I am very confused about my church and what I should do. I live in a small community and only have one church I can attend and I do but the preacher bores me terribly. I am not the only one who feels this way so a few of the church's people have gone to him and talked to him only to hear that if we don't like his methods of preaching then we should go to another church. He's a great person and I love him dearly but he is not much of a preacher. He reads directly from the Bible with no explaining of what he just read. He uses no examples to get the word across to those who don't always understand, like myself. The next closest church is about 30 miles away and I have visited the church and love it but I feel guilty for leaving my church family. Can anyone shed any light on this or an idea's of what one should do. What would you do???
New preacher or new church???
- Thread starter whozangel
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Personally I would go to the that church you feel comfortable in, if you are not happy or satisfied with the one you are going to at present.
I was reading something today about churches, which made me smile, so I'm going to post here.
What Does The Real Church Look Like?
I believe with all my heart that God is going to re-establish His true Church - the real Church. I’m talking about the Church that He intended, the one that makes it possible for those who really believe in Him to see His purpose fulfilled in their lives. And what is God’s purpose? To see all those who believe in Him conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit working in the Church (His true Church), the Father wants to strip away everything in us that doesn’t look like Jesus.
The traditional church today doesn’t know much about that. Most so-called pastors preach an American gospel that’s designed to make people comfortable with themselves and with God. It’s an upbeat message of "I’m O.K. you’re O.K. Just live your life however you think is best (as long as you come to church on Sunday and give me your money). Don’t worry. God will meet you where you’re at. No changes are required, forget repentance, let’s just rejoice and be happy. I’ll see you in heaven. Remember, God loves you. Besides, you don’t believe anyone is really going to hell, do you?" Church ministry today is designed to give people what they want, what God wants is irrelevant. And, what else would you expect when men are in charge, instead of God?
To see what the real church looked like requires a somewhat novel approach, we’ll have to look at the scriptures. I know it sounds crazy, but trust me on this. You won’t find what you’re looking for in church history books. After all, the first church wasn’t a Baptist church in Oklahoma or Texas (even though the Baptists claim they can trace their roots all the way back to John the Baptist, a claim that John probably thinks is pretty funny).
No, the first real church was Jesus and His 12 disciples. The first church was actually a training school for those whom God would use to establish the second-generation churches after Jesus ascended back to the Father. It was Jesus showing His disciples, first hand, how to have church. They met in houses and gardens, by the sea and on boats in the sea, in the middle of the road, on hillsides and on mountaintops. They met wherever Jesus happened to be. These meetings formed their understanding of what church was supposed to be and established a pattern for the next generation of churches.
Now, just for fun, let me describe to you what one of these meetings in this first church must have looked like. When it was time for the meeting, everyone got dressed up in their best suit of clothes, grabbed a hymnbook and a big, fat Bible to carry under their arm. Then they all made their way down to the building with the sign out front that said "First Church". The marquee out front had the sermon topic for the day: "How To Overcome Anxiety In A Frenzied World", and the name of the class that would meet that evening, "Divorce Recovery at 6 PM". Everyone filed in, sat down in neat rows, eyes forward, and waited for the minister of music to start the service. They sang three songs, recited the Apostles Creed, sang another song, passed the offering plate and listened to a choir "special". Then Jesus, looking resplendent in a shiny, blue, three-piece suit, with a really great silk tie, took the pulpit and delivered a comforting, somewhat humorous, thirty-minute sermon. Everyone felt good about what they had heard and complimented Jesus on what a splendid job He had done, and then they all went to lunch. And Jesus was relieved that no one was uncomfortable with what He had said and felt sure that most of them would return next week. And in the satisfaction of a job well done, He soon forgot about the whole thing and began to think about something really important, His golf game. That sounds just about right doesn’t it? No?
Then how about this? Get out your Bible (I mean it, don’t read any further, unless you have your Bible), now read Matthew 5:1 to 8:1. What you just read was an account of one of the very first church meetings. The actual church was small, but there was a "multitude" of visitors that day and the sermon was really long. Then read Matthew 8:2-4. That was the next church meeting, but this time there was only one visitor. Now read Matthew 8:5-13. Here’s something unusual. The sermon was only about 20 seconds long (imagine that), and it was both confrontive and judgmental. I’m sure some of the visitors were offended this time, and I don’t think they’ll be coming back. Then Jesus had another meeting at Peter’s house (Matthew 8:14-17); another the next day by the Sea of Galilee (8:18-22); then, later, in a boat (8:23-27); and still another meeting the following day on the other side of Galilee with the disciples, two other guys, a bunch of demons, a herd of pigs and some more visitors from town (8:28-34).
