Anyone else feel this way?

[livin4thebigman]

So is anyone else absolutely and utterly disgusted with the way the Church is these days? I would have to say that I am utterly repulsed by it, and I even grew up in the church.

Just wondering what your thoughts are. Also, what benefit you actually see in this systematic, institutionalized thing "we" call church.

 

[woman.at.the.well]

Honestly Matt . . .

I believe if we're doing the best we can - like your signature says, and loving God, then "we the church," are doing what we should. Is there something more specific you are referring to when you state being "absolutely and utterly disguested with the church these days?" That's kind of an open ended statement and could go many different directions.

In answer to your second question - the benefit I see is "fellowshiping" with other believers.

I hope God blesses you abundantly and that you find your answers!

 

[FaithAlone]

Amen to being disgusted. In my case I am disgusted with the way they worship. I can't speak for all churches but at mine the praising God with song sounds like we're being tortured. People just come for the social aspect of it. If the preacher stood up and preached all kinds of heresies most of the church would have no idea because they don't know the word of God. I would like to find a church that gets back to the basics of how the first church worshipped.

 

[muffler dragon]

So is anyone else absolutely and utterly disgusted with the way the Church is these days? I would have to say that I am utterly repulsed by it, and I even grew up in the church.

Just wondering what your thoughts are. Also, what benefit you actually see in this systematic, institutionalized thing "we" call church.

I haven't attended a church on a regular basis in 3.5 years. I won't be doing it in the future. My disgruntlement was manifold.

 

[gracefaith]

I know this going to sound silly, but there are churches of every flavor out there. Maybe it's not all of institutionalized Christendom that repluses you, just the flavor you happen to be sampling lately.

I go through bouts with every church I've been too where I've thought, "Egads! These people have got it all wrong!" Recently, I've really had to start asking myself what I'm really looking for, since the churches varied widely and the only common denominator was ME.

Of course, the real problem could be that all churches are entirely populated by other imperfect sinners like me!

 

[FaithAlone]

i have come with one purpose
to capture for myself a bride
by my life she is lovely
by my death she’s justified

i have always been her husband
though many lovers she has known
so with water i will wash her
and by my word alone

so when you hear the sound of the water
you will know you’re not alone

(chorus)
‘cause i haven’t come for only you
but for my people to pursue
you cannot care for me with no regard for her
if you love me you will love the church

i have long pursued her
as a harlot and a harlot
but she will feast upon me
she will drink and thirst no more

so when you taste my flesh and my blood
you will know you’re not alone

(chorus)
there is none that can replace her
though there are many who will try
and though some may be her bridesmaids
they can never be my bride

(chorus)
The Church by Derek Webb

I don't believe that being upset with a church is enough of a reason to stop going to church alltogether. I believe that God wants for us all to meet often with a body of believers to pray and praise Him and be a part of taking the Lord's Supper and so on. Even if it's just a small house church. I just wish I could find a church that is closer to the first one.

 

[New_Wineskin]

Just wondering what your thoughts are. Also, what benefit you actually see in this systematic, institutionalized thing "we" call church.

I see no benefit . At least ... no benefit that comes close to balancing the rest .

 

[Col]

I try not to let it worry me too much anymore.

Just keep reminding yourself that your relationship is with God not with an institution, and God is everywhere. Churches are good places to meet and fellowship with other Christians, however you don't have to "join" or "swear allegience" to a Church organisation in order to commune with God. Most importantly you shouldn't feel pressured to attend or be under threat of being ostracised if you fail to attend.

Christianity is all about free will. The free will to accept or reject Christ's free gift of salvation through his sacrifice. The free will to follow Christ to the best of your ability. And so it is with free will we attend church to fellowship together.
To attend church for any other reason but freely and by ones own choice is far from Christ indeed. The one thing that sets Christianity apart from all other religions is that it is not a religion that forces followers to believe or attend gatherings whether they like it or not. The beauty of this, is that invariably attendees at any Christian church on any given Sunday are there by choice not by "law", and this results in a wonderful atmosphere to worship and fellowship.

Hebrews 10:25
25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

In Hebrews 10:25 we are encouraged to meet together regularly for encouragement, not on a certain day of the week or in a certain manner, or that it must have a certain hierarchical structure. Simply that we not fail to keep in touch and encourage each other in our "walk".

It is man who has built a whole "industry" out of Hebrews 10:25, and in some instances gone as far as to make attendance compulsory and even viewing non-attendance as sinful.

I know it is a bit of a cliche, however, "Being a Christian is 24/7 existance not just 1 hour on Sunday" The real Church, we the people, are out in the world every minute of every day, this is where God's work is done, not in a building on Sunday for an hour or two. So as such we shouldn't get our knickers in a knot about this church or organisation or that church or organisation, because when all is said and done, it should have very little bearing on your personal relationship with God, except to provide fellowship and encouragement with like-minded Christians.

I think too many people are in love with church and religion, and forget to love God and one another. When this happens, then a church ceases to become a place of worship and becomes an institution.

Having said that, don't give up, there are plenty of great Christian Churches out there, that are true places of meeting, encouragement, fellowship and corporate worship. Which don't come with unrealistic man made rules, restrictions, superficial window dressing or unnecessary baggage.

If I were to paraphrase the New Testament, I would say;

"Love God and Love your neighbour as youself, and encourage one another as you strive to follow Christ."

Its all about love.


Bless Ya

 

[livin4thebigman]

...wow...I have to say that I'm surprised, and also relieved. I imagined that I'd be getting flamed for saything something like I did. I realize that there are "churches of every flavor" out there. And that seems to strike me wrong. With this current trend, each individual can decide what preferences they enjoy and then "shop" around for a church that fits the bill. However, this erases any type of diversity one may find at a church.

