Church Attendance

Billyd · Aug 12, 2023

School started this week. We had a full house for our Wednesday night community ministry. We are still staffing our classes and setting up our Wednesday night suppers. Everything looks like we'll have this most important program in full operation the First Wednesday after Labor Day.

We'll see what happens Sunday. Most of our members are back in town. We have had a small outbreak of covid19 in our community, but it appears to be a mild version. We'll see how that effects our senior attendance.

I'm looking forward to another year of serving God in our church and our community.

Billyd · Aug 13, 2023

Attendance today was lower than we expected. Several seniors were absent. We had an increase of young people with children. Nursery and children's services were full.

We'll be praying for our seniors.

Dino246 · Aug 14, 2023

Dropship said:

That probably isn’t the best verse to quote with your story, as it says that either you are a fool, or both you and your friends are fools.

Dropship · Aug 14, 2023

Dropship said:

Dino246 said:

Funny you should say that mate because as a kid I overheard my dad saying to my mam about me- "He's a fool, nutty as they come , no don't laugh, I really do mean it, he wastes all his pocket money on silly plastic model aeroplanes then hangs 'em on string from his bedroom ceiling in full view of the street, I dread to think what the neighbours are saying about him, when's he going to start saving his money instead?"
Huh, he was far nuttier than me, perhaps he'd have preferred me to join the local street gang and run riot with them instead of sitting quietly up in my room building models?
He's been dead now 40 years but I wonder what he'd say if he knew I still buy models, I've currently got my eye on this one down the model shop..

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Rockson · Aug 25, 2023

Dropship said:

Could God be wanting you to go to church so people can become as strong as you might be?

Dropship · Aug 25, 2023

Rockson said:

If that's what he wanted, he'd steer me towards a church I felt comfortable in.
As it is, my "church" is the internet, here's some of the feedback I've been getting from forums for the past 20 years..

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Spannerose - "I would like you to know that the result of reading your posts I am left with the desire to pick up my bible for the first time in years"
ChildofLight - "So good to read your responses, some are quite witty and made LOL"
HenryS - "You are brilliant in finding appropriate phrases. Another one of your superb emails to store"
Sarah4Jesus - "Listen to him, he is a great teacher"
Kierri - "That was one of the best explanations I've ever heard!"
Haimehenmmli - "I LOVE IT MATE!!! I'm going to put it into my files, with some of my other favorites, from you"
Saipan1777 - "Spot on, bravo"
Ainglkiss - "You write so well. Keep up the great work"
BlessedOne - "Glad to have you here! Jesus is the way!"
MonkGirl - "Wow, thank you! That is really comforting...and all I really needed to hear!"
JeffC - "HELL YEAH! PREACH IT BROTHER, THE REALITY WAY! (LUV YUR STYLE....)
Honeybearx - "This was very good reading thank you"
Megan - "I just wanted to tell you that I loved this story, it was very touching"
Sherry Anne - " i love your posts"
Antipas - "Brilliant yet again"
Easynote - "ROFL you are pure class, another of your timeless classics!"
Kermit - "RIGHT ON THE MONEY AND FUNNY, TOO"
Chrysalis55- "Just want to say, I love your posts and your messages not only inspire me, sometimes they make me laugh"
Evenflow- I just LOVE this post You have made me smile BIG TIME this morning. Good for you and what a great attitude you have to life xx"
Luismtzzz- "I like how you reason religion. I am enjoying your answers"
Apple Pie - "Come on over to 4church, we could do with your input and your humour"
Lillian - "please come back..it's nice having you on the board"

Rockson · Aug 25, 2023

Dropship said:

Wow and I read the comments. Looks like people have appreciated much of your writings. That's very good and I've been on line since about the year 2000 and have received some or much positive response too although I never kept a list of comments. I'd encourage you to continue on, but back to what you said,

So you said God could lead you to a church you feel comfortable with? What if he wanted to lead you to a place where you didn't? You do know right, I'm sure you do for you seem like a person of good knowledge.....you do know that Jesus was led to places he didn't want to go, as in not my will by yours be done?

