Churches today - more of a social gathering.

[reba]

Gary

And people could roll around on the ground pretending to be hurt just like they do in real soccer.

you picking on Pentecostals ?

 

[Obadiah]

Gary

you picking on Pentecostals ?

LOL!!!

 

[Gary]

Gary

you picking on Pentecostals ?

I used to identify with those Holy Rollers until whats his face got caught with that hooker. Haven't watched any church TV since then. I became what many church goers refer to as "a lone ranger".

Speaking for myself and myself only, I never gained anything from church. I'm sure there are people who rely on the church for their spiritual well being, I'm not one of them. If I'm wrong, I'll find out in the end.
.

 

[Christ_empowered]

Ideally, I'd be in church. I'm the pariah around here. "Poor life choices," personal sin, people set out to "make an example out me." Long story short...I don't feel "welcome" around here, even in church. The last time I went to the local mega church, some people made comments. Fun times.

I'm a lone ranger as much because of stigma as personal choice. I don't want to go where I'm not welcome, you know? So, I read my Bible, come here, pray often, call my friend Verna every day...no big thing. Jesus knows right where I'm at.

 

[Kathi]

I wonder if it the fact that the parents that send these kids to church or allow them to go aren't saved. or that they don't demonstrate the walk. what good is it for the church to teach teens if they don't live it daily? sure they can. but if no one Is going to start them from the birth to be a Christian its not the church's job to raise kids. I see that problem with the youth I do teach as an assistant. they listen when they want too. they have a problem with respect at times. they need a solid figure to be that man to lead them. yes one could start a ministry for that but still it must be daily. I wonder if that is really where the problem is.
we:
1) assume that the pastor is the one whom should teach us the word only
2) assume that we cant study the bible as he did on our own
3) fail to pray, study daily
and so on.

Exactly, their parents need to be a Godly example.If they live in a home where the parents are true believers in God's word and are a Godly example to their kids by being the salt and the light it will make a huge difference.The parents can not go to Church with the kids on Sunday and then live for Satan the rest of the week.That doesn't work.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Gary

you picking on Pentecostals ?

Lol, that's what I thought he was talking about at first, too.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I used to identify with those Holy Rollers until whats his face got caught with that hooker.

Hugh Grant? Who cares. Oh, oh, you mean Jimmy Swaggert.

Haven't watched any church TV since then. I became what many church goers refer to as "a lone ranger".

Me too, I'm a lone ranger from not being able to find a good church home. I guess we're "sharing a drink called loneliness but it's better than drinking alone". (Thank you Billy Joel "la da da...")

Speaking for myself and myself only, I never gained anything from church. I'm sure there are people who rely on the church for their spiritual well being, I'm not one of them. If I'm wrong, I'll find out in the end.
.

This is where I'm at. I rarely get anything out of a traditional Sunday morning service. Bible studies where we talked about and discussed the scriptures among ourselves under the firm guidance of an anointed leader, applying the Word to our personal lives directly, is where the Spirit moves and does his work in His people. But sadly, so many people don't have the courage to buck this system we have now to start running our meetings in the open style that Paul advocated. And that's hard to do, anyway, when the church is being run like a business with an annual budget and a balance sheet.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Ideally, I'd be in church. I'm the pariah around here. "Poor life choices," personal sin, people set out to "make an example out me." Long story short...I don't feel "welcome" around here, even in church. The last time I went to the local mega church, some people made comments. Fun times.

I'm a lone ranger as much because of stigma as personal choice. I don't want to go where I'm not welcome, you know? So, I read my Bible, come here, pray often, call my friend Verna every day...no big thing. Jesus knows right where I'm at.

Have you looked for a small, non-denominational, open fellowship in your community?

 

[Jethro Bodine]

How did you know about this trick? Have you been converted? Welcome to the universe of soccer.

And who says you can't learn anything in an on-line forum?

 

[tim-from-pa]

Churches today - more of a social gathering.

In order to attract members and also keep the younger ones from running away, some churches have introduced certain programmes and activities. We realise that apart from some that may have a spiritual advantage the major reason and driving force behind this is to merely satisfy people - especially the youth.

I agree. I tend to divide church people up into 2 categories, and so that nobody here takes offence, the fact you are on this board shows you are diving more into the Word and forming thoughts for yourself, for the most part (whether we agree or not). The average church-goer probably is unaware such forums as these even exist.

The first type is the social member as specified in the OP. It's a fun, social club, and respectable thing to do in their communities, especially if they are involved in some sort of social gospel and community outreach. They may partner with government in some way.

The second type are those who are sincere, but they investigate (or "grow") their spirituality within the borders of what they hear, what is taught, and the official doctrine of the church they attend. Since they go there, there is probably little resistance and much conformity. Such people may have even been born and raised there, and just continue to do so because that's what they always did.

