I almost left my local fellowship about a year ago over certain issues (disagreement about practical outworkings of spiritual gifts, teaching that often lacked spiritual meat), but I prayed about it and considered whether the issues I saw constituted a compromised Gospel (they didn't) and I very strongly sensed God leading me to stay. I thought me staying was about me changing everyone else's minds and fixing everything, but with a year of hindsight I see that it was mostly about God sanctifying me, humbling me, teaching me to serve and go lower, learning dedication to the Body, so many things that I would not have learned if I left.
Oh look a fellow Halo gamer! Haha, but in all seriousness I was in the same position as you two years ago but I chose to stay for the time being, However, now ever since Corona hit and how life had changed its clear it’s gotten out of hand and now I know that the Lord has instructed that it’s best I leave now considering the times we are in and the false gospel they preach now. It’s going to be hard leaving them this month or the next, as well as cutting off certain friendships but with thoughtful prayer over the last year or two I know it’s ultimately where God wills to take me. Not my will, but his.
No one gets to dictate when and why someone should leave,but God. Churches have turned into exclusivist clubs or either hyper emotional chargers, like a fix for an addict. Many of their doctrines are being influenced by the secular world view and ecumenical thought ( which aims to unify all christians into one church). God gets to decide who belongs to him not men or organization.
I needed to get out of my former Church because it was Word of Faith and taught false doctrine. I had been there for over 36 years and I had to leave, before it was too late for me to move out.......
I love the body of Christ, but I'm just not sure about the evangelical generational-dynasty churches of USA anymore. I really enjoy the church I attend and the people who've prayed with me have been a blessing. But I walk in and they don't really want to engage past a smile and handshake. It's confusing to me. I've gone to some group events and I've introduced myself to the lead pastor I even asked him if I could speak with him about some things as I've been considering joining. I wrote an email. I followed up and it's been nothing. I love Jesus and I will keep going until Jesus moves me from that place but it's hard when I'm looking for some wise counsel and some wisdom on some situations and I feel ignored when I made a direct professional simple request. It really does feel like a club house. My pastor is on a pedestal he is anointed in his spiritual giftings but he is bringing in a lot of politics into the pulpit, mostly in an intelligent way but sometimes I feel like he uses the pulpit as a public relations platform more than a pastoral one. I'm sad... but maybe it's me maybe I'm the problem... that's how I feel.
Wow... That's just Sad when you get ignored like that... 😢 I would say Find another Church my friend, Not All churches are like that... So many wishy washy False "churches" these days that are Clearly NOT feeding the sheep!
Great suggestion on leadership asking parishioners if they notice anything that’s “off.” Also important in this conversation is a leader having an adequate understanding of the qualities of a faithful & trustworthy leader. True, there are no perfect ppl/ leaders, but there’s a significant problem among many leaders who don’t have basic social skills, have difficulty speaking to parishioners politely, some that cover up wrong doing of those who hold other leadership roles within the church, gossip, judging members harshly, etc. Bc oftentimes these issues are not addressed when in fact a leader may either knowingly or inadvertently be setting a very unhealthy precedent within a particular congregation by messing ppl over. But this is not highlighted and the fact that it’s not addressed turns members off. But unfortunately what is sometimes highlighted instead are parishioners who “church hop.” Question: are there classes on how to embody qualities of a good leader in Bible college? Bc many leaders seem to be winging it and are careless when it comes to how they treat members. Very careless.
Lack of spiritual growth and fellowship is also a good reason to find a new church home, but it’s also a personal decision. I was in a church for 3-1/2 years and I knew God placed me there during that time. I grew up a lot and I was blessed with brothers and sisters in Christ that supported me through my struggles and hardships at the time. Near the end of my tenure there, my spiritual maturity was stalling and the people I had connection with moved on to other places. I had also ended a dating relationship with one of the members there and I felt a need to fully put that behind us. I saw that as God’s calling for me into a new season and that involved moving to a new church home. I had no reservations against the church or the leadership there. Sometimes we have to make hard decisions to continue in our walk with Christ, even if it means getting reacquainted into an unfamiliar church environment.
... All I know from semi-painful experience... is that if you decide to leave a church, do it as quietly as possible. Never explain: such is "a lose-lose proposition".. and no one benefits. Just go; never say why.. to anyone.
@@Clairsmith123 ... It's been my experience at least twice.. that when I chose to leave a church and informed those at said church, that I was treated poorly as a result. Therefore, my advice is to simply leave... "Never explain...because your enemies won't believe you and your friends don't need any explanation."
It depends on the reason. If there is abuse that could harm others it should be said to others in order to protect others even if it means harm to yourself. Otherwise…yes in my experience it is very painful to tell people. You’ll lose friends.
I look at the multiple huge TV screens in mega churches n I'm thinking if I was in that audience, ( can't call them congregations )I'd be as well watching those preachers at home on my own TV.
When God says so. Period. You don't need permission from anyone else than God to leave. Earthly voices can distract us from our purpose anyways. Also, if the doctrine of the teachings aren't correct. There's a lot of heresy out there, so one needs to be praying, discerning and knowing the Bible in and out to see false teaching where it happens.
Sorry for the long post... I have read through the Bible from Genesis to Revelations several times. I am in my 17th year as a Born Again Believer. The new church I began attending a few weeks ago 2/27/22 is truly biblical in his sermons. HOWEVER, the Ladies Bible studies are all false prophet videos from 'RIGHT NOW VIDEOS'. The church pays a monthly fee to use these videos and the church family may use them at home anytime. That how I aquired it and all the preaching names. All the false prophet teachers and pastors have been blacklisted as FALSE PROPHETS for a long time now! This 'Right Now Media' has thousands of videos for every person in the church from preschoolers, elementary school age, teens, marriage issues, men's and ladies studies and on every topic spreading "subtle false doctrine" throughout the congregation un-beknown to the members. I told the wonderful pastor of my concern that the people teaching are listed as false prophets and the list of names can be easily found on sites that watch out for this. He said the elder pastor checks out the media for him. If I could find it with a little research, he obviously is not doing a thorough job to protect the church. He is a jovial man and maybe he thinks it's not going to happen to their church or maybe he is blind to the pervasiveness in so many churches. My problem now is that I wake up a couple times a week at night. Immediately I am thinking about it and it refuses to let me sleep through the night. I need prayer and advice but not advise like The Baptist church where I left. I mentioned articles that have said for years that Rick Warren is a Baptist false preacher and they told me not to say anything that will divide the church! Kinda like NOT telling the mothers that priests sexually abuse their little boys. I can't tolerate this. That's why I left my husband's Catholic church. Here's the main thing, I prefer to PLEASE GOD not man.
Some pastors wont preach on certain parts of the bible either. One said once it was to hard, and snother said about presching on Genesis, he was past preaching on this sort of thing and he didnt believe it anyway. I believe the bible is the complete word of God, so where do l go now, if the minister has an attitude like that.
Nowdays the Pastors don't wanna preach on sin....the wordly dress code....the importance of tithing....because there afraid the members might leave and there afraid to lose tithers. There are women in the Church who wear their dresses too short. And they don't cover up their big breasts by gosh wear a coat on top not tight clothing exposing what the carnal mind of a man will look at. I saw a video on utube of a Pastor who said if he sees a woman dressed inappropriately in a mini skirt he may not tell her the first time but he will tell her the 2nd time to please leave and until she can have decent clothes she can come back to church....which I think it right. There's pastors who also don't tell the Fornicators to leave. I think its only right. Im glad God showed me to wear long skirts...and wear a top to cover up the upper part of our bodies
I agree, if a church is not consistently preaching the true gospel of Jesus Christ then it is time to leave. Only the true gospel will enable you to grow spiritually and only the truth will set you free. The Apostle Paul definitely warned about this. The Holy Spirit and the written word are our number one guides, not a preacher who may be preaching fluff or mixing the gospel with poison, or mixing grace with law.
