4 replies to this topic

[elizabethcog]

I am for sure a work in progress.....He is not finished with me(us) yet.I stumble and fail and yet He loves and forgives me I know.In his growing me I am not the same person due to the fact that his very spirit now lives in me,that is how I am amazed at times of the things I am led to do and the words that the holy spirit puts in my heart and mouth,none of this can I take credit for but in this growing process i now understand a fraction more than I did before I met Jesus,so here is where I would appreciate some advice.....i was not raised in any church so my head knowledge was lacking but for reasons only God knows I heard his call and my eyes and heart were opened to recieve Jesus(thank you God)So I ended up at a church and was baptized.One of the two best days of my life.I didn't know what it really meant to be a member of a church(meaning the group of believers gathered in a building)So now awhile later I realize that the church doctrine and some of their ways while not wrong really,are just not something I agree with as scripture.......I follow Jesus first and only not a man no matter how wonderful he is.....i would not just up and leave or stop serving unless God directed me where I am to go so I have been praying and listening and following him but I do not want to discourage or cause any disputes,I have spoke to the Pastor a little bit so he knows that there is something up.So to any of you what would be some things that you would just not be ok with?Closed communion?Lots of talk about reaching out to the community around the church but then little action?what about talk of giving more to the church(which is in a poor area)while the Pastor lives miles away in an affluent area but the church owns 2 little houses across the street?I do not want to be a judge of anyone but don't I have to judge what God's word says......prayers greatly appreciated I once even prayed for God to help me not be bothered by these things but He just isn't helping my heart change.I know we are all created different in regards to talents and gifts but i don't know how to be ok where I am but I am unsure where he would have me go?peace and love in Christ

[chipped china]

Elizabeth, I feel your discomfort and it sounds like the Holy Spirit has already convicted your heart. Your church doesn't own you, Jesus does. As far as feeling obligated to your work for the Lord, remember He does the work through us and not us doing the work through ourselves. Everyday, the Lord puts people and circumstances before you so the little God things can happen. Sniff out the fragrance of Jesus, look for the true sheep. Where two or more are gathered to worship and adore our Lord that is church.
There is nothing wrong with trying out some different churches. I know people who really love their church and have been at home there for many years.
I pray that God gives you wisdom and courage to go where He leads you.

[elizabethcog]

Thank you for your reply,your heart is kind and caring,i guess i am thinking about some at the church that seem a little misplaced.I know that they look for me and i kinda love on them extra cause it seems like they get a little brushed aside (their needs are a little messy but God has given me a soft spot for those)I just cannot nor should I pretend like i got it all figured out,every day I am amazed that God loves us like he does and in my thankfulness for what he did and does I want to be obedient to his call...thank you for the prayers,you are in mine too=)

[Travis Richey]

Elizabeth,

In Hebrews 10, we are told, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This letter was written to Christians who had banded together as one of the early churches. Not that even then, the admonishment was to spur one another toward love and good deeds....in other words, they weren't there yet...and neither are we. I find it interesting that an early problem was the tendency to quit meeting together with other believers. Again, so many things don't change, and as Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun. That early church had it's problems, and I'm sure there were members there that were unhappy, and couldn't seem to focus on anything else other than what was wrong. But as the writer says, let us encourage one another. It is much easier to give into discouragement, but hard to be an encourager...and many times, even harder to allow someone to be an encouragment to you. We often get it in our heads that these letters in the New Testament were written to sinners and pagans...but they weren't. They were written to believers who were struggling to live the right life, to turn away from their old lives, and to glorify God in what they did. So, the instructions to them are the instructions to us today....because we are in the same boat.

I know there are churches not doing the right thing, and there are some teaching false doctrine...and if we find ourselves there, we have to challenge and then leave if necessary. But no church is the perfect church...and if it was, it wouldn't be after I got there. If there is the presence of the Holy Spirit at work, and if the leadership is Godly and Seeking Him, and the people are showing concern and compassion for each other...then that church is headed the right way....not there yet, but needing people within it that are encouragers. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace....if these are present in small amounts, and are being sought after, then things are looking good.

Decisions such as to leave or not are difficult to make. It requires much prayer, and seeking God's Will for you. I pray that they eyes of your heart would be enlightened. While you are praying and waiting, I would encourage you to find and focus on the positives of this church, and to be an encourager while you are there. It takes work to ignore the negatives, but working on the positives can and will become a habit, and is very rewarding...both here and eternally.

In Christ,
Travis

[StevePage]

Well said Travis.