Are you getting the picture? From Matthew 5:1 to 8:34, Jesus had at least 7 church meetings. Actually, He had many more than that. How do I know? Because, in reading these 4 chapters in Matthew, the Lord taught me the one, overwhelming principle illustrated in this first church. It’s really simple, but, at the same time, really profound. What does the first church show us? What should every church learn from its example? What were the 12 disciples doing? Pay attention. Here it is: THEY WERE LIVING WITH JESUS!!! The function of the church, any church, is to enable believers in their walk with Jesus. It must promote the reality of living moment-by-moment, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, week after week, year after year with Jesus.
The simple fact of the matter is that church is supposed to be the support system for believers in their continuous, uninterrupted relationship with Jesus. It should support them in their constant, openly transparent, submissive, obedient, life changing, transforming, renewing, Holy Spirit-led, love relationship with the Savior. And if you’re ever going to be conformed to the image of Christ, that is the lifestyle that is required. How can you be changed into something you haven’t experienced and submitted yourself to? And I don’t want to cover old ground again, but that doesn’t simply define a relationship. If you read your Bible (void of the prevailing religious bias and deceptions) you will realize that what I’m describing is salvation or deliverance. The Bible doesn’t describe salvation as something that is accomplished in the past. It can’t be based on something you’ve already done (church membership, baptism, a profession of faith, confirmation classes, etc.). Salvation is a hope (actually, a confidence) that is based on what you are doing today. It is based on the firm commitment to a continual relationship with God that requires your submission to His will and righteousness. It requires change (yours, not His). And I hate to mention this just now, but it involves suffering (really, you can look it up, try I Peter 4:12-19 for starters). If you just read the red letters in the Gospel accounts, you’ll see that Jesus never describes salvation as something that is quick and easy (only religion scribes using isolated verses do that). Instead, He presents it as something that is difficult, something that demands persistence and something that only a few will achieve (Jesus said there would only be a few that would be willing to travel the narrow road that leads to life).
Salvation is not based on what you know about God, Jesus made that perfectly clear; and it’s not an intellectual exercise, it’s a lifestyle. It’s living with Jesus. The church is a group of people living with Jesus, sharing their experiences with one another, as they live with Him; nothing more, but certainly, nothing less! It’s a community of believers undergoing change together, submitting to His will and purpose, being conformed to the image of Christ, as they are being saved (yes, salvation is a continuing process that has a starting point, but no ending point, read Luke 9:23-24; I Corinthians 1:18; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 3:14 and I Peter 2:2-3 in the NIV).
I’m amazed at the number of churches today who claim to be "New Testament", but have nothing at all in common with the churches described in the New Testament. On the other hand, it is equally amazing that I recently read of another church who described their search for identity and purpose this way, "In the absence of a clear model, we set out to create our own." I couldn’t believe it! "In the absence of a clear model?" Give me a break! Why not just be honest and admit that you’re just another traditional church looking for new and innovative ways to attract more people, while trying to figure out how you can effectively entertain them while they’re there, so they’ll feel good about the whole deal and come back the next week. And at the same time, slip something religious into the mix, so they’ll think they had some gushy, sentimental encounter with God (you know, something emotional, but something they can deal with on their own terms, nothing heavy).
But there is a New Testament model. If Jesus and His 12 disciples were the first generation church, then those established by the apostles and others after Jesus’ ascension were the second-generation churches. Now, it’s time to really pay attention again. Remember the principle illustrated by the first church was living with Jesus. He was there, physically with them, every day, every night, day after day, week after week, for over three years. Then He was gone! Now others began establishing churches all over the place (in Asia Minor, Europe and Africa). And the principle of these second generation churches comes through loud and clear. Are you ready for this? If you can remember what you’ve already read, you should be able to guess. Here it is: LIVING WITH JESUS IN A COMMUNITY OF OTHER BELIEVERS WHO ARE LIVING WITH HIM TOO!!!
