Question about an Apostolic tradition

[Nitehawk013]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

I kind of get this... but it looks a little different for me. Our last church experiences clearly showed my husband and me that we were not on the right path for us with trice-weekly-plus gatherings. God had been trying to move us on for some time but we stubbornly clung to 'church' even though it had become drier than Cherith Brook. WE showed up three times a week and more for revival services... we stared at the back of heads and heard preaching that was not relevant to our lives and watched the cheering and the antics... and then we went to eat and visited with friends and had people out to the farm and went to our day jobs and prayed with others when they had needs and shared Jesus with those who did not know Him... and it was in those places that we saw God's power truly manifest.

I still miss church sometimes but our churches do not really allow for a more casual attendance... It's pretty much all or nothing and it's that way because at least some of the people there feel genuinely like Wholehearted. And many more have either been conditioned from birth or conversion to believe that to 'forsake the assembly' is defined as EVER missing church unless nearly dead, are afraid to be seen as less than or to become the subject of gossip guised as prayer requests, or to be chastised by their leadership.

When I made the decision to quit Wednesday night services Don had been forced to second shift, it was winter, and I worked till 5:30 on the side of town where the church was... I could not get home to milk my animals and get back to service by 6:30 so I would stay over there either working late or killing an hour in Walmart before service and then come home and milk. I found myself out by myself milking two cows and three goats hours late (milking needs to be done on a schedule) and walking around on the farm in the dark, risking injury with no one here to help me. So I missed a couple of times and nearly immediately people started approaching me to say that they hoped I would be more faithful and put God first... I wasn't abandoning God, I just needed to get my cows milked and I can't do that sitting in church and said so. So someone suggested that I give up the cows... you know, because they were an idol and getting between me and church... And then all the pieces just kind of fell into place. Somewhere there is this invisible list... the sniffles are not good enough to miss but maybe a high fever is... a job that pays the tithe is but a commitment with family is not... A trip out of town is but needing to catch up much needed chores or rest is not...

And most of that is set up around the schedule of paid ministry and those who work traditional daytime/weekday jobs and have families with wives at home. So the church model for attendance is not set up for me and my family. Ladies prayer meeting on Tuesday morning... I'm at work. Wednesday night, I'm milking cows. Sunday evening, my sons bring the grandkids... Sunday morning works well for me but I'm not allowed to only come to Sunday morning service because I'll be considered less committed and therefore less spiritual than everyone who attends all services... not allowed participation in other things I might have giftings for as punishment, etc.

So really attendance in any of our local Oneness churches is just not going to work... but God is still here with us, He knows right where we are at and is still available outside those walls... and I'm good with that.

I am glad the doors of a church are open multiple times a week... I think for the salaries they draw, offering multiple services a week is only right and fair... but to make some other person's schedule my schedule and then suggest that if I love God I will find a way to rearrange my life to fit it is no more reasonable than for me to insist that the church only open it's doors when I can attend. It' like telling me that if I love God I will take off the wedding ring I've worn or 30 years because the preacher doesn't like it... Or that I will never again see another movie... it's controlling and it goes beyond the scope of the role of a pastor or church in one's life, IMO.

I know what you mena and I agree. I just add my being tired of never being actually challenged by the teaching and bored with hearing the same things over and over to my frustration. I just need to love God more according to some. That same stuff I have heard a thousand times may not be for me, it maye be for someone else who needs it...again...for the hundreth time...in the past couple years.

When oh when will the man of God actually hear form God and have a word that I and MY FAMILY actually need? When do WE hear a sermon that is for mature saiints who aren't in need of the same old milk? Does God not desire the teaching of deeper subjects in church ever?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Not being raised in an Apostolic church I have always found it strange that Sunday 'night' services are much more well attended and more... ummm... lively... than Sunday morning services. It appears that almost universally other denominations have the larger more well attended service in the morning.

Anybody know why that is or when it started? Just curious.

TIA

Maybe it's because, after already having had a morning service and then napped (of course) everybody wakes up already a little "spiritual" and the service starts from a better place.

[The Lemon]

uhhhhh....Titus2 hit the nail on the proverbial head! Which is why I applaud Pastors who are willing to change traditions in order to be more affective at reaching folks, and also ministering to those who are already saved.

The "box" that we try to keep God in is silly, and negates His power to be only effective within the framework of tradition. For some, 3+ services a week are welcomed and perhaps necessary, for everyone - not practical. Every responsibility in life is not a "distraction".

If the Church really behaved like the Church and not a business entity that needs to be operated and micro managed, we most likely would have stronger bonds to each other, closer friendships, and a true "family" setting. There is nothing like teaching in a home atmosphere and watching God move on a person, without the pomp and circumstance.

Don't get me wrong...I and my family attend Church regularly, and support the Church finacially and in prayers and talents - but I have seen the cyclical nature and the roller coaster ride from one revival to another for enough years to know that folks need a real relationship, not religious tradition or emotionalism - living from one "quake" to another.

