Protecting kids from church!!
 

My wife and I are amazed we feel like we have to protect our kids from church. If they go to the alter we go as well to make sure no one "gives them the Holy ghost". We see it alot, IMO, follks say hallelejah(sp?) real fast or cries then someone wantss to say they got it.

Yesterday our sons SS teacher told my son if he dies in an accident he's gong to hell to try to get him baptized. I teach my son about baptism, but told him it's between him and God. When God touches his heart with repentance then baptism will mean something. What is baptism if a child is forced or pressued??? Anyhow, he listened and absorbed it in I believe.

Just think it's kinda of sad you feel you got to protect kids from church, but it's true.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

Yep. I've been to some churches where I can definitely relate.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

Personally, I would tell the SS teacher to lay off.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

It was said in SS class too. Amazing

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

I have a 30 yrs old child who has been out of the church for 10 yrs. When she comes and has went to the altar, well meaning people crowd around her and get in her face and try and pray with her. She wont come back for that reason. She isnt a touchy person and dont like strangers with their hands on her.

You might think that is petty but unless you know all about the visitor that comes, you should back off and let the person that brought them deal with them. Not everyone is at the same place. Sometimes that might even be there first time in a Pentecostal type church.

It is sometimes very distracting to me when I want to pray at the altar about something personal and people want to crowd around me. It appears from my observation that women do this far more than men do.

Does anyone else feel this way?

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one who hates it when people crowd around you and get in your face when you are at the altar! I do believe that the Spirit of God will give the gift of tongues. But I wonder how often we "give it" instead. It bothers me when someone is praying and someone is right in their face hollering, "speak it, honey. Just open your mouth and say it" and then they take off in tongues themselves. And the poor person praying feels this tremendous pressure to perform, so they start gurgling and BINGO! Everyone thinks they have the Holy Ghost (which they may have - just not tongues)

The other thing I always hated was when the pastor would end the sermon with an altar call and then when either not enough people came forward, or maybe not the person he wanted to some came forward, he would launch into this story about how a certain young person was in a service just like this one, the Spirit was wooing him to the altar but he refused, and then on the way home he ran off the road, hit a tree and was killed instantly. PLEASE!!

Let GOD do the work. I guess some forget the scripture that talks about how one plants, another waters, but GOD GIVES THE INCREASE.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

I do believe that the spirit of God moves upon someone at times to pray with a person at the altar..Its just that the same people tend to do this time and time again. If God prompts you to pray with someone by all means do it. Just make sure its God. Otherwise allow the person who brough them to deal with them because more than likely they know that person well and know what would be right for them.

Scare tactics rarely make stickability. More then likely, it will not make someone run to tha altar. God is not served out of fear but rather love , relationship and conviction.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

I would not go to a church that allows that kind of teaching in SS and that kind of altar work. This is not an anti UPC post because there are many UPC / 3 step churches who use wisdom in how those things are done.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

Dad and Mom so taught us in the HOME, that we shouldn't have had a problem in school, in church, etc. We never heard that we had to be protected from the church, school or other. We felt secure in the things our parents taught us at home. At least I did! We were taught against the things of the world, against the devil and sin.

I know "children" who heard so much criticism at home from their parents against the church that birthed them, that there was no way they would ever be a part of that church. Seen it played over and over again.

It is a sad day indeed when we feel we have to protect our children from the church. Hey, just remove yourself and your family. Problem solved. We will be responsible for how we trained up our children. Was it in the fear and admonition of the Lord or was it in criticism of the church and leaders. Or the school and the teachers.

I know everything is not always perfect, but the responsibility for training up the children we birthed, belongs to the parents. Grandparents can be helpful, by supporting their children and grandchildren, etc., with love and prayer!

If you're not happy with the schools, homeschool your own children. If you're not happy with the church, teach your children yourself. Take the responsibility for YOUR OWN CHILDREN!

If we birthed them, they are our responsibility to GOD. When we birthed them, we chose to take care of them by our actions. God put the responsibility on US. Now let's take care of them. Don't teach them criticism by constantly criticizing. Don't teach them insecurity by being insecure yourself. Don't teach them negatives by being negative.

Teach them Love by loving! Teach them kindness by being kind. Teach them good principals by your examples.
Jesus was the perfect example. God gave us the GREATEST example of LOVE by sending an example for us to follow. NOW JUST Follow that example! We are without excuse!

