Burned out....

[Mrs. McP]

I'm just plain burned out on church. Completely not interested. I'm disappointed in the people, in the leadership, in the worship, in the services...

I feel lonely, bitter and used up.

I'm hoping that this is a passing phase and that I'll look forward to returning to church in the fall.

Anyone else ever feel this way?

 

[Glenda]

Mrs. McP..

I've felt this way at times.. (and recently too)

But you know what.. people will ALWAYS disappoint us.. cause try as they might.. they're human..

It's best if I keep my focus on Jesus..

I've just finished reading a book called, "The Shack.." And I highly recommend it.. While it is Christian fiction, there are many truths that I picked up while reading it..

One was that I am often quick to judge others when it is not my place to judge at all.. that part of the book had me in tears of conviction..

I know that others sometimes "do us wrong," but my place it not to judge but to love with God's love in all circumstances.. It is hard.. but boy, am I trying.. *smile*

 

[drich0150]

I know exactly how you feel. Not to beat a dead horse, but like the previous poster said: People will always disappoint. The only real suggestion I have is what i have done. Don't expect anything from People or religion. Try to focus on a relationship with God more. Remember that your current church isn't the way truth and the light, and that no man come to the father except thru the Doors of your church. Meaning if you really don't like it there go somewhere else, That Jesus is the focus.

 

[LilLamb219]

Burned out on church? Are you not being fed there by His Word?

There is a wonderful article I enjoy reading from time to time...It's about WHY GO TO CHURCH

What I like about the article is that it turns the focus away from me and what I think I'm doing for God and instead puts the focus back on God and all He is doing for me It might help you too to view worship in a different way than you've been taught before and take away that drudgery.

 

[hsilgne]

I think everyone experiences this to some degree.

A wise man once said...

"Ask not what your church can do for you, but what you can do for your church"

... or something like that.

 

[Polycarp_fan]

I'm just plain burned out on church. Completely not interested. I'm disappointed in the people, in the leadership, in the worship, in the services...

I feel lonely, bitter and used up.

I'm hoping that this is a passing phase and that I'll look forward to returning to church in the fall.

Anyone else ever feel this way?

Yes.

What I would suggest is a home group. Get a few strong Christian friends and "kick it" at home for awhile. THAT is Church too. Watch some Christian music videos and click on GodTube and other edifying Christian websites.

OR . . .

Go help some widows and orphans (unwed mothers and their children).

There is no short supply of them.

You will see that God is not boring, but only, that some of His followers are.

Once a little child hugs you for just being nice (you won't even have to mention Jesus, he'll know), you will be reloaded with fuel.

I know how you feel.

 

[David2000]

Out of church?I understand what comes out of mind while some one scared,But we walk by faith not by sight,it gives us strenght not see how people can treat us in the church.It helps us to look upon the saviour not on leaders who fail to feed us God's word.

Let God be true but every man a liar(Romans 3:4)

Also you should realize that there's power on what you say(proverbs 6:2)

Power to snare,power to deliver,power to cure or power to kill.

Finally there's also lies power beyond your imagination in what you say,so wishing you good when you decide again coming back to church today.

David

 

[JCFantasy23]

Church is an amazing resource for a Christian's growth. That said, perhaps with how you are feeling it is a sign that you need to take a break from Church and just have alone time with God. I am sure you have done this already but there may be additional benefits with taking a break. I am not used to church but feel with how I grew close to God that it benefited me at the same time. I am now seeking to belong to a Church but am advising that you never know, this could just be God's way of saying to take a break, for whatever reason. It could also be a bad thing to break away, only you and God can know what He has planned for you right now.

 

[Polycarp_fan]

Stepping away from the Church body is not always a safe thing to do. My "advice" if you do take a time out, is to be sure you have Christian friends around you if you do.

 

[Pure_Heart]

Seek within yourself and find what is the root of this problem which is keeping you from God initially. Ask God for forgiveness and forgive yourself. Ask God to restore within you a clean heart.