If the church reformatted itself, revolutionized itself and actually taught straight from the Bible, and the Bible alone (not letting their agenda get in the way of the Scriptures) we'd be much better off.

sigh....I've always been part of "the Church" however, over the past year I've slowly and quietly backed my way out the door. I would agree that it is very beneficial for Christians to meet together to fellowship. However, "fellowship" is the key word. Fellowship is not merely hanging out with people, its more than that. It denotes some sort of deep, personal, intimate, exchange between people.

I look at Israel and how many times God said that they were committing adultery. The Church is the bride of Christ and she is a harlot.

 

[muffler dragon]

Just one point, livin4thebigman:

I look at Israel and how many times God said that they were committing adultery. The Church is the bride of Christ and she is a harlot.

You're more than welcome and entitled to your opinion; but I caution you in making statements such as these.

Regardless of how G-d judges a person or peoples, He still loves them. He's (G-d) is more than welcome to call a rat a rat. But that is not our given right. Walk in love as much as possible; regardless of how much you've been hurt. It's a lesson I try to maintain daily. Since I have come out of the "organizaed" church, I've had battles (and probably will have) of emotionalism. But that's not my place. My place is to concentrate on the Path that G-d has set before me. Just something to keep in mind.

m.d.

 

[gracefaith]

I realize that there are "churches of every flavor" out there. And that seems to strike me wrong. With this current trend, each individual can decide what preferences they enjoy and then "shop" around for a church that fits the bill. However, this erases any type of diversity one may find at a church.

I admit "flavorism" sounds terrible and perhaps I put it the wrong way. There are very diverse churches out there and also very distinct ones. I don't think it is as much a matter of enjoyment (this implies church is for our entertainment) as it a matter of effectiveness. Certain environments, teachings and worship styles are going influence people differently, making them more or less open to moving of the Spirit, more or less dedicated in their Christian walk, etc.

Personally, I will always prefer a church that is distinctly one thing or another over a church that has a little bit of everything, but that's just me.

 

[OkieNikki]

What really sets me off is how so many churches fall away from the truth now days. So many are ecumenicalistic (and I probably misspelled it....sorry if I did). But so many now days are teaching that there is more than one way.....the only way to a relatiionship w/ God is through Jesus Christ his son. The gospel is 1 Cor. 15:01-04 which states that Jesus died, was buried & rose from the dead 3 days later. That is the only way to a relationship w/ Jesus Christ (God, Jesus, the HS are 1). To be saved you must only believe. You don't have to say some prayer. Nowhere in the bible do you have to say the "ABC" prayer. It can be said, but saying it won't save you. You must belive in Jesus Christ. It's so easy for some people that it becomes "too easy" & so many want to do something to be saved. That's what drives me bonkers!

Nikki

 

[daverain]

.


My thoughts:
------------

Please Consider:
---------------------


The 'spiritual-teachers'

in 'the church',

when Jesus walked the earth among us:


------------------
They crucified Him.
------------------


These -proud- 'church' leaders did this deed.

The deed of crucifying Him.






(Q.)

Did Jesus EVER have

ANYTHING to say

AGAINST THEM?


Anything at all?


------
TONS!
------

Here's something for now:
------------------------

He called them (these 'church' leaders):


'Blind-Scribes'


(Again for emphasis...)


--------------
--------------

((( BLIND ))) - SCRIBES'.

--------------
--------------


(I forget the verse number. -Sorry)



By this (blind-scribes), I feel Jesus is saying:

THEY (=the blind-scribes), CAN'T 'SEE' (with true understanding) how God actually does things.


(A blind person -from my understanding- , is:

One who CAN'T -see- things.)




I would choose to NEVER receive 'teachings'

from such folk as these (=these blind scribes).




(Q.)


Is it at-ALL-POSSIBLE,

this is STILL THE CASE TODAY?




That SOME high-and-mighty teachers, (high and mighty in their own eyes, that is),


ARE:BLIND SCRIBES??


----------------------------------
----------------------------------

"Who is the greatest among us?"

"Who is the greatest among us?"


(-laughs- -Oh these 'Amazing Discerners'... NOT!)

(and sadness as well.



Lying about God -even IF it IS in blindness-,




STILL causes MUCH-DAMAGE to others.



WILL THESE such-folk -NEVER- -EVER- :

SEE THE TRUE WAYS OF GOD?



--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------


Could ANY -'leaders/teachers'-, INDEED be:



-----------------
-----------------

BLIND-SCRIBES ??

-----------------
-----------------




(INDEED, YES. This -IS- the case.)



"...The BLIND,

LEADING THE BLIND."



(Will not both fall into a ditch?)



.

 

[daverain]

What really sets me off is how so many churches fall away from the truth now days. So many are ecumenicalistic (and I probably misspelled it....sorry if I did). But so many now days are teaching that there is more than one way.....the only way to a relatiionship w/ God is through Jesus Christ his son. The gospel is 1 Cor. 15:01-04 which states that Jesus died, was buried & rose from the dead 3 days later. That is the only way to a relationship w/ Jesus Christ (God, Jesus, the HS are 1). To be saved you must only believe. You don't have to say some prayer. Nowhere in the bible do you have to say the "ABC" prayer. It can be said, but saying it won't save you. You must belive in Jesus Christ. It's so easy for some people that it becomes "too easy" & so many want to do something to be saved. That's what drives me bonkers!

Nikki

Amen 100% !!

 

[livin4thebigman]

I really do appreciate all the feedback I've gotten from this. It is relieving to know that I am not alone in my thoughts. I look around me and I feel that I am the only one that sees these things.

Thanks.