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Sorry that I wrote a book; I simply wanted to be as descriptive, and as accurate and transparent as possible.
I do not understand why people in the church behave in the above ways. No matter what church you go to, it's all the same.
.But...you'd *better* agree; you'd better be a part of the herd! If not, you will be excluded from social events, etc. You'll find yourself outside of the "inner circle."
But with the church I am disgusted. I am weary of the silliness, and the lack of grace and forbearance.
Appreciate your contribution. Maybe I have had a bad run...Every church is different. Even within denominations, some are very cold,
some are very warm and inviting. Female leadership can make a big difference.
.Appreciate your contribution . At the time I lived in a part of NY where there were very few churches. Now I am in a different State, but a lot of folks aren't interested in getting to know people in a way that's more than casual.
The point I was making about Luke 19: everyone is given a set of gifts by the Spirit, thus does everyone have a responsibility to use the gifts and talents they are given. If not, it's a sin.
1 Cor 5:11: "But now I have written to you not to keep company ***with anyone named a brother,*** who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person." (emphasis mine)
Are your relatives church going folks? Do they identify as a brother or sister in the Lord?
I know by your first reply that you know
Eph 4:11-13: "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ"
I'm sorry that you've had a similar experience. Truly.
It isn't even a matter of God calling the best of mankind into a church; people are downright silly, in analyzing others. For as you said: not only does the sanctification process take time, each believer is challenged in very different ways, and in varying strengths.
The widow put two mites into the offering plate, but she put more than they all, because she had little to give.
I once heard a Pastor say that he challenges himself by competing with himself - seeing if he can go a day or two without sinning. In this I don't think the Pastor was bragging; I am sure that he was sincere.
He was a Country preacher; Lord knows what he ran into daily. Pastoring a church is never easy, but he came from a rural town. At the time, I lived just outside of NYC. Two different animals; two different sets of challenges.
But using 1 John 1:7 as a justification to pick and choose who's acceptable and who isn't...I have had more than my fill.
When I was a young believer, I once thought a brother was inconsistent in his walk, because of his spotty church attendance.
(Until I learned that he was an over the road truck driver)
***
I hope that your situation was resolved, and I hope you were not left disgusted as well.
Now see I went to a Calvary church for a couple years and I had a long talk with one of the associate pastors about this very verse. To me it seems ridiculous to assume it applies to roles in the church as if you get assigned a position based on your 'gift' because I guarantee you most people would be determined to have the gift of giving.
Yes I am jaded.
They go to a 'church' I will refrain from naming the denomination, suffice to say it is very liberal. They had a lesbian pastor for a while.
Either way, I am sure that you pray for, and wish the very best for, your relatives .