As you continue to read through these articles, you will eventually come to some that will deal with different subjects that pertain to church or Christian community. Some will deal with the concepts of worship and prayer, and there will be others that will cover subjects like the ministry of the Holy Spirit or spiritual gifts in some detail.
The simple function of the real church must be restored. This is the only church that can provide the atmosphere and the activity necessary to allow believers to see the purposes of God fulfilled in their lives. The traditional church of today cannot do it, will not do it. Conservative, liberal, denominational, independent, charismatic, evangelical, whatever, it doesn’t matter. Regardless of the name, the institutional form is always the same. The professional clergy, the ministry programs, the service order or schedule, so-called worship and prayer (traditional religion has absolutely no understanding of what true worship and prayer is all about), everything they do insures that the purposes of God will not be realized. Traditional, institutional religion does not work.
And, traditional religion doesn't have a clue when it comes to understanding the purpose of God. Because of that, those who participate in traditional religion don't have a clue either. If this is true, and it certainly is, then how could they encourage and support one another in their pursuit of God's purpose? That's the rub. That's the problem. The only thing they know to do is follow the program of the religion they're in. They're not living in an experiential, day-to-day relationship with God, submitted to His purpose, being changed from one experience to the next into the image of Christ and encouraging others who are committed to the same purpose by sharing those experiences. That's what you see in the New Testament, but not what you see in religion today.
God is going to re-establish His true church. When He does, some will recognize it, because the Holy Spirit, not men, will be in charge. And, it will look more like the church we see in the New Testament. And the people in these churches will be living with Jesus, sharing their experiences with one another, supporting and encouraging one another, while they undergo this glorious transformation into His image.
Addendum: It has occurred to me that the comments made in this paper regarding the need for women to be silent in the church may be problematic for some and therefore requires some explanation. Let me make just a couple of observations about what Paul says in I Corinthians 14:34-35, and why he said it. It is obvious that Paul did not think it was wrong for women to participate openly in the church. In this same epistle, in 11:5, 13, we see women talking to God and preaching. When you read some of Paul's other letters, he mentions quite a few women. These women were obviously not simply acquaintances, they were important, key members of these fellowships (see Philippians 4:3 for example). Instead, what you see Paul dealing with in I Corinthians 14:34-35 is, I believe, cultural, practical and spiritual.
First of all, women had responsibilities at home (responsibilities deemed more important then than they are today, at least by some) that may have prevented them from participating in the meetings of the fellowship as often as the men. Young children were not allowed (and traditional religion had not yet invented the "Sunday School", thankfully), so many had to stay at home to care for their children. This, no doubt, caused them to fall behind and experience times when they may not have understood what was happening or being discussed. This is the cultural part.
The result was that they often questioned what they were hearing, and rightfully so, they wanted to understand. Paul's practical solution was to have the women keep silent when this happened. His preference was for them to learn from their husbands at home. This way the whole fellowship was not hindered or distracted. And if they did wish to speak in these circumstances, Paul's instruction was for them to submit it to their husbands first, so he could determine whether or not it would be an unnecessary distraction.
Which brings us to the spiritual aspect of what Paul is saying here. It was proper for the men to have the responsibility of determining the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Most of us have probably had enough experience in spiritual matters to know that some men have a tendency to shrink from spiritual responsibility and some women tend to gravitate towards it. Paul was just trying to maintain a balance. The other spiritual dynamic here is that Paul was trying to set guidelines that would insure the most efficient use of time, trying to prevent the meetings from going off on tangents created by questions that could best be dealt with at a different time. If one woman asked a question, everyone's time was taken while that question was dealt with. In Paul's view, this was wrong, because the meeting was supposed to be ordered by the Spirit for the benefit of all present (verse 31).
Rest assured, in this, Paul was not establishing a doctrine for the church that required women to keep silent or be unfit for other responsibilities as some suppose. He reveals the mind of God in this matter in Galatians 3:26-28:
"You have all become the children of God because of your faith in Jesus Christ. When you come into that spiritual union with Him, you will begin to look like Him. And it doesn't matter what nationality you are, what circumstances you're in, or whether you're a man or a woman, everyone looks the same to God when they're in Christ Jesus."
I was reading something today about churches, which made me smile, so I'm going to post here.
What Does The Real Church Look Like?
