I think I've given up on Christains

SonicBOOM · Feb 16, 2008

no offense guys... but all of the Christain people I've met [outside of this fourm] were willfully ignorant and pompus beyond beleif. Why isn't there anyone Christlike anymore? I can't STAND going to church because of the thick atmisphere that the additudes of Christain people create. It's all so fake.... no one is allowed to be real and honest so the church is the place you would most expect to find people wearing masks because their afriad of being rejected. I know this grieves our Father in Heaven..... because it disturbs my spirit so greatly. I just don't know anymore. I want Christain support but the only Christain support thats offered is the community/busness/politcs of modern Christainity, which i don't want any part of. When i get married and have kids, I don't want them growing up in the church because I fear they may develop the churches additude! Thats pretty bad! I'm just sick of tired of it all in general.

rant out.

Blank123 · Feb 16, 2008

been there, done tht, got the t-shirt. That has been the case since God first called Israel to be His people. Its not surprising that to this day His people still don't know how to act worthy of His calling.

what finally got through to me though is to allow anyone to affect my own walk, even to keep me from obeying the word of God when it says not to forsake he gathering together of believers (hebrews 10) is to give people too much power over my relationship with God. Yep, there's people out there who couldn't be further from the truth who call them selves Christian - Paul even dealt with them in his epistles. Those people are always going to be there. But true believers are always going to be there too. to do away with all Christians because you've run into some bad ones means you're going to throw away your true brothers and sisters in Christ as well. the trick is you have to learn to be discerning in matters of doctrine and judging the fruit of the person.

radhead · Feb 16, 2008

Any voice telling you to stay away from church is from Satan, father of lies. King of this world.

In other words, that voice comes from the world, and Satan is god of this world.

Mrs. Luther073082 · Feb 16, 2008

Can you give examples of what you're talking about? How many different churches have you tried going to?

SonicBOOM · Feb 16, 2008

little_tigress said:
been there, done tht, got the t-shirt. That has been the case since God first called Israel to be His people. Its not surprising that to this day His people still don't know how to act worthy of His calling.

what finally got through to me though is to allow anyone to affect my own walk, even to keep me from obeying the word of God when it says not to forsake he gathering together of believers (hebrews 10) is to give people too much power over my relationship with God. Yep, there's people out there who couldn't be further from the truth who call them selves Christian - Paul even dealt with them in his epistles. Those people are always going to be there. But true believers are always going to be there too. to do away with all Christians because you've run into some bad ones means you're going to throw away your true brothers and sisters in Christ as well. the trick is you have to learn to be discerning in matters of doctrine and judging the fruit of the person.

thanks thats a good point it's just so repulsive to weed through the grime of fake Christains in order to get to the real ones. It hardly feels worth it. But I understand what your saying.

radhead said:
Any voice telling you to stay away from church is from Satan, father of lies. King of this world.

In other words, that voice comes from the world, and Satan is god of this world.

I don't beleive this for a second. I don't go to church because I think the Christains there are a bad influence and if you become like what your around, than i don't wanna be that! Besides? Define "the church". isn't it where 2 or more are gathered? Therefore if I'm hanging out with my freinds in a pizza shop, and my freinds happen to be Christains, than i'm "in church". I always hated the "go to the church building" philphy. Do you know the African Christains need to travel all over the place because they have no real place to gather because of persicution?

Blank123 · Feb 16, 2008

well church is more than just hanging out with a couple of Christian friends. You need to be growing and learning, you need to be edified spiritually and studying the word, theres a lot to learn too so i would encourage you if you can to find a biblically sound pastor to teach you (if you can't find one i can send you some links from online sermons from some very sound pastors until you do). Church leadership is probably more likely to hold you accountable to your growth in all areas as a Christian, if you find a sound one, than your friends are too. I know we've all been in situations where we've watched our friends getting into things (sin, unsound doctrine, etc...) and we didn't feel comfortable correcting them, it most likely wouldn't be any different with your friends unless they were very strong and didn't care about losing your friendship if it meant they could point you in the right direction and save you from falling into deception and walking away from the faith.

ulu · Feb 16, 2008

Sounds kind of opposite to my situation. I tend to stay away from church because I feel unworthy-many of the people there are more devoted, stronger, better followers than I. Rather than give up my favorite sins, I try to avoid dealing with the issue.

