Why are pentecostals so.....

[EbonNelumbo]

I actually thought it was just from being so charismatic that they didn't want to discourage their 'blessings' by us "imperfect" heathens...but when I actually attended other churches, like other denominations, I found out it's a general thing.

Pentecostal is the worst I've been to...in that you aren't encouraged to share with one another what you struggle with, or what's going on. One of my 'friends' recently was on his cell phone talking to a very depressed friend and his advice was "just pick yourself up and get past it." I know that one would ALWAYS make me feel great.

Baptist churches have done the same to me, as have Methodists and non-denom. It's a general thing, not particularly one denom over another imo.

 

[BroGinder]

I am sorry you experienced that where ever you were however, its not Pentecost that does that its flesh. Its the congregation.

I have been to Baptists Churches that have truly treated me like a lower class citizen because I did not attend their church. I have met mormons that are rude and obnoxious. I have fellowshiped with Lutherans, AoG, and many more and in my travels have had good and bad experiences with them all.

Its the people. We are the Church and we should not, and even in scripture are warned not to, become sterotypical. Just because I have one man from Flatville Montana (Making a name up) treat me bad doesnt mean the entire state of Montana relates as such.

Anyway, just my thoughts. Simple thoughts from a simple man.

 

[FaithfulRemnant]

I think you'll find at least one "judgemental" person in practically any church, but it does seem to vary and I think it can be a particular problem for certain churches more than others for a variety of reasons. I've had my experience with pentecostal folk in this arena also. Some are quite judgemental, but I've met a few others who are quite gracious and accepting of Christians from a different tradition. I've also met some non-pentecostals who are quite judemental.

 

[freemansw]

I grew up in a Pentecostal Church and saw plenty of self-righteousnesses and judgmental behavior. On the other hand, Pentecostals usually have higher standards than the world, and that comes off as judgmental when it is not. One's man judging is another's man's righteous indignation.

 

[WannaWitness]

One's man judging is another's man's righteous indignation.

Excellent thought. It all boils down to the fact that everyone has different convictions.

 

[IchoozJC]

I'd agree that it is within all denominations. For where ever you find flesh, you will find sin.

From my experience, if you are not trying to turn a brother/sister from a sin, then you should not open your mouth to tell them they are wrong. And if you are moved to confront them in their sin, it should be done with humility, with much fear and trembling. If your heart swells with pride, thinking "I don't do this so neither should they", then I think the judgement is not coming from the Spirit. However, if your heart breaks for the brother/sister in sin, and you are full of compassion and grief over their sinfulness, then perhaps it is the Spirit moving you to confront them. Then you better not quench the Spirit!!
Blessings!

 

[Holyroller125]

I'd agree that it is within all denominations. For where ever you find flesh, you will find sin.

From my experience, if you are not trying to turn a brother/sister from a sin, then you should not open your mouth to tell them they are wrong. And if you are moved to confront them in their sin, it should be done with humility, with much fear and trembling. If your heart swells with pride, thinking "I don't do this so neither should they", then I think the judgement is not coming from the Spirit. However, if your heart breaks for the brother/sister in sin, and you are full of compassion and grief over their sinfulness, then perhaps it is the Spirit moving you to confront them. Then you better not quench the Spirit!!
Blessings!

Well Said.

Amen and Amen

Gregory Paul Norton

 

[Holyroller125]

I grew up in a Pentecostal Church and saw plenty of self-righteousnesses and judgmental behavior. On the other hand, Pentecostals usually have higher standards than the world, and that comes off as judgmental when it is not. One's man judging is another's man's righteous indignation.

I am curious for someone else's insightfulness.


Just what is righteous indignation? Is it just a cope out response to not hear the Word of the Lord? I used to be in a place where I scorned at God and any conviction, but one day, someone came up to me and told me the truth about living out in the world and having a life of drinking alcohol was a dead end road. I did not scorn at the person and say that he is full of righteous indignation. I actually respected him for telling me what I needed to hear. That is why I say that saying it is "righteous indignation" is a cope out answer or response for not wanting to hear the truth. Now, I'm a solid Christian and an ordained Pentecostal minister now.

God Bless,

Gregory Paul Norton

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

I'm new to this Pentecostal thing: My current church, an Assemblies of God church, is the first charismatic church I've ever been to, and I've been going there regularly maybe six months.

So I can't generalize about Pentecostals, but I can say my own AG church is not very legalistic or judgmental compared to most other churches I've attended... and most of my previous experience was of mainline to liberal Protestant churches.

At this church, the people walk in faith, but also in love, and they stay in the word. The teaching is solid, neither too liberal nor too conservative. In short, like Goldilocks' middle bear bed, it's just right!

 

[2ducklow]

I think it definitely depends on the church you're talking about. I've been to plenty of the Protestant churches that were extremely judgemental, so much so that my father was asked to leave a particular Protestant church (I won't say the denomination) when he got divorced. You may have had a bad experience in certain Pentecostal denominations, but I wouldn't go so far as to say Pentecostals are more judgemental than other denominations/churches. It all depends on the pastor and the congregation, how accepting they are to view or doctrine which may differ from there's in any way.

