Sick of looking

[jsimms615]

Okay, we've only been looking for a new church home since August and it is now October, but I am sick of looking. I have had two different churches come visit us at our home and I am not interested in either of those churches. I feel like as soon as I walk into the sanctuary this overwhelming sense of boredom with the whole thing. I'm sorry I feel that way, but there is no excitement about it.
:sleep:

Jeff

[Elderone]

What is it your looking for, or what do you believe the worship service of God should be?

[jsimms615]

What is it your looking for, or what do you believe the worship service of God should be?
I want to be a part of a worship service that really brings a person into the presence of God. I want to worship in a way that I can focus on God and not on man. I want to really feel like I have met with God and not just heard a man's opinion. It seems to me that everything I see is very man centered
I also want something for my wife and kids to feel excited about. I want a good children's program that they kids love. So far, they have hated everything they have gone to.
I want the pastor to really preach deeply into the word instead of just giving the congregation milk or telling stories about himself. I want to hear someone that has studied well and gives you something to think about. It seems that most preachers I have heard don't seem very well prepared and wander all over the place in their sermons.

[flaglady]

You sound like a man who knows what he wants! But have you considered this? If you find that 'ideal' church you're looking for it will be like getting a pot full of cream and no milk. INOW you're looking for a church deep in revival.

Most churches (to my experience) have those things you yearn for, but only occasionally. Give most churches a chance and they'll come up with the deeper stuff. The sermon can't be meaningful and deep every week.

Other than that, it should be more what you're prepared to give to the church than vice versa. Do you recall that famous speech by Kennedy? (paraphrased)

"ask not what your (church) can do for you - ask what you can do for your (church)"

[Elderone]

A worthy list but from what I know about the teaching of the majority of churches, difficult, but not impossible to find. To narrow the selection my suggestion would be either a very reformed Presbyterian or Baptist church. Most of the rest are just as you say, and in my opinion, an embarrassment.

My wife and I came from a very reformed Presbyterian church two years ago and haven't found anything to match within a reasonable distance, and we have no children to take into consideration as you have. There are some reformeds about 50 miles away but we are hoping not to have to spend an hour each way to church. It appears we will be lowering our standards as we need, and should not forsake, the gathering of the Saints.

Keep asking God for His direction.

iHs

[jsimms615]

You sound like a man who knows what he wants! But have you considered this? If you find that 'ideal' church you're looking for it will be like getting a pot full of cream and no milk. INOW you're looking for a church deep in revival.

Most churches (to my experience) have those things you yearn for, but only occasionally. Give most churches a chance and they'll come up with the deeper stuff. The sermon can't be meaningful and deep every week.

Other than that, it should be more what you're prepared to give to the church than vice versa. Do you recall that famous speech by Kennedy? (paraphrased)

"ask not what your (church) can do for you - ask what you can do for your (church)"
More than anything I am just sick of playing church. I have done that for a long time and can't do it anymore. It is either going to be real and meaningful or I'm not going at all.
I know what you mean by serving. I do serve as a chaplain and make over a hundred hospital visits each month. Serving is an important aspect also of worship. I do see it as an act of worship. It is an act of obedience and an act of love to serve God by serving others.

[flaglady]

I pray you find a suitable church soon.

Blessings, fl

[Timyone]

church isnt about entertaining you.
how much is it about how it makes you feel?
its true the kids need to be happy i guess, but look for ministry!!preisthood of all beleivers!!
if you want more studied teaching maybe you should consider doing some studying your self, (sorry if you dont have time or money for that :S, and yes it was rude of me to say, if its the case)

but church is about getting together in community of fellowship. (and hearing the word, so yes it is important)
maybe pray more about it? (sorry if you have)

[If Not For Grace]

So you want him to put his Church face on and just go to be going for the sake of tradition?

Try some of the non-demon. or travel--yes travel if necessary, (we do it for ballgames, family reunions etc.).

Wake up early and prepare yourself for hearing and receiving the word of God.

Man may fail you, but God will not.

Keep going and keep and open mind. God lives and He's there, if not give Him a ride and take Him with you...(think about it).

