Missing church to be the church

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Heathens!! LOL! -> Golf -> Fishing -> Camping -> Sleeping -> Playing -> Church

You forgot to put ->NFL-> in there..........

[Nitehawk013]

It is indeed God - Family - Church.

However, as we all know all too well, most church leaders specialize in finding ways to convince us all that God = being at church every time the doors are open. If you aren't living your life as if your home church is the most important thing in your life, then you aren't really being faithful to God.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Nitehawk013

It is indeed God - Family - Church.

However, as we all know all too well, most church leaders specialize in finding ways to convince us all that God = being at church every time the doors are open. If you aren't living your life as if your home church is the most important thing in your life, then you aren't really being faithful to God.

Indeed.

Been there done that.

But I'm feeling much better now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8KdtJOCzOU

[Falla39]

Originally Posted by Dagwood

I've heard many of the same things you stated. Those wives who had "backslidden" husbands would "miss church" and be labeled as giving into the devil's ways. Absolute nonsense. In those circumstances, sensitivity has to be excercised.

For whatever reason, your dad didn't want to come to church. Who knows what kind of witness you were to him? Only God knows. You can't go back and undo anything, except step back and analyze. Then see where you can improve from there. Talk to him honestly, see what he says. That will probably tell you where you can improve without even asking his opinion.

As for how often one goes to church, we've been there and done that. Many times, it's no different than working. Going so much and doing so much, one can easily get burned out. I don't think God ever intended for His people to get burned out in doing His work. Being balanced in what we do, no matter what it is or where, is so critical. Even if we miss church, we're still a witness. We can still fellowship with others around us. It's just a matter of making it a priority to do so. What we do away from the church building is just as important as what's done within it...because we are the church everywhere we go.

Profound statement!

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by shag

Oftentimes, I feel like I have made an error over the years, of not being there for God by missing an opportunity to help someone that's not "in (the) church", or "closer connect" in friendship with someone that is in some type of need(great or small) but instead choosing /prioritizing a 3x per week meeting at "church".

My dad for instance, does not attend anywhere, and I am very busy during the week and mist Saturdays with work and family, and almost the only time I have it seems is "church service" time. I feel looking down thru the years, I could've witnessed to him the "right priorities" by missing "church" to be with him when he could use help, or even just being closer relationship wise by spending time with him. Maybe I have missed a lot of opportunities to reach folks, by attending 3x per week because it's "expected", meanwhile I could be ministering to someone's life. And only meet one to two times a week even tho "many" will be convinced in their mind that I'm having problems and am about to slide the slipper....

Some(many) would probably say, that's fine now and then just don't make a habit of missing the house of God"....
Or.... you're being a better witness for God by showing him how important it is to be "at church", or be at the "house of God".


Any thoughts ?

I once heard an old preacher say that he wanted to live close enough to the post office to get his own mail.

If we let other people presume they know what God wants us to do, which normally is said you must attend church services every time the door opens, you may be ignoring what the Holy Spirit is whispering into your heart and being.

If you are feeling in your heart that God is asking you to do something, then you should obey God for nobody knows what God knows about your father or other people He may be sending you to visit with. You should obey God rather than men. If you have the same Holy Ghost as given to everybody else, then you are close enough to the P.O. (God) to get your own mail (Him telling you to do something).

True short story in next post.

[AreYouReady?]

We once attended a certain church when they were collecting the Sunday offerings, which included sunday school offering, tithes and offerings, missions, building fund. Then, after all this was collected, it was announced that a single mother with four children was in need of some money. It was then, after the church money was collected that they held out the plate for this special offering. By then, my husband said his money was gone and he had no more to put in the plate for this young lady. He said that if it was announced before all the other collections, he would have held back some of that money to put in the plate for the needy family.

Now, I know some would say that it would be wrong for him to do that. But, my husband felt that would have been the right thing for him to do considering the plight this woman found herself in. And if I know my husband, he would have done it too without a second thought.

[RandyWayne]

I miss church every chance I get. Usually the only times I can't get away are special Christmas services, but I DO usually get out of Easter.

[Nitehawk013]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

We once attended a certain church when they were collecting the Sunday offerings, which included sunday school offering, tithes and offerings, missions, building fund. Then, after all this was collected, it was announced that a single mother with four children was in need of some money. It was then, after the church money was collected that they held out the plate for this special offering. By then, my husband said his money was gone and he had no more to put in the plate for this young lady. He said that if it was announced before all the other collections, he would have held back some of that money to put in the plate for the needy family.

Now, I know some would say that it would be wrong for him to do that. But, my husband felt that would have been the right thing for him to do considering the plight this woman found herself in. And if I know my husband, he would have done it too without a second thought.

The really sick part is that I would bet my paycheck that the Pastor of that church knew darn well that if he said the young lady had that need before the offring was given, people would have given to her instead of the general offering. After all, what is really important? Taking care of a human being in need or making sure the Pastor gets his cut?

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

We once attended a certain church when they were collecting the Sunday offerings, which included sunday school offering, tithes and offerings, missions, building fund. Then, after all this was collected, it was announced that a single mother with four children was in need of some money. It was then, after the church money was collected that they held out the plate for this special offering. By then, my husband said his money was gone and he had no more to put in the plate for this young lady. He said that if it was announced before all the other collections, he would have held back some of that money to put in the plate for the needy family.

Now, I know some would say that it would be wrong for him to do that. But, my husband felt that would have been the right thing for him to do considering the plight this woman found herself in. And if I know my husband, he would have done it too without a second thought.

Why couldn't they just give her some from the other offerings?