Goodbye Church!!

parsley · #31 17th January 2012, 09:59 AM

I wished the church and everyone in the church the best of success and expressed to them I loved them and I still mean that from the bottom of my heart. It was not presented to them as a goodbye speech but instead as a testimony.

What a nice way to go about it. Your ministry with them doesn't end when you walk out the door. People will remember you, and your statements will be a strength to them. They may lean on you when you don't even know it.

When you are immersed in the church's social chatter, it is harder to take a stand. Jesus preached outside His home town and had great impact in new places. Taking that leap out of the comfort zone can give us new perspectives and opportunities. New strength and confidence in what we believe.

it is hard to stay focused when everything around you is negative.

That is exactly what I would have said next. I think God is leading you toward a narrowing, a fast-like approach to your expression of faith.

The situation reminds me of getting together with relatives over the holidays. Conflicts arise and people hold each other to old patterns and ruts. It's great to see them on occasion, but we are more mature when we strike out on our own and form new, diverse relationships.

Thanks for keeping us up on your journey!

This is probably one of the reasons I enjoy attending Mass so much-- the focus is never on who is in church or not, but after spending time together praying and reading the Scriptures our full focus is on God coming to us through the Eucharist.

I attend more contemporary interactive services, but totally agree with you on liturgy. I have loved the Lutheran, Catholic and Episcopalian services with liturgical readings.

This week I was listening to a Latin service on EWTN, amazed how it brought be into focus on God even when I didn't know many Latin phrases.

brohammer26 · #32 15th February 2012, 10:41 AM

Sadly I have only been to one church that I like the service and the people. It was non-denominational and I keep compareing other churches to it. I work a lot on sundays and am really isolated...like not a single friend so I end up listeing to podcasts from my church back home.

Bible2 · #33 16th February 2012, 02:54 AM

brohammer26 said in post #32:

I work a lot on sundays and am really isolated...

Remember that many churches have mid-week services and home-group meetings, at night after work.

Also, one of the neat things about online Christian forums like this one is that Christians can gather together here to exhort one another daily (Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 10:25) in the form of writings, about the truths of the Bible (2 Timothy 4:2); just as in the books of the New Testament the apostles and their immediate followers exhorted their fellow Christians in the form of writings (1 Thessalonians 4:1, Hebrews 13:22, 2 Peter 3:1), about the truths given to the apostles directly by Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:16, 1 John 1:1-3, 1 Corinthians 9:1, Galatians 1:11-12, Luke 1:1-2, Hebrews 2:3).

iLogos · #34 16th February 2012, 03:06 AM

There are plenty of churches I have attended and would never go back too. But there are also many good ones too!

Here's the thing, you need fellowship, and just you and your husband really is not enough. Not that you can't get by with just that, but think of fellowship like a pile of charcoal. Together they burn and glow! Take one out and it eventually burns out. You need to meet and fellowship with other like minded believers because we are bombarded with non believers and worldly negative influences. We strengthen each other and lift each other up!

You can start your own fellowship at your home and invite other believers. Perhaps take turn and meet at each others homes! Better would be to find a really good Church you feel comfortable with!

Don't give up on fellowship! TV fellowship is not the same!

Good luck! And God Bless!

JesusisallIneed · #35 16th February 2012, 01:20 PM

Please see below my response in ()

Originally Posted by iLogos

There are plenty of churches I have attended and would never go back too. But there are also many good ones too!

Here's the thing, you need fellowship, and just you and your husband really is not enough. Not that you can't get by with just that, but think of fellowship like a pile of charcoal. Together they burn and glow! Take one out and it eventually burns out. You need to meet and fellowship with other like minded believers because we are bombarded with non believers and worldly negative influences. We strengthen each other and lift each other up!

(the above would actually be true if the churches I went to had a christian spirit. They don't)

You can start your own fellowship at your home and invite other believers. Perhaps take turn and meet at each others homes! Better would be to find a really good Church you feel comfortable with!

(I am highly considering the above. But realistically speaking I am meeting the biblical requirements. By assembling meaning 2 or more people are gathered in his name.)

Don't give up on fellowship! TV fellowship is not the same!

(Actually I have learned more on TV than I did in the churches. No theatrics, no calling someone out and embarrassing them, do drama, no gossip. At home I get to glorify and have peace with God.) I am at peace.

Good luck! And God Bless!

JesusisallIneed · #36 16th February 2012, 01:21 PM

Trust is a big factor with me. I only trust God.

Originally Posted by Bible2

Remember that many churches have mid-week services and home-group meetings, at night after work.

Also, one of the neat things about online Christian forums like this one is that Christians can gather together here to exhort one another daily (Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 10:25) in the form of writings, about the truths of the Bible (2 Timothy 4:2); just as in the books of the New Testament the apostles and their immediate followers exhorted their fellow Christians in the form of writings (1 Thessalonians 4:1, Hebrews 13:22, 2 Peter 3:1), about the truths given to the apostles directly by Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:16, 1 John 1:1-3, 1 Corinthians 9:1, Galatians 1:11-12, Luke 1:1-2, Hebrews 2:3).

Bible2 · #37 17th February 2012, 02:43 AM

JesusisallIneed said in post #36:

I only trust God.

That can be a good thing to do (Micah 7:5-7, Jeremiah 9:4, Psalms 118:8, Proverbs 28:26).

now faith · #38 17th February 2012, 07:40 AM

I think a nondenominational church is the answer. It sounds like the others are connected and thus gossip is at work. Not all non denominational groups are on the right path either ,always test what their teaching with the word. Praise and worship of God teaching and sharing his word is hard by yourself you never know you may start a church one day by networking and prayer meetings from your home. This has worked well for a preacher friend of mine they now have land and buildings and are awaiting permits

jpcedotal · #39 17th February 2012, 07:52 AM

Church "recharges" my spiritual batteries for the week and my kids love going. As a father, I am to be the spiritual leader of my family.

JesusisallIneed · #40 19th February 2012, 10:07 AM

I just wish I could find a church that is focused on GOD. GOD, GOD how I love him. He is the reason I am able to type in this forum today. I know GOD has a plan for me. I know he does. I will keep my FAITH IN GOD. That is what is going to help me until I find a church home. I know GOD will take care of me if I put 100% of my faith in him!