Well OK here's what some people do. Some when going to a new church have a check list. For most first thing on the list is are they a loving people? Did they make me feel love? Are they my kind of people maybe as sophisticated as I? So they leave and then make their assessment. NOPE not for me because well....I just don't feel comfortable there. Here's a story of one minister I heard. God would send him as a potential pastor to take churches none other ministers wanted. They were problem churches. No others ministers wanted them when they'd would canvass for a Pastor, but God told him NOPE that's where I want YOU to go.

If we just think beyond ourselves we could consider God wants us to maybe go to such places to impart our strength and to bring them out of their carnaty.....in other words to make them strong like you. Consider some of God's children are older offspring of God. They're more mature and the weaker ones need mentors. Wouldn't a strong, mature son of God say to the Father, "Look they're are my brothers and sisters....let me go and be a shining light helping them mature" ??????

Look Dropship being on the internet is fine talking to the universal body of Christ can be good too. I suggest you'll discover some day though that God wants and longs for whatever town, city or region we live in that we're apart of making it happen to advancing the Kingdoms of God in our region. I'd suggest God expects that from us.....every member of the body of Christ I'd say has a responsibly to be a part of increasing the empowerment of God's body through prayer and fellowship in where ever about they live. Maybe food for thought?

Dropship · Aug 25, 2023

Dropship said:

Rockson said:

Yes and before anybody accuses me of vanity, let me add that I also save the negative comments I get from atheists and nonchristians; I won't post them here because they're full of cusswords..

Dropship · Aug 25, 2023

Rockson said:

I can't suffer fools gladly, in fact I can't suffer them at all, so at the slightest hint of bad vibes I'm outta there.
My friends used to try introducing me to various churches, but I always got up and walked out early, and at a couple of places I walked out before the service had even begun..

I later learnt that my friends had been betting among themselves how many minutes it'd be before I walked, and as I got up and headed for the door I could hear them chuckling and whispering "There he goes"..

I'm sure if God had wanted me to stay he'd have made me feel comfortable there, but it never did happen..

Gideon300 · Aug 25, 2023

Dropship said:

It's a shame that you have such impossible standards. If God was so picky, no one would experience His mercy, grace and presence. If two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus, He is there even if a bunch of make believers are there as well.

Before I was saved, the only church I'd experienced was Anglican. I detested the whole thing. After I was saved, I refused to go to an Anglican church. Fast forward 50 years and I now attend the local Anglican church. It's far from perfect, especially when I turn up. But at least I and my wife are welcome there.

The church, like it or not, is how God intends to bring in His Kingdom. We can be a part of the problem, part of the answer or just be an observer. No one hands out prizes to spectators.

Tempest · Aug 25, 2023

Gideon300 said:

It's a shame that you have such impossible standards. If God was so picky, no one would experience His mercy, grace and presence. If two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus, He is there even if a bunch of make believers are there as well.

Before I was saved, the only church I'd experienced was Anglican. I detested the whole thing. After I was saved, I refused to go to an Anglican church. Fast forward 50 years and I now attend the local Anglican church. It's far from perfect, especially when I turn up. But at least I and my wife are welcome there.

The church, like it or not, is how God intends to bring in His Kingdom. We can be a part of the problem, part of the answer or just be an observer. No one hands out prizes to spectators.

↑↑↑↑
Yep!!!
This !!!! Exactly! We are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves, and each person in the church has a role to play to bring others to Christ.

Rockson · Aug 26, 2023

Dropship said:

Aren't you glad though that when God has seen you and I acting perhaps in a foolish manner he didn't say , "I'm out of here!"

No offence Dropship but why should you be proud of that and think it's funny? Could it be that such actions made the heart of God weep?

[QUOTEI ' I'm sure if God had wanted me to stay he'd have made me feel comfortable there, but it never did happen..