I believe with all my heart that God is going to re-establish His true Church - the real Church. I’m talking about the Church that He intended, the one that makes it possible for those who really believe in Him to see His purpose fulfilled in their lives. And what is God’s purpose? To see all those who believe in Him conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit working in the Church (His true Church), the Father wants to strip away everything in us that doesn’t look like Jesus.
The traditional church today doesn’t know much about that. Most so-called pastors preach an American gospel that’s designed to make people comfortable with themselves and with God. It’s an upbeat message of "I’m O.K. you’re O.K. Just live your life however you think is best (as long as you come to church on Sunday and give me your money). Don’t worry. God will meet you where you’re at. No changes are required, forget repentance, let’s just rejoice and be happy. I’ll see you in heaven. Remember, God loves you. Besides, you don’t believe anyone is really going to hell, do you?" Church ministry today is designed to give people what they want, what God wants is irrelevant. And, what else would you expect when men are in charge, instead of God?
To see what the real church looked like requires a somewhat novel approach, we’ll have to look at the scriptures. I know it sounds crazy, but trust me on this. You won’t find what you’re looking for in church history books. After all, the first church wasn’t a Baptist church in Oklahoma or Texas (even though the Baptists claim they can trace their roots all the way back to John the Baptist, a claim that John probably thinks is pretty funny).
No, the first real church was Jesus and His 12 disciples. The first church was actually a training school for those whom God would use to establish the second-generation churches after Jesus ascended back to the Father. It was Jesus showing His disciples, first hand, how to have church. They met in houses and gardens, by the sea and on boats in the sea, in the middle of the road, on hillsides and on mountaintops. They met wherever Jesus happened to be. These meetings formed their understanding of what church was supposed to be and established a pattern for the next generation of churches.
Now, just for fun, let me describe to you what one of these meetings in this first church must have looked like. When it was time for the meeting, everyone got dressed up in their best suit of clothes, grabbed a hymnbook and a big, fat Bible to carry under their arm. Then they all made their way down to the building with the sign out front that said "First Church". The marquee out front had the sermon topic for the day: "How To Overcome Anxiety In A Frenzied World", and the name of the class that would meet that evening, "Divorce Recovery at 6 PM". Everyone filed in, sat down in neat rows, eyes forward, and waited for the minister of music to start the service. They sang three songs, recited the Apostles Creed, sang another song, passed the offering plate and listened to a choir "special". Then Jesus, looking resplendent in a shiny, blue, three-piece suit, with a really great silk tie, took the pulpit and delivered a comforting, somewhat humorous, thirty-minute sermon. Everyone felt good about what they had heard and complimented Jesus on what a splendid job He had done, and then they all went to lunch. And Jesus was relieved that no one was uncomfortable with what He had said and felt sure that most of them would return next week. And in the satisfaction of a job well done, He soon forgot about the whole thing and began to think about something really important, His golf game. That sounds just about right doesn’t it? No?
Then how about this? Get out your Bible (I mean it, don’t read any further, unless you have your Bible), now read Matthew 5:1 to 8:1. What you just read was an account of one of the very first church meetings. The actual church was small, but there was a "multitude" of visitors that day and the sermon was really long. Then read Matthew 8:2-4. That was the next church meeting, but this time there was only one visitor. Now read Matthew 8:5-13. Here’s something unusual. The sermon was only about 20 seconds long (imagine that), and it was both confrontive and judgmental. I’m sure some of the visitors were offended this time, and I don’t think they’ll be coming back. Then Jesus had another meeting at Peter’s house (Matthew 8:14-17); another the next day by the Sea of Galilee (8:18-22); then, later, in a boat (8:23-27); and still another meeting the following day on the other side of Galilee with the disciples, two other guys, a bunch of demons, a herd of pigs and some more visitors from town (8:28-34).
Are you getting the picture? From Matthew 5:1 to 8:34, Jesus had at least 7 church meetings. Actually, He had many more than that. How do I know? Because, in reading these 4 chapters in Matthew, the Lord taught me the one, overwhelming principle illustrated in this first church. It’s really simple, but, at the same time, really profound. What does the first church show us? What should every church learn from its example? What were the 12 disciples doing? Pay attention. Here it is: THEY WERE LIVING WITH JESUS!!! The function of the church, any church, is to enable believers in their walk with Jesus. It must promote the reality of living moment-by-moment, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, week after week, year after year with Jesus.
