Christian Groups, Is It Me Or Them?

[RootedDude]

I am not too arrogant to think I am not the problem.
So is it Christian Groups, Is It Me Or Them?

I recently retired 62 from pastoral duties and was looking for groups like Worthy Christian to join.
My Goal to fill a gap that is missing because I am not so active. However as I retired and decided to join several groups.
I end up leaving.
My background is seminary, as well as long term since 17 studying other religions. 
I actually just a side not collect older Bibles and see as sometimes the word vary and its fun to do.
I have a real interest in GOD, and the wonder that he is, I love to discuss science and how it associates with God.
I am real easy going, I am polite to others. And I try and be fair. But I have zero tolerance for arrogance. In some 300 churches I have visited, of which about 180 were Christian, in all those visits and years. I have found not one perfect non sinner. I mean not know where. ( and yes I love humor)  But to digress, it would be easy to be arrogant myself. But I prefer my self that is just looking for fellowship and like minded people to help, and even get help from.

If you do a Google search I have tried now about the top ten you find Groups for Christ. This group was the last of those ten.
And only was wary of this one because of its size, it a huge group. But I liked that the founder was still active in the Group and youtube.
I prayed, and prayed, and prayed, and when I thought God had opened a door, it slams closed very soon after.
I actually would think I fit in and most times the Mods or Admins, are the cause. As they go after the new guy. I am new to the Group not 
God, and why I expect to be watched and looked at to be sure I am not toxic. I also think talking down and insulting a new member is unacceptable. So I leave. Thats 9 in about 10 months. The last one I was there shy two months and they just got to be arrogant and rude.

So, am I just to hard to please? Please be honest. Or is it like so many churches today, that I have seen many there is no way I would be a member in. I Like Worthy Christian  and George also seem like a very nice founder. Seems Genuine. 
But I always like the group and actually only maybe 5 of the last 10 I didn't care for as they were judgmental very much so. But the other 4 
were nice and I had begun to get to know ppl and hated leaving. 
Sorry for the long question.  But I feel like giving up and doing something else, maybe there just no place for me to settle down, as I have seen to much. And I do not like bullies.

Thank You


 

[Debp]

3 hours ago, RootedDude said:

I am not too arrogant to think I am not the problem.
So is it Christian Groups, Is It Me Or Them?

I recently retired 62 from pastoral duties and was looking for groups like Worthy Christian to join.
My Goal to fill a gap that is missing because I am not so active. However as I retired and decided to join several groups.
I end up leaving.
My background is seminary, as well as long term since 17 studying other religions. 
I actually just a side not collect older Bibles and see as sometimes the word vary and its fun to do.
I have a real interest in GOD, and the wonder that he is, I love to discuss science and how it associates with God.
I am real easy going, I am polite to others. And I try and be fair. But I have zero tolerance for arrogance. In some 300 churches I have visited, of which about 180 were Christian, in all those visits and years. I have found not one perfect non sinner. I mean not know where. ( and yes I love humor)  But to digress, it would be easy to be arrogant myself. But I prefer my self that is just looking for fellowship and like minded people to help, and even get help from.

If you do a Google search I have tried now about the top ten you find Groups for Christ. This group was the last of those ten.
And only was wary of this one because of its size, it a huge group. But I liked that the founder was still active in the Group and youtube.
I prayed, and prayed, and prayed, and when I thought God had opened a door, it slams closed very soon after.
I actually would think I fit in and most times the Mods or Admins, are the cause. As they go after the new guy. I am new to the Group not 
God, and why I expect to be watched and looked at to be sure I am not toxic. I also think talking down and insulting a new member is unacceptable. So I leave. Thats 9 in about 10 months. The last one I was there shy two months and they just got to be arrogant and rude.

So, am I just to hard to please? Please be honest. Or is it like so many churches today, that I have seen many there is no way I would be a member in. I Like Worthy Christian  and George also seem like a very nice founder. Seems Genuine. 
But I always like the group and actually only maybe 5 of the last 10 I didn't care for as they were judgmental very much so. But the other 4 
were nice and I had begun to get to know ppl and hated leaving. 
Sorry for the long question.  But I feel like giving up and doing something else, maybe there just no place for me to settle down, as I have seen to much. And I do not like bullies.

Thank You


 

Do you feel bullied at Worthy?

I am only active here and at one other Christian forum.

I don't like arguing so usually try to avoid the more divisive topics.    Or if I do reply, I try to do it in a courteous manner.   If certain people just like to stir things up, I usually don't respond after awhile.   Would that work for you?   Stay and enjoy the fellowship of other members?

 

 

[RootedDude]

20 minutes ago, Debp said:

Do you feel bullied at Worthy?

I am only active here and at one other Christian forum.

I don't like arguing so usually try to avoid the more divisive topics.    Or if I do reply, I try to do it in a courteous manner.   If certain people just like to stir things up, I usually don't respond after awhile.   Would that work for you?   Stay and enjoy the fellowship of other members?

I like it here so far, I also really try and avoid issues that spark to much controversy.
Just wonder why I go through so many groups.  
But no I do not feel bullied here. 

 

 

 

[Michael37]

4 hours ago, RootedDude said:

I recently retired 62 from pastoral duties

What denominations have you been called to, and given your experience, what streams and movements would you like to comment on?

[RootedDude]

What I have been called to do in service mostly revolved around addiction, Homelessness and cognitive impairments.
I was a Supervisor and Pastor at a Inpatient Recovery Facility for 5 years. I have been volunteering where my wife also works 
and have done so there at a Memory Care facility for 20 years. And My son I have been helping him with his cognitive issues as well for 29 years. All of the above also involved navigating, Social security and other areas.
I have tip toed these things in other groups and was shut down before getting started to try and help.
I was homeless myself, and dealt with my own addiction. My mom has Alzheimer's and Dementia and also is at this facility. So these things I not only worked at but I lived them as well.

