Going to church

[14KBlaqWmn]

How do you feel about going to church? Do you think that churches today are progressing over the way churches were back in the day or do you think that churches today are lacking from the way churches were back in the day? Please share your thoughts.

When I was growing up and before he died 15 years ago, my father was a pastor of a small country church in which we had a lot of opportunities to fellowship with other churches. Back in the day, it seemed like more ministers, deacons, and other members of the congregation did things to help each other inside and outside the church on a regular basis. It just seemed like people cared and were more considerate of each other regardless of whether they knew you or not.

Not to mention that it seemed that the ministers cared and were more focused on the congregations well-being spiritually and personally. What I mean by that is that they did more than just preach on Sunday or a small chit-chat session after church. They as well as the deacons used to visit with the members no matter whether there were problems going on or not.

In today's time, when I've gone to my own church back in Virginia and even visiting different churches over the last 5-10 years, it doesn't seem like folks care as much. The focus seems to have shifted to money or building some great church fit for 5000+ members knowing you currently only have 50 members and not even trying to grow the membership or help to maintain the members they do have. I can't remember the last time I heard or saw a minister visiting with the sick or just anybody for that matter. It's so sad and very disappointing.

What's happened? Why the change?

[que90nek]

i think church is very necessary for christians. to continue to fellowship and praise with other christians.

i don't find that the difference in churches from yesterday and today are that great...what i have found is that I have changed...I have moved to bigger cities....I am more aware of things going on in the church that are not published....

there are some churches that still have hospital visits and sick and shut in visits and down home churchiness....

so i guess i don't agree with your original premise.

there are SOOOOOO many churches....some will get it right....others will not.

[HulaSista]

I understand what you are saying 14k.

In my opinion, there is too many itty bitty churches. Someone gets mad, and starts another church or another religion. I couldn't believe it how many sub-units of the Christian faiths are out there.

I too think "hospitality" has gone by the way side in the Christian church. They can fix a meal for the pastor, visiting pastor, and all the resident ministers and deacons, but, allllllllllllllllllllllll those sick and shut in in the bulletin need to be tended to by those same folks cookin in the kitchen for the pastor and freinds.

and theres nothing wrong with that.

But, hospitality in the Christian community in THIS country is lacking. We need to go back to that and remember when they told Joseph and Mary "there is no room in the inn"... and make room...

[Tastey]

On the church and the congregation you belong to.

I love my church family because they are truly what I consider FAMILY. I only joined this church a little over a year ago and a friend of mine from college moved here and joined in November. She said to me "I thought you'd been here all your life...you seem so at home." But that's the way our church family is. Now a few months later...she feels at home too.

We fellowship together not only at church but wherever. If someone is sick, or going through, or whatever a church member is right there. My landlord is a member of my church who heard I was looking for a place to stay and he let me know as soon as he had a place to rent. He said he feels better knowing it's church family living in his house.

We have several doctors who are members and give FREE medical care to any member who can't afford it. We also have lawyers who offer the same service.

When I changed churches I did not change pastors because my pastor is one of the best leaders and best men of God I have ever met in my life.

He visits the sick, the shut-in, college students, members who have moved out of town...he makes time for all of it.

I remember when my brother was in the hospital before he passed my pastor came to visit (3 hours drive from here) and not only stayed with our family while he went through surgery but he took us all to lunch, to try to help us through it. He's that type of caring person. If you tell him you are having surgery and the doctor wants you at the hospital at 7am he will be there at 6:45 to pray with you before you go to operating room.
He was there when my son was born, and he and his wife visited me several times (regardless of my unwed status).

I could go on and on about my church all day...as I said I LOVE my church family. :)

Ours is a large congregation and we are have almost completed a new church that will hold 700+ members. But GOD has remained FIRST in whatever we do. I think that's the difference 14k. I've seen and visited churches like you described. My sister belongs to one. Her pastor does not visit the sick, he does not counsel, he does not do anything but preach (But Good Lawd can't he preach)...that's what she always says. :rolleyes:

But to me it's more to it. The church is SUPPOSED to be the center of the community. During the civil rights movement the church held that position and our religious leaders became our civil leaders as well. But now there are too many Rev Bling Bling's running around. You are right it is very sad.

[14KBlaqWmn]

que, I understand what you're saying, but fellowship and worship should not only take place inside the building doors. For example, what about those who can not make it to church because they are laid up in a hospital or nursing home. How do they have church? Think about it.

Like I've said, it's just kinda hard for me to swallow nowadays because no matter what church I have visited, big or small, the focus has been the dollar and what additions or building they're about to put up. Sometimes I feel like I have to hit up the ATM before I attend a service. It shouldn't be like that.

I think the focus should always be on God and that ministers should also emphasize on keeping the faith and helping one another in good times and bad....regardless of whether it's someone in your church or someone out in the world. Not to mention that I believe that when God wants things to happen, he will provide so there shouldn't be a lot of baskets passed around for this, that, and the other.

I've heard a lot of wonderful ministers over the years who are good teachers, but fellowship and worshipping God goes way beyond just saying the words. Actions to those words should take place as well....and I'm not just talking about the ministers.

que, I don't know what your exposure is to church, but from the things I've seen and experienced in church, I have seen a decline over the years and it makes me very sad. Now does that mean that I will give up and never go to church again.....no. It just means that I have to pray for God's guidance in helping me to find where I'm supposed to be spiritually feed.

[Brightness]

Well, I won't get into a big advertisement about loving my church but I am in favor of it more than I was when I was younger.

When I was younger I felt pressured to go to church and there were a lot of people there who weren't totally correct. That in and of itself isn't a problem because we are all sinners. But it becomes a problem when you have people casting stones and they are living in a big ol' glass mansion. I can't tolerate that.

I attended church when I went away to college and when I would go visit other people but it took me until about Dec 1995-Jan 1996 to find the perfect fit that had me actually wanting to go to church. I've seen the church grow from a small one which seated a few hundred to one that seats several thousand. . .MEGA-church style. . .lol.

So, even though we are big, we still concentrate on the homey qualities that some folks like. . . now, that's not necessarily ME because I just don't like all that "up-in-your-face" friendliness but I know that when I need it, there are people there for me in my time of need.

The thing that impressed me is that I could see and was a part of the progression of the church and I could see the blessings flowing there as well as within my own life. We are very focused on 'works' not just lip-service. Some churches have had a building fund for 10+ years and have yet to break ground on a new place or even be making progress. . .to me, I believe that speaks as to what the state of the church is. . .not that they don't have enough members but if you are doing right in the sight of the Lord, he is going to use you as a vessel to draw others to him by seeing your light shine.

So, I guess to answer your questions. . .the more things change the more things tend to stay the same in some respects. It's just a matter of where you position yourself.

[que90nek]

Originally posted by 14KBlaqWmn+

que, I don't know what your exposure is to church, but from the things I've seen and experienced in church, I have seen a decline over the years and it makes me very sad. Now does that mean that I will give up and never go to church again.....no. It just means that I have to pray for God's guidance in helping me to find where I'm supposed to be spiritually feed.

14k...i would never say that me and my 30 years of experience and travel that has only spanned 4 continents and only 38 of the states....i would never say that my experience is enough to make any respected comment on the plight of churches in america. i can make uninformed assumptions based on my limited knowledge....but then again I wouldnt.

There are SO many...SO many churches....some take care of business...some don't. i pray that you'll find one that suits u.

[que90nek]

and...
i would say that the bigger the church...the more you are going to SEE church business.