Comments | greenpad: Church

greenpad

Church

Nov 20, 2006 17:23

I just read a bunch of comments on a friend's post where they all basically said that "church was boring so I stopped going", and then went on to talk about how they aren't clear on what they believe and other such things. I wrote a comment about it, but it was way longer than 4300 characters, so it wouldn't let me post the comment. I decided to ( Read more... )

opinions

Comments 33

wifee November 20 2006, 22:36:13 UTC

Thank you for saying what I've been thinking all afternoon.

recran November 20 2006, 23:39:24 UTC

thanks - that was awesome. i completely agree that there are waaaaay more bad churches than good churches. if only i could create a slightly more liberal clone of colonial... with some nicer sopranos... haha

i would also like to share a song with you:
a church is not a building
a church is not a steeple
a church is not a resting place
a church is the people
i am the church
you are the church
we are the church together
all who follow jesus
all around the world
yes we're the church together

okay, it's a song i sang as a little kid at the wretched church and it's super campy, but i totally dig it.

recran November 20 2006, 23:42:48 UTC

oh, and i do agree that different churches may be good for people at different stages. like i went to this church in raleigh, vintage 21. it's super fun and definitely has the right spirit (they are all about jesus), but it's definitely greared towards baby christians or people who want to be around baby christians. i want to be more challenged. i also want to be around a wide range of ages - so i can learn from my elders and hopefully pass on something useful to younguns.

ncschmoo November 21 2006, 05:11:31 UTC

I'll accept the lecture... since I was the only one who actually said they thought most churches were boring. I think you lumped too many people into the "where they all basically said" part. Everyone on my post has different stories to tell. I'm not ashamed to talk about my beliefs, I just think they will upset a lot of my friends. My beliefs are pretty solid, I just think that they would rattle a few too many people to voice them out loud. And most folks are NOT looking for a religious discussion over LJ, so if anytime you want to sit and discuss, I'm open ( ... )

recran November 21 2006, 12:57:12 UTC

couple of quickie points:
1. you're talking about numbers. that's old testament. lotta stuff changed when jesus came to town.
2. in order to be a christian, there is only one requirement: belief and acceptance of jesus as the savior. all the rest of the stuff - being a good person type stuff - that's supposed to simply become more obvious through the acceptance of jesus.

ncschmoo November 21 2006, 14:30:43 UTC

1) You made some of my point for me. It depends on a person's perspective about the bible. To some folks, it doesn't matter if it's Old Test. or New Test., the Word is the Word. Should you only listen to Jesus and not to the Lord? Did the laws/rules change over time? Or is it that Jesus showed folks how to forgive in a society of stoning? Etc.

2) And this is where my beliefs differ than others. I'm not as focused on the life and times of Jesus as I am on the morals/guidelines ("The Pirate code: they're more like guidelines anyway!") provided through the doctrine. Also, I have a big hang up on the forgiveness... I'll ask for it when I feel I deserve it, and that isn't today. To be forgiven for past transgressions you should feel remorse/sorry for them otherwise it is an empty forgiveness... I'm still mulling over some of my past life. It's something I personally have to get past.

greenpad November 21 2006, 15:00:36 UTC

I only have 4 minutes till a meeting, but...

1) When Jesus died, he created a new covenant with us. If someone believes the Bible literally, as even I do, they will believe it when it says that everything changed. Yes, laws/rules changed at that point. When Jesus said his death would bring a new covenant.

2) It is true that you have to truly repent. Simply praying a simple prayer doesn't do squat. In fact, some of my studies lately have talked about how we've erroneously started saying that everyone should just "pray the prayer" and they'll be saved. In reality it requires real repentance and giving your life over, which is no easy decision to make.

As far as the morals/guidelines part, I'm curious why you give it more weight than his other teachings?

Thread 23

johnofchisane November 21 2006, 13:46:34 UTC

"There are Bible verses about believers who still require spiritual milk and can't handle solid food--that church is for them ( ... )

recran November 21 2006, 14:17:09 UTC

what church is this???

greenpad November 21 2006, 18:39:45 UTC

I agree that I get tired of not learning at some churches I've been to. However, I still know in my heart that learning is not the primary reason for church. Otherwise I could just go to seminary.

But yeah, it's good to have a pastor that really shows you what the Bible says. I'm glad you no longer dread church.