The un-churching of America....

#1
coffeevol

coffeevol

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#1
Why I Quit Church! And Started Attending Love Feasts



I will say that there is an interesting movment happening in America today in which people are following Chirst in which people are leaving church buildings and really trying to seek Christ and follow his teachings in the world through love, grace, forgiveness, mercy and fellowship. Pretty good stuff. What do the Christians of the forum say about this and do you agree with the rituals of your church. Just curious.
 
#2
#2
And BTW, This is just an article, not what I have studied or practiced in any means
 
#4
#4
This is an interesting subject to me. I was on staff at a church for about four years. I got a little uneasy thinking about one thing. The member's offering to God was putting money in my pocket. Utlimately I couldn't reconcile it, and I ended up in another line of work.
 
#5
#5
Sjernigan88 said:
Why I Quit Church! And Started Attending Love Feasts



I will say that there is an interesting movment happening in America today in which people are following Chirst in which people are leaving church buildings and really trying to seek Christ and follow his teachings in the world through love, grace, forgiveness, mercy and fellowship. Pretty good stuff. What do the Christians of the forum say about this and do you agree with the rituals of your church. Just curious.
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i think it's an copout, people always say they're religious but don't attending church. God commands Christians to go to church. the church is a corner stone of Chrstianity. Christians attend church for christian fellowship, encouragement and to be taught how to win other to Christ.
 
#6
#6
yes I agree it did, But it has made some points that is an obvious shift in what people are doing with Christ these days. More people are studying their bible and figuring out the way Christ taught and the truth of the matter most churches mean well but very few are in the design of Christ. That does not mean they ae evil or serve no purpose but the life of a Christian should be different than church on Sunday type of world and walk in the freedom of the message, Jesus final words on the cross were "It is finished" I take it to mean, it is bought, done, you can now have a direct line to the father with no more sacrafice.. I have done it for you...Now simply reconize it and walk in the freedom that it is.
 
#8
#8
We have a few 5 or 6000 member churches in Lex. I call them "Six Flags over Jesus". They are bloated and ridiculously funded.
 
#9
#9
I recently left organized church, but love Jesus and his teachings, but the guilt and shame that pastors have to spew to keep butts in the seats and the tithes large is not the way Christ taught. The guilt should be gone, that is not to say that the holy spirit should not convict you. We are still tithing to our community, 10% is set aside each month and if Joe Blo lost his job and needs groceries or a washing machine we help and try to do it without any recognition. I am just really seeking a closer walk with the teaching of Jesus.
 
#10
#10
To me, the article limits the idea of church to a service on Sunday morning. Many churches include a service but go way beyond that. Sunday school, small group meetings, bible studies held in someone's home, men's breakfasts, etc.

I don't lump churches into one category any more than I lump Christian's into one category.

My personal opinion on the entire thing is this: My first love is Jesus Christ, as my savior and friend. That makes me a Christian, not the fact that I attend a particular church. I have accepted his gift of salvation, and attend my church for fellowship, to renew, to learn, and to serve. Whatever a person sincerely thinks will bring them closer to God is okay with me.
 
#11
#11
Slick Selling Jesus

“Thank you Clothman,” the smooth voice said over the phone. “You will receive your free computer learning CD in a week – along with two other related videos that we know you will help you…”

“Wait. Two more videos; are they free too?”

“No Clothman, we just ask you to try them out and if you’re not completely satisfied then simply return them within 30 days at no charge. Then, every three months we will send you another video for you to review…”

“What, another video every three months? Your ad said one free CD and if I liked it then I, as in me, could order more. Ma’am, you’re squeezing me like the IRS in April.”

“Clothman we’re totally confident that you’ll love all of our products. Now, I just need your credit card number to cover the shipping and handling fees for your free CD.”

Yikes! It drives me nuts when people aren’t honest about what they’re really up to? Not too long ago I was reminded that the business world is not the only place you’ll find such tactics.

After his lengthy sermon the evangelist concluded with these words, “Now with every head bowed and every eye closed I want to ask you a very personal question, ‘Are you ready to stop living in fear and give your life to Jesus?’ If so, I’m going to ask you to just slip your hand up so I can see it, I want to pray for you. Nobody’s looking around; this is just between you and me.”

Not all heads were bowed or eyes closed. Yes, I confess I was looking around. That’s how I saw a few timid hands go up in the air, each of which the evangelist acknowledge.

“Those who raised your hand,” the evangelist continued, “I’m going to ask you to stand up right where you are. I know this is scary but it is simply taking a stand for Jesus – the one who publicly died for you.” Most of the people who raised their hand reluctantly stood while everyone else raised their heads and opened their eyes.

After a few more words the evangelist closed his sale. “Now, I’m going to ask all of you who are standing to do one more brave thing – please come up front so I can pray with you. In Matthew 10:32-33 Jesus said, ‘Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.’ If you come forward and acknowledge Jesus as your savior, he will acknowledge you before God in heaven.” (The assumption being that if you don’t come forward God will banish you from heaven - so much for leaving a life of fear.)

I’m certain this evangelist meant well and was trying to do God’s will; but in addition to taking the Bible terribly out of context, he was marketing Jesus with the guilt and manipulation techniques of high pressure sales.

It was time for me to leave, but as I walked out I prayed a blessing for those who went forward that night because bad things can happen to the good news when it is sold like a computer learning CD.
 
#12
#12
joevol320 said:
i think it's an copout, people always say they're religious but don't attending church. God commands Christians to go to church. the church is a corner stone of Chrstianity. Christians attend church for christian fellowship, encouragement and to be taught how to win other to Christ.
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true
 
#15
#15
And by the way....find anywhere in the bible Jesus says that he COMMANDS we go to church.... I have found lots of place about fellowship,teachings among elders, praying for each other, ect....
 
#18
#18
cd12 said:
The USMC is about as far as I have gone considering organized religion.
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I was just trying to give you a Duplantis hairdo. That would make it easier for you to sneak up on unsuspecting board members.
 
#20
#20
Lexvol said:
I was just trying to give you a Duplantis hairdo. That would make it easier for you to sneak up on unsuspecting board members.
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I kind of like the Benny Hinn/Flock of Seagulls look....
 
#22
#22
I personally am tired of all this "feel good" group that is becoming a new branch of Christianity. i.e. the Joel Osteen's of the world. While it is important to teach the loving ways of Christ and to live your life like Him, the ramifications of living a sinful life should not be put aside.

Someone earlier said that they were tired of pastors "guilting" them. While some pastors do it for selfish reasons, we should not ignore that Hell is a real place and that the Devil is at work in this world.

Jesus did preach about forgiveness and treating others the right way, but He also warned of the dangers of Hell and its realness.
 
#24
#24
Ok, what I am talking of is not a feel good live in sin fellowship. It is a group of christians that firmly believe the bible as the word of God and choose not to have it forced on them by a pastor who is more concerned with keeping butts in the seat to pay the light bill and staff but rather seek the truth of the word and teachings of Jesus. Just because some isn't in a church building does not mean they live in sin.
 
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