Guys and Gals here is some truth

Not to be controversial, but it sounds from this writing like that place is of the Devil. The reason I say this is because your assessment shows this place is relying on and seeking emotions and sensuality, which is always a pretty telltale sign.

Interesting, how so?

Some of you know my history but the last 2 years have been a uprooting out of a church I considered home for 15 years to months of searching for a new church. Now we have been visiting a new church for months and I can't help but sense something in me that lacks the emotion of the church. At first I wondered if it was due to the charismatic vibe and I was missing something in the Spirit. But I feel that isn't accurate.

So I then wondered am I experiencing the dreaded feeling of apathy. After much study I concluded it can't be because I am not indifferent or have no cares in my faith.

Then I wondered was it psychological like depression or stress. There could be some truth in this as sometimes I have to fight the feeling of melancholy or low self-esteem related to a feeling that some spiritual hole isn't being filled.

But that again turns it back to spiritual and so I was left again thinking today after church. The service was on serving and being self-less but if I am honest in all the places to serve, I feel guilty or selfish for not having the emotion to fit with the joy of serving in those positions.

I admire people who can do the tedious boring tasks with joy and even excitement.

But then again we have also seen a rise in church services and programs that are increasingly based on emotional and relational factors that appeal more to women than to men.

A rising problem in the modern western church is the lack of appeal to men.

I often feel like this is what's missing for me. I looked up the men's small group and was immediately disappointed as they meet weekly at a coffee shop. Nothing wrong with a coffee shop but for a men's group I was looking for discipleship while hiking, fishing, the gun range, grilling, etc.

For goodness sake the pastor purposefully has a pianist to come up and play touchy music while he finishes his sermon.

He does the same thing with touchy testimonies when talking about tithing.

The sermon has truth but mixed in with lots of jokes and stories to make us laugh.

Don't get me wrong, I can stomach the comedy, the skinny jeans, the concert worship, the energy, and his sermons are to me so far 98% truth with differences in my personal interpretation.

I don't know but do care so it's not apathy lol. I just don't know what the problem is. I suppose time will tell.

Thoughts?

Look at the language used. Lots of talk about emotions, vibes, touchy testimonies before asking you to open your pockets, jokes to make people laugh, playing emotion driven music, etc.

just a random thought whenever we get in a good position regarding most things in our life that God wills for us , often the devil will bring doubts and feelings to try to keep us away from it because he knows it will later benefit us

I’m not saying that’s the issue it’s just a random thing I learned in my years often we don’t” feel “ right out something but those feelings are sometimes not from God but trying to keep us away from something God has for us.

again I’m just bouncing the thought off you. Pray deeply brother about it for awhile of you wish I would join you in daily prayer for the lord to give you an answer and solution

Don't know exactly WHAT's causing your feelings, but it sounds like the bottom line is you haven't found your home yet. Whenever I've moved to a new place and found the new church God has called me to be in, it has usually felt like home right off the bat. Keep searching until you find yours.

It did have me hesitant for awhile but I also didn't share the whole picture. The church is growing fast, the new building is already over crowded, the youth wing is large, and the fruit of the church seems to be legitimate from outward appearance. As to why I have stayed for a few months. They have every volunteer take a spiritual gift test which is basically a psychology test to help people serve where they are best gifted. So Im currently trying that out just so I can serve and learn the inner workings. Their doctrine tenets are very Biblical sound and most sermons are accurate so far. I say most because I disagree with his view on curses. Yeah, the sermons are not so appealing to me but they are to the younger generation and I know how to feed myself without depending on a rich in-depth sermon. Sometimes I get that annoying prosperity vibe but then other times I don't.

So I am in a state of investigation to make sure this place is good for my family.

It is a church that believes and works in all the gifts of the Spirit so my hope is to investigate these claims of healing that is often mentioned. For example, in the spiritual gift class the assistant pastor spoke of a deaf retired marine visited their church in the old building, he sat through the whole service and when he left, he could hear.

Stories like this may grab others but to me I want to see the man and speak with the man. Either give me the 1st hand account or a 2nd hand account as in his wife who saw it. I'll take either one.

It very well could be because my skepticism is only due to wanting a safe place in doctrine and action for my family.

This could also be true still giving it time to know for sure.

Some of you know my history but the last 2 years have been a uprooting out of a church I considered home for 15 years to months of searching for a new church. Now we have been visiting a new church for months and I can't help but sense something in me that lacks the emotion of the church. At first I wondered if it was due to the charismatic vibe and I was missing something in the Spirit. But I feel that isn't accurate.

So I then wondered am I experiencing the dreaded feeling of apathy. After much study I concluded it can't be because I am not indifferent or have no cares in my faith.

Then I wondered was it psychological like depression or stress. There could be some truth in this as sometimes I have to fight the feeling of melancholy or low self-esteem related to a feeling that some spiritual hole isn't being filled.

But that again turns it back to spiritual and so I was left again thinking today after church. The service was on serving and being self-less but if I am honest in all the places to serve, I feel guilty or selfish for not having the emotion to fit with the joy of serving in those positions.

I admire people who can do the tedious boring tasks with joy and even excitement.

But then again we have also seen a rise in church services and programs that are increasingly based on emotional and relational factors that appeal more to women than to men.

A rising problem in the modern western church is the lack of appeal to men.

I often feel like this is what's missing for me. I looked up the men's small group and was immediately disappointed as they meet weekly at a coffee shop. Nothing wrong with a coffee shop but for a men's group I was looking for discipleship while hiking, fishing, the gun range, grilling, etc.

For goodness sake the pastor purposefully has a pianist to come up and play touchy music while he finishes his sermon.

He does the same thing with touchy testimonies when talking about tithing.

The sermon has truth but mixed in with lots of jokes and stories to make us laugh.

Don't get me wrong, I can stomach the comedy, the skinny jeans, the concert worship, the energy, and his sermons are to me so far 98% truth with differences in my personal interpretation.

I don't know but do care so it's not apathy lol. I just don't know what the problem is. I suppose time will tell.

Thoughts?

If the pastor is not using the KJV but a new updated version, hit the door running.🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻

No, there is nothing wrong with using updated translations. Are there some that should be completely avoided. The Passion comes to mind, but the ESV, NIV, American standard are adequate.

He is a KJV only person, that road has already been traveled in the forums. At least he is passionate about his beliefs.

This could also be true still giving it time to know for sure.