True gospel entails doing what Jesus said. Do you feed Jesus as much as you can? Matthew 25:35-40. He's still hungry. Preachers preach but don't obey Jesus and Apostle Paul supported themselves. We wouldn't give a pastor a dime.
I’m dealing with an issue where the gospel was being taught falsely but only in a certain part of the church. So I’m kind of in a bind right now and I’m not sure if leaving the church is the right call. Even though there are some reasons that I do see but I’m gonna talk to the pastor about it and then I’m gonna go to the senior pastor about it. Before ultimately making a decision because yes am I not getting something out of it that I think I should be getting out of it yes. However that some thing is community and where the gospel is present is what I don’t feel like I’m getting out of it. Part of that is people not being disciplined when they should be. Not seeing that sin being changed and that person and that affects the body in my opinion. It’s almost like you can send and get away with it and not be responsible for the sin that you commit especially when you’re in a position of authority.
I have three beautiful female cousins who I truly love as a cousin that have a family that are Catholic Christians that have left. Can you please pray that they return to the church or attend a church that preaches the gospel & builds them up in the ways of THE LORD and come to the saving knowledge of the Messiah.
A wise pastor once told us, "If you find the perfect church, don't go there, you'll ruin it!" I would only add, search your own heart thoroughly and prayerfully to make certain that the problem isn't you. There is much wisdom in what you shared here, thank you!
We stay away from the institutional church. God's people is the church. It says so in the Bible. Institutional churches are not Biblical. NT saints shared all things.
I want to tell the Pastor all this Fornication sin but he already knows....we are not to pat sin in the back so to speak and lay back in a comfort zone as if it's ok for that to be happening. I'm thinking of finding another church. Now I see WHY the Church never has grown ....in all those years.
Very informative video. I would also add that lack of spiritual growth and leaderships investment in the same is another valid reason. If the Pastor and Leaders are not exhorting and training the members for ministry - then the church has reached a place of complacency and spiritual growth will stall or even worse - backslide. All believers are called to ministry, whether full time or as lay members serving others.
My Pastor have 3 congregations 2 in the same city the other one in USA. These Is correct ? ( sorry i speak a litle English but i understand More English)
Im a gay Black man and I feel that there are a few people at church that are suspicios of me, and I think its better for me to find another church rather than been the Hot gossip.
I left the last church I was part of at the beginning of this year. Awful things were going on and no one did anything serious about it. I confronted a bunch of people up to the Pastor who told me it was all true but he didn't know what to do about it. I presented church discipline as the Bible commands it but it turns out the Biblical way is not good for business. Their number one goal is expansion, bigger buildings, and bigger revenue even if it means buildings full of pagans, as long as they give a good chunk of their income they are welcome. I don't know any sound Bible-based church in my city so I am not considering attending any other church. If God sends people who are also seeking him my way, I will be glad to fellowship with them. Otherwise, I'll rather go to heaven alone than follow the crowd to hell.
Hi Kevin, yes, lots of these pastors have become Spiritually impotent, and they're too focussed on money and an outward show of 'success'. I'd suggest you try looking further afield. I sometimes visit churches 20+ miles away, out of my city. It broadens your opportunities, and if you can find one you like, and it's fairly easy to get to, it might help. Hope that helps.
@@susandumbill8805 Thank you, Susan. At the moment I can't move a lot due to financial limitations but it is an issue I am working to change. I have a strong feeling that I will have to move to another country. I don't know which one but I am praying about it and preparing to carry out God's instructions as soon as they are clear to me. All of my closest Godly friends moved to Europe for various reasons so I feel really isolated now. It's ungodly acquaintances or loneliness. Both hurt but I prefer loneliness near God. Moreover, I am 27 and single and have never been in a relationship yet. I tried to date some people 5 years ago but I had to stop at the first diner each time. I realized that I was at the wrong place and only found women who would lure me away from God, even at the church I attended at that time. I left that city to move back to my hometown and I am a lot closer to God now. Unfortunately, it is a small town and there isn't much going on, I doubt I will find anyone worthwhile and Godly here. I just recovered from the severe burnout I suffered from my last job and I am getting back in the workforce through freelancing. I do software development so I can work and get clients wherever there is Internet access. I don't know what the future holds but I told God that I left everything to get closer to him, I trust him to lead each and every choice of mine. He knows what's best, I'll do my best and give him the rest. God bless you abundantly.
@@Kevin-jc1fx Hi Kevin, I really appreciate your openness and honesty. Maybe you could visit some of your friends in Europe when it's financially ok? And I really hope you find a sound Christian lady of your age group with whom you can share your heart, and get closer. I used to think it's easier for men because if we ladies show a man friendliness they tend to run off in a panic!! Quite funny, really, but maybe that's just men in the UK??! But, seriously, don't give up. There will be suitable women out there - it just takes a lot of time and effort finding one, like finding s church, in a way. As you say, you'll do your best and give Him the rest. Take care of yourself.
Im struggling with this issue..... do i see a future in my church or does my church see a future in me.... do they believe in me?, have faith in me?, have trusted in me?
I stopped going when I realized I knew the Bible far more than any pastor. Most pastors don't know the Bible well at all. Since I could not contribute anything, I left.
I just left for the similar reason, I outgrew my pastor, plus a lot of people that came in were not at all saved, claiming they were, so the two spirits cannot mix or live in unity,
I used to go all the time . We got a new priest at first I really like him. Then he started well making saying when we come in we couldn't talk to other coming in 3 times he mention it 3 times now I guess he keeps telling if they don't do confession you want be accepted in heaved once communion you won't be accepted eith and he is rude
Lots and lots of my church members have left. The leader is always complaining that not enough people attend church or volunteer and I feel like he focuses too much on the people that have left rather than to focus on making things better for the ones that are still there. The times that I do attend the services I’m often questioned why I’m hardly there. I have not shared my feelings with others.
My wife and I have been tossing around the idea of other churches. Our current church is family controlled with all of the textbook signs. When we first started going the community was very welcoming and inviting. Eventually we realized that we had no room to speak up and give suggestions because it would disrupt the status-quo. During this time we had a pastor change. When the new pastor arrived he was met with resistance. When he would attempt to make a change through church government the family would sit quietly, then outside of the church government they would passively prevent the changes from taking place. Now our pastor and the family are in a behind the scenes tug of war for control. My wife and I see that the 2 forces are working against each other and the church is being stiffled, unable to blossom, in the process. After years of being at the church we are now part of leadership. But... we feel our position is irrelevant because of the family isn't on board with a plan then it's doomed to fail. We are utterly discouraged.
My grandfather left his because of a massive cover up involving missionary work in Africa and western Asia where 78% (including a friend of his) of the missionaries sent came back with their heads missing. Found out after he died that every dead missionary had very rich parents.
