Shallow, Shallow, Shallow.

[PhileoBildad]

Recently I've become more and more frustrated with the shallowness of the relationships Christians have with each other in the church and their relationships with people outside the church.

I have seen so many young Christians being so judgmental in both an open and backhanded way. The airing of these thoughts on Facebook haven't been terribly helpful to anyone. Along with their rather shallow and honestly selfish quotes of wisdom, I have begun to finally acknowledge this same lackadaisical attitude in not just my church but in many of the churches in my area.

I come to you to ask, am I the only one becoming increasingly frustrated with the churches incessant needs to have the best stage, lights, music, or band for their service? Am I the only one who DOESN'T look for a service or youth meet that is full of cool, awesome worship time, fun-filled games, or delicious refreshments?

Am I crazy for wishing to find a young adult group that meets regularly that actually just sits down, reads the Bible and actually try to figure out what it SAYS!? Am I nuts for not realizing that I can invite friends to hang out and have fun and play games any time and that I don't need my pastor to do it for me? Is it nonsensical to want my pastor to be there to help me study out my questions instead of arranging bowling nights or reading announcements?

The more I think about what the church has become, the more frustrated I get. Am I alone in this?

 

[HEsTiLLALiVe]

No. And there is a church you can fellowship at where they focus on these more important things. Just pray to God and ask HIM to lead you in that direction and HE will.
Yah bless you, and Shalom.

 

[Jake255]

No, you are not alone! Education in Bibical studies is not on their to-do list. I even had a pastor tell me one time that if he got too deep in theology, he would lose their attention. People just want a feel good atmosphere.

 

[NiobiumTragedy]

The church has needed to evolve with culture. I prefer a service that has all the bells and whistles because that's what I enjoy and am into, though I do like having other options when I'm in the mood for something more traditional.

 

[AndrewZinc]

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:34-35

You are not alone. I go to a fairly small church and yet, unless people come for tea afterwards, I don't even know their names. Even the people who I know, I don't really know. I don't know their needs, what they are struggling with or what they are rejoicing in.

I have been thinking about the above verses and am forced to admit that outsiders would not see real love looking at my church. I do have close relationships with some, but the majority seem to be 'Sunday-Christians' and as they are not born-again (or at least they won't talk about it - too personal) we are missing having the most important thing in common.

We must pray for the Spirit to move hearts to desire God. Only then will we love each other in a genuine way.

 

[PhileoBildad]

I truly appreciate each and every reply. I know when I think about my many frustrations with the church, it is often because I am frustrated with an attitude that is prevalent in the church as well as myself. I am just as guilty in the most worst way as far as not truly knowing or caring to meet the needs of those in the church around me.

And I didn't mean to say that I don't enjoy the bells and whistle in church as well, so to speak, but its when its mostly or almost all bells and whistles that I start to lose it. Where is the fervor and zeal like that of the apostles? They didn't worry about weekly giving dropping or if the chairs looks full or how difficult it may be to find a seat together. They sat on floors with dirty feet and listened to Jesus, and when He was gone, most of them got up and moved and moved and moved and shared the gospel until they died.

But, God is in control. Here's to finding a real zeal in the Lord. Be the change. I'll be praying for you guys!

 

[Sketcher]

Thankfully, my church isn't like that.

 

[Boss_BlueAngels]

I've managed to dodge that problem. I don't go to church. I'm remarkably happier as a result.

 

[Tonyahu]

Everyone is judge-mental at line time or another, in my opinion, don't judge the judging

 

[RobertMerton]

Nope.

Thats why i left hillsong.

I don't blame them though, its how they try and appeal to the masses.

I remember going to a powerhouse retreat (powerhouse is young adults over 18-26), and thinking.. what the heck is this?

 

[AndrewZinc]

Where is the fervor and zeal like that of the apostles? They didn't worry about weekly giving dropping or if the chairs looks full or how difficult it may be to find a seat together. They sat on floors with dirty feet and listened to Jesus, and when He was gone, most of them got up and moved and moved and moved and shared the gospel until they died.

I've been reading up on the Apostles recently and one of the things that struck me is just how clueless they were! They lacked faith - 'how can we feed the 4000' when Jesus had already fed 5000! They often misunderstood Jesus as their thinking was so worldly. They worried about all sorts of things and it wasn't really until the Death and Resurrection that they got their act together. In Acts!

Then they were filled with a desire to preach and serve, even until death.

I think we are very like them in many ways. Making a decision to follow Jesus as they did is one thing. But we must then be taught, deepen our faith and then we will share in that fervour and zeal. Though, I am not there yet and have been a Christian for a decade!

 

[PhileoBildad]

Not only did they lack faith again and again, think of the time he asked Peter, James, and John to go up to Gethsemane with him to pray. He told them to stay awake and pray but every time he returned to them they would be sleeping! I think that is a great examples of how many of us act throughout life. We fall asleep on him. They also thought that Jesus would bring His Kingdom about while He was still on earth with them. Never did they think that He would die, much less come back to life. And even after he ascended, they continued to proclaim that "the Kingdom is at hand," when really we have no idea how many thousands of years will pass by before it comes about.

But on the other hand, I wonder exactly what I would have done if I were in their shoes. I mean I struggle with so many things while having the BIBLE. They didn't have the Bible. All they had was a man claiming to be the Savior. How could they possibly have known He wasn't some crazy? Their faith was somehow much, much greater than ours and yet still so weak at the same time.

And that is exactly the type of stuff I'd love to just sit down and discuss.

 

[Jake255]

I've been reading up on the Apostles recently and one of the things that struck me is just how clueless they were! They lacked faith - 'how can we feed the 4000' when Jesus had already fed 5000! They often misunderstood Jesus as their thinking was so worldly. They worried about all sorts of things and it wasn't really until the Death and Resurrection that they got their act together. In Acts!

Then they were filled with a desire to preach and serve, even until death.

I think we are very like them in many ways. Making a decision to follow Jesus as they did is one thing. But we must then be taught, deepen our faith and then we will share in that fervour and zeal. Though, I am not there yet and have been a Christian for a decade!

I agree with this.

Wonder if they got it together in Acts because the Holy Spirit was poured out on them and they were empowered?

 

[zijincheng]

Recently I've become more and more frustrated with the shallowness of the relationships Christians have with each other in the church and their relationships with people outside the church.

I have seen so many young Christians being so judgmental in both an open and backhanded way. The airing of these thoughts on Facebook haven't been terribly helpful to anyone. Along with their rather shallow and honestly selfish quotes of wisdom, I have begun to finally acknowledge this same lackadaisical attitude in not just my church but in many of the churches in my area.

I come to you to ask, am I the only one becoming increasingly frustrated with the churches incessant needs to have the best stage, lights, music, or band for their service? Am I the only one who DOESN'T look for a service or youth meet that is full of cool, awesome worship time, fun-filled games, or delicious refreshments?

Am I crazy for wishing to find a young adult group that meets regularly that actually just sits down, reads the Bible and actually try to figure out what it SAYS!? Am I nuts for not realizing that I can invite friends to hang out and have fun and play games any time and that I don't need my pastor to do it for me? Is it nonsensical to want my pastor to be there to help me study out my questions instead of arranging bowling nights or reading announcements?

The more I think about what the church has become, the more frustrated I get. Am I alone in this?

I have 2 perspectives on this, one is from a pastor, another from parents.
A pastor I knew would immediately say: Opportunity! Help others who don't care about their spiritual walk grow close to God! It might be hard, but never give up!
A parent might say: Find another church where the young adults read the Bible and pray.

I'm blessed because all the churches I've attended, the Bible study has always been priority.