Part Three: The Emerging Church – a Continuum of Beliefs
In this section of our series on the Counterfeit Church as a Challenge to Christian Foundations, we shall want to continue to discuss the sense of dissatisfaction people have expressed with the traditional church.
More and more Christians say the usual ways of “doing church” no longer resonate in a contemporary, postmodern culture. Seeking to fill the gap, a growing movement called “the emerging church”. They are seeking to develop new forms of worship and theological questioning for “a new cultural context”.Read more...(743 words, 2 images, estimated 2:58 mins reading time)
“Hey guys I’ve been reading your responses to the question “why don’t you go to church” and I wonder if you don’t mind me making a statement: if you are not enjoying your church and you feel rejected or something like that, then I would encourage you to make a stand!
“Instead of leaving the church to its own devices, try your hardest to change the church and make it more Christlike for the good of the people and the community in which the church is supposed to be serving. Read more...(224 words, 1 image, estimated 54 seconds reading time)
Recently our ‘box’ held a camp. So let’s see…I have been to about 20 to 25 camps in my life time. With our team, we have personally organised and run at least 10! From school camps, celebration camps, healing camps, restoration of wounded counsellor’s camps…
1. Yes, it is easy to see the holes in organization – left out youth, not disciplined youth, youth involved in late night sex run .. oh dear, the youth seem to get the highest count. However, left out children, no activities for those wanting deeper talks, little time for relationships…. or meals …well, want enough said.Read more...(557 words, 2 images, estimated 2:14 mins reading time)
In the first part of this fifth series on the Counterfeit church system as a challenge to Christian Foundations, we focused on some of what Jesus really taught and what was handed to the generations to us today. We asked the Question “Is Jesus Relevant to us today?” We presented some reader’s comments along with some humour and serious debates.
Now we move into another part of the debate on church issues for today: Leadership in the church. How can we face abusive leadership and still keep our faith? Read more...(501 words, 3 images, estimated 2:00 mins reading time)
To add some lighter humour to our series, here is a funny post from a friend:
26 One-liners About the Church and our Creator!
1. Give God what’s right — not what’s left.
2. Man’s way leads to a hopeless end — God’s way leads to an endless hope.
3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.
5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma — but never let him be the period. Read more...(491 words, 2 images, estimated 1:58 mins reading time)
Philip is one of my favourite author’s. His books present a Jesus that is real and not the ‘Sunday School, blond fair skinned model’ many of us grew up with. Here is another one of Philip Yancey’s books. Uploaded by BeliefnetCommunity on November 29, 2007.
Phillip Yancy speaks to his core message: God is Love. This is the heart felt message that the Church needs to be spreading!
From Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sons by Jack Frost
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A Word from the Lord:
"I have followed the flight of an eagle with My eyes. I have seen the mighty fish in the sea and they all give Me great pleasure ..… but do you know the greatest of all My creation is the Adam and Eve I created?
"Time has not changed My joy in seeing mankind grow. However, My heart has been saddened when I know the pleasure I wish to give My people, give to you My child. My ways are meant to be light, My burden easy. Religions and rules make the heaviness I wish to lift from My people.
"I long to draw you closer, to teach you deeper things of My Spirit. I need you to let your Heart rest in My love, to rest in My peace. I know the paths ahead for you. I have planned and will provide many treasures you have yet to see. Look for My hand and let Me guide you.
"I do know of your beginnings, of the painful places you have walked in your life. I have provided healing and grace to get up and go on … but know this, My child - I have never left your side. I have always walked with you, even when you cannot see My hand in your life. It is in times like this that I wish to grow your faith and trust.
"I have treasured your growth in following Me … and I want you to continue to seek Me for who I am, not what others have said about Me - or what the groups around you think.
"Look for Me and you will see Me in many layers in your life. I know your future; I know the dark places ahead and the places filled with sunshine and light. You will find Me in both places as I am moulding you and teaching you to walk with Me.
"Trust Me as you see the world around you. I will never leave you or walk away from you as I love you with a deep everlasting love. Yes, even when you make mistakes or take your eyes off the track. I am here! Rest in My peace and continue to let me fill you with My ways, with My treasures."
From Your Lord Jesus, your loving Father God via the Holy Spirit.