The simple fact of the matter is that church is supposed to be the support system for believers in their continuous, uninterrupted relationship with Jesus. It should support them in their constant, openly transparent, submissive, obedient, life changing, transforming, renewing, Holy Spirit-led, love relationship with the Savior. And if you’re ever going to be conformed to the image of Christ, that is the lifestyle that is required. How can you be changed into something you haven’t experienced and submitted yourself to? And I don’t want to cover old ground again, but that doesn’t simply define a relationship. If you read your Bible (void of the prevailing religious bias and deceptions) you will realize that what I’m describing is salvation or deliverance. The Bible doesn’t describe salvation as something that is accomplished in the past. It can’t be based on something you’ve already done (church membership, baptism, a profession of faith, confirmation classes, etc.). Salvation is a hope (actually, a confidence) that is based on what you are doing today. It is based on the firm commitment to a continual relationship with God that requires your submission to His will and righteousness. It requires change (yours, not His). And I hate to mention this just now, but it involves suffering (really, you can look it up, try I Peter 4:12-19 for starters). If you just read the red letters in the Gospel accounts, you’ll see that Jesus never describes salvation as something that is quick and easy (only religion scribes using isolated verses do that). Instead, He presents it as something that is difficult, something that demands persistence and something that only a few will achieve (Jesus said there would only be a few that would be willing to travel the narrow road that leads to life).
Salvation is not based on what you know about God, Jesus made that perfectly clear; and it’s not an intellectual exercise, it’s a lifestyle. It’s living with Jesus. The church is a group of people living with Jesus, sharing their experiences with one another, as they live with Him; nothing more, but certainly, nothing less! It’s a community of believers undergoing change together, submitting to His will and purpose, being conformed to the image of Christ, as they are being saved (yes, salvation is a continuing process that has a starting point, but no ending point, read Luke 9:23-24; I Corinthians 1:18; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 3:14 and I Peter 2:2-3 in the NIV).
I’m amazed at the number of churches today who claim to be "New Testament", but have nothing at all in common with the churches described in the New Testament. On the other hand, it is equally amazing that I recently read of another church who described their search for identity and purpose this way, "In the absence of a clear model, we set out to create our own." I couldn’t believe it! "In the absence of a clear model?" Give me a break! Why not just be honest and admit that you’re just another traditional church looking for new and innovative ways to attract more people, while trying to figure out how you can effectively entertain them while they’re there, so they’ll feel good about the whole deal and come back the next week. And at the same time, slip something religious into the mix, so they’ll think they had some gushy, sentimental encounter with God (you know, something emotional, but something they can deal with on their own terms, nothing heavy).
But there is a New Testament model. If Jesus and His 12 disciples were the first generation church, then those established by the apostles and others after Jesus’ ascension were the second-generation churches. Now, it’s time to really pay attention again. Remember the principle illustrated by the first church was living with Jesus. He was there, physically with them, every day, every night, day after day, week after week, for over three years. Then He was gone! Now others began establishing churches all over the place (in Asia Minor, Europe and Africa). And the principle of these second generation churches comes through loud and clear. Are you ready for this? If you can remember what you’ve already read, you should be able to guess. Here it is: LIVING WITH JESUS IN A COMMUNITY OF OTHER BELIEVERS WHO ARE LIVING WITH HIM TOO!!!
As you continue to read through these articles, you will eventually come to some that will deal with different subjects that pertain to church or Christian community. Some will deal with the concepts of worship and prayer, and there will be others that will cover subjects like the ministry of the Holy Spirit or spiritual gifts in some detail.
The simple function of the real church must be restored. This is the only church that can provide the atmosphere and the activity necessary to allow believers to see the purposes of God fulfilled in their lives. The traditional church of today cannot do it, will not do it. Conservative, liberal, denominational, independent, charismatic, evangelical, whatever, it doesn’t matter. Regardless of the name, the institutional form is always the same. The professional clergy, the ministry programs, the service order or schedule, so-called worship and prayer (traditional religion has absolutely no understanding of what true worship and prayer is all about), everything they do insures that the purposes of God will not be realized. Traditional, institutional religion does not work.