I'm sorry, but I do believe in Biblical truth and do feel it should not be compromised - and at the same token, I believe change is a good thing.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Nitehawk013

I know what you mena and I agree. I just add my being tired of never being actually challenged by the teaching and bored with hearing the same things over and over to my frustration. I just need to love God more according to some. That same stuff I have heard a thousand times may not be for me, it maye be for someone else who needs it...again...for the hundreth time...in the past couple years.

When oh when will the man of God actually hear form God and have a word that I and MY FAMILY actually need? When do WE hear a sermon that is for mature saiints who aren't in need of the same old milk? Does God not desire the teaching of deeper subjects in church ever?

You mean to say the pastor getting up and starting the evening by shouting "Oh I was GLAD... Ha ha ha. Yes I was GLAD when they said onto me. Ha hA HA HA... Let us GO. Ohhhhhhhhhh, hear me now. Let us GO into the House of the Lord!!!!! <some tongue talking> HA HA HA!", that this doesn't get the old emotions fired up anymore?

[Nitehawk013]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

You mean to say the pastor getting up and starting the evening by shouting "Oh I was GLAD... Ha ha ha. Yes I was GLAD when they said onto me. Ha hA HA HA... Let us GO. Ohhhhhhhhhh, hear me now. Let us GO into the House of the Lord!!!!! <some tongue talking> HA HA HA!", that this doesn't get the old emotions fired up anymore?

Nope. Not since I read my Bible and it finally clicked that the building IS NOT the House of the Lord. It is a building. WE are the house of God, the lively stones. We can't go to church...we ARE the church.

None of the stuff that used to get me revved up during my teens and early 20's works anymore. I'm 35. You want me to get excited? Quit shouting and screaming for no reason, use more than 2 verses in your hour long sermon and actually teach me something new or challenging in the book.

[KeptByTheWord]

I just feel really blessed beyond measure that we have fellowship with other spirit filled believers, in our home, and don't have to run the treadmill of being involved with a church.

We have attended other churches outside of the OP rank, and basically, they all do the same things, except maybe on a smaller scale. The social events of churches is more of the focus than actually ministering to each other. It is a very self serving atmosphere for the most part.

For the OP churches... it is all about the shout and the hype for the most part, and fundraisers, and social events as well.

So, those of you who are disillusioned with the "church" model as it is... I would encourage you to prayerfully consider becoming a part of a home group of worshipers. It truly is closer to the NT model of how "church" was done, it produces greater love among the brethren, a sweet presence of the Lord is felt at every gathering, and a sense of community is part of all that goes on. When one fellow worshiper hurts, he/she is able to express it to the group, and we all pray together for that need. We help each other out in times of need. We share meals together, and worship together. It is a sweet time, I think, much like the NT churches had.

I just can't say enough how much having fellowship in our homes has blessed, enriched, and strengthened our relationship with Jesus, not to mention the difference it has made in our teenage children. My children have become soul winners for the Lord at their school, and we have many teenage children coming into our home now who are hearing about the love of Jesus, who might never have had that opportunity because they never would have darkened a church door.

All of us are on a mission field, wherever we live, and whatever we do for a living. We don't need to go to Africa or South America to witness for Jesus, we can do it to each and every person we meet and know. That is the mission and calling for each one of us as believers in Jesus.

T2W - you are so hitting the nail on the head! Your mission and work for the Lord takes place every single day that you are out in the public ministering to those who are hurting! Praise God for the work that you are doing! Don't feel belittled by anyone else who thinks differently. You are doing a work for the Lord, right where you are at, lighting up the corner of the world you live in!

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Nitehawk013

Nope. Not since I read my Bible and it finally clicked that the building IS NOT the House of the Lord. It is a building. WE are the house of God, the lively stones. We can't go to church...we ARE the church.

None of the stuff that used to get me revved up during my teens and early 20's works anymore. I'm 35. You want me to get excited? Quit shouting and screaming for no reason, use more than 2 verses in your hour long sermon and actually teach me something new or challenging in the book.

I hear you. I would rather spend 90 minutes listening to someone who sounds like Ben Stein ("Bueller? Bueller?") give good bible teaching then any number of UPC Rock Stars who are known to have their congregations fired up within minutes of hitting the stage.

[Whole Hearted]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Funny how I completely understood WholeHearted to be referring to the assembling together of the Saints when he said "God's House"...

TRUE

[Whole Hearted]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

I don't see that

I don't but I do believe that assembling is Essential for spiritual growth.

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by Nitehawk013

Nope. Not since I read my Bible and it finally clicked that the building IS NOT the House of the Lord. It is a building. WE are the house of God, the lively stones. We can't go to church...we ARE the church.

None of the stuff that used to get me revved up during my teens and early 20's works anymore. I'm 35. You want me to get excited? Quit shouting and screaming for no reason, use more than 2 verses in your hour long sermon and actually teach me something new or challenging in the book.

Sweet...but I still would not denigrate the church, little 'c;' they are where...we all, pretty much, got started? If ones desire is for meat, then meat will be provided, even from there! Start a Bible study!