For far in this series, we have defined the main terms used in the discussion on why some people have trouble with the ‘Institutional Church’ system. Then we went onto looking at some of the basic teachings Jesus left for His church, the Jesus Followers. We saw that He is coming for His bride, one that has worked on the ‘spots and wrinkles’ with the power of the Holy Spirit rather than self effort.
Now we want to address 10 of the most common reasons why many people have walked away from the modern church. See what you think about their reasons:Read more...(1611 words, 5 images, estimated 6:27 mins reading time)
A humorous YouTube video aimed at helping us to stop and look at the introduction of new people to the ‘box’ we call church, uploaded by Richard Reising on October 30, 2008.
I am sure you can identify with some of the comments and the situation with this video.
The question is: can we do better at being a community, with one Spirit, one faith and one hope versus the latest Starbucks coffee shop Church?
“I tried for 7 years to find a local church that wasn’t either: 1. ….wacky in their understanding of the Holy Spirit, or 2. Run like the satirical “church” in this video: ‘What if Starbucks Marketed Like a Church?’ A Parable (see our next post)
“I must say that video is a powerful analogy to what most churches feel like nowadays. But that isn’t even the biggest problem. The thing is, I am tired of preachers who are afraid to tell the truth. I am tired of pastors who won’t call sin, sin, and only care about “felt needs” and making people feel better.Read more...(182 words, 2 images, estimated 44 seconds reading time)
“Too much emphasis on getting new church attendance versus feeding the sheep”.
“I’m tired of all the new changes to the church direction! I’ve been at my church for 10 years and I know I’m not perfect.
We get this message constantly from the front, by the few leaders we have in our congregation: “Invite your neighbours!”
“Ok, yes my neighbour needs the Gospel but I’m trying to build my relationship with her first. The spin in the church is on the money raising, fun sharing, doing group together that I am sure, it would frighten her away. Read more...(178 words, 2 images, estimated 43 seconds reading time)
Before we launch into further discussion on the basics of Christianity, we need to know the Foundations of the Christian message.
1. What did Jesus really teach?
From that basis, we can see where the other ‘streams’ of the Counterfeit are coming into the church.
An important part of Christian growth comes by understanding the concept of God’s Law versus God’s grace. Any striving to please Him – which can even be ‘following instructions to gain His approval’ – or the approval of others, is working under ‘law’. Read more...(456 words, 2 images, estimated 1:49 mins reading time)
The following is the YouTube comments connected with the book written by Philip Yancey.
” ‘The Jesus I Never Knew’ audio book gives a moving and refreshing portrait of the central figure of history, Jesus Christ. With a willingness to tackle difficult questions, Yancey looks at the radical words of this itinerant Jewish carpenter and asks whether we are taking him seriously enough in our own day and age.Read more...(265 words, 2 images, estimated 1:04 mins reading time)
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
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365 Meditations for Men
Surender
When I don't desire God
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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.