And, traditional religion doesn't have a clue when it comes to understanding the purpose of God. Because of that, those who participate in traditional religion don't have a clue either. If this is true, and it certainly is, then how could they encourage and support one another in their pursuit of God's purpose? That's the rub. That's the problem. The only thing they know to do is follow the program of the religion they're in. They're not living in an experiential, day-to-day relationship with God, submitted to His purpose, being changed from one experience to the next into the image of Christ and encouraging others who are committed to the same purpose by sharing those experiences. That's what you see in the New Testament, but not what you see in religion today.
God is going to re-establish His true church. When He does, some will recognize it, because the Holy Spirit, not men, will be in charge. And, it will look more like the church we see in the New Testament. And the people in these churches will be living with Jesus, sharing their experiences with one another, supporting and encouraging one another, while they undergo this glorious transformation into His image.
Addendum: It has occurred to me that the comments made in this paper regarding the need for women to be silent in the church may be problematic for some and therefore requires some explanation. Let me make just a couple of observations about what Paul says in I Corinthians 14:34-35, and why he said it. It is obvious that Paul did not think it was wrong for women to participate openly in the church. In this same epistle, in 11:5, 13, we see women talking to God and preaching. When you read some of Paul's other letters, he mentions quite a few women. These women were obviously not simply acquaintances, they were important, key members of these fellowships (see Philippians 4:3 for example). Instead, what you see Paul dealing with in I Corinthians 14:34-35 is, I believe, cultural, practical and spiritual.
First of all, women had responsibilities at home (responsibilities deemed more important then than they are today, at least by some) that may have prevented them from participating in the meetings of the fellowship as often as the men. Young children were not allowed (and traditional religion had not yet invented the "Sunday School", thankfully), so many had to stay at home to care for their children. This, no doubt, caused them to fall behind and experience times when they may not have understood what was happening or being discussed. This is the cultural part.
The result was that they often questioned what they were hearing, and rightfully so, they wanted to understand. Paul's practical solution was to have the women keep silent when this happened. His preference was for them to learn from their husbands at home. This way the whole fellowship was not hindered or distracted. And if they did wish to speak in these circumstances, Paul's instruction was for them to submit it to their husbands first, so he could determine whether or not it would be an unnecessary distraction.
Which brings us to the spiritual aspect of what Paul is saying here. It was proper for the men to have the responsibility of determining the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Most of us have probably had enough experience in spiritual matters to know that some men have a tendency to shrink from spiritual responsibility and some women tend to gravitate towards it. Paul was just trying to maintain a balance. The other spiritual dynamic here is that Paul was trying to set guidelines that would insure the most efficient use of time, trying to prevent the meetings from going off on tangents created by questions that could best be dealt with at a different time. If one woman asked a question, everyone's time was taken while that question was dealt with. In Paul's view, this was wrong, because the meeting was supposed to be ordered by the Spirit for the benefit of all present (verse 31).
Rest assured, in this, Paul was not establishing a doctrine for the church that required women to keep silent or be unfit for other responsibilities as some suppose. He reveals the mind of God in this matter in Galatians 3:26-28:
"You have all become the children of God because of your faith in Jesus Christ. When you come into that spiritual union with Him, you will begin to look like Him. And it doesn't matter what nationality you are, what circumstances you're in, or whether you're a man or a woman, everyone looks the same to God when they're in Christ Jesus."
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I hear what you are saying, brother whozangel, and I understand perfectly, having been involved in church life for many years. Many Chistians have been in the same situation in which you find yourself.
You do not say how long this has prevailed?
In church life I would not recommend switching churches at 'the drop of a hat' so to speak. We are talking about a Pastor, Christian people, the witness of the church, and its testimony in the locality. These are serious matters.
One of the 'fruits' of the Holy Spirit is 'longsuffering' (Galations 5 v 22) And surely there must be occasions in life where we can exercise this divine quality given to us by the Holy spirit. If you have never exercised 'longsuffering' under the covering of the Holy Spirit, and in His love, this might be a good opportunity.
These are my immediate thoughts on what you have said.
God Bless You
You do not say how long this has prevailed?
In church life I would not recommend switching churches at 'the drop of a hat' so to speak. We are talking about a Pastor, Christian people, the witness of the church, and its testimony in the locality. These are serious matters.
One of the 'fruits' of the Holy Spirit is 'longsuffering' (Galations 5 v 22) And surely there must be occasions in life where we can exercise this divine quality given to us by the Holy spirit. If you have never exercised 'longsuffering' under the covering of the Holy Spirit, and in His love, this might be a good opportunity.
