Should I Let Myself Become Unchurched?

[MyHeartIsAllForU]

:groupray: I just recently became very "unwelcome" in both my forum sect as well as my actual church home, because of my thoughts and beliefs.

I'll give you a rundown on what I actually do believe and you may notice some things that A) are left out or B) are divergent (this according to what I've been so rudely told).

#1...I believe in God, his son Jesus Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

#2...I believe in many of the teachings of the Ten Commandments (those that aren't outdated.)

#3...I believe that every man should have their own time to talk to God in the closeness or comfort of his own home, not just at church (it doesn't make you any closer to God just by going to church).

#4...I believe that everyone has a say in their own life issues and situations, they just have to answer to God if it may have been a bad idea.

#5...I believe that no human has any right to judge another human in any context or for any reason whatsoever. (Hello!? Leave something for God to do...)

#6...Everyone should be given their own right to believe any way that they so choose and not be eternally damned for it (if you have a close, spiritual relationship with God, then what right does anyone have to tell you that you're going somewhere in the next life that they may not be sure they aren't going to themselves for saying such a thing?)

#7...That God wants us more than anything to be happy with Him as well as with ourselves, so what harm is it in enjoying your stay here on this wonderful rock he provided?

If y'all could tell me what's so wrong with these things then please, feel free to rip me to shreds. I have made (what I feel) to be the best decision I could've made for me and my path with God, but I definitely could use some support here. Thank you, and God bless.:groupray:

[Saint_Rita]

#6...Everyone should be given their own right to believe any way that they so choose and not be eternally damned for it (if you have a close, spiritual relationship with God, then what right does anyone have to tell you that you're going somewhere in the next life that they may not be sure they aren't going to themselves for saying such a thing?)

#7...That God wants us more than anything to be happy with Him as well as with ourselves, so what harm is it in enjoying your stay here on this wonderful rock he provided?



Honestly w/out more information on #6 & #7 there's not much to go on... It depends on what actions/behaviors you are doing to enjoy your stay...

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

Sounds fine to me. Those would be the tennents of my church..... if we had any beyond "love God, love everyone".

I would slop on "obey God" somewhere in amongst yer lists... as a personal ideal, not one to enforce on the universe; introduce, but not enforce.

[MyHeartIsAllForU]

#6...Everyone should be given their own right to believe any way that they so choose and not be eternally damned for it (if you have a close, spiritual relationship with God, then what right does anyone have to tell you that you're going somewhere in the next life that they may not be sure they aren't going to themselves for saying such a thing?)

#7...That God wants us more than anything to be happy with Him as well as with ourselves, so what harm is it in enjoying your stay here on this wonderful rock he provided?


Unfortunately, there is no real way that I can elaborate any further on #6 without dropping the ever-feared "H" bomb, but trust me there is good reason for this one.

As for #7, what I meant was a Reader's Digest version of an excerpt from my personality. I am in no way saying that if murdering someone or having sex makes you happy then do it, I was saying, love everyone even with their faults and differences and enjoy the time you have here. Originally, the Lord made this earth as a place of perfection for all humankind, so what stops you from treating your life as a happy thing, in God's light, because he created this place for us? When we leave here, it will be better, but if you are here and miserable, how do you know how much better it could be?

[If Not For Grace]

No do not become unchurched.

Consider this--believe what you like and leave the rest. It is not necessary for everybody to know what "you believe"..

Go and gather with your people, ask forgiveness if you have been a stumbling block. Leave people to their prejudices and treat them kindly and perhaps they will soften over time.

With regard to your orginal post the only thing that struck a real cord with me was
the phrase "(those that aren't outdated.)"

I think you might have lost a leg of support with that, but then that's just my opinion. Forgive your sect for being hard on you and try not to judge them the way they did you.
Come over and play on the rec threads awhile till you heal from your hurt. See you round.

love your sis in Christ;
d

[yeshuaslavejeff]

to what does this refer ? >>"myheartisallforU" ???

[sahjacq]

I pray you do not became unchurched reach out and be touched by all.

I don't call you servants now. A servant does not know what his master is doing. But now I call you friends because I have told you everything I heard from my Father. You did not choose me; I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and make fruit. I want this fruit to continue {in your life}.
Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name. This is my command: Love each other.

-- John 15:15-17 (ERV)

[MyHeartIsAllForU]

No do not become unchurched.

