Yea and the ones of us that just wanted to be "regular" kids caught the heat. We got hollered at, shook silly ,clawed,and neck injuries from preachers pushing so hard on our foreheads tryin to get the demons out. But on the good side if Sis. Whatshername was there you would get a good back massage.
Well, see I found an escape. I learned how to play guitar and got on the platform at the age of 16. Once you get on the platform you can stay away from all the insanity because everyone knows musicians aren't saved anyway. Plus it would make the pastor look bad if someone on the platform looked like they were repenting so WE WERE GIVEN IMMUNITY.
Truthfully I struggled later because I thought there was something wrong with me because I didn't get a spiritual like all the other folks. You see, I followed all the rules yet God wouldn't bless me with the Holy Ghost. It is very sad the confusion that is in these types of churches.
I think people my age(36) and younger that have been raised in church have not had thier own experience. All you had to do to is pretend you was prayin jump around a few times scream a little and the evangelist, pastor and parents would leave you alone. Then after church you can get pregnant in the back seat of the pastors sons car.
I'm 32 and have had my own experience...and can also testify that not every young person or pastor's kid was involved in this type of behavior. I believe that those who were doing this need to look in the mirror at themselves because they knew right from wrong and chose wrong over right. It happens everywhere and it is an individual flaw.
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I think people my age(36) and younger that have been raised in church have not had thier own experience. All you had to do to is pretend you was prayin jump around a few times scream a little and the evangelist, pastor and parents would leave you alone. Then after church you can get pregnant in the back seat of the pastors sons car.
Your on to something, I got the Holy Ghost when I was 7 attended some of the best church around, but because I had nothing else but an definite experience combined with a lot of church attendance and functions, it didn't take root.
In my teen years due to family issues, I became a wild child, got lost in worldliness, etc.
It wasn't until I was older 18, I became aware of my sin problem and Jesus was the answer to it, and I respond to him I would find forgiveness for my sins (which were many) and he would give me new life.
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Please pray for India
My personal mission is to BRING people into a right relationship with God, GROW them up to maturity and SEND them back into the world to minister.
I'm 32 and have had my own experience...and can also testify that not every young person or pastor's kid was involved in this type of behavior. I believe that those who were doing this need to look in the mirror at themselves because they knew right from wrong and chose wrong over right. It happens everywhere and it is an individual flaw.
Oh believe me I know its an individual flaw. I am just pointing out what I have seen repeatedly. It does not take long for young people to figure out how to fool adults into believing things. It just amazes me how this same thing is still goin on with "some" young people. You would think the ministry would see through this.
Oh believe me I know its an individual flaw. I am just pointing out what I have seen repeatedly. It does not take long for young people to figure out how to fool adults into believing things. It just amazes me how this same thing is still goin on with "some" young people. You would think the ministry would see through this.
THE MINISTRY DOES SEE THROUGH THIS!!! I believe that lots of these guys know exactly what is going on but it looks so much better to have a bunch of "on fire" youth group that you can brag about at district events. It is called playing church and nobody does it better that kids growing up in the UPC. Then you get to the point where people think that church isn't any good unless people are running the aisles. I have heard them say that "God wasn't there" or "that is a dead church".
THE MINISTRY DOES SEE THROUGH THIS!!! I believe that lots of these guys know exactly what is going on but it looks so much better to have a bunch of "on fire" youth group that you can brag about at district events. It is called playing church and nobody does it better that kids growing up in the UPC. Then you get to the point where people think that church isn't any good unless people are running the aisles. I have heard them say that "God wasn't there" or "that is a dead church".
Sad but true, I was a youth Pastor for a unamed Pastor who told me that my job was to get the Youth Fired up so that they would jump and shout when he preached.
I was wanting to get them grounded in a relationship with Jesus, and cling to him as their only hope. Essentially deal with root issues rather than fruit.
__________________
Please pray for India
My personal mission is to BRING people into a right relationship with God, GROW them up to maturity and SEND them back into the world to minister.
I think people my age(36) and younger that have been raised in church have not had thier own experience. All you had to do to is pretend you was prayin jump around a few times scream a little and the evangelist, pastor and parents would leave you alone. Then after church you can get pregnant in the back seat of the pastors sons car.
Quote:
Originally Posted by deltaguitar
Wow, it didn't take you long to catch on did it. Man this is exactly how it was in my church.
and where is the personal responsibility? Is the downfall of the 36 and younger crowd the fault of the local assembly or an organzation?
I'm 37, pretty close to this generation you are talking about.....my actions were my own personal choice. I heard the same preaching and teaching the older generations did....who's fault is it that I chose to fake it or play church instead of having a real, personal relationship with God?
The pastors?
my parents?
I think you are saying a lot of 36 and younger folks are too stupid to have a real relationship with God in their church environment b/c they could fake it......
I'm 32 and have had my own experience...and can also testify that not every young person or pastor's kid was involved in this type of behavior. I believe that those who were doing this need to look in the mirror at themselves because they knew right from wrong and chose wrong over right. It happens everywhere and it is an individual flaw.
Thank you...my point exactly.
The fact someone would choose to hide out on the platform at the age of 16 indicates some awareness of a PERSONAL problem.....
Sad but true, I was a youth Pastor for a unamed Pastor who told me that my job was to get the Youth Fired up so that they would jump and shout when he preached.
I was wanting to get them grounded in a relationship with Jesus, and cling to him as their only hope. Essentially deal with root issues rather than fruit.
I wonder why they always wanna see this "fruit" from the teenagers. I agree with you, they need a root sytem and good watering and fertilizing before you can get good fruit. I for one got tired of that mentallity. But when i spoke up I was labeled as possesed by the enemy. I just wanted to hunt and fish and be a normal redneck.
and where is the personal responsibility? Is the downfall of the 36 and younger crowd the fault of the local assembly or an organzation?
I'm 37, pretty close to this generation you are talking about.....my actions were my own personal choice. I heard the same preaching and teaching the older generations did....who's fault is it that I chose to fake it or play church instead of having a real, personal relationship with God?
The pastors?
my parents?
I think you are saying a lot of 36 and younger folks are too stupid to have a real relationship with God in their church environment b/c they could fake it......
is everyone in that age group that shallow?
If you read stupid between the lines somewhere you may have some problems. No where did I say all or any number for that matter. You only prove my point. When questions about anything like this come up there is offense taken and no real answers given. The point I was making is maybe the boys in this group could see what the "fakers" were doing outside the church and getting praised inside the church. And just made THIER choice.