This is not directed toward any one individual! These are my personal thoughts and I take full responsibility for them!

Falla39

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

At my former church all the bus workers and SS teachers and other children's workers were told that if they really had a burden for the young people/children, that they would be getting the Holy Ghost and getting baptized. Those who had kids crying in the altars were the ones that were complimented by the pastor and leadership, even if they lived scandalously outside the classroom. Those who didn't were more likely to be looked on questioningly, no matter how kind and caring they were. I've seen a lot of kids pressured, but I've seen a lot of adults pressured to pressure kids, too.

Just be aware that there may be more to this than one over-zealous teacher. There may not be, but there might.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

Our children will never be able to testify criticism from us regarding church/pastor.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

Very good!:thumbsup


This is not directed toward any one individual! These are my personal thoughts and I take
full responsibility for them!

Falla39

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

lovely SS teacher

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

If we are gonna have alter calls,we should also teach alter call etiquette

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

That could be a problem. A lot of times the person that brought them isn't doing anything or doesn't know what to do.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

This is a symptom of a performance based religion, rather than a relational one.

As long as any group demands (looks for, expects, requires) a particular set of behaviors in order to give their individual or collective acceptance (approval) of another, then you have individual control issues, demonstrated through crowd manipulation. This holds true at the 'alter' as well in Sunday School or in the general service. It's 'group think' manipulation. It's an attempt at gaining spiritual 'unity' through forcing collective compliance (uniformity). No one wants to be 'different' in church, it will cause tongues to wag.

It really is too bad that we lost the apostolic approach to holding local services that was the accepted norm during the first three century's of the church, where being 'different' was encourage.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

People do this kind of stuff sincerely. It goes with the territory.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

Thank you.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

You're welcome, my friend.

:grampa

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

I know you are talking about something different but let me add that you also have to watch out for preditorial people and ministers in the church.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

Matthew 15:13 "He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.
The Church Jesus Christ builds, when completed, will be without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.:thumbsup

Falla39

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

Yep.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

yeah, i was praying about something personal and these guys came crowding around and did the crowd thing, i had to stop and tell them that they were bothering me.

:doggyrun

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

Protecting our kids from church?

Yes, we need to be careful for a couple of reasons:
1) sexual abuse by those in ministry such as youth leaders, teachers, pastors
2) false teaching by those in ministry such as youth leaders, teachers, pastors

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

How does this relate to the thread?

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

:lol

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

keep your eye on the planters and greenery in the church lobby

:grampa

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Truthseeker
How does this relate to the thread?


Look at the title of this thread! When your kids have to be protected
from the church, is it really the church...the church Jesus Christ built or
is building! That HE died for!

If God didn't plant it (individual works or plants, those over the individual
works or churches), will it stand the test of time. Plants could also be
individuals. If man planted or put them in the works that God planted, they
could also be rooted up or out. Better be sure it is the Lord that is doing
the planting. If HE didn't plant it, it will NOT stand the test of time. If
HE planted it, it should have fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace...etc!


There was an old song that was sung while I was growing up, that said,
"Everything that's not of Jesus shall come down, shall come down, shall
come down. Everything that's not of Jesus, shall come down, and the
name of the Lord shall prevail".

The Word speaks of a shaking in Haggai 2 and also in Hebrews about a
shaking, not only of earth but heaven also. Why would He do this. That
those things which cannot be shaken might remain. If our hope is not
built on things eternal, there is a real possiblility we could be shaken loose
from the foundation. Jesus Christ Himself being the Chielf cornerstone.

Bottom line, the only way we OR our children can be safe is too make sure
our relationship with God is right. Love and trust Him with all our hearts, souls,
minds and might. Trust Him with our children by looking to Him for wisdom in
every area of life.

What would you do with/for your kids IF there was no church to blame!
Suppose the time comes when there is no church as we know it today. If
the government shut down the churches. Would we be able to teach our
children, etc.

