Hot, we tried, Preacher fired a staff member who was well liked and didn't want to leave us...Preacher said "His (staff person) ministry is done here". Only Jesus can decide that, thats not leadership its dictatorship.

Hot, we tried, Preacher fired a staff member who was well liked and didn't want to leave us...Preacher said "His (staff person) ministry is done here". Only Jesus can decide that, thats not leadership its dictatorship.

 

I guess I shouldn't have directed that last comment so directly at you.

 

I just think that in far too many churches (non-catholic), the congregation thinks it is a democracy and truthfully I believe that is a lousy methiod for determining direction. Most (all?) of us are selfish and if we are left to make our own decisions we will choose what benefits us most and an inward focus. God's mission, "to seek and to save the lost" is clearly outward focus. Therefore most people would be better off finding a leader, who has a heart after God's own heart, putting themselves under that leader, and following.

I guess I shouldn't have directed that last comment so directly at you.

 

I just think that in far too many churches (non-catholic), the congregation thinks it is a democracy and truthfully I believe that is a lousy methiod for determining direction. Most (all?) of us are selfish and if we are left to make our own decisions we will choose what benefits us most and an inward focus. God's mission, "to seek and to save the lost" is clearly outward focus. Therefore most people would be better off finding a leader, who has a heart after God's own heart, putting themselves under that leader, and following.

 

I'm like you. I've never understood Protestants' church-shopping behavior. "Don't like what the Rev. has to say this week? No sweat; there's another Baptist church a half-mile down the road."

TTL how do you balance that Christianity isn't just about going to Church on Sunday morning but rather being a Christian all week long and praying for chances to be a Christian more than just on Sunday morning?

 

I really struggle with getting that message across to my children and while I want them to be at church on Sunday mornings, don't want to hold it up as the essential part of their faith.

 

I agree completely that Christianity is about being a Christian all week long, but GADZOOKS, :scared: you don't want to build up being at church on Sunday mornings as being an essential part of faith???

 

We were given ten commandments...and "remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" is one-tenth of those commandments - that makes it pretty essential in my book. Now I realize that doesn't necessarily literally say "go to church every Sunday", but as Sunday is generally accepted as the Christian "day of Sabbath", and as Mass is a cardinal part of the practice of the Catholic faith, I go every week, vacation or not. The only time I've missed in the last 28 years has been due to illness.

^^^Can't say that soccer tourneys take us a way some, My wife has some buddies that have already left, some pretty quick, as I said with her teaching children she wants to make sure she remembers her scripture as she puts these kids first.

 

The church is Jesus's church, but Satan doesn't go after Unbelievers, he already has them, who does he attack? Christians, Churches, people of the LORD. I met with the Pastor asking him why he chose to release the staff person, was it his Music? Was it the Children's worship? was it Money?

 

He did not reply, "I'd rather not say". Ok fine, but this man has to relocate, a child who is a senior, his wife is loved here also, and you are telling us his ministry is done here, the people are speaking by leaving.

 

Its not fun as I go a different way as my wife/son, son wants to stay, and I've told him he can, but he knows down the road he will join us, that is why I ask so many questions about the Youth programs.

 

Thanks for letting me vent, I get a call almost nitely from folks who ask me about my Search.

I agree completely that Christianity is about being a Christian all week long, but GADZOOKS, :scared: you don't want to build up being at church on Sunday mornings as being an essential part of faith???

 

We were given ten commandments...and "remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" is one-tenth of those commandments - that makes it pretty essential in my book. Now I realize that doesn't necessarily literally say "go to church every Sunday", but as Sunday is generally accepted as the Christian "day of Sabbath", and as Mass is a cardinal part of the practice of the Catholic faith, I go every week, vacation or not. The only time I've missed in the last 28 years has been due to illness.

 

I did NOT say AN essential part, I said THE essential part. KEY, KEY difference.

 

I don't want them to think their Christianity is about attending church on Sunday mornings.

Son had opening soccer game for his school, got home around 9 PM, and there are two notes from the two churches I have been visiting. Mama wondered if they got here at the same time.

 

I like the fact they came to see us.

Son had opening soccer game for his school, got home around 9 PM, and there are two notes from the two churches I have been visiting. Mama wondered if they got here at the same time.

 

I like the fact they came to see us.

 

Sounds like to me you really want to be recruited, which I find sad. I know that sounds harsh, but read what you are writing. You want to be welcomed on Sunday morning, you want to be visited, you want the church to want you.

 

That church spent resources (even if it were was just a time resource) reaching out to you, someone who is already a Christian. I want a church that says this is who we are, this is what we are about, this is where we are going and if you want to join in, jump on and get to work. However, if you don't, we hope you find someplace to connect.

