Worldly Churches: A Checklist

[okay]

Yeah, politics would be another thing that makes a church worldly. Both parties have flaws, and both do not focus on God. It is cool that your dad had many talents, but a shame that the church did not accept him. Which denomination was this church that you grew up in?

Presbyterian - was in the PCA when I was a kid, but the church left the denomination at some point because it became too 'liberal'. And that was when the downward spiral started. He moved to a Lutheran church (ELCA) that welcomed him with open arms. Some here would probably claim that ELCA church was 'worldly', but they actually showed him the love of Christ for the last decade he was alive in a way his old church wouldn't. He was able to help a lot with their homeless ministry, be in a bible study, join the Men's group, etc. He had an enormous amount of scripture memorized and was one of the most faithful men I have ever known.

Before the presbyterian church (and before I was born) my parents were at a Baptist church where they leaned heavily into 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (you should work with your hands). As a professor, my dad did not work with his hands and was only tolerated because of his prior career as a cabinet maker - and he helped out around the church. My mom has told me that there were frequent comments about it, and she pushed for them to leave before I was born. She didn't want my brother and I to grow up thinking their dad's work wasn't honorable or 'biblical'.

 

[AlexB23]

Presbyterian - was in the PCA when I was a kid, but the church left the denomination at some point because it became too 'liberal'. He moved to a Lutheran church (ELCA) that welcomed him with open arms. Some here would probably claim that ELCA church was 'worldly', but they actually showed him the love of Christ for the last decade he was alive in a way his old church wouldn't. He was able to help a lot with their homeless ministry, be in a bible study, join the Men's group, etc. He had an enormous amount of scripture memorized and was one of the most faithful men I have ever known.

Before the presbyterian church (and before I was born) my parents were at a Baptist church where they leaned heavily into 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (you should work with your hands). As a professor, my dad did not work with his hands and was only tolerated because of his prior career as a cabinet maker - and he helped out around the church. My mom has told me that there were frequent comments about it, and she pushed for them to leave before I was born. She didn't want my brother and I to grow up thinking their dad's work wasn't honorable or 'biblical'.

Yeah, the modern ELCA might have become worldly, but the modern PCUSA has become worldly as well. It is good that your father helped the poor, and joined a Bible study. Your dad is up in Heaven with the saints, and may he rest in peace. Yeah, one can not lean to hardly into a single verse, we must take all the Bible into consideration.

 

[ARBITER01]

Though these things may be relevant, I personally wish to avoid "church-hopping," as if going to church is like shopping for the best deal. Churches are at different stages of maturity, in different environments, requiring different ministries, etc. etc.

Each one of us is at a different stage of maturity in our lives.

Sometimes you do outgrow a church, or the church changes leadership and it's direction, and it no longer feeds you. We must not ignore such things.

 

[AlexB23]

Guys, this church seems really worldly (Lives Changed By Christ in Pennsylvania). Yes, I like Charlie and the Chocolate factory, but this is a little worldly. And yes, I like chocolate, but this might be unhealthy to be feeding excessive amounts of candy at a church.

Another Worldly Church - LCBC (Duration: 3 min):

Summary:
The speaker, Sean, discusses a multicampus mega-church called "Lives Changed by Christ" located in Pennsylvania. One of the church's latest features is a 16-foot chocolate waterfall, which was created with the help of a chemist from the church. The LCBC church has also transformed their children's check-in area into a candy store and redesigned their interior to resemble Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. The church gives away chocolate and other treats to children. Despite the playful theme, Sean expresses concern about using gimmicks to attract and retain churchgoers, warning that it might be against biblical teachings and highlighting Satan as the god of this world. The speaker ends by encouraging the audience to comment and share their thoughts on the topic.