If you would like your own personal Word from the Lord, come find me on
www.fiverr.com/susanne72
Slideshow
365 Meditations for Men
Surender
When I don't desire God
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I've enthusiastically jumped into blogs with 'a warehouse of great info' we have collected over our 20 plus years of counselling and mentoring. So, please take advantage of the years of wisdom we have gathered.
We have dedicated this blog to build hope that everyone out there can really, really hear from God and that is our heart's desire! He gives us true focus, sets our priorities and build our faith in His love.
Your Thoughts? I’d especially love to hear from those of you who know something about this topic to those who are sceptical or have yet to begin this journey.
Contact us on sf7272[at]bigpond.com Also see our 'About us' page.
Remember all our stories, pictures and personal information contained in our stories have been changed to protect the identity of the people involved, unless given permission to use their details.
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mentorsnotebook.com with recommendations of great books and music. www.conflictsolutions.mentors notebook.com We have started the series: "What your Dad didn't tell you About the Opposite Sex!"
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www.hearinggod.mentors notebook.com/blog - Learning to know the voice of your Creator!
To begin this section, let me tell you a story. 'Jenny' grew up in a semi-Christian home where she went to Sunday School every Sunday. It was probably more so that her parents had Sunday morning to themselves, away from their 4 children that they were sent to church. For whatever reason, little seeds grew in Jenny until she was a 20 year old and working in the church office.
She enjoyed her work and 'served well'. She even had a t-shirt made that said 'Steward of the Most High God'. She often marked her folders as 'Jenny, Steward of God'. This sounded like a good saying and to her, even sound doctrine … but it wasn't the whole truth. Something was missing.
She thought about leaving this group and looking for another church. Working in the church office made her feel like she belonged somewhere. She was the 'Helper to the Pastor' and that was how others saw her too.
They were her 'authority', her source of comfort and didn't they have the final say on what the Bible said? She wasn't really 'close' with any of them anyhow; none had tried to help her grow spiritually. She kept the rules of the church but quietly thought about 'church hopping someday'.
When she had a good day at work, she felt God smiled at her, even though her peers frequently excluded her in their church activities. She had her job with the church and they didn't. "Maybe they are just envious", she thought. "I need to protect what God has given me, especially since they don't understand me."
More and more she felt guarded and distrustful of others in the church and sometimes - if she let her thoughts go there - even felt the church pasters and leaders weren't doing the very best as stewards that they could have. "God was sole owner of everything and He had given me a job to do!" … and that was that as far as Jenny told herself.
So that was Jenny until the day her Mother died and she faced some hard truths. She was independent and could take care of herself but what about her family? One or two of the pastor's wives stopped by to offer their sad words but few others came.
The funeral wasn't very impressive as their money had been used for doctors. Jenny felt alone and lost, wanting to be loved by those she served but somehow, all this need and pride was mixed with isolation and being alone.
Sad and lonely, she went for a walk. "There's got to be more to God than this!" She began to question if she even knew the real Jesus and His love for her. At first, she didn't really feel like she could talk to HIM, the One who walked beside her. She didn't feel worthy; maybe she hadn't done enough? She was only His Steward …. but He saw her as so much more!
As Jenny walked and allowed His love to penetrate her independent, self-sufficient Heart. Her view of her walk as a Jesus follower began to change. Her view of being that 'Steward' began to melt into another sense of being His child first.
She began to feel gratitude for what the Lord was doing for her … and for her family. Never having known her biological father, she began to sense she really had a Father who just might cared for her. As the tears rolled down her face, she could she had turned her back on the real Source of her comfort, turned to the pastors who could never fill that need inside.
She could see that believing she was 'only His steward' had robbed her of knowing she was His child. Taking care of His things had replaced knowing she owned these things as His heir and beloved daughter.
She returned to the home she knew with greater peace than ever. She removed the labels 'Steward of God' of her folders and books. She replaced the labels with 'Growing child of God'. What a difference she felt!" (Names and places have been changed to protect 'Jenny's identity.)
As we begin this Stage 4 in our series From Slave to Bride, join us to find answers for your own life.
In this section of our series on the Counterfeit Church as a Challenge to Christian Foundations, we shall want to continue to discuss the sense of dissatisfaction people have expressed with the traditional church. 