Look for the youth stuff, and where there are good youth, there are likely to be good parents and mentors and you can join in..

Prayers...I have struggled with the same issues and decided going is better than not going...

[jsimms615]

church isnt about entertaining you.
how much is it about how it makes you feel?
its true the kids need to be happy i guess, but look for ministry!!preisthood of all beleivers!!
if you want more studied teaching maybe you should consider doing some studying your self, (sorry if you dont have time or money for that :S, and yes it was rude of me to say, if its the case)

but church is about getting together in community of fellowship. (and hearing the word, so yes it is important)
maybe pray more about it? (sorry if you have)

:eek:
Where did I say it was about entertaining me? Please point out where I said that? Where did I say it was just about what I feel? Did you read the whole thread? Do you know I have spent most of my life serving the Lord with all my heart? Did you know I have two Masters degrees and spend much of my time studying the word? Your post came across a little judgmental brother. You haven't walked in my shoes, so don't go there.
J

[jsimms615]

So you want him to put his Church face on and just go to be going for the sake of tradition?

Try some of the non-demon. or travel--yes travel if necessary, (we do it for ballgames, family reunions etc.).

Wake up early and prepare yourself for hearing and receiving the word of God.

Man may fail you, but God will not.

Keep going and keep and open mind. God lives and He's there, if not give Him a ride and take Him with you...(think about it).

Look for the youth stuff, and where there are good youth, there are likely to be good parents and mentors and you can join in..

Prayers...I have struggled with the same issues and decided going is better than not going...

I have thought about going outside my denomination to go to church. I am open to the idea. This weekend I am oncall on Sunday at the hospital all day until Monday morning (24 hours on call), so I won't be looking this coming Sunday.
:thumbsup:

[Timyone]

:eek:
Where did I say it was about entertaining me? Please point out where I said that? Where did I say it was just about what I feel? Did you read the whole thread? Do you know I have spent most of my life serving the Lord with all my heart? Did you know I have two Masters degrees and spend much of my time studying the word? Your post came across a little judgmental brother. You haven't walked in my shoes, so don't go there.
J
yeah sorry about that i sorta sat reading it afterwards wonderin if i should change it, but decided just to leave it. i read the rest of the thread after i posted it.
i think being in ministry causes alot of people to have trouble at churches hey, i know heaps of ministers.

[givengrace]

You said the pastors were just giving out milk. Well have you thought Maybe they can't be out there talking over peoples heads. I understand you are a bible studing guy but you are saved but how many lost people or searching people have come into the church and just need to be reached or a new Christian he can't get to deep and he might lose them and they might never come back. I feel Deeper talks are more suited to smaller groups. At my church we don't have Sunday School we have Commuinty Groups, Life School Classes and Decipleship Groups.

[Rick Otto]

You're expectations & needs don't fit the venue.

[Elderone]

...how many lost people or searching people have come into the church and just need to be reached or a new Christian he can't get to deep If that were the criterion for determining what would be taught in the Worship service there would never be anything other than milk for the new people. That is not an acceptable excuse for the pap (material lacking real value or substance) far too many pastors keep teaching.

Do the old timers who are past the point of milk have no need for the meat of the Bible? Is it OK for them to be ignored and then decide to leave and attend another church? And, the smaller groups in many cases, not all, are taught be a person who isn't necessarily that well versed in the Bible.

...and he might lose them and they might never come back.It is the Holy Spirit who brings and continues to bring people into the House of God.

Our society has grown too complacent with the poor job a great many pastors are doing, because we have grown lazy and enjoy the ticking of our ears. Just one of the many ways into the deep fryer.

iHs

[jsimms615]

You said the pastors were just giving out milk. Well have you thought Maybe they can't be out there talking over peoples heads. I understand you are a bible studing guy but you are saved but how many lost people or searching people have come into the church and just need to be reached or a new Christian he can't get to deep and he might lose them and they might never come back. I feel Deeper talks are more suited to smaller groups. At my church we don't have Sunday School we have Commuinty Groups, Life School Classes and Decipleship Groups.
I think a pastor has a responsibility to preach the whole counsel of the Word of God. That includes preaching some difficult subjects and passages. It is okay if it is milk every once in a while. There should be something for everyone, but only milk isn't healthy.