Manda_24 · Feb 16, 2008

Masked_Chris said:
no offense guys... but all of the Christain people I've met [outside of this fourm] were willfully ignorant and pompus beyond beleif. Why isn't there anyone Christlike anymore? I can't STAND going to church because of the thick atmisphere that the additudes of Christain people create. It's all so fake.... no one is allowed to be real and honest so the church is the place you would most expect to find people wearing masks because their afriad of being rejected. I know this grieves our Father in Heaven..... because it disturbs my spirit so greatly. I just don't know anymore. I want Christain support but the only Christain support thats offered is the community/busness/politcs of modern Christainity, which i don't want any part of. When i get married and have kids, I don't want them growing up in the church because I fear they may develop the churches additude! Thats pretty bad! I'm just sick of tired of it all in general.

rant out.

I think this is often true, my pastor just did a sermon last week on pretty much this topic and I think it hit home for everyone there. I know it gave me a lot to think about. While it's not something I really notice too much in my church, overall everyone is pretty open about things, you have people like that where ever you go.

JonMiller · Feb 16, 2008

You can try and change things for a better.

JM

SteelNinja · Feb 16, 2008

I've seen and experienced this myself. I found out that part of the problem by which I was affected was an improper balance between the assortment of spiritual practices, ie, more than enough fellowship and hanging out with church friends, not enough time reading scripture and praying...

my second point may be that churches can be infected by what I read somewhere was called culture of identity. A general example of C of I might be that something secular in a certain place may be so popular, that even the church thinks it's cool and fun and gives in to it, despite such an activity being sinful in God's eyes, but at the same time it is the backbone of the community, and unfortunately, its preserved place is often seen as more important than God's.

SonicBOOM · Feb 16, 2008

SteelNinja said:
I've seen and experienced this myself. I found out that part of the problem by which I was affected was an improper balance between the assortment of spiritual practices, ie, more than enough fellowship and hanging out with church friends, not enough time reading scripture and praying...

my second point may be that churches can be infected by what I read somewhere was called culture of identity. A general example of C of I might be that something secular in a certain place may be so popular, that even the church thinks it's cool and fun and gives in to it, despite such an activity being sinful in God's eyes, but at the same time it is the backbone of the community, and unfortunately, its preserved place is often seen as more important than God's.

I can see this, I think for the church, the culture we follow is the busness world. We're really no longer a ministry [a service in other words]. We are a huge scale corperation called the church, we've let politics distort the message of Jesus Christ and we often seem to have this "prosperaty" mindset. Like me? I have a hard time finding a job and I live in a poor family. Because of this I would be looked down upon in church as "doing something wrong to deserve that". Church people are "godly" if they own the biggest house on the street and the nicest set of 9 cars anyone can imagen. We've really been influenced by the culture of the world in this one and as the bible says. If you befreind the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

GoodNewsJim · Feb 16, 2008

Masked_Chris said:
I have a hard time finding a job and I live in a poor family. Because of this I would be looked down upon in church as "doing something wrong to deserve that".

Anyone who says that would be wrong. That is one of the central points of the book of Job. Maybe you just need to go to a different congregation.

Blank123 · Feb 16, 2008

i've been looked down on for many things. i have a chronic illness which must mean i don't have faith, or enough faith. I've worn the
wrong clothes, worked in the wrong places, not active enough in the 'right' ministries, ate the wrong food, drank the wrong drinks, met my boyfriend in the wrong place, etc... i think we all have stories about judgmental and legalistic Christians. Yeah its hurtful when they write you off for not living up to their impossible standards but you know what? they're only people. In the end their opinions don't count for anything. As long as you're true to God's word who cares what they think? Your responsibility is faithfulness to God and His word. And if you're attending a church that tries to add to His gospel with prosperity nonsense or any other kind of unBiblical doctrine you really should be looking for another church. Because not every church is like what you've described. there are very sound and Biblical churches with truly Christian people sitting in the pews and behind the pulpit.

