The Institutional Church and Denominations--please share your experience
- Thread starter Laura798
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When having small group bible study...it's a group conversation... ALL input into the subject matter under study is welcomed and good. So later, because we have developed friendships, we are sharing meals and evenings together we talk more freely about our lives and relationships...we are more deeply invested in each other's lives to the point where we can feel free to use scriptures and the lessons we know about to talk with each other. It's a much more intimate relationship than "normal friends"...we don't preach at each other as it's another conversation...but much less formalized than even small group is.
It's applying those scriptures in our lives...but we talk about other fun things too. Like stocks and investments and trips and cooking. Normal stuff that friends do.
We all want those personal connections and friends...that's how it happens...
It's applying those scriptures in our lives...but we talk about other fun things too. Like stocks and investments and trips and cooking. Normal stuff that friends do.
We all want those personal connections and friends...that's how it happens...
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I may have a different view.
Whatever the reason you're not used to these churches.
First of all,
You should be aware of your problems,
Maybe it's because of young rebellion,
Maybe it's because of your disobedience.
If you think you understand the Bible beyond the institutions churches and denominations,
Ask yourself that can you forgive the ignorance of these institutions churches and denominations.
But in fact, I prefer that your personal liberalism prevents you from integrating into these groups. You don't really try to integrate yourself into these churches.
These are just my suggestions.You can think about yourself, whether you are in this situation,Then make a decision.
Whatever the reason you're not used to these churches.
First of all,
You should be aware of your problems,
Maybe it's because of young rebellion,
Maybe it's because of your disobedience.
If you think you understand the Bible beyond the institutions churches and denominations,
Ask yourself that can you forgive the ignorance of these institutions churches and denominations.
But in fact, I prefer that your personal liberalism prevents you from integrating into these groups. You don't really try to integrate yourself into these churches.
These are just my suggestions.You can think about yourself, whether you are in this situation,Then make a decision.
Ive just moved to another state just this week — havent be on this site—busy and overwhelmed! Godwilling will find something here— ideal is simple, organic. Bible centered fellowship — no church made for the masses — blaring same old choruses, segregating of the ages— no cookie cutter man centered church for me which is what most of them are.
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C
Moving is the pits. I hope you get through it OK. It's a very stressful thing. May you get good rest after it all.
I agree with almost everything you have said, except I have not encountered them to be man-centred so much, just not pragmatic, and definitely not always God centred. But I'm a male, so I guess that's given from a male perspective.
We are supposed to be family, but we don't interact like one. There's some mindless requirement that says whenever Christians meet up as a group for fellowship, it has to be done with some kind of formalised and fixed agenda. It's backward, counter-productive, and not true fellowship.
I agree with almost everything you have said, except I have not encountered them to be man-centred so much, just not pragmatic, and definitely not always God centred. But I'm a male, so I guess that's given from a male perspective.
We are supposed to be family, but we don't interact like one. There's some mindless requirement that says whenever Christians meet up as a group for fellowship, it has to be done with some kind of formalised and fixed agenda. It's backward, counter-productive, and not true fellowship.
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Oh thank you Gardenias!🤗 i still havent got my bearings— I moved to Houston from a small city in the San Francisco Bay Area. Where i lived was more like a small town— a park 2 blocks away— the same with the library and pharmacy - grocery store, post office and bank a block away. Here — so much traffic— everything is spread out — it’s overwhelming— not to mention the ginormous HEB grocery stores — its like something out of a scifi film. Right now I’m online church hunting— thanks for saying “Hi” — oddly i didnt get an email notification— sorry for the late response!
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Thanks Tony for your response and for getting it. What i mean by man centered is the TV cafes the choices of traditional vs contemporary, the segregation of the ages, trying so hard to be relevant and entertaining, the formulas— even down to the untucked shirt, jeans and loafers by even the 60 something pastors. Not wanting people to feel uncomfortable so they soften the message with positive psychology and replace words such as sin and sinner with things such as were not perfect or were all broken….🙄
ps excuse not editing— typing on my tiny iphone se as my laptop broke.
ps excuse not editing— typing on my tiny iphone se as my laptop broke.
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C
Yep, I understand what you are saying Laura. They've lost the plot IMO, and diminished the meaning of true piety and fellowship. No matter how many religious stage shows/services we go to, or institutionalised business and practices we support, they will not make us a true follower of Christ. It's grieving to me to see the decay in fellowship over time, to say the least, and I can't begin to imagine how frustrated and angry God must be about it. So many have come to the church to get godly help, and instead have been emotionally mesmerised and sidetracked by various man-derived religious rituals and practices, and have unfortunately believed the rhetoric. What a pity, and what a pit!
Anyway, after arguing until black and blue in the face, trying to convince people to have a close look at the religious traditions of man, and compare them to the Way of Jesus to see if they line up with how He went about life whilst here on earth, but the suggestion is rejected like water off a ducks back. I don't try as hard anymore to encourage people out of the pit unless they are questioning its veracity, but rather I try to help people stay out of the pit, or not fall into it in the first place.
I understand your issues with your iPhone SE, I pretty well needed a super magnify glass to make out the kbd, let alone type on it. The only problem I have now, is dealing with a dyslexic kbd on my old iPad. ☹️
Anyway, after arguing until black and blue in the face, trying to convince people to have a close look at the religious traditions of man, and compare them to the Way of Jesus to see if they line up with how He went about life whilst here on earth, but the suggestion is rejected like water off a ducks back. I don't try as hard anymore to encourage people out of the pit unless they are questioning its veracity, but rather I try to help people stay out of the pit, or not fall into it in the first place.
I understand your issues with your iPhone SE, I pretty well needed a super magnify glass to make out the kbd, let alone type on it. The only problem I have now, is dealing with a dyslexic kbd on my old iPad. ☹️
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