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Hi, when I think about this I believe that just because someone may no longer actively participate in congregational gatherings/worship, for example, they may still be involved in the body of Christ because the church consists of saved people. So when I interact here with believers, for example, I am engaged with the body of Christ and when a co-worker who is a believer or I pray together for something at work, this is interacting with the church. To me, I would be hypocritical in participating in activities like listening to sermons that go against what I understand in the scriptures. The teaching on certain subjects is very important to me. When I last visited a congregation that I use to worship with, I felt like I was a stranger and many of the teachings, perspectives sounded so strange and foreign and participating in activities like congregational singing or classes seemed to be hypocritical to me although I wanted to fellowship because I had good friendships with many in the congregation. I know that everyone doesn't agree with everything that may take place in congregational activities, but I tend to agree with Dave (Spm62) on this. I believe that if I even attempted to share my beliefs on certain things with someone in a congregation, I would face some of the same condemnation that I have faced when sharing on various forums on the Internet. But then again, when I have shared with a co-worker who believes differently than I do on some things, there was an initial reaction of disbelief and an effort to set me straight, but since then we haven't spoken about and still pray together at times. I do visit congregations from time to time and hope to find one that holds to certain teachings that I believe to be presented in the scriptures. God bless.
Last edited by ShanaBrown; 01-12-2008 at 03:26 PM..
Reason: addition
Could I ask those who have posted to evaluate my Church? from the web site below. I just need to get a sense of what the non-churched believers see.
Thankyou so much...
We've recently had our greatest growth spurt since we came together as a body of belivers... so your input is important.
Dave, to me it looks like this congregation has many uplifting and beneficial ministries and activities going on. The first link that I went to was the one that explained your beliefs and from reading this, I believe that I for one would not fit in here. But I love the website. Thanks for sharing and God bless.
Hi, when I think about this I believe that just because someone may no longer actively participate in congregational gatherings/worship, for example, they may still be involved in the body of Christ because the church consists of saved people. So when I interact here with believers, for example, I am engaged with the body of Christ and when a co-worker who is a believer or I pray together for something at work, this is interacting with the church. To me, I would be hypocritical in participating in activities like listening to sermons that go against what I understand in the scriptures. The teaching on certain subjects is very important to me. When I last visited a congregation that I use to worship with, I felt like I was a stranger and many of the teachings, perspectives sounded so strange and foreign and participating in activities like congregational singing or classes seemed to be hypocritical to me although I wanted to fellowship because I had good friendships with many in the congregation. I know that everyone doesn't agree with everything that may take place in congregational activities, but I tend to agree with Dave (Spm62) on this. I believe that if I even attempted to share my beliefs on certain things with someone in a congregation, I would face some of the same condemnation that I have faced when sharing on various forums on the Internet. But then again, when I have shared with a co-worker who believes differently than I do on some things, there was an initial reaction of disbelief and an effort to set me straight, but since then we haven't spoken about and still pray together at times. I do visit congregations from time to time and hope to find one that holds to certain teachings that I believe to be presented in the scriptures. God bless.
I agree Shana,
It is hard to sit and listen to a sermon or be part of activities with people in a church setting that you disagree with. Even on this forum, one can tell the people who adhere to church doctrines and beliefs. When you espouse something different than that belief you are labeled as deceived and your beliefs being of satan. That is what keeps a lot of people who believe in Jesus as their savior and the Father Almighty God out of the church. I love fellowship with believers of God but it`s the... believe as we do or you`re doomed to eternal damnation...that hurts people. We have seen post after post on here of people who went to a church for healing or for friendship with other believers only to be treated as an outsider or made to feel ashamed because of some sin in their life or their beliefs weren`t totally what the church believed. It seems to me that a lot of churches only want people there who believe exactly as they do or people who they can indoctrinate with their beliefs. Which is fine. That is their right. I actually have no problem with a group only wanting people whose beliefs exactly mirror each others. But then don`t wonder why people who do trust in Jesus as their savior and worship God almighty do not attend or leave the church.
Discernment Is A Gift From God. A Church Can Have False Teachers And Teach False Doctrines.if Discernment Isn't There ,a Person Can Be Led Down A Fruitless Path.(sometimes, A Very Hurtful/destructive Path.) Some People's Knowledge Is Only From What They Are Taught. They Haven't Read Or Know What Is In The Bible, Or What Other Religions Teach. They May Have The Bible Interpreted By Their Leaders To Suit The Doctrine. Just Because Everyone In A Church Believes The Same Things, Doesn't Me It Is So...but, It Does Mean Unity.
