Ultra Cons Quitting Church

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by John 1:17

Sounds like someone thinks the church needs to install a swimming pool and a grill.

lol

It might be a nice start...

Fellowship is more than sitting in a row of noses to hear a Sunday morning rant.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Dagwood

Based on some of the comments above (and even spread out to other threads/posts), one of the biggest problems with some people in the traditional apostolic churches, at least some within those I've known of, is this: someone, or a family, who's been "going to church" for however long start showing up less often. Thus the gossip begins. Immediately, some "saints" start backsliding that person or family without even knowing all the details (like they really need to know anyway, right?). For the other "saints" of us, all we might know is that person or family had a genuine spirit with a good heart and loved God. After all, they were faithful and transparent, not only "at church," but also away from it in the community.

"Oh, but did you see Suzie-Q (or Billy Bob)? Wearing those shorts/pants, etc?"

"Suzie-Q (or Billy Bob) just won't ever make it. They got that TV in their house and Lord knows what they watch! Can you believe it?"

"Ya know? I was walking down the street past Billy Joe's house the other day. He was working on his car and that devil music coming from his radio!" Ugh, no wonder he always struggles.

Three examples above are not word for word, however not very far from it. So, while I'm not broadbrushing (as I don't firmly believe all people of the Faith are the same way), it's an alarming issue going on among some circles of people. At some point, it has to stop. We weren't called to "call it like it is," or "well, that's just how I see it." No, it's how God sees it; we're simply His messenger, and a vessel for His message. An imperfect one at that. So, while we wonder why the "Ultra cons" (or ANYONE for that matter) are quitting church, perhaps if we stopped and listened to all the ridiculous murmurings going on within and amongst ourselves, we'd actually allow God to do His work and will without even having to call into question some of the very minute issues we create and enable. God is still working on every person He created...NONE of us "have arrived."

As God could be saying to us, "Just shut-up and listen to me," from the bottom up, and from the top down. (my blunt-version of "Be still and know that I am God..."

I wasn't going to comment on this thread because of the tone of the opening post. I just didn't like the "feel" of the way it was worded.

Then I read your post and I had to interject just a little bit.

You are so right about many things in your post.

I so tire of seeing people who walk around taking measurement of everyone around them and then when their constant measuring causes someone to no longer be able to attend then they judge one last time and say "Yeah... I've seen this coming for a while".

Yeah... you saw it coming because you helped cause it.

The interesting thing, to me, is that you have pointed out one of the big problems in the issues presented by this thread and the opening post made for a pretty good example of how that goes down.

So many see the issue... but miss the point entirely.

[John 1:17]

Originally Posted by Aquila

lol

It might be a nice start...

Fellowship is more than sitting in a row of noses to hear a Sunday morning rant.

RANT!

Reckon folks that heard your brother "Scott", might have though the same thing?

But it would have been a less formal church setting, so it would have been ok...

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Aquila

lol

It might be a nice start...

Fellowship is more than sitting in a row of noses to hear a Sunday morning rant.

At our church I have been making a push in the last 6 months for a major key to revival.

It isn't prayer... although prayer is one.
It isn't fasting... although fasting is one.

It's a sense of family.

We have had an Elders Appreciation Night put on by our youth where our youth each chose an elder and got up before the group and said why they appreciated and admire them. This was followed by fun games and good snacks and we're going to do it more often.

The importance of building a sense of family within a local congregation could not be overstated. When the hard trials come to a church body it is the sense of family that will give them added strength to come through as one.

Where there were riffs before there is now strength, unity and mutual respect.

Not just from this one event but from all the things we have done over the last 6 months people in our church who once were very gripy about just about everything the young people did are not some of their biggest fans and they support them with vigor.

But that began with continual shows of repsect from the youth and from good teaching on building relationship.


I don't know about a swimming pool... but i do plan on building a small park in the shaded around beside the church because the importance of building a sense of family in the church escapes far too many people.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

At our church I have been making a push in the last 6 months for a major key to revival.

It isn't prayer... although prayer is one.
It isn't fasting... although fasting is one.

It's a sense of family.

We have had an Elders Appreciation Night put on by our youth where our youth each chose an elder and got up before the group and said why they appreciated and admire them. This was followed by fun games and good snacks and we're going to do it more often.

The importance of building a sense of family within a local congregation could not be overstated. When the hard trials come to a church body it is the sense of family that will give them added strength to come through as one.

Where there were riffs before there is now strength, unity and mutual respect.

Not just from this one event but from all the things we have done over the last 6 months people in our church who once were very gripy about just about everything the young people did are not some of their biggest fans and they support them with vigor.

But that began with continual shows of repsect from the youth and from good teaching on building relationship.


I don't know about a swimming pool... but i do plan on building a small park in the shaded around beside the church because the importance of building a sense of family in the church escapes far too many people.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

At our church I have been making a push in the last 6 months for a major key to revival.

It isn't prayer... although prayer is one.
It isn't fasting... although fasting is one.