The church I go to has been since about 18 years. It has never grown. The Pastor does not believe in taking communion. Since Ive been a member we have never taken communion. I've been tithing there for about 7 years. Since ive attended we have not had no meetings of how the church money is spent....how much is in the church bank....i have been a member for about 7 years and I haven't seen the church grow. Im used to hearing hard preachings. But instead I'm hearing "sugar coated" sermons. Should I find me another Church ? Feel free to give me advice. The Pastor says that the breaking of the bread means that it is the word of God when the breaking of the bread. He says it does not mean bread...nor a red juice. He says when the bible says the breaking of the bread it means the breaking of the word of God. Im confused. Should I find me another Church where I'm used to hard preachings ? All these years we had never had growth church members. Should I find another Church ?
Yes, find another Church. That's what I'm doing. It was hard at first because I was a member there for over 36 years, but it has been worth it in the long run. My former Church Pastor taught "prosperity gospel." I needed to hear that 36 years ago, but not now. I guess my new Pastor is what you would call a "hard preacher," but I like it. He doesn't fool around when it comes to the Gospel.......
@@caroleimani9754 Wow !!! 36 years is a long time ! And I was told that when the stars will fall from the sky and the moon like blood red...well this Pastor says that the fallen of the stars means the fallin of different Doctrines churches not the falling of the stars in the sky......Im confused.
@@reymundagehart8720 I would say that the falling stars would probably be real stars. This is supposed to happen around the "end times." At this time a lot of cataclysmic stuff is going to happen, like part of the earth 🌎 burning up. I think in the Book of Revelation, stars also stood for angels. See the first 3 Chapters of Revelation. I think during that time people aren't going to be worried about "doctrine" like they are today. If they are around during the Great Tribulation they will be on "survival mode." The Anti--Christ will be on the Earth 🌎 and a lot of other problems. I would suggest listening to Calvary Chapel, Ontario. They have a Pastor who taught all the way through the Bible, from Genesis through Revelation. He is easy to understand. This is Ontario, California. It's NOT Ontario, Canada...Well, anyway God bless you and keep you...I will be praying for you 💗🎁.......
@@reymundagehart8720 Also, there are some Churches out there, who teach that THEY are the ONLY ONES who are going to be saved. I would be careful about going to a Church like that. This is just a word to the wise.......
Any place of worship associated with any religion that does not profess to be Christian ought to be left immediately. There are a total of about 324,000 “professing Christian” places of worship in the US: 24,000 Catholic and 300,000 Protestant. On the topic of Catholic churches: all Catholic churches - as hating Christ, and thereby being not Christian - ought to be left immediately. On the topic of Protestant churches: there are approximately 300,000 different offerings… • Any Protestant church having over 500 regular attendees - as being likely worldly and seeker sensitive, and thereby not Christian - ought to be left immediately. • Any Protestant church having over 100 regular attendees - as likely governed by doctrines of college-degreed men and not the Holy Spirit, and thereby not Christian - ought to be left immediately. • That leaves the 177,000 Protestant churches having less than 99 regular attendees… and sadly, the vast majority of these churches are not Christian in word and deed, so the vast majority of them ought to be left immediately… so in truth, there might be a few hundred “brick and mortar” churches operating with God’s Word being authoritative and Christ being the Head… so if you find one of those, considered yourself truly blessed. Approximate Distribution of U.S. Protestant and Other Christian Churches by size *based on NCS study (excluding Catholic/Orthodox) ATTENDANCE # OF CHURCHES WEEKLY WORSHIPERS PERCENT 1-99 177,000 9 million 59% 100-499 105,000 25 million 35% 500-999 12,000 9 million 4% 1,000-1,999 6,000 8 million 2% 2,000-9,999 1,170 4 million .4% 10,000-plus 40 .7 million .01% TOTALS approx. 300,000 approx. 56 million 100% Fast Facts about American Religion (hartsem.edu)
Its not easy leaving a church, snd feels sad all round. But if i am not hearing regular synoptic gospels, sharing on jesus teachings. For me i love my neighbour, but i also love god, to hear more of salvation, repent and the kingdom of heaven If the structure of the denomination, conflicts with the biblical qualifications of an elder, and leadership , questions if the are reborn again and spiritually mature understanding of scripture and not just running the show
The time to move to another church is when the wrong preachers are appointed. The wrong preachers I know are still there with most of the older congregation leaving or staying away. After a while, I find the church will be obsessed with the performance of the Sunday service. Make sure who do what are in place. The shallow or off tangent preaching is immaterial. Make sure the show must go on. Twenty years later, the same preachers are still there. The newer batch is too new to know the difference. Are you prepared to stay twenty years being ignored?
Excellent! But too short, needs to get more deeply into why a member should stay and do inner growth work involved, and also why new members should stay and aid in the growth of the church culture. As a new Christian but an experienced community leader, this discussion is vital to both leadership and membership, for God's Word to be lived.
The church I'm in is okay. well no church is perfect just my issue is this, for close to 6 years now I've been struggling with this issue where its as though I feel I have to force myself to go there and be there I don't know if I make sense. It's almost like i don't wanna be there but constantly I force myself to be there. I can't explain it, but for years I've been struggling with this issue, my love and affection for both the church and pastors is not there. I don't understand it. I prayed and spoke to people about this but haven't found any good answer. I'm already considering to leave and move elsewhere so as to stop myself from forcing myself to follow the ministry. But I honestly don't know what the right thing to do is. The church is the first church I committed myself to since 2015 and so I've been there for some time. I don't get it but this is my biggest struggle and almost everyday I have to wrestle in mind on this issue. Can I get help on this matter. Any advice on how to deal with this will be appreciated.
So Sorry to hear this 😢 Please pray about it & maybe visit a few other Bible believing Churches. Pray that God puts in your heart a Love for All believers. Feeling disconnected & forced is most probably not from God 🙏 I know because I have been feeling the same way about the Church I'm currently attending, disconnected & like I'm forcing myself because of an incident there where I was judged harshly & told to leave the group (because I asked too many questions). Judgemental, Pharisaical Christians are unfortunately the reason Alot of people end up leaving the Church 😢 I'm still going there but just feel hindered by All of this & I know it doesn't come from God. All the best 🙏
many pastor today are prosperity preachers, motivational speakers, racist, divorce and remarriage is allowed, they also have women pastors Jezebel, and allow women preachers, christmas,Easter and pagan days,all these doctrines, an all these denominations,and tithes and many more. THE CHURCH OF TODAY IS NOT THE CHURCH OF YESTERDAY. 2 Corinthians 16 -17 Therefore, "Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you And, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Revelation 18:4 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 2:20-23 20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her timeto repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds
You should leave a church when they:t Tell you NOT to listen 🎧 to the voice of God Tell you that you only accept the written word of God and NOT other theories or principles. Tell you that The Devil is trying to prevent you from being in relationships God wants you to be in. Tell you that “Mothers are a representation of The Holy Spirit.”