[/QUOTE]

Oh now hold on now. You might want to consider dialing back on this something you say you're sure of. God actually puts us many times in uncomfortable situations. I'm guessing you've read where Jesus said Not my will by your will be done. What my comfort is IS NOT IMPORTANT. The only thing that matter is YOUR WILL.

blueluna5 · Aug 26, 2023

NightTwister said:

My church doesn't have many kids anymore. There were so many before covid. But the pews seem full so I think the ages are just older.

I'm 38 and a lot of people my age and especially younger adults don't go as often now. They usually have the little kids.

Dropship · Aug 26, 2023

Rockson said:

On the other hand, maybe it's Satan who puts us into bad churches in the hope we'll stay and get sabotaged by their bad vibes.

You can hang around with losers mate, but include me out.
PS- Internet forums are like 'churches' too; I've lost count of the ones I've walked out of over the years because of bad admins and mods, or i didn't agree with their 'statement of faith' or their cockamamie rules and regulations, or if the place was top-heavy with crackpots.
At the moment I'm comfortable here in CC but that could change....

Dropship · Aug 26, 2023

Gideon300 said:

If you're happy attending your "far from perfect" church, good luck with that..

Anyway churches are not the only places where God is to be found-
"God, who made the world and everything in it..does not dwell in temples made with hands" (Acts 17:24)
"Heaven is my throne, earth is my footstool, how can you build a house for me?" (Isa 66:1)
"Do not I fill heaven and earth?" (Jer 23:24)
Anyway we could regard the Earth itself as a church, the land is the floor and the sky is the roof..

Rockson · Aug 26, 2023

Dropship said:

First you can do what you want. I'm not saying you should be compelled to go to any one church in particular. There's some churches I wouldn't be a part of either but I don't base it upon everything has go to appeal to me that everything has to meet my every whim of what I like and don't like. The question is do you want me Lord to do something that even my flesh might not want...that is stay with a certain people or group in order to seek to be light to them and encouragement....and help them become transformed to the image of Christ. You ever heard that there could be a wonderful statue in that ugly cement block.

Dropship said:

Isn't that what the religious leaders of Christ day thought of his disciples though. Bunch of loser fisherman .prostitutes' and tax collectors? They were losers but to many of them he made them winners. Perhaps you and I working with people could do the same for others. Perhaps we are our brothers keeper?

DRobinson · Aug 26, 2023

Jesus created His church. It's purpose is to teach, learn, fellowship, and present Him to a lost and dying world.
His desire is for all who trust Him as savior to be an active part of the ministry of a local church body.
Until a born again believer does that he has not made Jesus his Lord and Master.
Jesus never intended for His disciples to "go it alone".
It is not about feeling comfortable, enjoying the music program, liking the pastor, allowing you to participate immediately..
If the truth of the Word is taught, it will convict (make you feel uncomfortable), lift you up, and challenge you. Maybe not every time, but from time to time. And when you are given the opportunity to participate, be prepared.
All local churches are made up of people just like you and me.
They think they know more than they really do and are more righteous than others.
A child of God will never be in real fellowship with Him until he becomes a part of a local church.

Magenta · Aug 26, 2023

Dropship said:

I am reminded of a saying that goes something like this: “Nothing is permanent except change.” (Attributed to Heraclitus around 500 BC.) Not to make you uncomfortable or anything, but I do find your comments a little strange considering the fact that, after being a member here for less than three weeks, you contradicted something I advised an even newer member regarding the posting of links to personal websites, which you said you were sure "the powers that be don't mind that," even though it is against the rules. Maybe you would say the rule is "cockamamie" or maybe you contradicting a long-time member about what is and is not allowed could be seen as you being a crackpot. Either way, perhaps you could consider the fact that you are not perfect either.

Magenta · Aug 26, 2023

Dropship said:

I do hope, if you are still looking for a church home, that you find one that suits your needs and helps you grow spiritually .

Dropship · Aug 26, 2023

Magenta said:

You think I need to "grow spiritually"?
What was it Jesus said about a mustard seed?..

As for "rules" I'm sure the CC bosses don't mind that chap posting a link to his site that helps brain-damaged people?

Church Attendance

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