pastors by now, and even though I've read about all of their scandals, their exploitation of gospel for their own financial gain, and their wanton license when it comes to quoting and interpreting scripture. Their reputations precede them. Nearly all of them have been exposed for unscrupulous behavior totally antithetical to actual Christian teachings. Yet, I still feel "entertained" by these pastors to a degree that almost never happens with local church pastors. With local pastors, I am often bored to the point that I check the clock with some frequency, or even begin to doze off. On more than a few occasions, I've become irritated because much of their sermon was so insubstantial or irrelevant that it could've been left out altogether as so much refuse. Yet, these local pastors are trying in their own awkward and bumbling way, to do the right thing and speak directly from scripture. I've searched far and wide for teachings which preach substance of Christianity in a compelling and I dare say entertaining or at least engaging manner and I rarely if ever find it. Should I just resign myself to slogging through sermons in this way? Sometimes I see fellow worshipers waving their hands about, even dancing, moved emotionally while I struggle to stay awake. Typically these are just a few in the front row who at least some, enjoy making a spectacle of themselves. Anyway, I will keep searching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayin jade Posted February 24, 2020 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 44 Topic Count: 6,178 Topics Per Day: 0.88 Content Count: 43,795 Content Per Day: 6.21 Reputation: 11,243 Days Won: 58 Joined: 01/03/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted February 24, 2020 After reading your threads and complaints about church, what stands out in this post is that you want to be entertained. Do you go to worship the Lord? Or are you going to see what you can get from church. You need to examine your motives for church. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blood Bought 1953 Posted February 24, 2020 Group: Royal Member Followers: 13 Topic Count: 48 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 6,726 Content Per Day: 2.88 Reputation: 6,258 Days Won: 5 Joined: 12/03/2017 Status: Offline Share Posted February 24, 2020 J. Vernon McGee used to say this......” If the congregation is falling asleep- the “ Pastor” better wake up !” 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neighbor Posted February 24, 2020 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 18 Topic Count: 953 Topics Per Day: 0.35 Content Count: 13,579 Content Per Day: 5.03 Reputation: 9,055 Days Won: 6 Joined: 12/04/2016 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/03/1885 Share Posted February 24, 2020 7 hours ago, copenhagen said: Anyway, I will keep searching. Hi, Do you engage in prayer for the speakers at churches you are visiting prior to their speaking? Do you engage in praying for yourself to be of a positive mindset, and to be able to hear and heed the word about to be shared with you? Do you pray for the rest of the church body in attendance? Do you pray to be more aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit when the church body is gathered together in worship and in sharing of the word of God? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyKay Posted February 24, 2020 Group: Royal Member Followers: 12 Topic Count: 385 Topics Per Day: 0.10 Content Count: 7,692 Content Per Day: 1.93 Reputation: 4,809 Days Won: 3 Joined: 05/28/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted February 24, 2020 13 hours ago, copenhagen said: Sometimes I see fellow worshipers waving their hands about, even dancing, moved emotionally while I struggle to stay awake. Are you going to bed on time? Are you getting enough sleep? I mean that could be the reason right there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Patriot21 Posted February 24, 2020 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 28 Topic Count: 338 Topics Per Day: 0.05 Content Count: 15,710 Content Per Day: 2.46 Reputation: 8,526 Days Won: 39 Joined: 10/25/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/27/1985 Share Posted February 24, 2020 Hence the allure of mega churches. They are indeed very entertaining, which is why they are so popular-people loooove to have their ears tickled and will gladly believe a lie if it makes them feel good. So I guess the question is, why do you want to go to church, to be entertained, or to worship God? A question only you can answer. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Dawn Posted February 27, 2020 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 5 Topic Count: 10 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 277 Content Per Day: 0.05 Reputation: 270 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/13/2008 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/23/1967 Share Posted February 27, 2020 I had the blessing of working at a Bible camp summer after summer as a youth. Members of the crew were required to attend tabernacle (chapel) twice a day according to the schedules of whatever group was having their camp at the time (by ages, family camp, adult retreats, etc...) I remember grumbling a bit one day on my way to tabernacle...something about how the speaker this weak was boring, and so on. An adult who overheard me gave me a gentle and wise rebuke, "If we come with the expectation that God is going to teach us/work in us when we come to hear teaching about His Word...we will." I am so thankful for that attitude correction in my youth. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neighbor Posted February 27, 2020 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 18 Topic Count: 953 Topics Per Day: 0.35 Content Count: 13,579 Content Per Day: 5.03 Reputation: 9,055 Days Won: 6 Joined: 12/04/2016 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/03/1885 Share Posted February 27, 2020 On 2/24/2020 at 12:12 AM, copenhagen said: these local pastors are trying in their own awkward and bumbling way, to do the right thing and speak directly from scripture So sorry for you; to think that finding God's reveal of Jesus seen throughout all of the scriptures to contain that which is insubstantial or irrelevant. That must be a terrible personal plight to suffer under. Praying for God the Holy Spirit move to make understanding the relevance of scripture a very personal enlightening experience for you, especially during corporate worship and teaching times. May you be lifted in spirit and enlightened. May you come to see application in your life for God's word shared with you and made provision for your life through the Holy Spirit. Amen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neighbor Posted February 27, 2020 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 18 Topic Count: 953 Topics Per Day: 0.35 Content Count: 13,579 Content Per Day: 5.03 Reputation: 9,055 Days Won: 6 Joined: 12/04/2016 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/03/1885 Share Posted February 27, 2020 On 2/24/2020 at 1:56 PM, The_Patriot2020 said: Hence the allure of mega churches. They are indeed very entertaining, which is why they are so popular-people loooove to have their ears tickled and will gladly believe a lie if it makes them feel good. To lump church bodies, and their pastor/elders, into unfavorable categories based upon the large number of individuals have been led by God to attend, participate, and receive the awesome blessing of the corporate worship while learning together with the Holy spirit present, seems a bit of serious folly to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neighbor Posted February 27, 2020 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 18 Topic Count: 953 Topics Per Day: 0.35 Content Count: 13,579 Content Per Day: 5.03 Reputation: 9,055 Days Won: 6 Joined: 12/04/2016 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/03/1885 Share Posted February 27, 2020 On 2/24/2020 at 12:12 AM, copenhagen said: I've watched portions of sermons by several megachurch pastors by now, and even though I've read about all of their scandals, their exploitation of gospel for their own financial gain, and their wanton license when it comes to quoting and interpreting scripture. Their reputations precede them. Nearly all of them have been exposed for unscrupulous behavior totally antithetical to actual Christian teachings. Large churches = bad; Small churches = bumbling boring pastors. Okay got it, neither large nor small church is just right. --------------------------------------- But, oh how glorious each is, for God is worshipped at each. Still a few are not blessed nor content, never finding that perfect place, the one whose size is "just right". Those type are like Goldilocks who ended up running through the woods screaming, never to be seen again. For the bears Goldi's run into the woods was a blessed subtraction. Never become like a Goldilocks, considered a blessing when she had gone away. Be a source of joy instead, a blessing to the congregation of brothers and sisters and a support to the pastor/elders, be looked forward to seeing and sharing with by the congregation at each worship time, each prayer call, each service day. Be lifted up and lift up a brother or sister joining in always in awe of God His mercy and blessing pouring out upon the church body; big, small, and just right always. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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