QUESTIONS: 1. Were the books of the NEW Testament already established before the Council of Nicea? If you think so, then why were any other Councils held? Such as the Council of Carthage and the Council of Constantinople. 2. WHO wrote "the DIDACHE" ? When? Where? 3. Why don't we know who wrote Genesis? The Hindu VEDAS are said to possibly be the oldest religion/scriptures on earth. Why don't we know who wrote them, either? Think of it. The 2 oldest religions and no one knows. Do they? 4. Abraham left the town of UR. He went "to a land that I shall show you" apparently according to God. But-- what was wrong with UR in the first place and what do know about UR? 5. Many people have left strict churches. Jesus said: "for my Yoke is easy and my burden is light". HOW? and what does that mean? The members who quit often felt it was very hard, not easy. But to encourage anyone to go to a hyper-grace church so they can feel less guilt seems like a very BAD answer. Can you clarify any of this? 6. Near-Death experiences. Be suspect of these. The stories, and what people say happened to them, appears to get more varied and wilder by he decade. But there's more. For all the hundreds of testimonies we have, it's odd that when one goes through the "dark "tunnel" and then meets up with a "being of Light" that we have NO ONE who bothered to ASK: 1. Who are YOU? Are you Jesus? (no one asks. The "light" could lie, but still)... 2. Is Jesus "above" you? Who do YOU serve? Do YOU love Jesus? (No one asks). What is your Name? (no one asks). 3. Where are we, in this otherwise dark "tunnel"? Why can't I see any of my Relatives here? 4. If I decide to stay here and not "go back", what happens then? Where will I go from being with you now in this otherwise dark place? If people are judged by the same True God with consistent standards, why do the testimonies keep getting more varied? 5. Why won't Christians more directly engage and confront and disprove the skeptics who write books against the Christian Faith? The Bible wants you to "be ready always" to give an answer for your Faith. It also mentions "able to convince the gain-sayer". But Christian apologists AVOID, instead of disprove. This is embaressing for them and they may say to me: How do you know they haven't? Have you read every apologetics book? No, I haven't. BUT--- tell me then, --WHERE ARE the books that counter-argue, REFUTE or DISPROVE: 1. Bertrand Russel's "Why I Am Not a Christian" ? or-- 2. Dan Barker's book "Losing Faith in Faith"? (i think this book has now been re-named "Godless")..?? 3. Robert M. Price's book: "the Case AGAINST the Case for Christ" . Tell me. Name the books. Instead, what happens is, that is all avoided. The Christians are silent. Then, we are introduced to a "new" apologist. He/she doesn't doesn't show how the skeptic was wrong, either. It's as if they're hoping nobody will notice. Want more proof? Keep reading-- Years ago, JOSH McDowell wrote: "Evidence That Demands a Verdict". Then, Jeffrey Jay Lowder writes against it, and tries to pick it apart. But McDowell didn't (as far as I know) write any book to disprove Lowder. Why Not?? The Audience and public will likely think that Lowder "won" due to avoidance and silence! And more people leave the Church. (Later, it is said McDowell UPDATED his book and dealt with some of this. But it took a long time and I feel "the damage had already been done".) AND THEN....some years later....Lee Strobel arrives on the scene. His books are popular. But Robert M. Price writes: "the Case AGAINST the Case for Christ". Does Strobel write any book showing how Price is wrong? Again, No. And again more folks leave the Church. The whole cycle has now repeated itself. So THEN what happens? Along comes some "new" Apologist J Wallace, writing a new book saying how Christianity is all true, all over again. But does HE disprove Robert M. Price, either? No. Its more avoidance and - again - the whole cycle keeps repeating itself. We still need answers, to those skeptics. If it can be honestly done. Can it be done? Why isn't it? 6. Churches Today -- think of this. There must be at least 75, or more, topics or things that a preacher could preach about, from the Bible! But-- what on earth would churches today possibly do if the book of Romans wasn't in the Bible or Ephesians chapter 2 and harping about: "for by Grace are ye saved".... that may be true, but its nearly all I hear anymore. Does your Church have ANYTHING else to preach on besides yet-another-endless-sermon on: "love" "grace" or "GOD has plan for your Life!" Over and over and over and over and over. Its bad enough that churches are leaving because members have unanswered questions. Now, when they keep hearing the same 2 or 3 messages, they also leave cuz they're bored silly. 7. Where was ADAM buried? and Eve? 8. AFTER the Tower of Babel, people scattered. But earlier, as it was still being built, were there already people in Egypt at that time? If yes, where did they come from? 9. "If all of your questions were answered, would you become a Christian and follow Jesus?" Quite a few people today may say: No. Why ? There could be several reasons: They may not believe in an endless Hell. Christian: "but don't you want to go to Heaven?" Skeptic: "and do what? Sing praises to "the Boss" all day? How boring." Christian: "You sound kinda rebellious" Skeptic: "Not really. I don't want any religion to motivate me by fear, i.e. avoiding Hell, and yet, there is nothing "positive" enough that I would bother to want it. Heaven sounds boring. Can you tell me why getting-closer-to-God is a kewl thing? Again, who will counter-argue the skeptics? Someone will say that you cant write a book for EVERY SINGLE skeptic....but Christians COULD take, say, the THREE Top-selling Skeptic books in the last 5 years, and refute them. But they wont even do that. Have they? Name the books. Why cant they do that much? The public needs answers.
You certainly have a lot of questions! And comments, too. OK. I think the church often goes by the tenant: if you respond to negative stuff you give it validity and power. Ignore bad behavior and instead, give praise, give attention to, all the positive stuff. But really, bottom line, Christianity is very simple: believe in Jesus as your savior, love God, obey the Holy Spirit, love others as yourself. That means conversing with the Godhead as you walk the goodness walk every hour of every day. There's no worrying, no indecision, no suffering: thank God for everything because there's a reason he had throngs happen and it'll all work out for good. Give it time! God and good are eternal, no time frame involved! Express thankfulness in all things, all the time as you put your total trust in God and his Word. Allow no hassles-- leave everything to God. If God doesn't answer your prayer, that's his response: leave the subject with him to deal with. Stop fretting, stop being anxious. Relax and let God do his thing. He's all powerful! All you have to do is the few things I mentioned above, and you're In Like Flynn. Be grateful and joyous. Love. Blessings to you!
Talk about being narrow minded. Especially with all of the issues that the Catholic church is having, no thanks. I have a real hard time accepting a such blasphemy.
The Church is the universal Body of Christ---People who believe in Jesus Christ and who have a personal relationship with Him. It is NOT just Eastern Orthodox (or whatever you are). Are you in some kind of a cult??
The Eastern Orthodox Church is too much like the Roman Catholic Church for me. I don't like a lot of liturgy and icons everywhere and responsive readings.......
I almost left my local fellowship about a year ago over certain issues (disagreement about practical outworkings of spiritual gifts, teaching that often lacked spiritual meat), but I prayed about it and considered whether the issues I saw constituted a compromised Gospel (they didn't) and I very strongly sensed God leading me to stay. I thought me staying was about me changing everyone else's minds and fixing everything, but with a year of hindsight I see that it was mostly about God sanctifying me, humbling me, teaching me to serve and go lower, learning dedication to the Body, so many things that I would not have learned if I left.
This is so well put. Good legit issues those, and a godly response from you. I commend you brother!
I'm actually having this kind of struggle as well
Oh look a fellow Halo gamer!
Haha, but in all seriousness I was in the same position as you two years ago but I chose to stay for the time being, However, now ever since Corona hit and how life had changed its clear it’s gotten out of hand and now I know that the Lord has instructed that it’s best I leave now considering the times we are in and the false gospel they preach now. It’s going to be hard leaving them this month or the next, as well as cutting off certain friendships but with thoughtful prayer over the last year or two I know it’s ultimately where God wills to take me. Not my will, but his.
Jesus was never a celebrity preacher
Straight Facts 💯✌
Leaving The Church is not the right word, leaving local Congregation or local Assemblies, is the right word!
amen
No one gets to dictate when and why someone should leave,but God. Churches have turned into exclusivist clubs or either hyper emotional chargers, like a fix for an addict. Many of their doctrines are being influenced by the secular world view and ecumenical thought ( which aims to unify all christians into one church). God gets to decide who belongs to him not men or organization.
