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there are numbers (some prolific posters here), that choose not to go to church.
Simple question.
Why?
Simple question.
Why?
Your question may be simple however the answer may not be.there are numbers (some prolific posters here), that choose not to go to church.
Simple question.
Why?
there are numbers (some prolific posters here), that choose not to go to church.
Simple question.
Why?
I can tell you from the other side, being the pastor, that these are for sure the top 3.What i am seeing so far is:
- transportation
- job
- offense taken.
Offenses seem to be the most prevalent so far.
What i am seeing so far is:
- offense taken.
One example perhaps: If you went to a restaurant, and they brought beautiful napkins, silverware, menus , and had great attractive tables and chairs and clean floors and clean bathrooms,there are numbers (some prolific posters here), that choose not to go to church.
Simple question.
Why?
It's never a good idea to take offense even if they give you every reason to do so. Given, taken, doesn't matter... it's better to forgive and ask God for wisdom about what to do next than to go down that road.Offense given would be more accurate.
It's never a good idea to take offense even if they give you every reason to do so. Given, taken, doesn't matter... it's better to forgive and ask God for wisdom about what to do next than to go down that road.
And believe me, I've heard shocking stories of Christians & ministers who have behaved badly. It's happened to me, plenty. I get it.
It's never a good idea to take offense even if they give you every reason to do so. Given, taken, doesn't matter... it's better to forgive and ask God for wisdom about what to do next than to go down that road.
And believe me, I've heard shocking stories of Christians & ministers who have behaved badly. It's happened to me, plenty. I get it.
Sometimes an offense is a God-given instinct of wrong. How you behave about it is another matter. It's not necessary to be offensive back, although there are some cases where words of reproof back are warranted.
In my case, my ex-pastor sent me about 10 pages worth of very offensive and personal comments assuming something about me that was incorrect with the threat of church discipline pursuant to the 4th commandment because I didn't want to do something he wanted me to do. He said the 4th commandment (Honor your father and your mother) was about obeying my authority, and as a pastor, he was my authority, so I would either need to yield to his unBiblical and vain doctrine or stand in front of the church for discipline and/or excommunication for breaking the 4th commandment.
Yes, I took offense because his vain doctrine was repugnant to me at a personal level. However, I did not reply because every time I started to draft an email it would have returned an offense back to him. When he prompted me three months later as to whether or not I received his email, I replied with a resignation.
His offense was liberating, though, because it caused me to finish the last leg of my journey of studying and understanding the vast liberty from bondage, grace and love Christ has for his church in Him, equally for both the male and the female members. Christ does not have a dim or second class regard for females; we are just as precious to Him as the men are. Hallelujah!!
The ten commandments, and the law in general are not word for word specific, they each have a broader meaning. You Pastor was correct in the sense the 4th commandment includes him, and others in authority over us, it's not just mom, and dad, or grandparents. I wish you the best.
As a rule I would never make a broad recommendation to stay or leave. It truly needs to be evaluated on a case by case basis (note, if it is a true cult this would not apply)Hello topher. Bad behaviour does seem to happen more in certain churches than in others. So, would we advise a sheep who is being abused to move to pastures new? God Bless
Sometimes an offense is a God-given instinct of wrong. How you behave about it is another matter. It's not necessary to be offensive back, although there are some cases where words of reproof back are warranted.
In my case, my ex-pastor sent me about 10 pages worth of very offensive and personal comments assuming something about me that was incorrect with the threat of church discipline pursuant to the 4th commandment because I didn't want to do something he wanted me to do. He said the 4th commandment (Honor your father and your mother) was about obeying my authority, and as a pastor, he was my authority, so I would either need to yield to his unBiblical and vain doctrine or stand in front of the church for discipline and/or excommunication for breaking the 4th commandment.
Yes, I took offense because his vain doctrine was repugnant to me at a personal level. However, I did not reply because every time I started to draft an email it would have returned an offense back to him. When he prompted me three months later as to whether or not I received his email, I replied with a resignation.
His offense was liberating, though, because it caused me to finish the last leg of my journey of studying and understanding the vast liberty from bondage, grace and love Christ has for his church in Him, equally for both the male and the female members. Christ does not have a dim or second class regard for females; we are just as precious to Him as the men are. Hallelujah!!
I have learned to not add words to Scripture that aren't there. Doing so can cause a lot of dysfunction that Christ never intended. Thus, the point of this thread. If you were being told to do something that was unBiblical by your "authority", would you be breaking the 4th commandment by refusing?