What happened to the church?
77The Storms of My Life
Why can't I find a church I fit in?
I have been looking for awhile now, for a church that I felt comfortable with. One of those that didn’t judge you for how strong your faith in God is. One that didn’t snob you for how much money you had, or whom you associated yourself with.
I have noticed that as I went from church to church, that the attendance was down. It didn’t matter which denomination I attended, the church was nearly empty.
Some people claimed to be out of town for awhile, some sick, some had company... you know...the usual excuses that pop up for missing church. I kind of overlooked it for while, till I found what I thought was the perfect church for me. Small…but still trying to grow.
The people of this church seemed to truly cared about one another. It was upsetting for them to have to cancel services for lack of people attending. Cancel services? In all my years of going to church I had never came across services being canceled for lack of attendance.
Jude 1:18-19
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who sparated themselves, sensual, having not the spirit.
Curiosity captured me.
I asked why it was that they weren’t growing. One of the ladies politely explained to me that it wasn’t like they didn’t try to get people to come, people just weren’t interested in church anymore.
“Why is that?” I had to ask myself.
She went on to explain that they have put out fliers, sent out personal invitations, held soup suppers, etc., but no one wanted to really commit to coming.
I was appalled.
I went home and asked my family what they thought about it. The answers were shameful. My own children didn’t want to go, because it was boring, and they had their mind set on their own beliefs. God wasn’t even apart of the picture for one of them. My husband believed in God, but had his own reasons for not attending church.
I was speechless. I had to stop, and look at myself.
Why did I not go to church for years?
My answer seemed simple but weak.
The system of Christianity and church created doubt and grief for me. I, too, had been burnt while attending some churches. I have- off and on- put Christ in a box, and stuck him on the shelf; only to pull him down, when I felt I needed him. If I was criticized, or forced into an argument for the way I believed, I would tuck God away again to avoid a conflict; because I didn‘t have an answer.
This caused a conflict between people, and myself, when I would express my faith; but didn't have the knowledge I needed to back up how I believed. They thought that sometimes I had become narrow minded. They were right. Looking back, in a lot of ways I had. I feel this had an impact on my children, causing confusion for them.
I remember being in Sunday School class one day asking about greeting a newcomer to church. My question to the class was…if two people came to visit the church, and one looked like a banker and the other a Goth punk rocker, which one would you greet first?
Most of the people said the banker. My next question was… why the banker? Well, that was easy, the Goth punk rocker intimidated them. So my next question I addressed to them was…what if the Goth punk rocker was the Christian, and the banker was a non-believer looking for answers? No one had much of an answer for me.
Christian Living
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Doing my own research...
As I have begun digging back into reading hubs and writing, I have seen that it is so easy to be labeled one way, or another, about one’s belief. I don't expect people to believe the same as I do. Or, expect people to accept what I have to say about my beliefs. These are my personal opinions that I wanted to share with others.
In my observations, I have seen some non-believers prowl around as if waiting for a Christian to screw up. Questions arise and heated arguements break out. It becomes a debated contest of who is right or wrong. (I tend to avoid confrontations such as this. If a person wants to truly know about my faith without picking an arguement, I will tell them.)
On the flips side of that coin, for some Christians, it seems as if they fear having their faith tested. I only point this out because of an experience I had with a fellow Christian. (I don't believe everyone feels this way.)
1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try those spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
I had confronted a Christian with a question I didn't have the answer to. I figured here was someone with a more indepth knowledge than myself. Surely, I would find the answer--or at least a close answer--to the question I had. Instead of being honest, and telling me they didn't have the answer; the person became upset and arguementive.
They didn't like the fact that the question I had asked, made them think outside the box of what they were comfortable with. The answer I received was to divorce my husband, because this person believed my husband would never become a Christian.
I am beginning to see where the message we are given, are being watered down to suite people so they won't be offended. It is easy to preach about God's love, and the great things he has done. But, I am finding more and more sermons avoiding the message of giving up sin, and asking Jesus to be the Savior he was sent here to be. If people continue to turn a blind eye to the message God has spoken, what do they expect to happen?
Revelations 1:18
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
I believe in the wrath of God. To me it is just as a parent punishing a child for not obeying the rules. I felt that it was up to the churches to make sure that the message was passed on, not altered, watered down, or avoided due to conflicts, and popularity contests.
One thing is for sure. It has made me stop, and take a look at myself, and what is important to me. I have to admit though...I'm becoming more and more interested in what other people's opinions are on these subjects. I may be a lousy debater, but it has opened my eyes to a bigger world.