I needed to get out of my former Church because it was Word of Faith and taught false doctrine. I had been there for over 36 years and I had to leave, before it was too late for me to move out.......
Yeah, I left when I was 72 years old. I thought, "If I wait much longer, I will 80 years old and I might not be able to walk out the door."
I love the body of Christ, but I'm just not sure about the evangelical generational-dynasty churches of USA anymore. I really enjoy the church I attend and the people who've prayed with me have been a blessing. But I walk in and they don't really want to engage past a smile and handshake. It's confusing to me. I've gone to some group events and I've introduced myself to the lead pastor I even asked him if I could speak with him about some things as I've been considering joining. I wrote an email. I followed up and it's been nothing. I love Jesus and I will keep going until Jesus moves me from that place but it's hard when I'm looking for some wise counsel and some wisdom on some situations and I feel ignored when I made a direct professional simple request. It really does feel like a club house. My pastor is on a pedestal he is anointed in his spiritual giftings but he is bringing in a lot of politics into the pulpit, mostly in an intelligent way but sometimes I feel like he uses the pulpit as a public relations platform more than a pastoral one. I'm sad... but maybe it's me maybe I'm the problem... that's how I feel.
Wow... That's just Sad when you get ignored like that... 😢 I would say Find another Church my friend, Not All churches are like that... So many wishy washy False "churches" these days that are Clearly NOT feeding the sheep!
Great suggestion on leadership asking parishioners if they notice anything that’s “off.” Also important in this conversation is a leader having an adequate understanding of the qualities of a faithful & trustworthy leader. True, there are no perfect ppl/ leaders, but there’s a significant problem among many leaders who don’t have basic social skills, have difficulty speaking to parishioners politely, some that cover up wrong doing of those who hold other leadership roles within the church, gossip, judging members harshly, etc. Bc oftentimes these issues are not addressed when in fact a leader may either knowingly or inadvertently be setting a very unhealthy precedent within a particular congregation by messing ppl over. But this is not highlighted and the fact that it’s not addressed turns members off. But unfortunately what is sometimes highlighted instead are parishioners who “church hop.” Question: are there classes on how to embody qualities of a good leader in Bible college? Bc many leaders seem to be winging it and are careless when it comes to how they treat members. Very careless.
Lack of spiritual growth and fellowship is also a good reason to find a new church home, but it’s also a personal decision. I was in a church for 3-1/2 years and I knew God placed me there during that time. I grew up a lot and I was blessed with brothers and sisters in Christ that supported me through my struggles and hardships at the time. Near the end of my tenure there, my spiritual maturity was stalling and the people I had connection with moved on to other places. I had also ended a dating relationship with one of the members there and I felt a need to fully put that behind us. I saw that as God’s calling for me into a new season and that involved moving to a new church home. I had no reservations against the church or the leadership there. Sometimes we have to make hard decisions to continue in our walk with Christ, even if it means getting reacquainted into an unfamiliar church environment.
... All I know from semi-painful experience... is that if you decide to leave a church, do it as quietly as possible. Never explain: such is "a lose-lose proposition".. and no one benefits. Just go; never say why.. to anyone.
Please explain why not....
@@Clairsmith123 ... It's been my experience at least twice.. that when I chose to leave a church and informed those at said church, that I was treated poorly as a result. Therefore, my advice is to simply leave... "Never explain...because your enemies won't believe you and your friends don't need any explanation."
I’m looking for a new church right now. I am making the decision to go quietly.
It depends on the reason. If there is abuse that could harm others it should be said to others in order to protect others even if it means harm to yourself. Otherwise…yes in my experience it is very painful to tell people. You’ll lose friends.
I look at the multiple huge TV screens in mega churches n I'm thinking if I was in that audience, ( can't call them congregations )I'd be as well watching those preachers at home on my own TV.
Fast forward to today, and that's what most Christians are doing because of these lockdowns. Sad. Sad, sad, sad.
Leave the churh when it starts to become woke? loly
When God says so. Period. You don't need permission from anyone else than God to leave. Earthly voices can distract us from our purpose anyways. Also, if the doctrine of the teachings aren't correct. There's a lot of heresy out there, so one needs to be praying, discerning and knowing the Bible in and out to see false teaching where it happens.
Sorry for the long post...
I have read through the Bible from Genesis to Revelations several times. I am in my 17th year as a Born Again Believer. The new church I began attending a few weeks ago 2/27/22 is truly biblical in his sermons.
HOWEVER, the Ladies Bible studies are all false prophet videos from 'RIGHT NOW VIDEOS'. The church pays a monthly fee to use these videos and the church family may use them at home anytime. That how I aquired it and all the preaching names. All the false prophet teachers and pastors have been blacklisted as FALSE PROPHETS for a long time now! This 'Right Now Media' has thousands of videos for every person in the church from preschoolers, elementary school age, teens, marriage issues, men's and ladies studies and on every topic spreading "subtle false doctrine" throughout the congregation un-beknown to the members. I told the wonderful pastor of my concern that the people teaching are listed as false prophets and the list of names can be easily found on sites that watch out for this. He said the elder pastor checks out the media for him. If I could find it with a little research, he obviously is not doing a thorough job to protect the church. He is a jovial man and maybe he thinks it's not going to happen to their church or maybe he is blind to the pervasiveness in so many churches. My problem now is that I wake up a couple times a week at night. Immediately I am thinking about it and it refuses to let me sleep through the night.
I need prayer and advice but not advise like The Baptist church where I left. I mentioned articles that have said for years that Rick Warren is a Baptist false preacher and they told me not to say anything that will divide the church! Kinda like NOT telling the mothers that priests sexually abuse their little boys. I can't tolerate this. That's why I left my husband's Catholic church.
Here's the main thing, I prefer to PLEASE GOD not man.
Some pastors wont preach on certain parts of the bible either. One said once it was to hard, and snother said about presching on Genesis, he was past preaching on this sort of thing and he didnt believe it anyway.
I believe the bible is the complete word of God, so where do l go now, if the minister has an attitude like that.
@@lee-annebarrett366 yes. Trust God's word first above voices. Pastors can be great people but at the end of the day, it's Gods word that is the best.
When there is no longer reverance for God leave after you have prayed
Nowdays the Pastors don't wanna preach on sin....the wordly dress code....the importance of tithing....because there afraid the members might leave and there afraid to lose tithers. There are women in the Church who wear their dresses too short. And they don't cover up their big breasts by gosh wear a coat on top not tight clothing exposing what the carnal mind of a man will look at. I saw a video on utube of a Pastor who said if he sees a woman dressed inappropriately in a mini skirt he may not tell her the first time but he will tell her the 2nd time to please leave and until she can have decent clothes she can come back to church....which I think it right. There's pastors who also don't tell the Fornicators to leave. I think its only right. Im glad God showed me to wear long skirts...and wear a top to cover up the upper part of our bodies
Wait but don’t the fornicators need church the most? Isn’t that the point?
I have been feeling unhappy in my church these past week and have thinking about not going back there
I agree, if a church is not consistently preaching the true gospel of Jesus Christ then it is time to leave. Only the true gospel will enable you to grow spiritually and only the truth will set you free. The Apostle Paul definitely warned about this. The Holy Spirit and the written word are our number one guides, not a preacher who may be preaching fluff or mixing the gospel with poison, or mixing grace with law.