But these are in the community and finding a fit to help people out here I don't seem to fit. Or my views are not welcomed often because I am new. This is the first time I have posted something like this, as I am trying to come to a realization of after 9 other places and not fitting it, well that made me reflect and I thought, hey why not just ask these folks and be transparent.

So here I am :) 

[Debp]

6 minutes ago, RootedDude said:

What I have been called to do in service mostly revolved around addiction, Homelessness and cognitive impairments.
I was a Supervisor and Pastor at a Inpatient Recovery Facility for 5 years. I have been volunteering where my wife also works 
and have done so there at a Memory Care facility for 20 years. And My son I have been helping him with his cognitive issues as well for 29 years. All of the above also involved navigating, Social security and other areas.
I have tip toed these things in other groups and was shut down before getting started to try and help.
I was homeless myself, and dealt with my own addiction. My mom has Alzheimer's and Dementia and also is at this facility. So these things I not only worked at but I lived them as well.

But these are in the community and finding a fit to help people out here I don't seem to fit. Or my views are not welcomed often because I am new. This is the first time I have posted something like this, as I am trying to come to a realization of after 9 other places and not fitting it, well that made me reflect and I thought, hey why not just ask these folks and be transparent.

So here I am :) 

I think you have a lot to offer here or at other forums.   You never know when someone will need your kind of help and expertise.

@Marathoner has some similar experiences as you.

 

[Marathoner]

Our sister @Debp makes a good point in that we are called in similar ways, @RootedDude. I serve the Lord by serving the homeless, many of whom suffer from all manner of afflictions, and some are elderly dealing with early-stage dementia. The latter is something our Lord prepared me to both recognize and navigate when I cared for my (adopted) mother, who suffered from early-stage dementia before she passed on. Many elders who suffer from this are rejected and even cast out by their families, thus becoming homeless. My adopted mother already owned land that was paid for, so she was abandoned instead. Her children and family wanted nothing to do with her. 

I have said (and written) that the Lord sends me to the desperate places during dark days and, just like He prepared me to stand as a son for the childless and the widows, I have been equipped to serve those who find themselves in these places. Because all that matters to me is what the Lord sets before me to do, I am accustomed to paying no heed to adversity or obstacles. My counsel to you is the counsel that the Lord gave to me.

Don't concern ourselves with whether we fit in or not,
Paying no mind to opposition if and when it arises;
Remember whom we serve and that, being called to the blessing,
It is our honor and joy to deliver the encouraging word in season and also, out of season. 

Harbor no expectations and it will go well for you, my friend. I am careful to avoid becoming embroiled in needless argumentation and because of this, I would rather that my neighbor has the last word because I am by no means seeking an advantage over them! Let us work to their advantage and not our own, yes? It's what we do! 

[Neighbor]

On 10/15/2024 at 3:36 PM, RootedDude said:

I also think talking down and insulting a new member is unacceptable.

Hi, Well as the coarse expression goes  perhaps you need to "toughen up buttercup". A hard expression for sure, BUT one with  serious truth as it's underpinning. Some of the "old guard" at any and all of these websites come to think of themselves as something special, a gift of God to the lesser  masses that  come to visit or even join the particular website they inhabit. 

One can be offended or one can deal with life's little blessings from those "superior" beings. Not much different from the world at large, but with a little extra haughtiness. None the less there can be much  fun and much learned daily too, no matter one's age or experience! Stick around find a friend or two .

[RootedDude]

5 hours ago, Neighbor said:

Hi, Well as the coarse expression goes  perhaps you need to "toughen up buttercup". A hard expression for sure, BUT one with  serious truth as it's underpinning. Some of the "old guard" at any and all of these websites come to think of themselves as something special, a gift of God to the lesser  masses that  come to visit or even join the particular website they inhabit. 

One can be offended or one can deal with life's little blessings from those "superior" beings. Not much different from the world at large, but with a little extra haughtiness. None the less there can be much  fun and much learned daily too, no matter one's age or experience! Stick around find a friend or two .

Wow, well ...
Nice judgmental response. Do you always take things out of context?  
I see you have been here awhile, and response is sorta the issue I speak of.
I mean really the words you use are condescending and rude.
That tough enough? what is wrong with people?

You people and your judgmental ways are killing these groups. And you are here so long you have no idea 
how you look and others that do like you sound to new members and the world. And you refuse to think
anything you do is wrong or inappropriate. Step back, and look at what you do. See how you look as
a long time representative of this group? I can imagine a atheist loving how you respond to new members.
Fits their accusation, that Christina are rude and judgmental. 
Yes, I want to stick and around and get to know people, and fellowship. "toughen up buttercup"???
I asked to be honest, not be insulative. I wondered if there would be one of you like this. 
Some people are from all over the world and i try not to wrongly interpret. 
But you insult, lol then soft peddle some lesson I am now supposed to take you serious?

I think hmmm this guy/girl has no idea what I am doing in my life. Or what I am going through.
And instead of asking a question you insult people. I don't respond well to bullies. 
You have a nice rest of your day. No hard feelings. I don't take it personal. I do take issue when being talked down to and being insulted.  
I met with a fellow pastor yesterday and we talked exactly about people like this parading the name of God around.
Yet oblivious what it is to follow Christ. Maybe I am misreading you. Like you way misread me and my goals here.
Makes me sad that there are people like this running around these forums and sadly its not rare by any means.
I wont engage with you further, my heart need to give this to Christ. Not engage further with you.

[ayin jade]

@RootedDude

I hope you will stay and contribute

Sadly there are many online everywhere who are mean. Try to ignore them