These are my immediate thoughts on what you have said.
God Bless You
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SpiritLedEd
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Re: New Preacher or New Church?
Your story reminds me of a certain priest in the liturgical church I went to before God rescued me. This man wrote out his sermons word-by-word and read them that way, too.
It was comical to watch. He'd look down at his notes then up at the congregation; down then up, down then up, down then up, on and on for nearly half an hour. I told my wife, "One of these days his head's going to fly off of his neck and go rolling down the center aisle of the church."
He's a rather pleasant fellow and he's a good parish administrator. But, he's no preacher. His parishioners were stocking up on No-Doz just to stay awake to the end of the service
My advice to you, Whozangel, is to flee that church you are in now and never look back. It is much better to go thirty miles from home and be fed than to stay close to home and spiritually die.
SLE
Your story reminds me of a certain priest in the liturgical church I went to before God rescued me. This man wrote out his sermons word-by-word and read them that way, too.
It was comical to watch. He'd look down at his notes then up at the congregation; down then up, down then up, down then up, on and on for nearly half an hour. I told my wife, "One of these days his head's going to fly off of his neck and go rolling down the center aisle of the church."
He's a rather pleasant fellow and he's a good parish administrator. But, he's no preacher. His parishioners were stocking up on No-Doz just to stay awake to the end of the service
My advice to you, Whozangel, is to flee that church you are in now and never look back. It is much better to go thirty miles from home and be fed than to stay close to home and spiritually die.
SLE
I have been a member of my church for almost 3 years and have been dealing with mix feelings on what to do. After reading everyones thoughts on this..........I am thinking that the 30 mile drive would be a good thing. I am not being spiritually fed where I am now and it's really sad. One of the ladies of the church told me that she thought our church was under the attack of satan and this is just what satan wants.......for everyone to bail on the church and our preacher. This is where I got confused because what if she is right ? I hope she's wrong cause I need to be fed in order to live my life the way that Jesus would want me to so I have decided to attend another church as often as possible. I will continue to pray on this and let God guide me. Thank you all so much for your comments. Your sister in Christ, Whozangel
SpiritLedEd
Member
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Re: New Preacher or New Church?
Whozangel:
I think you can work both options; flee to the new church to be fed AND pray diligently for the old church and its pastor to be delivered. I personally would not stay in a burning building while I prayed for the fire to be extinguished.
SLE
Whozangel:
I think you can work both options; flee to the new church to be fed AND pray diligently for the old church and its pastor to be delivered. I personally would not stay in a burning building while I prayed for the fire to be extinguished.
SLE
SpiritLedEd
Member
- Joined
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- 5,315
Re: New preacher or new church?
About twenty years ago, I left a denominational church that I'd been in all my life and a charismatic group from that church that I had been part of for two or three years. I was pretty close to those folks, but I knew down deep in my heart that it was God's will for me to not only change churches, but to move from a denominational church to a non-denominational one.
Was I nervous about the change? Yes. My wife thought I was being a heretic. Did I miss those people? Yes, but, guess what? It took a few years, but several of those old friends have joined the non-denominational congregation I now attend. Truly "It is no secret what God can do."
SLE
About twenty years ago, I left a denominational church that I'd been in all my life and a charismatic group from that church that I had been part of for two or three years. I was pretty close to those folks, but I knew down deep in my heart that it was God's will for me to not only change churches, but to move from a denominational church to a non-denominational one.
Was I nervous about the change? Yes. My wife thought I was being a heretic. Did I miss those people? Yes, but, guess what? It took a few years, but several of those old friends have joined the non-denominational congregation I now attend. Truly "It is no secret what God can do."
SLE
Good morning my brothers and sisters, You have all helped me in deciding what to do. I thank you for this and I thank God for each and everyone of you. The bottom line is that I need to be spiritually fed for I am starving. I am not going to just get up and leave my church all together so I will still remain a member and pray for God's help to help our church and pastor but I also plan on visiting the other church as often as possible. I forgot to mention that I also teach children's church about once or twice a month. I can't just walk out on the kids. God Bless all of You and have a wonderful day 
Thanks Jiggyfly. I couldn't have said it better. I do not think you should worry about offending anyone by trying to grow in the Lord. If they are truly Christian then they should understand and accept your decision.
I will pray that the Lord shows you the way.
God Bless.