True gospel entails doing what Jesus said.
Do you feed Jesus as much as you can? Matthew 25:35-40.
He's still hungry.
Preachers preach but don't obey
Jesus and Apostle Paul supported themselves.
We wouldn't give a pastor a dime.
I’m dealing with an issue where the gospel was being taught falsely but only in a certain part of the church. So I’m kind of in a bind right now and I’m not sure if leaving the church is the right call. Even though there are some reasons that I do see but I’m gonna talk to the pastor about it and then I’m gonna go to the senior pastor about it. Before ultimately making a decision because yes am I not getting something out of it that I think I should be getting out of it yes. However that some thing is community and where the gospel is present is what I don’t feel like I’m getting out of it.
Part of that is people not being disciplined when they should be. Not seeing that sin being changed and that person and that affects the body in my opinion. It’s almost like you can send and get away with it and not be responsible for the sin that you commit especially when you’re in a position of authority.
Very Polite Conversation 👍
I have three beautiful female cousins who I truly love as a cousin that have a family that are Catholic Christians that have left. Can you please pray that they return to the church or attend a church that preaches the gospel & builds them up in the ways of THE LORD and come to the saving knowledge of the Messiah.
Good, informative video. Thank you for posting!
A wise pastor once told us, "If you find the perfect church, don't go there, you'll ruin it!" I would only add, search your own heart thoroughly and prayerfully to make certain that the problem isn't you. There is much wisdom in what you shared here, thank you!
We stay away from the institutional church.
God's people is the church.
It says so in the Bible.
Institutional churches are not Biblical. NT saints shared all things.
I want to tell the Pastor all this Fornication sin but he already knows....we are not to pat sin in the back so to speak and lay back in a comfort zone as if it's ok for that to be happening. I'm thinking of finding another church. Now I see WHY the Church never has grown ....in all those years.
Very informative video. I would also add that lack of spiritual growth and leaderships investment in the same is another valid reason. If the Pastor and Leaders are not exhorting and training the members for ministry - then the church has reached a place of complacency and spiritual growth will stall or even worse - backslide. All believers are called to ministry, whether full time or as lay members serving others.
My Pastor have 3 congregations 2 in the same city the other one in USA. These Is correct ?
( sorry i speak a litle English but i understand More English)
Im a gay Black man and I feel that there are a few people at church that are suspicios of me, and I think its better for me to find another church rather than been the Hot gossip.
I left church because of karate in their being nois ey
I left the last church I was part of at the beginning of this year. Awful things were going on and no one did anything serious about it. I confronted a bunch of people up to the Pastor who told me it was all true but he didn't know what to do about it. I presented church discipline as the Bible commands it but it turns out the Biblical way is not good for business. Their number one goal is expansion, bigger buildings, and bigger revenue even if it means buildings full of pagans, as long as they give a good chunk of their income they are welcome.
I don't know any sound Bible-based church in my city so I am not considering attending any other church. If God sends people who are also seeking him my way, I will be glad to fellowship with them. Otherwise, I'll rather go to heaven alone than follow the crowd to hell.
Hi Kevin, yes, lots of these pastors have become Spiritually impotent, and they're too focussed on money and an outward show of 'success'. I'd suggest you try looking further afield. I sometimes visit churches 20+ miles away, out of my city. It broadens your opportunities, and if you can find one you like, and it's fairly easy to get to, it might help. Hope that helps.
@@susandumbill8805 Thank you, Susan. At the moment I can't move a lot due to financial limitations but it is an issue I am working to change. I have a strong feeling that I will have to move to another country. I don't know which one but I am praying about it and preparing to carry out God's instructions as soon as they are clear to me.
All of my closest Godly friends moved to Europe for various reasons so I feel really isolated now. It's ungodly acquaintances or loneliness. Both hurt but I prefer loneliness near God. Moreover, I am 27 and single and have never been in a relationship yet. I tried to date some people 5 years ago but I had to stop at the first diner each time. I realized that I was at the wrong place and only found women who would lure me away from God, even at the church I attended at that time. I left that city to move back to my hometown and I am a lot closer to God now. Unfortunately, it is a small town and there isn't much going on, I doubt I will find anyone worthwhile and Godly here.
I just recovered from the severe burnout I suffered from my last job and I am getting back in the workforce through freelancing.
I do software development so I can work and get clients wherever there is Internet access.
I don't know what the future holds but I told God that I left everything to get closer to him, I trust him to lead each and every choice of mine. He knows what's best, I'll do my best and give him the rest.
God bless you abundantly.
@@Kevin-jc1fx Hi Kevin, I really appreciate your openness and honesty. Maybe you could visit some of your friends in Europe when it's financially ok? And I really hope you find a sound Christian lady of your age group with whom you can share your heart, and get closer. I used to think it's easier for men because if we ladies show a man friendliness they tend to run off in a panic!! Quite funny, really, but maybe that's just men in the UK??! But, seriously, don't give up. There will be suitable women out there - it just takes a lot of time and effort finding one, like finding s church, in a way. As you say, you'll do your best and give Him the rest. Take care of yourself.
@@susandumbill8805 Thank you very much for your encouraging message. It means a lot to me. Take care of yourself too.
David Jeremiah says for us not to be deceived. I think I'm being taught false doctrine.
Im struggling with this issue..... do i see a future in my church or does my church see a future in me.... do they believe in me?, have faith in me?, have trusted in me?
Many churches have gone from love, acceptance and repentance to love, acceptance and conformation.
I stopped going when I realized I knew the Bible far more than any pastor. Most pastors don't know the Bible well at all. Since I could not contribute anything, I left.
I just left for the similar reason, I outgrew my pastor, plus a lot of people that came in were not at all saved, claiming they were, so the two spirits cannot mix or live in unity,
I know of a pastor who people think preach the gospel but then, personally, not practice what he is preaching!!!
Leave when you find they are connected to John Lindell and refuse to rebuke him
I used to go all the time . We got a new priest at first I really like him. Then he started well making saying when we come in we couldn't talk to other coming in 3 times he mention it 3 times now I guess he keeps telling if they don't do confession you want be accepted in heaved once communion you won't be accepted eith and he is rude
I left my own home church not because of spiritual growth or anything to do with gospel, its because of ppl and community
Lots and lots of my church members have left. The leader is always complaining that not enough people attend church or volunteer and I feel like he focuses too much on the people that have left rather than to focus on making things better for the ones that are still there.
The times that I do attend the services I’m often questioned why I’m hardly there.
I have not shared my feelings with others.
My wife and I have been tossing around the idea of other churches. Our current church is family controlled with all of the textbook signs. When we first started going the community was very welcoming and inviting. Eventually we realized that we had no room to speak up and give suggestions because it would disrupt the status-quo.
During this time we had a pastor change. When the new pastor arrived he was met with resistance. When he would attempt to make a change through church government the family would sit quietly, then outside of the church government they would passively prevent the changes from taking place.
Now our pastor and the family are in a behind the scenes tug of war for control. My wife and I see that the 2 forces are working against each other and the church is being stiffled, unable to blossom, in the process.
After years of being at the church we are now part of leadership. But... we feel our position is irrelevant because of the family isn't on board with a plan then it's doomed to fail. We are utterly discouraged.
Pray, pray, pray! God will show you your path.
You need to get out of there.....
I left my former Church because it was Word of Faith and taught false doctrine...
Great interview. Time to wash the jeans..cheers!