GuacaMolly · Feb 16, 2008

Believe me, I know firsthand how hypocritical Christians can be. When I dropped out of youth group at 16 or so, I found out that rumors spread that I was pregnant, on drugs, etc. Instead of being concerned and checking on me, people decided to gossip and that really hurt my feelings. It was one of the things that drove me away from the church, and I think that people who claim with their lips to love Jesus but act this way will have to answer to God for it.

That said, I don't think it does a bit of good to give up on Christians altogether. This world is getting worse by the year, and we have not chosen the path of least resistance. We should expect it to be difficult to love and be loving towards everyone, we should rejoice when it gets tough, because we know that we are smack dab in the middle of God's will!

Try to be a shining light in the midst of darkness, a light on the hill even to other believers living in their own mess of bad decisions and sludgy attitudes. Nothing would make the enemy more angry than if you took the discouragement which he means for evil and use it to God's glory.

You've just got to perservere, I think that we live in a time of extreme opportunity to walk by faith when there is so little encouragement around us. Just stand firm in what you know to be true and right, and don't pay any attention to other peoples' actions. Our measuring stick for goodness is not of this world.

SonicBOOM · Feb 16, 2008

guacaMolly said:
Believe me, I know firsthand how hypocritical Christians can be. When I dropped out of youth group at 16 or so, I found out that rumors spread that I was pregnant, on drugs, etc. Instead of being concerned and checking on me, people decided to gossip and that really hurt my feelings. It was one of the things that drove me away from the church, and I think that people who claim with their lips to love Jesus but act this way will have to answer to God for it.

That said, I don't think it does a bit of good to give up on Christians altogether. This world is getting worse by the year, and we have not chosen the path of least resistance. We should expect it to be difficult to love and be loving towards everyone, we should rejoice when it gets tough, because we know that we are smack dab in the middle of God's will!

Try to be a shining light in the midst of darkness, a light on the hill even to other believers living in their own mess of bad decisions and sludgy attitudes. Nothing would make the enemy more angry than if you took the discouragement which he means for evil and use it to God's glory.

You've just got to perservere, I think that we live in a time of extreme opportunity to walk by faith when there is so little encouragement around us. Just stand firm in what you know to be true and right, and don't pay any attention to other peoples' actions. Our measuring stick for goodness is not of this world.

thanks you know? Your a very wise person

GuacaMolly · Feb 16, 2008

Masked_Chris said:
thanks you know? Your a very wise person

Thanks Chris. Certainly not on my own steam.

radhead · Feb 16, 2008

People tend to skip out on church for selfish reasons. Their own "needs" are no longer being met.

This happens because God wants us to start ministering to others. Give what we have learned with those who may need it even more.

SonicBOOM · Feb 16, 2008

radhead said:
People tend to skip out on church for selfish reasons. Their own "needs" are no longer being met.

This happens because God wants us to start ministering to others. Give what we have learned with those who may need it even more.

I know it's not a popular answer, but tell me why the church exists than? Is it for God? You can worship God anywhere..... is it for the pastor? If it is than thats arragent of him, whats left? The people..... church is for the people. Therefore if I feel my needs not being met, than tell me why I should be there? I thought the church was for edifacation? What if I'm not feeling edified? Do I keep going just because I "ought to" even though the church doesn't seem to give a rats toot about my situation? No...... the church doesn't want me, so I don't want it either.

Niels · Feb 16, 2008

If you can, try to find a small group Bible study. It's easier for people to keep it real in those. Small groups are more personal. Folks will have a better idea of where you're coming from, and you'll get to see first-hand how God is working in their lives. If you're looking for genuine fellowship, this may help fill the need.

SonicBOOM · Feb 16, 2008

ListeningEars said:
If you can, try to find a small group Bible study. It's easier for people to keep it real in those. Small groups are more personal. Folks will have a better idea of where you're coming from, and you'll get to see first-hand how God is working in their lives. If you're looking for genuine fellowship, this may help fill the need.

I think part of my issues with church is that it's to big, not enough community, so this isn't a bad idea

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