A prayer for Salvation to those that want to walk with God.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I have sinned and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for me. Come into my life, free me, and teach me your ways. Thank you Lord, for this gift of Salvation. In Jesus name. Amen.
Don't put your faith on hold, because you haven't found a church that fits. Continue to daily worship in prayer, bible study, journaling, and sharing with others, your faith in God.
John 14:6 Jesus said, " I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
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Recommended Christian Reading on HubPages
There are so many wonderful writers that share their faith, here at HubPages, that I wanted to share a few that I have enjoyed.
New Testament Canon by James A. Watkins
End Time-Answers by Marliza Gunter
Is God Punishing Us? by tlpoague
10 Steps to Preaching Motivational Sermons by ecoggins
Quill is Back by Rolly A. Chabot
Have You Read a Chick Tract Lately? by tlpoague
Thank you for stopping by!
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After reading this hub I read a number of Tipoague's hubs and can relate to much of what she has written.
I am now 75 and I have been a committed 'Christian' for more than 50 years, but I have been 'outside the walls of traditional Christianity for almost 40 years.
With hindsight I can see that over the last eight years in particular I have been learning so much about why people believe what they believe, often as a result of divisive, denominational theology. Why can't the denominations agree amongst themselves about the foundations of the Christian faith?
I have come to the conclusion that there is an enormous difference between the Christian RELIGION and the Christian FAITH.
I have twice been forced into reconsidering just about everything I had ever been taught, and I have made extensive notes and used a number of 'mind maps' that might encourage others to THINK for THEMSELVES.
Before considering "What happened to the church?" I would suggest we need to consider, "What do we mean by church?" (the title of one of my hubs).
I can see that Tipoague has an open mind - but like all of us, we continue to be influenced by what we learned in earlier years. I find it interesting how she views the KJV and uses quotes from it to prove its own validity (I know I haven't expressed that very well). The history of the writing of the KJV and the influence of King James himself is a very significant story.
But back to the original question - tens of thousands of committed Christians are leaving the churches that they may have attended for many years. I really got to know something in 2003,of what was then often being referred to as "The out of church Christians".
I have often thought of traditional churches as universities from which its students never graduate. I would suggest many of us have been drawn away from churches that cannot take us deeper than their own doctrines, traditions and rituals will allow.
They say that there is a book in each of us - instead of writing a book I have developed a couple of blogs that tell something of my ongoing Christian journey.
A very close friend of mine once said, "Peter, you have the knack of asking the awkward questions to which there are no easy answers". If I can encourage people to THINK FOR THEMSELVES I will have achieved something worthwhile. If I can support and encourage anyone as they consider some of these questions that would be a privilege!
There is a significant introduction on my profile.
Thanks Tamarajo and Old Pete, Sorry it took me so long to respond back.
I agree with you both. I have found lately that I am having a problem with the ability to find a church that isn't about the popularity contest, or different doctorines I was raised with, or even being able to walk away spiritually satisfied with the message.
I found that for myself it was time to do the reality check of why I feel let down, which let me to questioning everything I was ever taught. I also give my husband a lot of credit for opening my eyes to taking things for granted.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Ok Tipoage :0) Here`s my take delete if its too big, you wont offend after allI`m Irish LOL
Where in the world is God today?
In this fast paced modern Hi Tech internet age has He fallen behind like the rest of the people who refused to conform to the latest craze or fad? Did He pack His bags and head off to a distant planet to start all over again? Only this time no forbidden fruit on a tree and Satan has been left behind to terrorize those that did not make the grade.
If you look at the growth of religious orders and gospels and mega churches He should be able to find a welcome spot. Or have they all just a knowledge of Him or more to the point taken some of His Son's many words and published their version of the Gospel of Jesus and would not know him if he showed up in person? Or maybe he would not meet the educational "No Saint left behind requirements"!
Many of these well meaning organizations have myriads of information on Him and His creation, and followers can quote many of His sacred scriptures, but then again volumes have been written on Shakespeare by people who claim to be authorities on good old Will, but they have never even talked or shared a beer with the guy! Yet for some reason known only to themselves, know how he lived, felt, and thought. Sounds kind of crazy, and yet if Will came back to life and walked among them would they accept him into their fold? Or would they have painted such an unrealistic picture of him that they would call him an impostor and politely ask him to leave? Book him into a mental hotel or Find him a place on Jerry Springer...." See Willy slap the Dickens out of Prince Charles live on Springer!!!!