 

I have yet to meet the person who enjoys getting "suprised" at home with a visit from Church strangers, whose intent is to welcome them.

Hot, you are intitled.

 

The Bible tells us to have fellowship..1St John 1:3:6:7/1 St Corinthians 1:9

 

Matthew 28 this is called the "Great Commisson" where Jesus tells us TO GO all nations teklling them about the Gospel.

 

Right now all Baptists Churches going into the Easter Season are door walking, leaving info on their Churches. The reason, Jesus.

 

In my earlier post I mentioned since living here in Llouisville I have been to 4 churches. 1966, when I came here. Three of the churches I left due to moving out of the area.

 

I'm now searching for my family the right fit and I have shared this experince and have been honest.

 

Recruiting me, you state, what if I was unsaved? They don't know my salvation. I was recruitng folks to God's kingdom back in the 70s and will do so every chance I get.

 

We are told to share Jesus with everyone.

 

Visiting Churches is a process, if they don't call/visit, the church is sinning. I mentioned how one church has visited, and I plan on visiting two new ones the next two weeks, just skip over this thread if it bothers you, I do that a lot on here, just don't go into it.

 

I also mentioned how hard this is for my family and how we are having tough choices to make due to my wife/son, but you must have missed that one sir.

 

My final two verses for you Matthew 7:1 where Jesus asks us not to be judgemental of others actions, because last verse, 1st Samual 16:7..."Man looks at the outward apperance, I LOOK at their heart."

 

Yes, you are intitled but you also don't have a clue and I ask you to study your bible.

 

Sidenote Hot, I have had several PMs from BGP folks thanking me for sharing this journey which I really don't enjoy, but has to be done. You don't get to Gulf Shores without going thru Bowling Green first.

Oh I forgot to ad something to Hots statement about wanting to be recruited and having Churches come to my home and shaking my hand at worship.

 

When you visit a church your time to speak with the leaders is very short if anytime at all. In a inhome visit there is more time to get info about what they are all about. Before I visited these churches I called and talked to them on the phone and ask several questions

 

I believe there are no resources except the phone bill.

 

I realize I'm different, you don't know me but to be fair I like going to people's homes to share Jesus, and yes I rarely get inside the door. So when someone comes to my house, we have a great time, even the group who is famous for doing this, I let them in and serve them drinks tea/coke and they come here about once every two months. I love talking about Jesus. PM me and I'll visit you.

 

If I type too long it times out and I lose my connection. I know this is long and somewhat boring, but he asked.

I am sure you are quality guy AL. I also don't envy you for what you and your family are going through. Church wounds tend to be very deep and painful. With that said I would probably disagree with your expectations from your prospective churches and that is what I was attempting to voice.

 

As far as being judgemental, that is probably true and something I struggle with.

One thing that's always bugged me about parishoners at the Catholic chuches I've gone to is that they don't really make an effort to greet newbies. Some parishes will do a "greet your neighbor" before Mass starts but most do not. Afterwards, its a rush to the parking lot.

 

Other religions may do that as well but I only have experience in the Catholic churches.

I think that's true of most churches and really any social setting. People aren't just going to go up to a stranger and interact with them without reason. That's just not human nature. Now I'm sure there are some churches, like Larry's, where that is a big deal, and everyone who wants to be seen as doing the righteous thing makes such a gesture. That's not a slam on his chuch at all, just a comment on people in general.

My final two verses for you Matthew 7:1 where Jesus asks us not to be judgemental of others actions, because last verse, 1st Samual 16:7..."Man looks at the outward apperance, I LOOK at their heart."

 

Yes, you are intitled but you also don't have a clue and I ask you to study your bible.

Hmm...

Hmm...

 

Ouch. BF with a zinger.

I think that's true of most churches and really any social setting. People aren't just going to go up to a stranger and interact with them without reason. That's just not human nature. Now I'm sure there are some churches, like Larry's, where that is a big deal, and everyone who wants to be seen as doing the righteous thing makes such a gesture. That's not a slam on his chuch at all, just a comment on people in general.

 

Thats harsh.

 

In the church I attend, everyone is genuinely friendly and outgoing. I am very happy to see new faces and I always introduce myself and welcome them. I enjoy the opportunity to let the visitor know we are happy they have chosen to worship with us on that day. It isn't a pretentious act, it is just who I am. And I am not the exception either.

 

We attend a church that averages around 100 in attendance on Sunday morning, so visitors are easy to spot (target ). We are in a very rural area, though, which might be a big part of the difference between our congregation and one in a more urban setting.