I appreciate your struggle, but there are definitely churches around that preach, teach, and live the gospel. Sorry you're having a hard time finding one.
Generally if you can't find a faithful church, you have to be a partner in making one. Mild complaints don't do much good in the body of Christ. Either be Jeremiah and get shoved in a well, or be Paul getting poured out like a drink offering in service to the body. I'm thinking that the latter is our NT model.
I'm glad you're concerned about the state of the church. Would that more were.
Hey, I hear you! And I don't think you have any tone to apologize for--this is serious. The Cross must be central. Unfortunately, I've bumped into that "relevance" mantra over and over again, and it's disheartening. Jesus is always relevant. One of my children attends a rather seeker-sensitive model, and I can't see for the life of me, how any milk, much less MEAT of the Word is being preached there.
Maybe it's time to speak up, or go.
I'll pray. THanks for the post.
Both of you have been very helpful. Thanks. I don't think I'm prepared to be Jeremiah. I do think I'll stay here a while longer at least, only because my wife is not at the stage of fed-up-ness that I am. We'll see.
Gee Bob perhaps we are attending the same church. I am having the same struggles where I am. Where is the 'solid meat' of the word? Why do they not challenge us with the 'hard sayings of Jesus'? I know my pastor loves the Lord with his whole heart, I know the people do as well but where is the challenge to 'be persecuted for righteousness sake'? Now I'm not looking to be a martyr for Jesus but if that's what he calls me to that God help me to be prepared for the call.
I'm frustrated but don't say too much since we are new in this body where we are. My husband is a new believer and I don't want to rock the boat. I am praying. I am asking the Lord to show me my own heart and not just assume it's all 'them'. What is the Lord asking me and of me at this time in my life.
Read Lee Grady's editorial in this months Charisma magazine. It's good although much of the mag I can do without.
I think there is something up. God must be preparing us for something. May we be ready.
You're right in being careful here, Lois. It's easy to let these niggling disssatisfactions escalate into a persistent negativity. And yet they may be based on valid observations. We need to do no harm to persons if and when we criticise. More on this later, I'm sure. Keep in touch!
Just wanted you to know that I appreciate your heart in all this.
I'm wondering if this (I think widespread) phenomenon has anything to do with the "relevance" and "charismatic" schools' prioritizing of experience over dogmaticism. Its seems we're forgetting that the cross, the love Jesus bears for us, is the cause of the Hallelujah! experience, and not human doings or church formats.
Nate, 'church formats'. That is a mouthful and says it all many times over. I am so tired of 'church formats'....I want to see Jesus...but it's hard with only 25 mins of alloted time on Sunday am...what's a pastor to do???Hm.... seek God for HIS format??? I wonder....
Do I sound jaded...not at all...I love,desire and need the body of Christ. I just feel we are always 'idling' and rarely putting it in gear. I just want and need more of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit...I am seeking. There doesn't always have to be a fomat-pastors don't always know that however.
Nate, I do think you've hit on something when you speak of prioritizing experience over dogmaticism. Of course religious practices with out "experience" of the Holy Spirit, over the long haul, would be killing. On the other hand, as I've said often, anybody can drum up an "experience". The key word for me is "content." The music is awesome, people are flagging and raising their hands, but what is the content of the song? I went to a night of extended worhsip at my church a while ago and not one of the songs so much as mentioned the name of Jesus, let alone contained the Gospel. Hmmmm. And no one seemed to notice.
Me, I suspect that the Gospel message is avoided because it comes with a call to repentance. Pastors really don't want to strike that note too often? Great dialogue here, furnishing me with much food for thought. Lois, I'm with you. We should always remember that God is preparing His bride. We must learn to care for the church and take part in the Lord's preparation of the church for her great wedding day!
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