Psalm 51:10
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

Give all bitterness, anger, jealousy, hurt and feelings of discontentment to God. satan loves to attack Christians with these! They are the number one deterrent to keeping people from wanting to attend church or be with Christians or learn of God.

Learn to say no. Having good boundaries within your life is healthy. Too many people are afraid to say no to others who are asking for assistance within a church environment and it runs people down and out of energy and causes burn-out. A good book to read: Boundaries by John Townsend and Henry Cloud for good informative reading.

If your church you go to does not make you feel comfortable and you feel you are not growing at that church, then ask God to send you to another church. God will.

 

[wmc1982]

burned out on people and their constructions, of course. People will always fail you.

Make sure you understand the FULL sovereignty of God as a start. Also learn the topic of justification by faith alone.

I strongly recommend first,

Read Trusting God by Jerry Bridges

 

[Mr.Cheese]

.

 

[Johnnz]

Your situation is not uncommon. For many reasons people find the 'religion' surrounding churches does not bring the abundance of Christ's life for them. Some just become passive attenders, some leave altogether, some become part of a home church. Studies have shown that many such people have been leaders, and well respected, faithful Christians whose desire for a greater reality has led them to look elsewhere.

John
NZ

 

[heron]

Studies have shown that many such people have been leaders, and well respected, faithful Christians whose desire for a greater reality has led them to look elsewhere.

I find that getting too involved can have its own consequences. The more you know about people, the more there is to dislike (as well as like). Memories build up, and you start defining your space according to what you know is safe. (Easy to work with that person, harder to work with the other.)

A thing to keep in mind is that God ordained a sabbath rest. That is not the equivalent of attending church, but something very separate. There were consequences for not resting, and for not providing a way for others to rest on that day. Whether you make Sunday your Sabbath, or observe the original F-Sat sundown to sundown, the day of rest keeps you from getting weary. Emotionally and physically.

While I completely believe in being active at church, I also see that people get emotionally worn down when they are continually giving and not getting refreshment or words of appreciation in return. It seems the more people give out, the more responsibility they are held accountable for. Uninvolved people complain about things not being done "right," forgetting that nearly everyone is a volunteer.

Take this time to assess whether you are in the right place. Maybe you need new challenges, or a place with fewer challenges. New faces, fresh insights.

 

[Angeloffire]

I'm glad to hear you are burned out of church. It is probably the first sensible act you've done sense attending. Besides, you can't go to church. Why? You are the church. The church of God is His Holy Spirit filled people, not a building.

Most 'churches' of today are pretty much a YMCA or social club with some ethics and that is about it. Why do you think God is going to judge them first? They have mocked him with their programs and their love of money right down to their fancy buildings and heirarchy. The last church I went to had a little tiny throne for the pastor to sit on and they talked about money more than God.

T.V. Evangelist are now flying their race horses around in private jets. Doesn't anybody care to see the truth anymore? Last I heard Benny Hinn has two 20 million dollar ranches. Why can't people see the truth? Because they don't want too?

Jesus would never live like that or okay that kind of behaviour.

People, God is Holy. He is returning. Don't go to a church that doesn't respect Him. Don't join people who take Him lightly at His word or make light of what is right and wrong. Everything you do is being recorded. Everything you say, written down. Take a look now, while you have the chance and get your ducks in a row.

I wish people would get sick of and fed up with the way the churches are and fall on their faces to God. He would light us up with His Holy Spirit and we would truly be a testimony to the world. AS it is we are a weak joke. We take our sick to the hospitals, bury our dead, and hide from demons.

You'll hear the pastor get up and say, "pray for the doctor doing the surgery". We weren't supposed to need doctors. We are supposed to be healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out the demons. Instead it is "pie with pastor" and "puppet show" and a "skit" or a "ball game."

God have mercy on us and wake us from this nightmare!

 

[Elijah2]

I'm just plain burned out on church. Completely not interested. I'm disappointed in the people, in the leadership, in the worship, in the services...

