Do you have problems with your church??

A couple of months ago I didn't like my church. Don't get me wrong, it was okay, and the people were nice, but I wasn't getting the spiritual renewing that I needed. A lot of times I didn't even want to go. It sucked! I discussed it with my friend, Marissa, it was a long tearful hour, she explained to me that she used to have the same problem, but it wasn't the church, it was me. I wasn't preparing myself, I wasn't spending time discussing it with God. If I went to the service wanting to be blessed, he was going to bless me. I just had to ask. So I did, and things are going great! The youth dept. is getting MUCH better, and just this last Sunday I was blessed so much that I went to the front of the church and explained to everyone what had been going on in my life, I don't think I've ever cried so much, and so hard. They were all wonderful about it! Afterwards a lady came up to me and told me that she had seen the change in me. This woman was a lady that I don't really ever talk to, just say hi and stuff. It was truly amazing. When God works wonders it sure is Great!


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We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our Heavenly bodies, like new clothing. Romans 5:2
-Sounds good huh!!-

I've gone through exactly the same thing. I was sick and tired of my church. I felt that I was not getting what I needed. Then someone wise told me that I should ask not what the church can do for me, but what I can do for my church. So I became involved in Sunday School, in the worship team, and things got better.

The more you give, the more you receive. Water when dammed becomes stagnant. A river that flows is always fresh. When you empty yourself, God will fill you up again!

I know how you felt. I used to not want to go to my church either, except i didn't want to go because i didn't WANT to be "spiritually renewed" i was a bad person and i just didn't want to feel guilty about my life every Sunday and Wednesday. So i look up to you because you were a Christian striving for God, while i was a sinner rejecting God. But when God spoke to my heart, and showed me how much my church cared for me, and how they weren't out to condemn me, i realized how wrong i was. My church family is AWESOME now that God opened my eyes. I am so not worthy of them at all. There are still some people in my church whose eyes are still closed to the fact that this church is a church full of love for each other. They truly shine with GOD's love. instead of thinking my preacher was just trying to make me feel guilty... now when i look at him, i see Jesus in him. And he has blessed my life because of his obedience to God. My youth leaders are just WOW! What can i say about them? They're my heroes. Truly exalted of God and you can see it! I now look forward to go to church. God opened my eyes to the truth, and in doing that, i found truth in my church.

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"The joy of the Lord is my strength"- Neh. 8:10

I find that I don't fit in in my youth group. I seem to be always getting into trouble. But I am seeking God for guidance in this.

i have the same problem but with some people

hey dolphin! I know how you feel! There are some people in my youth group who i just sometimes wonder if they even want to be there. They rarely pay attention, they never seem to have an input, and lately they've just made me very upset. Sometimes i don't think they take anything seriously. And it's so hard to talk to people who act like that. But i'm realizing that know matter how mad i get at them and no matter how hard i try to NOT be like them, i can't fix them. God is the only one who can change them. Even up untill today, i hadn't really understood that i just need to give it all to God. I can pray for them, but that's about it. I can pray that God will take away the bad feelings that i have toward them. But really, why would they even listen to me? Why not give it to God because with God all things are possible. And HE alone can change lives and renew hearts. No matter how big the problem is between you and those people in your youth group, GOD CAN FIX IT! All you have to do is let HIM.

Your sister in Christ,
Marissa

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"The joy of the Lord is my strength"- Neh. 8:10

I've been told that it is not the church, and that it is just me, but that is not the case. The church body comes together to build up and edify ourselves as well as fellowship with our brothers and sisters.

In my church, I have been stared down at because I'm a youth and I play the bass guitar for the song services. I have been condemned by a former Sunday School teacher because another youth had been upset with me and told my youth pastors lies. The same teacher has run off most of the kids in our youth group. Me and my brothers are talked about behind our backs because we don't agree with the way our youth group functions. My parents force their beliefs on me and make me attend church youth functions as well as the adult functions, while other youth in the church skip out.
I don't agree with all the beliefs of our church, and the way my parents try to force those beliefs on me just make me resent the church body and religion itself.

A person needs to be comfortable with the people in the church and need to agree with the doctrine or things will start becoming distractions. If anything, beliefs should be explained and discussed, not forced.

This is why I feel I'm being called away from our church. It is full of tyranny and politics, rumors and deception. I'd serve a better purpose at a nearby church where the church actually need us and appreciate mine and my brother's talents. It is a wildfire of new growth and blessing, unlike our church which can't get past tradition. It isn't always in the heart of the person, the church itself has never been problem free.

[This message has been edited by Pendragon (edited 02 January 2002).]

I definitely agree with you Pendragon that the church itself has never been problem free. However, i have never been to a church or been told of a church that had no problems. In this world, it's almost impossible to find a perfect church. I know mine is not perfect. But i cannot judge it because i am not perfect either. So instead of looking on all of the negative things that may go on, i just look for the positive things. And God has been faithful to me in keeping me from holding any grudges and lately from even getting mad at anyone. No matter what kind of choices those around me are making -even if they are church members, who are not following the will of GOd- i refuse to let them take me down with them. It is so hard at times because sometimes i feel like the there are so many things that i dislike about my church, but then i think that there are so many good things that are happening as well. For instance, two of my friends have started coming to church with me and they really like it. And that's just a reassurance that our church can still grow. And another thing is when my friends first started coming to church, one of them wore a pretty short skirt one sunday, and i was so afraid that some of the older people were going to say something to her- one lady imparticularly- and praise the Lord, no one said one thing about her skirt. Instead, they welcomed them both as always. It was very cool, and it made me have even more faith in the church. I used to feel exactly the way you do about going to church! I even used to tell my parents that i hated my church and that when i grew up i wasn't even going to go to church! But God changed my heart and everything became so much better. And also Pendragon, remember that God placed you where you are for a purpose. It may not seem very clear to you now, but maybe you are being tested so hard for a reason. Remember that we only see a blurry, unclear vision of God's plan, while God sees the whole picture. Put your trust in him to make things go better for you. If you ever just need to vent out i'm hear for ya and i know exactly where you're coming from brother! Untill then, i'm prayin for you!!

Your sister in Christ,
Marissa

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"The joy of the Lord is my strength"- Neh. 8:10

Pendragon, Hi! I wanted to say that you have the coolest avatar, and that I play bass too! Hello!

Yes, but God's plan not only involves our church, but others too. It is possible for people to be called elsewhere.
I hate to see the people go, like Shyra Grantham. She saved my life and there were many times when I wanted to run over to her house and seek her guidance, now she's gone.

I know not every church is problem free, but there comes a time when it goes beyond our control.

By the way Bass, thanks for the compliment!

Pendragon



[This message has been edited by Pendragon (edited 02 January 2002).]

thanks marissa!
that helped me some , but i just feel like everyone is against me and just staring me down , i know i should just ignore that but its just so hard

Pendragon, I agree totally to your post. At my church, there are a few people in our youth that get praised, but it is the ones that are in the shadows that are the most faithful to come to church and join in activities even if they do not want to. Marissa, there are some people in my youth group that look like they are just there to goof around, and point fingers whenever they please. These people are hard to listen to because I sometimes feel they have nothing serious to say.
If you are going to discuss others, you must first look at yourself. Keep that in mind when you see these youth members.

I want to say that I love my church and youth group. We have a great youth pastor, so that helps! I want to pray for all of you, that you find joy in your church or that God helps you to find another church.