Consider this--believe what you like and leave the rest. It is not necessary for everybody to know what "you believe"..

Go and gather with your people, ask forgiveness if you have been a stumbling block. Leave people to their prejudices and treat them kindly and perhaps they will soften over time.

With regard to your orginal post the only thing that struck a real cord with me was
the phrase "(those that aren't outdated.)"

I think you might have lost a leg of support with that, but then that's just my opinion. Forgive your sect for being hard on you and try not to judge them the way they did you.
Come over and play on the rec threads awhile till you heal from your hurt. See you round.

love your sis in Christ;
d

Trust me, if you heard what some of the church ladies were talking about that suddenly became the pastor's sermon the following Sunday about me (I know this because my name was mentioned 17 times in that particular sermon and I am the only unwed mother named Shannon) with extreme references to hell that I'd rather not go into, then you wouldn't enjoy going back to your church either.

to what does this refer ? >>"myheartisallforU" ???

Are you asking what my name means? Are you kidding? Is it not obvious? Clarification: U=God. (wouldn't fit)

[AdJesumPerMariam]

Yes, I have been hurt, too. I was hurt by the members of that church....which helped to lead me home, where I have belonged all along.

In the Bible, we are to belive and have the faith of a child. Before becomming a Christian, by daughter believed it was OK to just live with someone, as a Christian, she knows better. BUT, lets say she still thinks that is OK & she just believes it is OK. Does that make it right because that is her belief? Or lets say you don't believe in trucks. Does that mean that if you go in the middle of the road & a truck was coming, you would not be hit, because you didn't believe?

The Church is here to guide us.

[heron]

(I know this because my name was mentioned 17 times in that particular sermon and I am the only unwed mother named Shannon) with extreme references to hell that I'd rather not go into, then you wouldn't enjoy going back to your church either.It's totally inappropriate for a pastor to use a person as an example without their prior permission--especially using their name! I am even offended when they tell stories about their kids. A pastor should protect his flock.

Everyone in the congregation does something wrong. They all make mistakes. They have all been driven into a corner for reasons they couldn't prevent. That gives no excuse for gossip and slander.

[Rick Otto]

If obvious is to be taken in stride,... ?
Too little information to get a bead on.
The Holy Spirit is here to guide God's church.
Churchianity is here to get a piece of the action.

[heron]

The members of the church are assigned to edify each other. If ya don't go, the Body is missing a limb.

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

The church is called to be in the world. If yer not there, you wont find Jesus!

[heron]

Good word.
Just remember to keep your detox suit on.


What I meant by post 12 was not a guilt trip, but a reminder that we can have impact within our churches, too. Needs are everywhere... everyone faces layoffs and losses and trials.

So if we approach church as a spectator, then we only get a sermon out of it. Go there to pray for the people in the room. Ask the Lord to bring you in contact with people who need what you have to give.

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

Break the divide between "active" and "passive".

[Morgaine1205]

Break the divide between "active" and "passive".
Well said - I know there was a time in my life where I just attended church, and sat quite passively in the pews and wondered why I wasn't getting much out of church. But getting active in my church, and helping in the community, etc really makes a difference!

[heron]

I agree! Now I fidget if I don't have something to do there.

[healthygirl88]

i see nothing wrong with you wrote and i might be a little biased because i haven't belonged to an actual church in 3 years me and my family have visited numerous churches but we have been hurt so badly by the people and the pastor of the church it's hard to go back. we are still searching and i believe that we will find a good church soon and so will you. don't compromise your beliefs or what you stand for just to be part of a church that might criticize you because you believe different. if you have different beliefs then in might be time for you to move on and find a new church. i will pray that you will find a new church.

[TheAJKMan]

#2...I believe in many of the teachings of the Ten Commandments (those that aren't outdated.)

Mmm, that highlited phrase is of concern to me. I didn't know that GOd had said that He'd made any part of His law redundant. All that has fallen away is the requirments of punishment for failing to uphold ALL of the law.

Mat 5:18 For truly I say to you, Till the heaven and the earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass from the Law until all is fulfilled.

So, I ask you if you wouldn't mind clarifying what exactly you meant by that phrase, as I may be miunderstanding what it is that you actually meant.


theajkman

[heron]

we are still searching and i believe that we will find a good church soon and so will you.
I think that some of the disillusionment is similar to the realization we all come to in our late teens-early twenties, that our parents aren't perfect. (Yeah, we knew it before then.)