Now, I have attended some churches that belong to a sect which is extremely legalistic in it's doctrine. This may be what you're talking about (i.e. women can't cut there hair or where pants, everyone who hasn't spoken in tongues is going to hell, etc.) But we can go on forever talking about the things I find wrong with THAT particular sect (I have a hard time calling them a denomination, as many of their practices I find very cultic).

Hey I know what church you're talking about, only one church has all the ladies wearing buns.

 

[onelamb]

Hey I know what church you're talking about, only one church has all the ladies wearing buns.

I can think of two LOL!

 

[prayergal]

This is a tricky question. If you read some of the posts that I have put on here you would think I was judgmental. When it comes to certain situations I look in my Bible and I find God saying do certain things and don't do certain other things. God has given me the privledge of being a Sunday School teacher and a deacon's wife, leader of the church's prayer ministry. I try to uphold a standard of godliness. As a leader questions come before me regarding the conduct of other individuals. The only standard that I can go by is God's Word. If the Bible says do it, then I'm required to do it. If I don't do it then I have to pray and repent. If the Bible says don't do it then I know there is a reason for it. And again the same. As far as other people, I have a responsibility to share the truth with people in my class. If they do it, great! If they don't then that is between them and God.

Recently, we had a young girl who was a part of my prayer ministry and I had a training manual which states that to be a part of that ministry one needs to live a holy life before God. I went over these policies with this individual. She knew that sexual sin was not allowed in order to be a part of that ministry. This young lady has three young beautiful girls from two different dads and when she first came to us she was found pregnant again and lost that baby. Recently, after being a Christian almost two years and being told that she should stay away from this she is found pregnant again. I had to sit down with her and tell her that she was removed from the prayer ministry. She went away angry saying that I condemned her for being pregnant.

This girl can scarcely make ends meet and here she is having another child? Did I mention that she doesn't have custody of the other three? Sometimes, a person is faced with rather sticky situations, as a leader one doesn't know where to draw the line. Compassion can sometimes wear a person out. (I spent a great deal of time helping this person, going to court to try to help her get her kids back, gave her all kinds of physical help etc. etc.) Is it judgemental to say young lady you need to work on this?

Personally, I think all the fuss over clothes and hair and whatever stuff like that is ridiculous. But holding up Biblical standards is right and needs to be done so that young ladies such as these don't end up struggling so incredibly much. And draining the resources of people like me.

 

[quietbloke]

This is a tricky question. If you read some of the posts that I have put on here you would think I was judgmental. When it comes to certain situations I look in my Bible and I find God saying do certain things and don't do certain other things. God has given me the privledge of being a Sunday School teacher and a deacon's wife, leader of the church's prayer ministry. I try to uphold a standard of godliness. As a leader questions come before me regarding the conduct of other individuals. The only standard that I can go by is God's Word. If the Bible says do it, then I'm required to do it. If I don't do it then I have to pray and repent. If the Bible says don't do it then I know there is a reason for it. And again the same. As far as other people, I have a responsibility to share the truth with people in my class. If they do it, great! If they don't then that is between them and God.

Recently, we had a young girl who was a part of my prayer ministry and I had a training manual which states that to be a part of that ministry one needs to live a holy life before God. I went over these policies with this individual. She knew that sexual sin was not allowed in order to be a part of that ministry. This young lady has three young beautiful girls from two different dads and when she first came to us she was found pregnant again and lost that baby. Recently, after being a Christian almost two years and being told that she should stay away from this she is found pregnant again. I had to sit down with her and tell her that she was removed from the prayer ministry. She went away angry saying that I condemned her for being pregnant.

This girl can scarcely make ends meet and here she is having another child? Did I mention that she doesn't have custody of the other three? Sometimes, a person is faced with rather sticky situations, as a leader one doesn't know where to draw the line. Compassion can sometimes wear a person out. (I spent a great deal of time helping this person, going to court to try to help her get her kids back, gave her all kinds of physical help etc. etc.) Is it judgemental to say young lady you need to work on this?

Personally, I think all the fuss over clothes and hair and whatever stuff like that is ridiculous. But holding up Biblical standards is right and needs to be done so that young ladies such as these don't end up struggling so incredibly much. And draining the resources of people like me.

Good contribution,'prayergal!'

 

[Holyroller125]

This is a tricky question. If you read some of the posts that I have put on here you would think I was judgmental. When it comes to certain situations I look in my Bible and I find God saying do certain things and don't do certain other things. God has given me the privledge of being a Sunday School teacher and a deacon's wife, leader of the church's prayer ministry. I try to uphold a standard of godliness. As a leader questions come before me regarding the conduct of other individuals. The only standard that I can go by is God's Word. If the Bible says do it, then I'm required to do it. If I don't do it then I have to pray and repent. If the Bible says don't do it then I know there is a reason for it. And again the same. As far as other people, I have a responsibility to share the truth with people in my class. If they do it, great! If they don't then that is between them and God.