It's a sense of family.

We have had an Elders Appreciation Night put on by our youth where our youth each chose an elder and got up before the group and said why they appreciated and admire them. This was followed by fun games and good snacks and we're going to do it more often.

The importance of building a sense of family within a local congregation could not be overstated. When the hard trials come to a church body it is the sense of family that will give them added strength to come through as one.

Where there were riffs before there is now strength, unity and mutual respect.

Not just from this one event but from all the things we have done over the last 6 months people in our church who once were very gripy about just about everything the young people did are not some of their biggest fans and they support them with vigor.

But that began with continual shows of repsect from the youth and from good teaching on building relationship.


I don't know about a swimming pool... but i do plan on building a small park in the shaded around beside the church because the importance of building a sense of family in the church escapes far too many people.

This is awesome. I wrote a blog not too long ago on this very topic. I'm proud of where the youth are taking the church. I'm glad to see their passion for God. But I'm afraid many of them will forget or not understand where the battlefield really is and those who are still fighting there today.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by scotty

This is awesome. I wrote a blog not too long ago on this very topic. I'm proud of where the youth are taking the church. I'm glad to see their passion for God. But I'm afraid many of them will forget or not understand where the battlefield really is and those who are still fighting there today.

Yes sir... and that's another reason why we're doing what we're doing.

I teach the young people (and old alike) the importance of letting people know that you love and appreciate them. There are 2 reasons.

1. It reminds them.
2. It reminds you.

When our youth make a habit of speaking highly of our elders then they are reminded of the worth of those who have come ahead of us. When they have to put some thought into what they're going to say about that elder they let their mind go back and realize that all that we have was provided by these elders hard work, prayer and dedication.

When we move forward without a healthy understanding of how we got here our movement is empty and lacking in balance.

When we move forward understanding how we got here and what it took to get here our movement is rich in history, understanding, balance and respect.

We also find ourselves much more likely to consult an elder when we are at a point of decision because we have kept the field of respect freshly tilled and our view of their wisdom is keen.

Let me just say... I love what is going on at our church. God is good and so are His people.

[Falla39]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

At our church I have been making a push in the last 6 months for a major key to revival.

It isn't prayer... although prayer is one.
It isn't fasting... although fasting is one.

It's a sense of family.

We have had an Elders Appreciation Night put on by our youth where our youth each chose an elder and got up before the group and said why they appreciated and admire them. This was followed by fun games and good snacks and we're going to do it more often.

The importance of building a sense of family within a local congregation could not be overstated. When the hard trials come to a church body it is the sense of family that will give them added strength to come through as one.

Where there were riffs before there is now strength, unity and mutual respect.

Not just from this one event but from all the things we have done over the last 6 months people in our church who once were very gripy about just about everything the young people did are not some of their biggest fans and they support them with vigor.

But that began with continual shows of repsect from the youth and from good teaching on building relationship.


I don't know about a swimming pool... but i do plan on building a small park in the shaded around beside the church because the importance of building a sense of family in the church escapes far too many people.

The bolded reminded me of what our Youth did a few months ago. They designated
a Sunday service and called it "HOSS". HONORING OUR SENIOR SAINTS? The
Youth, under the direction of the Youth Pastor and wife, prepared a lovely
lunch for the senior saints in the church. Served immediately after the Sunday
service. The had white tablecloths, napkins, even a small floral arrangement
for each table. We felt like it was a banquet, seeing our young people going
to such effort to make sure we felt special...and we did.

We make BIG deals when our young people receive honors in school, graduate,
go to college (bible school, etc.). We support them when they marry or have
babies. The support is such that is is much like FAMILY! We all worship together
in Spirit and in TRUTH! We're part of the Family of GOD.

http://youtu.be/oH783EfujsM

http://youtu.be/Q1p7j3TLlyw


Falla39

[aegsm76]

I do not know of any ultra-cons that have quit church to stay home.
I do know of several formerly ultra-cons who quit church and started very liberal "home" churches.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Falla39

The bolded reminded me of what our Youth did a few months ago. They designated
a Sunday service and called it "HOSS". HONORING OUR SENIOR SAINTS? The
Youth, under the direction of the Youth Pastor and wife, prepared a lovely
lunch for the senior saints in the church. Served immediately after the Sunday
service. The had white tablecloths, napkins, even a small floral arrangement
for each table. We felt like it was a banquet, seeing our young people going
to such effort to make sure we felt special...and we did.

We make BIG deals when our young people receive honors in school, graduate,
go to college (bible school, etc.). We support them when they marry or have
babies. The support is such that is is much like FAMILY! We all worship together
in Spirit and in TRUTH! We're part of the Family of GOD.

http://youtu.be/oH783EfujsM

http://youtu.be/Q1p7j3TLlyw


Falla39

That's a wonderful post Sister. These things are so very important. I believe that if more people and more churches could grasp the importance of building family in the church, there would be less fodder for threads on who quit what church.