I think its time someone yelled stop the bus! And let's see who is actually on it..... and why we let them on in the first place? Many of us from birth because of the environment we were raised in have been yoked with burdens that were never a predestined load to bear and all this has accomplished so far (For some of us!) is the slowing down and hindering of our growth and wellbeing.
For example if you grew up in a religious organization you were at an early age introduced to their doctrinal lenses on the world around you.
After a while you could become a clone, marry a clone and produce more clones.
Sounds exciting!!! Amen!
On the other hand you could have had non religious parents who were independent free thinkers and encouraged you to explore and discover the ends of the earth and live a vibrant life. With encouragement like that the world would be your Oyster and you would be a cool person to hang out with and your of spring would be fruitful and multiply? (Sounds real attractive to me)
Then of course you could have grown up in a drug, alcohol, dysfunctional family environment. Learned how to yell, fight, self sabotage and in general live a very depressing and unhealthy life, you know! Marry, Divorce, Re Marry produce more unhappy Fagan's (Oliver twist), who unless they received some serious intervention would carry on the family tradition and be the butt end of comedians jokes. The chances of an early checkout in that sinario are pretty good!
Another case that could find a home in the first and third paragraph above is race and color and that has been the catalyst for some pretty distraous consequences on account of mans false illusions about his superiority.
Now if our mental heath is dependent upon the environment we have grown up in! Then Darwin's theory of the survival of the fittest would most definitely come into play and the world would be a very unfair place, would it not. Just ask your local Rabbi! But that's not happening is it?
Ok! Now ask yourself if there is a God...Where in the world is he in all of this, I mean why would he create man and then let him of the leash only to mess up the backyard and scare of the neighbors. Is this the loving thing to-do?
If you look at the last 2000 years we have had one religious war after another. The middle east, northern Ireland, The Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, WW2( Yes Hitler believed he was doing gods work by eradicating the Jewish population), Bosnia . So if God is a religious God I sure don't want to meet him and most defiantly not on a bad day.
Maybe he is in corporate America? Then again they don't really have a head just a breathing mass of hungry share holders and some for some reason known only to themselves are always hungry for more and will never be satisfied.
Yes maybe there are some corporations that do genuinely care, can't think of any at the moment lol. But they do care about their public image and the good old bottom line and if you have ever had a pink slip then you know all about corporate unconditional love, no security there!
Now I don't think he lives in statues or religious artifacts because if that was the case you could buy him take home and pop him up on the mantel piece or nail him to the wall. Better still stick your old bath tub out in the front lawn end up and depending on which God is in vogue proudly display it, kneel before it, and ask it lots of questions even pray to it.
I have news for you whether its made of wood, alabaster or a precious metal it wont answer you back and if it did your property would be declared a scared spot and there goes your peace and quiet as you struggle home through the candle awed multitudes.
I have lived in this country (North America) since June 25th 1988 and while I love the vastness and beauty of this contentment I'm not in love with American Christianity. My journey through the American churches has been sadly disappointing. I came here with a passion for God and all that he has to offer us. I expected (naively) that the church here would be just as passionate, but I was greatly disappointed. You see I had and still have a wonderful love for god and the glorious wonders and life he has to offer through an intimate relationship with him.
Over the past 20 years I have only met a hand full of people who were thoroughly passionate about God, the vast majority had a knowledge about him or were more concerned about their status before others or telling other Christians how they should live their lives or building their own kingdoms and bringing converts into the same bondage as themselves
. In short I believe God brought me to this country to teach me how to love the lost sheep of his flock and it has been very hard class to take! Many times I have wanted to quit. But as I slowly progress and gain his understanding of unconditional love I gain understanding of how he feels by the churches rejection of his love
. All God wanted in the very beginning was a relationship with Adam and eve. It was so simple! God having healthy fellowship with his creation. They talked about everything and laughed at each others humor , there were no big list of rules to follow except one don't eat the fruit of just one tree....that was it!
Yes we all know the rest of the story and the resulting fall out. The world has not lived in peace since and will not until it surrenders its false illusions of grandeur and superiority at the foot of his throne and accepts the free gift of his son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. There is no other way, the struggle has been going on for centuries and will continue until Jesus returns to claim those that love and follow him and those that have rejected him will tragically not enter into his eternal peace and life everlasting.