I feel lonely, bitter and used up.

I'm hoping that this is a passing phase and that I'll look forward to returning to church in the fall.

Anyone else ever feel this way?

Hey Mrs. M, it's the same for me as well. I have found that the churches today prefer to make people comfortable, and feed milk to the sheep instead of meat.

I think you will find more true blue Christians as "out-of-church" Christians.

Don't fret, just keep praising HIM and fighting a good fight of faith.

And as sad as it, it's going to get worse.

Be blessed in Jesus' Name.

 

[BigNorsk]

It happens to a lot of people.

If church has become a job and not a place to receive God's grace. It's time to take a vacation from the job.

And you should do some serious honest evaluation as to where do you fit in the body of Christ, what is your role? If you are a hand, then be a hand, if you are a foot, be a foot. If you are a hand, learn to say no if someone asks you to be a foot. It puts you in the wrong place causing you to hurt and it deprives the foot from doing it's function.

Ask others such as your church elders where they see you fitting as well.

Marv

 

[Polycarp_fan]

I'm glad to hear you are burned out of church. It is probably the first sensible act you've done sense attending. Besides, you can't go to church. Why? You are the church. The church of God is His Holy Spirit filled people, not a building.

Most 'churches' of today are pretty much a YMCA or social club with some ethics and that is about it. Why do you think God is going to judge them first? They have mocked him with their programs and their love of money right down to their fancy buildings and heirarchy. The last church I went to had a little tiny throne for the pastor to sit on and they talked about money more than God.

T.V. Evangelist are now flying their race horses around in private jets. Doesn't anybody care to see the truth anymore? Last I heard Benny Hinn has two 20 million dollar ranches. Why can't people see the truth? Because they don't want too?

Jesus would never live like that or okay that kind of behaviour.

People, God is Holy. He is returning. Don't go to a church that doesn't respect Him. Don't join people who take Him lightly at His word or make light of what is right and wrong. Everything you do is being recorded. Everything you say, written down. Take a look now, while you have the chance and get your ducks in a row.

I wish people would get sick of and fed up with the way the churches are and fall on their faces to God. He would light us up with His Holy Spirit and we would truly be a testimony to the world. AS it is we are a weak joke. We take our sick to the hospitals, bury our dead, and hide from demons.

You'll hear the pastor get up and say, "pray for the doctor doing the surgery". We weren't supposed to need doctors. We are supposed to be healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out the demons. Instead it is "pie with pastor" and "puppet show" and a "skit" or a "ball game."

God have mercy on us and wake us from this nightmare!

What a wonderful post. Luke was a doctor (BTW), and Jesus healed people as a sign of authority and His mission. Doctors only uncover cures they can not invent them. God is not the asuthor of confusion. Our entire world is sick and diseased. If I get a life-threatening disease I am going to pray that I find good doctors.

If I have a stomach have only, maybe I'll take a little wine for it.

Christian truth is sensible beleifs. Let's not go too far.

More than likely God has cured us of sickness and diseases hundreds of times "and" like a good parent, we were not aware of His care.

 

[Angeloffire]

When Jesus left He commanded us to heal the sick. Jesus didn't die to send us doctors. The bible says "by His stripes we were healed", it is past tense. He died to save you and heal you. If you cancel out the healing and accept doctors as your healing and healers, then you might as well toss your salvation out the window too.

Luke did not continue to be a physician no more that Peter continued to be a fisherman.

Did you know that when a demon is cast out the person is usually instantly healed? That is exactly how Jesus healed and how we are supposed to be healing the sick. But the church cannot even properly define the demon. JUst ask your pastor and see. They don't know.

I am not blaming or speaking against doctors. They do what they can, which isn't much, but at least they try. This does not mean we should blashpeme what Jesus did for us. Only God can truly save and heal.

 

[Johnnz]

I don't discount healing - we have experienced God's intervention. But can I assume the the above posters won't ever go to a doctor?

John
NZ