Should their be games down stair when your praying and their getting loud that u can here this going on
My grandfather left his because of a massive cover up involving missionary work in Africa and western Asia where 78% (including a friend of his) of the missionaries sent came back with their heads missing. Found out after he died that every dead missionary had very rich parents.
HUHHH??!!! 😰😰
Maybe they were hypocrites.
Every missionary I know is.
The church I go to has been since about 18 years. It has never grown. The Pastor does not believe in taking communion. Since Ive been a member we have never taken communion. I've been tithing there for about 7 years. Since ive attended we have not had no meetings of how the church money is spent....how much is in the church bank....i have been a member for about 7 years and I haven't seen the church grow. Im used to hearing hard preachings. But instead I'm hearing "sugar coated" sermons. Should I find me another Church ? Feel free to give me advice. The Pastor says that the breaking of the bread means that it is the word of God when the breaking of the bread. He says it does not mean bread...nor a red juice. He says when the bible says the breaking of the bread it means the breaking of the word of God. Im confused. Should I find me another Church where I'm used to hard preachings ? All these years we had never had growth church members. Should I find another Church ?
Yes, find another Church. That's what I'm doing. It was hard at first because I was a member there for over 36 years, but it has been worth it in the long run. My former Church Pastor taught "prosperity gospel." I needed to hear that 36 years ago, but not now. I guess my new Pastor is what you would call a "hard preacher," but I like it. He doesn't fool around when it comes to the Gospel.......
@@caroleimani9754 Wow !!! 36 years is a long time ! And I was told that when the stars will fall from the sky and the moon like blood red...well this Pastor says that the fallen of the stars means the fallin of different Doctrines churches not the falling of the stars in the sky......Im confused.
@@reymundagehart8720 I would say that the falling stars would probably be real stars. This is supposed to happen around the "end times." At this time a lot of cataclysmic stuff is going to happen, like part of the earth 🌎 burning up. I think in the Book of Revelation, stars also stood for angels. See the first 3 Chapters of Revelation. I think during that time people aren't going to be worried about "doctrine" like they are today. If they are around during the Great Tribulation they will be on "survival mode." The Anti--Christ will be on the Earth 🌎 and a lot of other problems. I would suggest listening to Calvary Chapel, Ontario. They have a Pastor who taught all the way through the Bible, from Genesis through Revelation. He is easy to understand. This is Ontario, California. It's NOT Ontario, Canada...Well, anyway God bless you and keep you...I will be praying for you 💗🎁.......
@@reymundagehart8720 Also, there are some Churches out there, who teach that THEY are the ONLY ONES who are going to be saved. I would be careful about going to a Church like that. This is just a word to the wise.......
R Geha....Your church should be providing a MONTHLY financial statement detailing income collected, expenditures & beginning-ending balances.
Any place of worship associated with any religion that does not profess to be Christian ought to be left immediately.
There are a total of about 324,000 “professing Christian” places of worship in the US: 24,000 Catholic and 300,000 Protestant.
On the topic of Catholic churches: all Catholic churches - as hating Christ, and thereby being not Christian - ought to be left immediately.
On the topic of Protestant churches: there are approximately 300,000 different offerings…
• Any Protestant church having over 500 regular attendees - as being likely worldly and seeker sensitive, and thereby not Christian - ought to be left immediately.
• Any Protestant church having over 100 regular attendees - as likely governed by doctrines of college-degreed men and not the Holy Spirit, and thereby not Christian - ought to be left immediately.
• That leaves the 177,000 Protestant churches having less than 99 regular attendees… and sadly, the vast majority of these churches are not Christian in word and deed, so the vast majority of them ought to be left immediately… so in truth, there might be a few hundred “brick and mortar” churches operating with God’s Word being authoritative and Christ being the Head… so if you find one of those, considered yourself truly blessed.
Approximate Distribution of U.S. Protestant and Other Christian Churches by size *based on NCS study
(excluding Catholic/Orthodox)
ATTENDANCE # OF CHURCHES WEEKLY WORSHIPERS PERCENT
1-99 177,000 9 million 59%
100-499 105,000 25 million 35%
500-999 12,000 9 million 4%
1,000-1,999 6,000 8 million 2%
2,000-9,999 1,170 4 million .4%
10,000-plus 40 .7 million .01%
TOTALS approx. 300,000 approx. 56 million 100%
Fast Facts about American Religion (hartsem.edu)
Its not easy leaving a church, snd feels sad all round. But if i am not hearing regular synoptic gospels, sharing on jesus teachings. For me i love my neighbour, but i also love god, to hear more of salvation, repent and the kingdom of heaven If the structure of the denomination, conflicts with the biblical qualifications of an elder, and leadership , questions if the are reborn again and spiritually mature understanding of scripture and not just running the show
Sexually inappropriate behaviour or touch, even 'mild' is a good reason to leave, especially if it's from anyone, male or female, in leadership.
The time to move to another church is when the wrong preachers are appointed. The wrong preachers I know are still there with most of the older congregation leaving or staying away. After a while, I find the church will be obsessed with the performance of the Sunday service. Make sure who do what are in place. The shallow or off tangent preaching is immaterial. Make sure the show must go on. Twenty years later, the same preachers are still there. The newer batch is too new to know the difference. Are you prepared to stay twenty years being ignored?
Excellent! But too short, needs to get more deeply into why a member should stay and do inner growth work involved, and also why new members should stay and aid in the growth of the church culture. As a new Christian but an experienced community leader, this discussion is vital to both leadership and membership, for God's Word to be lived.
Is leaving appropriate when your pastor is teaching a la Peter Ruckman.
I have served and joined everything possible and yet there's no community in my church for me.
What about leaving if it's 501c3?
Is that bad?
Churches are supposed to be nonprofit. That is the only thing that allows you to deduct your contributions from your taxes!!
The church I'm in is okay. well no church is perfect just my issue is this, for close to 6 years now I've been struggling with this issue where its as though I feel I have to force myself to go there and be there I don't know if I make sense. It's almost like i don't wanna be there but constantly I force myself to be there. I can't explain it, but for years I've been struggling with this issue, my love and affection for both the church and pastors is not there. I don't understand it.
I prayed and spoke to people about this but haven't found any good answer. I'm already considering to leave and move elsewhere so as to stop myself from forcing myself to follow the ministry. But I honestly don't know what the right thing to do is. The church is the first church I committed myself to since 2015 and so I've been there for some time. I don't get it but this is my biggest struggle and almost everyday I have to wrestle in mind on this issue.
Can I get help on this matter. Any advice on how to deal with this will be appreciated.
So Sorry to hear this 😢 Please pray about it & maybe visit a few other Bible believing Churches. Pray that God puts in your heart a Love for All believers. Feeling disconnected & forced is most probably not from God 🙏 I know because I have been feeling the same way about the Church I'm currently attending, disconnected & like I'm forcing myself because of an incident there where I was judged harshly & told to leave the group (because I asked too many questions). Judgemental, Pharisaical Christians are unfortunately the reason Alot of people end up leaving the Church 😢 I'm still going there but just feel hindered by All of this & I know it doesn't come from God.
All the best 🙏
many pastor today are prosperity preachers, motivational speakers, racist, divorce and remarriage is allowed, they also have women pastors Jezebel, and allow women preachers, christmas,Easter and pagan days,all these doctrines, an all these denominations,and tithes and many more. THE CHURCH OF TODAY IS NOT THE CHURCH OF YESTERDAY. 2 Corinthians 16 -17 Therefore, "Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you And, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Revelation 18:4
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 2:20-23
20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her timeto repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds
You should leave a church when they:t
Tell you NOT to listen 🎧 to the voice of God
Tell you that you only accept the written word of God and NOT other theories or principles.
