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Hi to all. I am new to this site and forum and thought I would post something that I have been struggling with. My wife and I have been out of Church for a few months now. We have 2 children 5 and 7. We attended faithfully a Church for the past 5-6 years which was an "emergent church" so to speak. We were there for @3-5 weeks when I was asked to play in the P&W band. I am a bass player by the way. Long story short I became really engaged in the team, the church, and God. My wife on the other hand grew away. Partly my envolvement, partly her bad vibe from some of the leadership and vision of the Church. So basically we left on the same terms. (Leadership) I know that not every place is perfect, but we have tried some others and just don't feel they are "IT". We have been praying about it and researching, but nothing in our area will work. Most are so concerned about attendance, others money, and yet others just existing. We have serving hearts and desire fellowship, worship, and serving our community and World. That is my ideal setting. We are often asking ourselves, do we really need a Church organazation, or just start a group with other believers do get all of these things. I guess we are worried that we will be let down again, which is human and typical.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
Author: Commoner
Benjammin, you are not alone. there are no perfect churches or people. My church is a young church with many walks of life. It is not a place that I go to it is a place where I belong in the family of God...In Hebrews 11:23-25 it says...let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. What I see in your letter has more to do with personality conflicts and or doctrinal issues. You need a game plan for you and your family... What type of church are you looking for? Is it one bent toward worship, or Holiness? or one that is evangelistic in nature? is it going to meet your needs and the needs of your family? How does it handle conflicts within its own church body? Does it have a mens group to be supportive of you? Does it have a womens group that teaches the Word? Are there activities for couples and children. Acceptance is important. These are some of the questions you need to ask and find out as you seek out a church family. It is not a matter of do we really need a church orginazation it is a matter of what God has called me to do for Him within the body of Christ. I myself have many conflicts wihtin my chuch body but God has called me to focus on what He has prepared for me in advance to do. He gave me a purpose... to write childrens books with emphasis on the gospel message... ultimately it is to Him I must answer to what Ive done with the time, talent and treasures He has given to me to advance His kingdom and it is Him who will reward me. I want to encourage you not to give up on church but to get a game plan to succeed for Him despite the conflicts. I pray that the Spiirit of the living, loving God bless you with direction for you and your family and that He will open up a door for you to succeed in the relationships He set in place for your growth. May He plant your feet on solid ground and give you a loving church family. In His Love and Care, Commoner
Thanks very much for your insight. Growing up in the South, people are always about "oh you have to be in Church, or Get those kids in Church." And I totally am for that, but I am with you, I don't want to just go to Church, I want to be Church. Not to be an organazation or buisness, but part of what God is doing. Music is one of my spiritiual gifts, but I feel that God has other plans for me as well and other gifts that need to be nurtured. We have been visiting a Church that is @30 minutes away that I feel is a great fit for us. We are praying very hard about it and hope that this is it.
Again thanks for the help and God bless.
Ben ><>