So where is God? He is here right now ready and willing to enter your life and the best way to ask him in is to ask him or his son Jesus to give you the faith to believe that they exist and leave the rest up to him and not to religion......
Thank you for your comment and sorry it took me so long to respond.
At the time that I wrote this piece, I was disappointed in the churches I had been attending. Then I thought I found one that would fit, only to be disappointed again. This small church in the prairie wanted to grow in it relationship with God, but had put too many stipulations on themselves (and others) and grew lazy in their fellowship. They wanted the credit of being a Christian, but came across as (what I called) a weekend warrior. It was sad to watch this happen, and I too, have done this.
Many religious people have criticized me or frowned at my outlook at God and my relationship with God. I think most of it is because I try to steer clear of the stereotype that befalls Christians and how they are expected to think or act. I grew up with a religious background, and until I married my husband, didn't question much. (I was still young and naive.) Before long, some of his questions he would ask me sent me on a quest for the answers I didn't have. This led me to have a more open view of things and question the politics of the churches I was attending. Needless to say in my quest, I offended quite a few fellow Christians to the point that they told me I should not have yoked myself to a non believer. What they didn't stop to listen to was that my husband believed in God, believed that Jesus died for our sins, but didn't agree with the politics of the church. It was being a hypocrite in the biggest form. (I will go to church today, go thru the motions of worship, but the rest of the week live my life as I see fit.)
Hey, I admit I am a sinner and don't always look as if I am living my life the way others think I should. But, I thank God every day for the blessings he has bestowed upon my family and try to share with others his love if they want to hear about it. My faith in God has been tested in more ways than I share. When I have been asked about it I tell them; for those that have wronged me...what goes around comes around, they will have to answer to God for their actions just as I will.
Why is it easy for me to believe in the existence of God? I have seen some freaky stuff that led me to have a strong faith in God. Some may look at me and question it, but those that know me, know how strong my faith is. I try not to tell people how they should believe, (although it comes across differently) and tell them that the best thing to do is search for the truth for themselves. This allows for one to keep an open mind and not be so easily deceived by religious groups.
Thanks again for your comments, glad to meet you!
I think I am also experiencing something similar to yours.
but ready to get God directly to you. God is the Power of Nature and We have similarity and we can be a flatform \for God to act inn the world. Im hubbing on this now.
God Bless
Thanks Magodis,
It is hard sometimes to find a church that fits. The biggest thing is to pray about it and allow God to help you work through it. I have found that hubbing about it lets me see things in a different perspective that I may not have taken the time to see before. Good luck hubbing about this topic. As soon as I get some time to slow down, I will shoot your way and check out what you wrote. Thanks again!
Well... Wow! I loved this hub! I think it is a great example of the disillusionment that is taking place in the churches today. Many believe it is a sin to not go to church so thus it hinders their relationship with God. But it simply isn't true! Christianity is about knowing Jesus. Church is about hanging out with others who know Jesus or who want to know him. Jesus said there were two things we needed to do when it was all broken down, Mark 12:30,31 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this:Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." (NIV) So what is church for? To get wise teachings on how to do this. Church leaders need to go back to the basics.
Thanks Calico, Sorry it has taken so long for a response. I agree! When I first moved here, some of the people that have known my family for years expected me to go to their church. I gave it a try, and found it to be more of a social hour than something that would benefit me. This was sad for those that really wanted to know Jesus and learn more. The elders of the church, didn't like it be taken outside of their comfort zone, when I would ask them questions that were daily asked of me. I felt disappointed and from there moved around several different churches. Most of them weren't impressed with me not fitting into the mold they thought I should be. It is so easy to steriotype, and try as I might, I found myself lumping these churches into groups. Those that wanted to go forward with a relationship with God, and those that were comfortable in their bubble that they didn't want messed with. I felt it was better for me not to attend church, until God placed it upon my heart where I should go.
I have made a few life changes since writing this piece, but I will always have a faith in God, whether I go to church or not. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leaving a comment. :)
Tamarajo Level 5 Commenter 17 months ago
Sometimes I think the church flounders because it gets treated like a social club.
I also have seen an attitude that the church is the place where people get all their needs met and many become disappointed because it doesn't meet up to their expectations. The church itself then becomes God rather than God Himself.
The early church was centered on the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ by confession and repentance of sin. Preaching the truth to those who didn't know it. Healing the sick, casting out demons, and the like. But we also must recall that this radical faith came radical persecution.
I too would love to see revival of church that we see in the book of Acts.
You ask a great question.