Along with the natural drive to become independent, that creates tension in a family. But it's not necessarily wrong. It's just part of the development process.

It's not healthy to see congregations as perfect. Cleansed and redeemed, yes, and trying to listen to God. But not perfect.

So... what to do about it. Visiting other churches gives us a sense of the larger body of Christ, and that's good for a time. Going to a larger church allows us to participate without sinking into the petty politics. Finding a church that needs your help is another pathway. (I'm not saying to approach it with condescension.)

For example, lead a service at a homeless mission... see what Salvation Army or Operation Blessing are doing in your area... lead a nursing home service... prison ministry... coffee house... prayer group... anything that gets you out there, feeling useful. You can still see another church as your home base, but you'd put less emphasis on what you get out of it.

I think that the Holy Spirit is involved, in what other believers might consider rebellion or unspirituality. Allow the discomfort to give a nudge toward functionality in the Kingdom... taking charge of what you believe to be right and true.

Jesus sent His disciples out after a short time of training. We are ready... it's just easier to sit.

[hairettic]

:groupray: I just recently became very "unwelcome" in both my forum sect as well as my actual church home, because of my thoughts and beliefs.

I'll give you a rundown on what I actually do believe and you may notice some things that A) are left out or B) are divergent (this according to what I've been so rudely told).

#1...I believe in God, his son Jesus Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

#2...I believe in many of the teachings of the Ten Commandments (those that aren't outdated.)

#3...I believe that every man should have their own time to talk to God in the closeness or comfort of his own home, not just at church (it doesn't make you any closer to God just by going to church).

#4...I believe that everyone has a say in their own life issues and situations, they just have to answer to God if it may have been a bad idea.

#5...I believe that no human has any right to judge another human in any context or for any reason whatsoever. (Hello!? Leave something for God to do...)

#6...Everyone should be given their own right to believe any way that they so choose and not be eternally damned for it (if you have a close, spiritual relationship with God, then what right does anyone have to tell you that you're going somewhere in the next life that they may not be sure they aren't going to themselves for saying such a thing?)

#7...That God wants us more than anything to be happy with Him as well as with ourselves, so what harm is it in enjoying your stay here on this wonderful rock he provided?

If y'all could tell me what's so wrong with these things then please, feel free to rip me to shreds. I have made (what I feel) to be the best decision I could've made for me and my path with God, but I definitely could use some support here. Thank you, and God bless.:groupray:
I would encourage you to keep looking for a church because fellowship and acceptance are important. And I am sure you could use both. But I wouldn't beat yourself up if you are not at one that accepts you yet...just keep looking....don't give up. and remember God has a plan!

blessings.

[hairettic]

:groupray: I just recently became very "unwelcome" in both my forum sect as well as my actual church home, because of my thoughts and beliefs.

I'll give you a rundown on what I actually do believe and you may notice some things that A) are left out or B) are divergent (this according to what I've been so rudely told).

#1...I believe in God, his son Jesus Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

#2...I believe in many of the teachings of the Ten Commandments (those that aren't outdated.)

#3...I believe that every man should have their own time to talk to God in the closeness or comfort of his own home, not just at church (it doesn't make you any closer to God just by going to church).

#4...I believe that everyone has a say in their own life issues and situations, they just have to answer to God if it may have been a bad idea.

#5...I believe that no human has any right to judge another human in any context or for any reason whatsoever. (Hello!? Leave something for God to do...)

#6...Everyone should be given their own right to believe any way that they so choose and not be eternally damned for it (if you have a close, spiritual relationship with God, then what right does anyone have to tell you that you're going somewhere in the next life that they may not be sure they aren't going to themselves for saying such a thing?)

#7...That God wants us more than anything to be happy with Him as well as with ourselves, so what harm is it in enjoying your stay here on this wonderful rock he provided?

If y'all could tell me what's so wrong with these things then please, feel free to rip me to shreds. I have made (what I feel) to be the best decision I could've made for me and my path with God, but I definitely could use some support here. Thank you, and God bless.:groupray:

I would encourage you to keep looking for a church because fellowship and acceptance are important. And I am sure you could use both. But I wouldn't beat yourself up if you are not at one that accepts you yet...just keep looking....don't give up. and remember God has a plan!

blessings.

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

Above all, church needs to be about relationships. Anything else is just wrappings.

[yeshuaslavejeff]

simple

[Lel]

How's the search going nowadays? :)