Now, another thing to remember is whether there's more of type one or type two in the church depends on the church itself. Theologically liberal churches probably have more #1 types. The second type is more predominant in the more conservative churches, and such people love to grow in the supposed grace and knowledge of the Lord, but are afraid to buck things too much. If an outsider comes up with differing beliefs, even if based on the bible, such people may fear hell if they believe his way and even label them as a "cult" to be avoided at all costs. (Part of faith is searching for the truth -- God won't ding anyone for believing falsely if there is a misunderstanding of scripture, but if they are not true to themselves in favor of what they are told that may be another issue).

Actually, there's a third kind like me, who then leaves established churches, even those who are minority churches who claim they are the true church. I hold a home bible study with a small group weekly. But then, like I said, you won't find the likes of me in any established church, or if we are there, probably keep a low profile and are not comfortable so that we leave eventually.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

How do so many of you know what other people think and do?
Is it ESP or something?

 

[Gary]

How do so many of you know what other people think and do?
Is it ESP or something?

Explain please.
.

 

[Obadiah]

...And that's hard to do, anyway, when the church is being run like a business with an annual budget and a balance sheet.

But the early church had a budget and balance sheet too. Their budget was the entire net worth of all their members who were required to sell everything they had and give all the proceeds to the church, who would then decide how to best use them. Annanias and Saphira tried to buck that system by lying about the price they got for their real estate so they could hold some of the money back for themselves, and they paid the penalty of death for it. I think in comparison at least most of our churches are pretty lenient about this sort of thing.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Actually, there's a third kind like me, who then leaves established churches, even those who are minority churches who claim they are the true church. I hold a home bible study with a small group weekly. But then, like I said, you won't find the likes of me in any established church, or if we are there, probably keep a low profile and are not comfortable so that we leave eventually.

Poster child for category 3 church goer:

From left to right: Category 3, category 2, category 1 type.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Their budget was the entire net worth of all their members who were required to sell everything they had....

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Say what????

Annanias and Saphira tried to buck that system by lying about the price they got for their real estate so they could hold some of the money back for themselves, and they paid the penalty of death for it.

What they did wrong was lie about what they had done, not that they kept the proceeds of a sale of personal property. Peter points out they didn't need to lie, they were entitled to do whatever they wanted with the money.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

How do so many of you know what other people think and do?
Is it ESP or something?

'Taint you never heard of the gift of discernment?

For example, right now I'm pretty sure you're thinking you want to light a fire in the fire place because it's dipping down into the low 80's. Am I right?

 

[Obadiah]

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Say what????



What they did wrong was lie about what they had done, not that they kept the proceeds of a sale of personal property. Peter points out they didn't need to lie, they were entitled to do whatever they wanted with the money.

I was just pointing out that the early church also functioned on money and donations just like our modern ones do. And how many modern Christians will sit in a Bible study, or wherever, when the subject of tithing comes up, and they nod there heads in agreement and say yeah, we have to give 10% acting like that's what they do, when in reality they aren't giving anywhere near that amount. Yet God is merciful and doesn't strike them dead. But my point was that the early church functioned with a budget that was much bigger in comparison to the wealth of the members than probably any of our modern churches. I just don't think the idea of having a budget, balance sheets, etc is the problem. I think the problem in some churches is in the priorities of how they use their resources, financial and otherwise.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I just don't think the idea of having a budget, balance sheets, etc is the problem.

When it's a million dollars, yes, that's a problem. You can't preach/teach anything that will leave your creditors hanging because you offended your congregation with unpopular truth and they all left and took their offerings with them over to the First Church of the Ear Tickle (Corner of South St. and Broad, Sunday service 10:00 AM, Wednesday 6:00 PM).

 

[Obadiah]

When it's a million dollars, yes, that's a problem. You can't preach/teach anything that will leave your creditors hanging because you offended your congregation with unpopular truth and they all left and took their offerings with them over to the First Church of the Ear Tickle (Corner of South St. and Broad, Sunday service 10:00 AM, Wednesday 6:00 PM).

Never been in a church with an annual budget even close to that, so I can't say how they deal with it. Seems like the size of the budget isn't the important thing, it's what they do with it. But once again, I think your talking about churches that have messed up priories with their budgets, which I think is a bad thing whether the budget is big or small. And I can understand how a big budget like that can come with all kinds of temptations for abuse. It's just a question of whether it's actually abused or not. Like I said, never been in a church like that.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

'Taint you never heard of the gift of discernment?

For example, right now I'm pretty sure you're thinking you want to light a fire in the fire place because it's dipping down into the low 80's. Am I right?

Lol, oh, you're funny.
But true.

Actually, I've been a faithful church goer for my 30 years being saved to many denominations and non-denominations.
If anyone on here can say what people think and do in churches, I can.
But rather than be judgmental and stay away, I choose to be uplifting.
This has been a work in me.

Right now, my wife and I have sort of adopted two young women, recently saved, recently out of jail, both with many issues and no family.
It is a joy to help them and see their appreciation.
I could not do this if I stayed away from church.

When one goes to church, they can learn from others and also teach others what we know.
It is a two way edification.
God wants this.
We should never settle for "going it alone".
There is more out there for you if you seek it.