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Amen! I sure hope there are preachers and pastors reading this.Sounds good...but I don't agree with it
Jesus went to the bars, and rubbed shoulders with publicans and sinners...He did not go to the Synagogue to find the "sinners"!!! He stood in boats or on hills and in fields..
It used to puzzle me in my early christian days when we all gathered in the Sunday evening gospel meeting and the dear old Pastor preached his gospel message every single week to the same group of well saved christians!!!
John Wesley, George Whitfield and the great evangelists rode many miles from one town to the next town and "amazingly" could preach to thousands while standing on a hill, to a huge crowds who had walked for sometimes days...to gather in a field to hear them. No pews, no microphones, but with a mighty anointing...and hundreds upon hundreds getting saved....
That was "God at work."
So, at one time the preachers would go to the people...these days they just stand in their man made pulpits, in fancy buildings and wonder why the people don't come to them!!
No, I do not go "to church".
When in England this is what we had...this is our church conducted itself...an open forum..and Spirit lead, everyone who spoke was in order and done with respect for one another. If two stood to their feet at the same time..one would just defer to the other to go first. Our meeting were about three hours , which seemed like 45 mins...none of us ever wanted to go home.
Moved to Canada and never ever found a church which comes close.
So...we do not "church" now.
many Anabaptist sects practice this, Mennonites do for instance, you'll prolly want a "city mennonite" church for this, as the "country" ones are more insular
Where I attend now we do try to have an open forum in all of our services where anyone can get up and preach or teach or testify or sing a song as the Spirit him. It has worked better than other places where I've attended with their rigid pre-programmed services. The ones who preach or teach [including me at times] stand and speak as God give them scriptures and words. Rarely have I seen anyone use any written outline or notes of any kind. No one has been to a Bible school or seminary and even the pastor has no certificate of completion to confirm that a man or men have ordained him. He has been a minister for close to 80 years. [He is 92] Perfect? No, but it allows for the Holy Spirit to lead in a way that most places with their man-made rules would never permit.When in England this is what we had...this is our church conducted itself...an open forum..and Spirit lead, everyone who spoke was in order and done with respect for one another. If two stood to their feet at the same time..one would just defer to the other to go first. Our meeting were about three hours , which seemed like 45 mins...none of us ever wanted to go home.
Moved to Canada and never ever found a church which comes close.
So...we do not "church" now.
NO, sister, you are telling how it should be everywhere. Everywhere, including the place I worship, has men either controlling or working to gain control [this last being my present situation as my pastor move slowly toward the end of his course].
It is still both allowed and encouraged where I attend, but fewer and fewer people take advantage of the opportunity given to stand and ask a question any more during a service and even to interrupt in the middle of someone's message to ask a question about the message. Are believers losing something or have many of them actually already lost it? Help us dear Lord!
As you know, I really want out the boat I am in... even though on the surface it seems better than the others. This "seems better" also get me into trouble at times with God, because I find myself wanting to take sides. Oh yes, the sides exist and too often both sides are missing God, at least in a measure. I know that God wants me to remain in this particular boat for now even though He has also let me know that it too is leaking and sinking. The thing is that there are a few within who sincerely love God and refuse to take sides.@amadeus ..excellent post .
We know the Enemy is a thief and liar from the beginning...he has sure robbed and continues to rob God people.
I believe we have already 'lost it'.
Fear as usual ( *which I have always felt was the fruit which was offered and accepted in the Garden) fear is ruling the day... People fear to be different, fear to stand up and follow the Holy Spirit, fear that they are wrong, fear of losing their reputation, fear those who are in charge ..and fear to rock the boat.
That is why I got out of that boat a long time ago.
Ah, yes, membership decline and money to do God's work and money to line my pockets, etc. I love to attend some of the large gatherings of people to hear some really gifted ministers preach and teach, but they cannot seem to stop someone who is of course in the know about the shortage of finances to stand and talk a good talk of what is needed [money!]. They do it better here [really, what does that mean?] but they do it nonetheless.
NO, Helen, I was there, but in different geographic locations with different specific details and I continued to drag me feet at the end of each. But God held me and brought on to the next one. Growing, growing all of the time even though at time it was really like a yo yo, my own pathway that is when I failed to grasp the details of my own walk.John, you are probably very thankful that we are not in the same fellowship as me...I would probably make you cringe.
@amadeus ..excellent post .
We know the Enemy is a thief and liar from the beginning...he has sure robbed and continues to rob God people.
I believe we have already 'lost it'.
Fear as usual ( *which I have always felt was the fruit which was offered and accepted in the Garden) fear is ruling the day... People fear to be different, fear to stand up and follow the Holy Spirit, fear that they are wrong, fear of losing their reputation, fear those who are in charge ..and fear to rock the boat.
That is why I got out of that boat a long time ago.
But, it is so sad...all the "what could have been's".
Fear is ruling the day, the churches... Fear of the hierarchy saying they have not added enough new members... fear of the hierarchy being in a younger "bible schooled" smooth Pastor. and...fear of the congregation and fearing to not preach what is acceptable to those who give the biggest offering to the church! Now the last one I have seen over and over...
Once I walked into a meeting ( one that we were a part of...but one here in Canada...not back in England where it was free..)
..And people were hushed and whispering...( NOT reading their bibles or praying, or I would not have done it) I just felt deep in my spirit the smothering of fear and religiosity ..( not reverence) So I turned toward them all and in a big loud voice I said.. " Good morning everyone...what a glorious day to be alive...how good our God is! "
One of the elders scowled at me..and said " Why did you do that?"
( Dave and I were also leadership there too) So I said.." I did that because I hate demons..and when I walked into this room I smelt the spirits of fear, oppression and most of all "religion"....I will not ever bow to or be controlled any filthy religious spirits. "
John, you are probably very thankful that we are not in the same fellowship as me...I would probably make you cringe.
