I just need to vent

[MsScarlett]

Tonight I went to the worst worship service I've ever experienced!
My own church doesn't have a Sunday evening service, so I thought I'd just stop in on a church I've passed by before. I actually felt dirty as I left! I prayed that there was no one there who was in church for the first time ever.
Anyway, I've never felt so awful before, and I was just wondering if anyone else has ever had such a terrible time in a different church. Maybe hearing from others will make me feel better.
If not, I guess I'll have to go to a casino and get drunk to make this ugly feeling go away.

 

[JohnDB]

Ummm...can you explain what happened?

I have been to some wacked services before...like where members of the congregation openly opposed the preacher in the middle of the service...and where the preacher resigns in frustration over the greif he has gotten from certain members of the congregation...
and there was the time that the pastor had to resign due to the affair he was having with another member of the congregation...

lets see...oh yeah...then there was the time the preacher died in pulpit...he collapsed and later was pronounced dead at the hospital...he literally died in the pulpit...

Then there is the time that the associate pastor was acting as the interim and had too many debts to tithe...and the secretary snitched...there was such a rucus that night...almost thought it was a business meeting...

so...what tale do you bring to the table?

I participated in none of it...cept as a spectator...so I kinda got clean hands...and likely so do you...

 

[MsScarlett]

John, those are great! See, I knew someone would have some tales.

And honestly, I don't want to tell too much, because it was a huge congregation. One of their members could easily be a member here, and I would never want to hurt anyone's feelings.

But I really thank you for reminding me that is wasn't so bad after all!

 

[DeaconDean]

A year or so after I rededicated my life, I was still literally "on fire." I pass by several churches on the way to mine. I noticed that one church was going to have a revival during the week. So I made a mental note of that, and the next night (Monday) found me in their church for revival services.

I was so disappointed. The Pastor was more concerned about which group brought the most people with them.

As a visitor, not one single member of the church came up to me and welcomed me, greeted me, nor thanked me for attending the church.

I was very diappointed. This would have never happened at my church. you come to my church, the ushers will greet you. The deacons make it a point to come by and greet you and thank you. And at the end of the service, the Pastor always makes it a point to greet and meet each and every person.

That is one thing I love about my church, the love of the members for everybody. you cannot come to our church that somebody will not hug your neck and tell how much they love you and are glad to have you worship with us.

The Spirit of love is a major thing for me. And I can say that our church has it. The one I visited didn't.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[Hentenza]

Wow, John.!!!! Those are some horror stories. Makes me feel that the Lord send me to the right church.

No horror stories for me so far.

 

[MsScarlett]

DeaconDean, glad to hear you understand. Same with me right now - I'm just so hungry for more, that I'll stop in wherever!
Thankfully, the congregation was warm and welcoming, so I was in no way disappointed by them. And to be honest, I think some of them may have been embarrassed about the offensive service, too. It happens. We can't be responsible for everything our pastor says at any given moment. I'll still never go back though!
Hentenza, so happy no horror stories from you so far!

 

[MCGar]

DeaconDean, glad to hear you understand. Same with me right now - I'm just so hungry for more, that I'll stop in wherever!
Thankfully, the congregation was warm and welcoming, so I was in no way disappointed by them. And to be honest, I think some of them may have been embarrassed about the offensive service, too. It happens. We can't be responsible for everything our pastor says at any given moment. I'll still never go back though!
Hentenza, so happy no horror stories from you so far!

I had a somewhat similar experiance once, except on the other end. I brought a non-Catholic friend to Mass with me and a unfamiliar (to me) black priest came up. Her eyes got really wide and she whipped around and asked if that was our priest. I shrugged and said I 'maybe.' That's because it's possible the church had added a priest and this would have been a first Mass or maybe our regular priest was on retreat and he was the 'fill-in.' Really, there could've been many explanations.

It turned out that this priest was a missionary and spoke of the poverty and dire straights of the people he ministers to and he was asking for donations. It was sort of long (he had a thick accent too). He also tied it in with the Scripture readings that were said at Mass, but I think it was lost on my friend.

I had the distinct feeling that my friend was shocked and a little disgusted with the 'asking for money' part. I felt like she came away with an awful experiance on her part. It looked like she thought our church just asks for money.