Recently, we had a young girl who was a part of my prayer ministry and I had a training manual which states that to be a part of that ministry one needs to live a holy life before God. I went over these policies with this individual. She knew that sexual sin was not allowed in order to be a part of that ministry. This young lady has three young beautiful girls from two different dads and when she first came to us she was found pregnant again and lost that baby. Recently, after being a Christian almost two years and being told that she should stay away from this she is found pregnant again. I had to sit down with her and tell her that she was removed from the prayer ministry. She went away angry saying that I condemned her for being pregnant.

This girl can scarcely make ends meet and here she is having another child? Did I mention that she doesn't have custody of the other three? Sometimes, a person is faced with rather sticky situations, as a leader one doesn't know where to draw the line. Compassion can sometimes wear a person out. (I spent a great deal of time helping this person, going to court to try to help her get her kids back, gave her all kinds of physical help etc. etc.) Is it judgemental to say young lady you need to work on this?

Personally, I think all the fuss over clothes and hair and whatever stuff like that is ridiculous. But holding up Biblical standards is right and needs to be done so that young ladies such as these don't end up struggling so incredibly much. And draining the resources of people like me.

I concur and well said.

Greg

 

[underthesouthercross]

l'm not quite getting where you are getting at...but i truly feel that we arent but hey...you must of experience something...i think its bad and dangerous to judge..thats what i think anyway

 

[Lavenderain]

Yes I went to a church thta was very judgmanntal too, they actually had a sermon on how terrible ppeople look if they dont wear there dress code and they actually clapped and was happy to say that well we'll see who is right and who is wronge on judgment day and who would go to hell then! I thought that that was mean to think your better because your a good christian and deserve to go to heaven and the rest can go to hell.
I actually personally think that, thats a sin.I learned in my practice, when I was trying to be perfect, and witness to my friends, that it scares them away from God if you cant be human about your christian faith and realise that he loves us and made us to be the human beings that we are and that the most important thing is to love and realise that he loves you.
and realise that we are not better, we are equal and he loves every single one of us and that sin is an action caused by emotional pain that needs healing , not judgment.Healing from love.Love is God, beloved let us love oneanother for love is God and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God, he that loveth not, knoweth God for God is Love 1 john 4 ;7-8
Come down to earth, dont be fake, be real.Come as you are a sinner and let his love transform you, is what I believe, dont pretend something your not.
Im pentecostal and I go to a judgmental church, they try to pull me in, but I am for real and wont put on an act.some of them weird me out hahaha, but anyways.lols
I like pentecostal becaus eit has a good side to it as well, they pray in the spirit and thats great!I just dont like it when they force me to pray and when they act weird when we pray and try to get me to do something that I dont feel in the spirit to do, I shouldnt be forced, I should have freedom to have a relationship with Jesus christ and run dance whenever, Im feeling it and am compfortable, not because someone tells me too or thinks I should.Thats not real and its weird, but not all are that way, but thats how it was last Sunday, I felt uncompfortable because they were telling me to speak in tongues like I should or something, I didnt because I was sidetracked by them.hahahaha how can I talkk to God with interuption? lols I dont know, lols.
Be real.

 

[prayergal]

I have to admit that we pentecostals do a reputation for doing wierd things. But it also depends on the pastor that you have. Because, you are right Lavenderain nobody should feel forced to do anything that they don't want to do or don't feel. When that happens one is pleasing man rather than God. We as human beings don't have the right to put standards like that on other people.

 

[Lavenderain]

I have to admit that we pentecostals do a reputation for doing wierd things. But it also depends on the pastor that you have. Because, you are right Lavenderain nobody should feel forced to do anything that they don't want to do or don't feel. When that happens one is pleasing man rather than God. We as human beings don't have the right to put standards like that on other people.

True prayer gal
I had just moved to another state and I have to adjust and find a church Im compfortable in yet.
Im going to this church 1 more time to see if mabee it will be better this week.Adjusting is tough.

 

[Lavenderain]

It was my 2nd week going to this new church and things were better this time.
There were lots of visitors, so I didnt feel like the only one haha.
And It was pastor appreciation month this month and one of the visitors went up and gave pastor a hug and then left early, it was cool.
Then we sang and 2 other woman prayed with me wich one was from California and the other is the pastors wife, I like her, we all 3 prayed together and sang together and I spoke in tongues wich I havent done in a really long time, because I could actually focus on God this time, it was great!

 

[quietbloke]

It was my 2nd week going to this new church and things were better this time.
There were lots of visitors, so I didnt feel like the only one haha.
And It was pastor appreciation month this month and one of the visitors went up and gave pastor a hug and then left early, it was cool.
Then we sang and 2 other woman prayed with me wich one was from California and the other is the pastors wife, I like her, we all 3 prayed together and sang together and I spoke in tongues wich I havent done in a really long time, because I could actually focus on God this time, it was great!

'Lavenderain',great to hear of your experience on Sunday with the people you gathered with. I think fellowship is tremendous. This past Sunday I was'nt able to get to our meetings,because of hospital treatment and I really missed being there. They were praying for me,I knew. We are accepted in the Beloved and accept one another,even though we all at times have our funny ways! God bless!