my presbyterian church. Help!

[mannysee]

Hi,

I havent' posted for a while on the site.
I have only recently been back to the church i was attending previously, after 2 or so months.
I thought i'd 'give it another go'.
The things that i DO like about this church is that the pastor uses the bible in his talks, and he goes into a little bit of detail in his sermons, without trying to be an entertainer.
My other options in my area, are churches with lots of people my age, but i have tired of the entertainment type atmosphere/jumping up and down and so on (Maybe i'm getting old in the tooth!).
However, there are very few people in my age group here (either teenagers or people twice my age).
The church has around 200 people or so each meeting, but i feel, as before, still a bit lost here.
Sigh!
Any comments or suggestions?

 

[heymikey80]

Hi,

I havent' posted for a while on the site.
I have only recently been back to the church i was attending previously, after 2 or so months.
I thought i'd 'give it another go'.
The things that i DO like about this church is that the pastor uses the bible in his talks, and he goes into a little bit of detail in his sermons, without trying to be an entertainer.
My other options in my area, are churches with lots of people my age, but i have tired of the entertainment type atmosphere/jumping up and down and so on (Maybe i'm getting old in the tooth!).
However, there are very few people in my age group here (either teenagers or people twice my age).
The church has around 200 people or so each meeting, but i feel, as before, still a bit lost here.
Sigh!
Any comments or suggestions?

I expect you have about 5 years to be able to translate the teenagers to their parents for 'em ....

There are things you can do to lead. There're probably things you can do to follow, too.

I talk with someone on another Website who's from down under, too. He's probably older, but maybe there're others in your area who would benefit from a cell-group within the church, to try to hit what you think needs doing. Shopping around often doesn't hit those needs, I think you're finding that out though.

 

[CCWoody]

You want me to get a gang of Presbyterians together and bust some knee caps? It worked for us during the Revolution.

Seriously, though, I do know how you feel. I was a Calvinist in a Pelagian/ Arminian sea for years to the point where I was entertained one easter by a sermon preached from a cardboard box. What may you ask was the point of the sermon?: that people can't believe in Jesus because of their theological presuppositions, you know, their box thinking. And, hey, even if there was some truth in that sermon, I couldn't help but feel cheated on Resurrection Sunday by a gimmick sermon.

Fortunately, during my 5 year sojourn through Morgan of Wale's nightmare, I watched a tiny tiny PCA church form and grow where it could support me and my active family. We ain't big, but I am among the oldest and most of us have a fistfull of kids. We fit right in.

Do I have any suggestions? Not at the moment. I was perfectly willing to remain a Calvinist in an Arminian sea. You see, even they need good teaching and leadership. Have you considered the possibility that you may be called to be a stranger in the land of Arminius?

 

[JJB]

I have a question that you have probably already considered and I'm not expecting a reply unless you want to give one: Why are you restless at your current congregation? Is God prompting this restlessness or you?

Sometimes God places us where we are not so that we are happy, but so that we will grow. I'm not saying you should stay put or go elsewhere. Where will you grow or be used of God?

 

[chrismon]

You can learn a lot from people older than you. If you stop thinking of church as a place to have your needs met, but rather a place where you can serve God and his people and be discipled by those who have had a longer faith, you can learn to not only enjoy but cherish the community God has given you.

I know, I was in a similar situation.

 

[edie19]

You can learn a lot from people older than you. If you stop thinking of church as a place to have your needs met, but rather a place where you can serve God and his people and be discipled by those who have had a longer faith, you can learn to not only enjoy but cherish the community God has given you.

I know, I was in a similar situation.

I agree 100% - especially about learning from folks older than ourselves. I remember taking part in a women's Bible study/prayer group. There were 2 or 3 women in their early 30's (of which I was one) and probably 5-6 over 60. One of the other young women and myself started the group - and the older ladies looked at us as the leaders. What they didn't understand was that the younger ladies learned so much more from them - from their experiences, from the wisdom they acquired over years, from their Christian walk.

Other than that - church populations ebb and flow. I think it would be exciting to be part of a reformed church that is attracting youth. Those young adults will be much more prepared to be future church leaders than those who grow up in the "happy clappy" churches that preach on their personal experiences and social issues as opposed to preaching Christ and Him crucified.

edie

 

[McWilliams]

Had a very similar experience at my last church! Became so liberal, the sermons were just motivational talks and very brief! I loved the people and had a large group of friends but the bottom line was I was not being fed and the church was very liberal even for an armenian church. So I prayed! Finally I asked the Lord to either show me where to move to or show me how to minister to those in my current church! 'Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think accoring to the power that worketh in us!'Eph3:20 Yea!! I saw that in action for certain when I ran into an old long ago acquaintance and she invited me to visit her church, saying 'our pastor really does know and preach the bible'! Thats all I needed and knew the Lord sent her along! First visit there I knew definitely that it was to be my new home church, a reformed baptist church! She was so right! This godly man really studies and knows the Word and preaches it faithfully for an hour 3 times a week! I pray for all who hunger to be filled! Ask Him who gives good gifts to HIs own! He'll answer! I praise Him and thank HIm daily for my pastor, church and how He has managed my life in the last years, bringing me to the doctrines of grace! Soli deo gloria!

 

[SwampThing]

I would have to agree. Pray and find out where God wants you......Maybe he wants you there to minister to someone. Or maybe he wants you to find a fellowship where you can grow further.....Leaving a church should be taken seriously and only done with much prayer.