I just want to clarify that our church doesn't usually make the homily about money except rarely and usually when it applies to scripture. But once in a while, there is a need to help out missionaries and their work (even to put our time into missionary work) you know?

I felt a little defensive of what she acted like but she never made any overt statements so I didn't push it.

It was just the wrong Mass to introduce her to I guess.

 

[MsScarlett]

Same here, MCGar. The person who spent the hour telling offensive jokes and giving glory to himself was not the church pastor. (At least your mass wasn't that bad!)
So I wish I'd had the chance to hear the pastor of the church, but I still won't be going back.

 

[MCGar]

Same here, MCGar. The person who spent the hour telling offensive jokes and giving glory to himself was not the church pastor. (At least your mass wasn't that bad!)
So I wish I'd had the chance to hear the pastor of the church, but I still won't be going back.

Prayers for you! And for that paster too.

 

[MbiaJc]

A year or so after I rededicated my life, I was still literally "on fire." I pass by several churches on the way to mine. I noticed that one church was going to have a revival during the week. So I made a mental note of that, and the next night (Monday) found me in their church for revival services.

I was so disappointed. The Pastor was more concerned about which group brought the most people with them.

As a visitor, not one single member of the church came up to me and welcomed me, greeted me, nor thanked me for attending the church.

I was very diappointed. This would have never happened at my church. you come to my church, the ushers will greet you. The deacons make it a point to come by and greet you and thank you. And at the end of the service, the Pastor always makes it a point to greet and meet each and every person.

That is one thing I love about my church, the love of the members for everybody. you cannot come to our church that somebody will not hug your neck and tell how much they love you and are glad to have you worship with us.

The Spirit of love is a major thing for me. And I can say that our church has it. The one I visited didn't.

God Bless

Till all are one.

What does one go to Church for? To see or be seen, to worship or be worshiped? If the Spirit is there one should feel right at home, and among brethern.

 

[Nadiine]

Same here, MCGar. The person who spent the hour telling offensive jokes and giving glory to himself was not the church pastor. (At least your mass wasn't that bad!)
So I wish I'd had the chance to hear the pastor of the church, but I still won't be going back.

I don't post in your section, but I was raised Baptist and am partial to this denom.

Can I ask was it a denominational church? And was the congregation laughing at the offensive jokes too?
I'd worry that if that person was in charge of the evening, the Pastor might not be too much different himself

 

[Countrygirl1976]

I was going to a church that at first helped us out when we were in a spot. I had to move suddenly because my mother was supposed to be watching my 6 year old daughter for me and my husband found our daugther watching a x-rated movie. He approached my mother and confronted her about it and she said that we should leave my daughter alone she wasn't doing nothing wrong. I guess she didn't realize that she could go to jail for that. But anyway back to the church. Like I said they helped us out and then after they did that it was like they turned their backs on us. Our spiritual health was never discussed or we were never asked to join the church. I had no problem with it up until then. But I started going back to the church where my spiritual life began at and I am happy with it.

 

[Ave Maria]

Sorry to hear that you had such a bad time at church. Anyway, don't go to a casino and get drunk. Remember, getting drunk and gambling are sins.

 

[WarEagle]

A year or so after I rededicated my life, I was still literally "on fire."

"Literally"?

 

[MsScarlett]

Sorry to hear that you had such a bad time at church. Anyway, don't go to a casino and get drunk. Remember, getting drunk and gambling are sins.

Yes, hon, I was trying to show you how dirty the service made me feel.

 

[MsScarlett]

Nadine, yes it was denominational, and yes, the congregation laughed.
But it's OK, I've been to two wonderful services at my own church since then, so I've shaken it off!

 

[MsScarlett]

Countrygirl, WHOA! Speechless.

WarEagle... !

 

[JohnDB]

**john just for the fun of teasing whispers something in Miss Scarlet's ear...**

Roll Tide

 

[Countrygirl1976]

Teasing John and Ms. Scarlett... How bout them DAWGS!! GO! GEORIGA!!

 

[Countrygirl1976]

I don't drink and I don't gamble so I don't have to worry about that. I am however addicted to our Lord Christ Jesus!!!