[Elderone]

...a pastor has a responsibility to preach the whole counsel of the Word of God.
Correct !!

[givengrace]

You're expectations & needs don't fit the venue.
Thanks WOW Nobody EVER agrees with little ol me.

[Rick Otto]

^_^
Awesome.

[jsimms615]

Okay, we've only been looking for a new church home since August and it is now October, but I am sick of looking. I have had two different churches come visit us at our home and I am not interested in either of those churches. I feel like as soon as I walk into the sanctuary this overwhelming sense of boredom with the whole thing. I'm sorry I feel that way, but there is no excitement about it.
:sleep:

Jeff
I thought I should update everyone on where I am. I didn't go to church last Sunday. I went and did rounds at the hospital and tried to forget the whole thing. I am going to a church this Sunday, but I don't know which one yet. So, basically I still don't have a clue.

[stelow]

That is cool.

[flaglady]

I thought I should update everyone on where I am. I didn't go to church last Sunday. I went and did rounds at the hospital and tried to forget the whole thing. I am going to a church this Sunday, but I don't know which one yet. So, basically I still don't have a clue.

Walk in faith, brother. The Lord will lead you there eventually.

[machazure]

Well, I had a reply message all typed up and then it deleted it...so here we go again...

I think the problem lies with how we define the 'church'. Most people functionally define the 'church' as the building they go to every Sunday. That's not how 'church' is defined in the New Testament. The 'church' is the ekklesia of God...the assembly of believers. We can't go to church, we are the church...so with this in my mind, our meetings should be centered around edification and encouragement of the believer. Yes, an unbeliever might show up, but the church meeting is supposed to be for the believer. Therefore, like you were saying, the messages should be deeper and with more substance. A lot of pastors design their sermons today around being relevant to the culture and the 'seeker'... another name for an unbeliever. This isn't to cut out the need for evangelism...it is central...but the church meeting is for the church, not the unbeliever!

Anyways, I've been going through a lot of what you seem to be experienceing lately. You might want to check out some information on home churches and relational christianity. I can't post websites...but you can look up the websites for these ministries that have some great articles: Frank Viola , Slice of Laodicea , The God Journey , Wayne Jacobsen , Jake Colsen , Truth for free

I'll be praying for you!
Bradley

[WashedClean]

I thought I should update everyone on where I am. I didn't go to church last Sunday. I went and did rounds at the hospital and tried to forget the whole thing. I am going to a church this Sunday, but I don't know which one yet. So, basically I still don't have a clue.

I think you could benefit from a book I read recently by George Barna called Revolution. Here is a link to it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-1689619-9342357?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=revolution+barna

It's for people who are burned out on ordinary church. It talks about having church at home in smaller groups and serving as part of the worship. It's not a long book and it's written by the man who founded Barna Research (the evangelical polling company). I think you would like it.

Another option is to try a Pentecostal church. Those are definitely not boring! I've really only been to one church where I felt a powerful presence of the Lord in the people and the worship. It wasn't Pentecostal per se, but definitely along those lines.

I hope you find a suitable church soon!

[Rick Otto]

There are at least a dozen people in a few of these forums that agree wholeheartedly with your emphasis on the concept & use of the word, "church"!

Nice to hear from you on that.:cool:

[jsimms615]

Thanks. I'll check out George Barna's book. I'm on call for the next three weekends so I won't have the opportunity to go to a church to worship. I told one nurse who is on the floor I work on that I didn't have a church home yet and she said "we are the church". In some sense, we always have a church home if we are a believer because we are his church wherever we are.
J

[ScottF]

Actually, when I read your description of what it was you were looking for in a church, it almost sounded like you were describing the Catholic or Orthodox church. Neither are man centric. Especially the Orthodox church.

[ctay]

You should feel like your in the presence of God all the time, not just when you go to church, sounds like you want to be entertained, I don't know. Keep looking something should come that meets what you want.