Well I think a combination of going to church as well as private study is good for all believers. Some prefer private study over group worship, likewise the opposite is the same for other believers. In this day and age, I do understand why many people have felt the need to abandon some of their more traditional church roots due to all of the confusion that is currently abound in many "denominations"(or the more appropriate word should be "demonisations")
Anyway, The Lord specifically stated that in the last days their would be great confusion in the church, and men would turn away from the faith following doctrines of demons. Just walk into any church nowadays and you can see them filled with hundreds of man made ordinances which in no way are justified by the Word, or have little to no scriptural basis behind them. Even going into forums like these you'll find some of the most silliest debates ever going on(i.e. OSAS vs NOSAS..nobody knows who's saved except God..as he has access to the book of life) These are the times that we live in now...and as they continue this way, you'll see many more people leaving the faith of popular churches - and depending more upon meditating and studying the Word of God privately, or amongst closer friends/families.
Dave, to me it looks like this congregation has many uplifting and beneficial ministries and activities going on. The first link that I went to was the one that explained your beliefs and from reading this, I believe that I for one would not fit in here. But I love the website. Thanks for sharing and God bless.
I would agree with you, Shana. It does look like a growing church, with many good ministries and activities. But, like you, based on the beliefs, etc., that are listed on the site, I definitely would not fit in. I'm afraid that the first time I said that I don't believe in an eternal hell, (though I do believe in limited redemptive punishment, discipline, and correction), they either would hasten to show me just how wrong I was, or escort me to the door forthwith, lest I contaminate others with my heretical thoughts and ideas. Probably both!
Seriously Dave, you seem to have a nice church, just like many another nice, growing, dynamic church, and I'm sure it's well-suited for those of like beliefs. Would I attend your church, or one like it? No, (been there; done that), but what's important for your church family, is that you do have the same basic beliefs and that you have those ministries and activities that are needed and wanted by all of you, and there's nothing wrong with that.
I looked at the church site, Dave, and it does have something for everyone who wants to be involved..The youth program looked really nice..Although I couldn't "join" this church, I would have no problem occassionally attending a worship service with them..I have always said that imo, God will put each of us where we are best suited to feel comfortable in our beliefs..I think He will decide not us
I'm afraid that the first time I said that I don't believe in an eternal hell, (though I do believe in limited redemptive punishment, discipline, and correction), they either would hasten to show me just how wrong I was, or escort me to the door forthwith, lest I contaminate others with my heretical thoughts and ideas. Probably both!
I would agree with you, Shana. It does look like a growing church, with many good ministries and activities. But, like you, based on the beliefs, etc., that are listed on the site, I definitely would not fit in. I'm afraid that the first time I said that I don't believe in an eternal hell, (though I do believe in limited redemptive punishment, discipline, and correction), they either would hasten to show me just how wrong I was, or escort me to the door forthwith, lest I contaminate others with my heretical thoughts and ideas. Probably both!
Seriously Dave, you seem to have a nice church, just like many another nice, growing, dynamic church, and I'm sure it's well-suited for those of like beliefs. Would I attend your church, or one like it? No, (been there; done that), but what's important for your church family, is that you do have the same basic beliefs and that you have those ministries and activities that are needed and wanted by all of you, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Location: Comunistafornia, and working to get out ASAP!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave_n_Tenn
Could I ask those who have posted to evaluate my Church? from the web site below. I just need to get a sense of what the non-churched believers see.
Thankyou so much...
We've recently had our greatest growth spurt since we came together as a body of belivers... so your input is important.
Much of the same that goes on all over the world now a days in churches--pander to the people, attract them by the Rick Warren, willow Creek methods. Not for me, but hey if your happy there knock yourself out
Quote:
Originally Posted by spm62
...Even on this forum, one can tell the people who adhere to church doctrines and beliefs. When you espouse something different than that belief you are labeled as deceived and your beliefs being of satan. That is what keeps a lot of people who believe in Jesus as their savior and the Father Almighty God out of the church. I love fellowship with believers of God but it`s the... believe as we do or you`re doomed to eternal damnation...that hurts people...It seems to me that a lot of churches only want people there who believe exactly as they do or people who they can indoctrinate with their beliefs. Which is fine. That is their right. I actually have no problem with a group only wanting people whose beliefs exactly mirror each others.
Spm62, I'm trying to see what your saying here. However, unity in the doctrines of Christianity is Scriptural and required. See, Psalm 133:1; Matthew 23:8; Acts 4:32; Romans 12:16; 15:5,6; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 1:27; 2:2; 3:16,17; 1 Peter 3:8. One of the problems today is everyone wants to be accepted in whatever they believe even if it's clear error or heresy and that can not be.
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and that can not be.