There came a time when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. The
temple became something God never intended. When/If the churches were
destroyed, what would we do. God put His name in Jerusalem, but later the
city and temple were seiged and destroyed. Now His name is in the foreheads
(minds and hearts) of His people. Where ever His people go, HE goes With/In
them. He no longer dwells in temples made with man's hands. When His people
leave the building, He leaves. His people represent the Presence of God now. The ark of the covenant and it contents represented His Presence but now His Presence is carried in fleshly tables of the hearts of His people. Those who know Him in Spirit and in Truth.

We had better make sure we have the Word and Spirit of God inside us and
our children. God will give as much wisdom as we need, IF we but ask Him.


What did the church that left Jerusalem when they saw her surrounded by
the armies, do. They had the words of Jesus inside them and did what He
said to do. Jesus ascended but left His Words inside the Apostles. That's
why we are called Apostolics. We obey the Apostles teachings that Jesus put
in them. Then opened their understanding that they might understand the
scriptures. Ascended and poured out the Holy Ghost that we might also
understand His Word.

Falla39

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

I know what you mean. The first church I had attended was ultra conservative. The second pastor liked to use words for homosexuals that are unChristian (f*g and f*ggot) over the pulpit. Knowing that some in our congregation have battled that condition and knowing that some struggle with such tendencies... and more importantly wanting to teach my son never to use words like that, put me at odds with the pulpit.

How can I teach my son to be a Christian gentleman when the pulpit is acting like mannerless rednecks? It's sad.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

The church I currently attend has "altar worker training" that avoids many pitfalls we commonly see in churches.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

There was a time I pulled my Children from SS because I did not agree with what was being taught, I was pulled in the office and told in around about way to repent . SS superintendent kept giving my kids a hard time but I kept going in to her office and said that it was not their choice it was my choice, God turned it around though and it worked out. Now there are new SS teachers and the Sup. left the church.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

I also don't have my kids go to church camp either . I do not care much for the MACHINE.

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I now go to a church that doesn't have altar calls. What a wonderful peaceful worship service.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

This is an isolatred incident so far. The SS sup is sweet and most teachers are not a problem. It's this one teachers method that is an issue.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

What a sad statement to make.

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I knew it was . We just waited it out . God made it right.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

My guess is that most if not every church has someone similar to this person. It might be the same type of person that tells a new convert "ok now that you have the HG you cant't this and that..etc." I have seen it through the years. It might be an isolaed thing now and nothing further. I just wish more people would or could discern what is going on. But all too often people get stuck at doctine glued to religion and never get to a relationship with the Father. If they did they would realize we all must have our own relationship with the King and not one that is dictated by someone else.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

When I could no longer embrace the leadership and the direction of the assembly that my family was attending, thru prayer and the Word we moved on to where we could again embrace the focus.

Parents are responsible for the training of their children, this was never delegated to the church, schools or civil authorities. Hillary says "it takes a village", how's that working out in our society??

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

check out the church www.thevillagechurch.net and you will see the valid reasons why they don't have altar calls.

Re: Protecting kids from church!!
 

Amen, Crakjak,
I have said several times on this forum that it is not anyone else's responsibility to take care of that which WE birthed!

Recently I stood behind a grandmother and her daughter, who had two young children, in a checkout lane. The little boy was talking back to his grandmother as she tried to correct him. The mother didn't seem to have any input. The grandmother looked around at me and said, "It really does take a village"!. I had heard that phrase before and knew where it came from. I said, "I know Hillary said that, but I believe it takes a FAMILY, and GOD". She somewhat agreed after thinking about it! It takes both fathers and mothers, working together with GOD. Teaching their children godly principals from HIS WORD! Prayer in the home, and hearing the Word of GOD until it becomes alive in their hearts and lives. What are the succeeding generations going to be like without godly influence, instruction, and living!

Grandparents can help by giving loving support through prayer and love, etc., They don't need to try to tell their children how to raise their children. If they have trained their children up right, they will know how, with God's help, to raise theirs, with God's help. As our Dad used to say, "Adults don't like to be treated like children.They'll resent it". God gave us a few years to train up ours, and then the time will come when only God can help them. And HE will, if they but ask. They need to be allowed to ask for themselves. If someone else does all their praying and asking,etc., for them, they'll never learn how to ask HIM for themselves.

We pray for our children, grandchildren, etc., but they must feel their need of Him and learn to lean on Him for themselves and their family. We also pray with our adult children for a need/etc. IF they ask us to join WITH them in prayer for a specific need.

Falla39