Tell you that The Devil is trying to prevent you from being in relationships God wants you to be in.
Tell you that “Mothers are a representation of The Holy Spirit.”
You should leave a church as soon as they adopt the philosophy of The Gospel Coalition.
QUESTIONS:
1. Were the books of the NEW Testament already established before the Council of Nicea? If you think so, then why were any other Councils held? Such as the Council of Carthage and the Council of Constantinople.
2. WHO wrote "the DIDACHE" ? When? Where?
3. Why don't we know who wrote Genesis? The Hindu VEDAS are said to possibly be the oldest religion/scriptures on earth. Why don't we know who wrote them, either? Think of it. The 2 oldest religions and no one knows. Do they?
4. Abraham left the town of UR. He went "to a land that I shall show you" apparently according to God. But-- what was wrong with UR in the first place and what do know about UR?
5. Many people have left strict churches. Jesus said: "for my Yoke is easy and my burden is light". HOW? and what does that mean? The members who quit often felt it was very hard, not easy. But to encourage anyone to go to a hyper-grace church so they can feel less guilt seems like a very BAD answer. Can you clarify any of this?
6. Near-Death experiences. Be suspect of these. The stories, and what people say happened to them, appears to get more varied and wilder by he decade. But there's more. For all the hundreds of testimonies we have, it's odd that when one goes through the "dark "tunnel" and then meets up with a "being of Light" that we have NO ONE who bothered to ASK:
1. Who are YOU? Are you Jesus? (no one asks. The "light" could lie, but still)...
2. Is Jesus "above" you? Who do YOU serve? Do YOU love Jesus? (No one asks). What is your Name? (no one asks).
3. Where are we, in this otherwise dark "tunnel"? Why can't I see any of my Relatives here?
4. If I decide to stay here and not "go back", what happens then? Where will I go from being with you now in this otherwise dark place?
If people are judged by the same True God with consistent standards, why do the testimonies keep getting more varied?
5. Why won't Christians more directly engage and confront and disprove the skeptics who write books against the Christian Faith? The Bible wants you to "be ready always" to give an answer for your Faith. It also mentions "able to convince the gain-sayer". But Christian apologists AVOID, instead of disprove. This is embaressing for them and they may say to me: How do you know they haven't?
Have you read every apologetics book?
No, I haven't. BUT--- tell me then, --WHERE ARE the books that counter-argue, REFUTE or DISPROVE:
1. Bertrand Russel's "Why I Am Not a Christian" ? or--
2. Dan Barker's book "Losing Faith in Faith"? (i think this book has now been re-named "Godless")..??
3. Robert M. Price's book: "the Case AGAINST the Case for Christ" . Tell me. Name the books.
Instead, what happens is, that is all avoided. The Christians are silent. Then, we are introduced to a "new" apologist. He/she doesn't doesn't show how the skeptic was wrong, either. It's as if they're hoping nobody will notice. Want more proof? Keep reading--
Years ago, JOSH McDowell wrote: "Evidence That Demands a Verdict". Then, Jeffrey Jay Lowder writes against it, and tries to pick it apart. But McDowell didn't (as far as I know) write any book to disprove Lowder. Why Not?? The Audience and public will likely think that Lowder "won" due to avoidance and silence! And more people leave the Church. (Later, it is said McDowell UPDATED his book and dealt with some of this. But it took a long time and I feel "the damage had already been done".) AND THEN....some years later....Lee Strobel arrives on the scene. His books are popular. But Robert M. Price writes: "the Case AGAINST the Case for Christ". Does Strobel write any book showing how Price is wrong? Again, No. And again more folks leave the Church. The whole cycle has now repeated itself. So THEN what happens? Along comes some "new" Apologist J Wallace, writing a new book saying how Christianity is all true, all over again. But does HE disprove Robert M. Price, either? No. Its more avoidance and - again - the whole cycle keeps repeating itself. We still need answers, to those skeptics. If it can be honestly done. Can it be done? Why isn't it?
6. Churches Today -- think of this. There must be at least 75, or more, topics or things that a preacher could preach about, from the Bible! But-- what on earth would churches today possibly do if the book of Romans wasn't in the Bible or Ephesians chapter 2 and harping about: "for by Grace are ye saved".... that may be true, but its nearly all I hear anymore. Does your Church have ANYTHING else to preach on besides yet-another-endless-sermon on:
"love"
"grace" or
"GOD has plan for your Life!" Over and over and over and over and over. Its bad enough that churches are leaving because members have unanswered questions. Now, when they keep hearing the same 2 or 3 messages, they also leave cuz they're bored silly.
7. Where was ADAM buried? and Eve?
8. AFTER the Tower of Babel, people scattered. But earlier, as it was still being built, were there already people in Egypt at that time? If yes, where did they come from?
9. "If all of your questions were answered, would you become a Christian and follow Jesus?" Quite a few people today may say: No. Why ? There could be several reasons:
They may not believe in an endless Hell.
Christian: "but don't you want to go to Heaven?"
Skeptic: "and do what? Sing praises to "the Boss" all day? How boring."
Christian: "You sound kinda rebellious"
Skeptic: "Not really. I don't want any religion to motivate me by fear, i.e. avoiding Hell, and yet, there is nothing "positive" enough that I would bother to want it. Heaven sounds boring. Can you tell me why getting-closer-to-God is a kewl thing?
Again, who will counter-argue the skeptics? Someone will say that you cant write a book for EVERY SINGLE skeptic....but Christians COULD take, say, the THREE Top-selling Skeptic books in the last 5 years, and refute them. But they wont even do that. Have they? Name the books. Why cant they do that much? The public needs answers.
You certainly have a lot of questions! And comments, too. OK. I think the church often goes by the tenant: if you respond to negative stuff you give it validity and power. Ignore bad behavior and instead, give praise, give attention to, all the positive stuff.
But really, bottom line, Christianity is very simple: believe in Jesus as your savior, love God, obey the Holy Spirit, love others as yourself. That means conversing with the Godhead as you walk the goodness walk every hour of every day. There's no worrying, no indecision, no suffering: thank God for everything because there's a reason he had throngs happen and it'll all work out for good. Give it time! God and good are eternal, no time frame involved!
Express thankfulness in all things, all the time as you put your total trust in God and his Word. Allow no hassles-- leave everything to God. If God doesn't answer your prayer, that's his response: leave the subject with him to deal with. Stop fretting, stop being anxious. Relax and let God do his thing. He's all powerful!
All you have to do is the few things I mentioned above, and you're In Like Flynn. Be grateful and joyous. Love. Blessings to you!
You should leave a church after you read a church history book and realize that your church isn’t eastern orthodox and therefor not the church.
I wouldn't step foot in one of those churches
Talk about being narrow minded. Especially with all of the issues that the Catholic church is having, no thanks. I have a real hard time accepting a such blasphemy.
You have no clue about church history
The Church is the universal Body of Christ---People who believe in Jesus Christ and who have a personal relationship with Him. It is NOT just Eastern Orthodox (or whatever you are). Are you in some kind of a cult??
The Eastern Orthodox Church is too much like the Roman Catholic Church for me. I don't like a lot of liturgy and icons everywhere and responsive readings.......