anyone out there having a hard time meeting good christian people

[alourokis]

does anyone have a hard time meeting people in church? It seems like everyone knows everybody and they put on a facade that everything is great in their lives. I am uncomfortable around phony people.

[JulySheMustFly]

I understand what you are saying. We stuck it out with a small group for over a year trying to get them to put their guard down. It became clear that wasn't going to happen. After a year of not really connecting on a relational level with too many people at our church we've gotten into a new group. We are still in the feeling it out stage but I've got to admit there is an openess in this group that I haven't felt in years. I pray it works out.

It frustrates me how much we guard ourselves in church. Of all the places we should be comfortable . . .

[RonnyRulz]

I have an incredibly hard time meeting good christian people.

I'd like to meet someone that shares the same passion, obsession, and love for God that I do. Someone completely on fire. But most people fall short. I seek God with all my heart, all my mind, all my soul, and I really really actually am hungry for Him. People see that too. But they don't feel the same way. They don't hunger the way I do, they don't care as much as I do, and they're not as close to God because they choose to not be.

I go after God's Heart with EVERYTHING I have, and to be honest, most Christians don't go that far. Most Christians stop, don't care, and fall short. They just choose not to want more of God. Because of this, I have an incredibly hard time finding what I feel are good christians. Sometimes it's so bad that I feel like I'm the only one that actually wants God and loves others.

My Love for God is big, and I've only met a few people in my life that share that love.

So yea, an INCREDIBLY HARD time finding.

But praise God, I did find a few. I just recently met this girl who shares the same love, obsession, passion, and total utter desire in her heart that I do. She is hungry for God, the real God. God's heart. And it shows. Her love for God overflows from within her heart. She's truly a blessing in my life. She actually understands me and can relate to me. She sees and feels God's Love, and knows it, because she knows Him.

[UBERROGO]

Its easier to find good pagans than a good christian sometimes.

[RonnyRulz]

Yah. Some of God's Children who haven't yet accepted Jesus are nicer than some of God's children who have.

[Kelly]

We know we're all sinners. All fall short, yet now with church being another place where people take on responsibilities, you put on a face.

I was in a small men's accountability group where 3 of the 5 guys would spill their guts and the discussion and prayer were right on. One guy was pretty reserved, and I learned he was a prospective candidate for church elder. Then the kid's church pastor joined, and several of the guys work the kids church room.

Who's going to discuss their struggles with porn, for example, in front of people who are, effectively, their bosses?

[RonnyRulz]

Why am I not surprised that the "church elder" was the most reserved one?

Oh, the sin of thinking you don't have sin. And the lack of leadership of not being able to tell others your sin. Tsk tsk tsk.

[whateveristrue]

hey, once in a while I meet a good Christian person in church.

[fratz]

part of the reason i wasn't able to let my guard down at church was due to the fact that too many of these christian folks were gossips. if i'm going to let my guard down i'd rather it be with someone i trust. and finding others to trust is becoming quite the task.

[SteelDisciple]

does anyone have a hard time meeting people in church? It seems like everyone knows everybody and they put on a facade that everything is great in their lives. I am uncomfortable around phony people.


Yeah, my wife and I do. There are just too many fakes. That and just not nearly enough Christian geeky type people...which we are. :P They wouldn't know the difference between a mouse and a keyboard. Just not enough in common.


I've also met WAYYYYY more athiests who were genuinely more caring and friendly than most Christians. Maybe that's another reason Jesus hung out with more non-christians than christians. =P

[marke]

Yah. Some of God's Children who haven't yet accepted Jesus are nicer than some of God's children who have.
Now that's a problem.

If you read the New Testament you'll see what the fruits of the Spirit are (kindness, compassion, putting other people before yourself etc.) and if you don't see these fruits manifesting in the people who call themselves "Christian" then perhaps they are among the called rather than the chosen.

Time and time again we are told "You know them by their actions and their fruit. I don't hang out with them.

John 3:19 seems more appropriate to people calling themselves "Christians" today and it's a shame.

God Bless.

[Starcrystal]

Its easier to find good pagans than a good christian sometimes.

Yep!

Even in churches where you can meet "good people" you will often find clich's. What ever happened to John 17 where Jesus prayed they all may be as one, or 1 Cor. 1:10 where it speaks of being of the same mind. Not a whole lot follow that.

I've been in a lot of churches but must say very very few people who have become friends and we've done things together outside of church, unless I already knew them. In fact I think I could count on one hand people I've met in church and become friends with and done things outside of church.

Let me see: one...... two........ (wracking brain here..)
Three. That's it. And only 2 of those 3 really became good friends. Then I could list maybe 3 -4 who we've gone out to eat with once or twice.... can't really count that as becoming freinds....
I've been in churches for 22 years.

[shlama]

The road indeed is VERY narrow.

[ILoveJesusFoLife]

i have only met 3 really good friends from church that i still speak, hang out with.

[rocklife]

does anyone have a hard time meeting people in church? It seems like everyone knows everybody and they put on a facade that everything is great in their lives. I am uncomfortable around phony people.

yup, I hear you. that's sad so many seem to think church activities and attendance are good enough, without deep love.

[Starcrystal]

At last nights Bible study they let everyone who wanted to pick a verse and expound on it. I picked the one I had mentioned here from John 17 and spoke of unity, likemindedness, no divisions, and how some churches seemed to have this lacking and were dead. the teacher then expounded on what I said and spoke of the importance of unity and love within the body.

I did mention what inspired my choice of verse was this particular topic that had been brought up on an online forum....

[marke]

Yep!

Even in churches where you can meet "good people" you will often find clich's. What ever happened to John 17 where Jesus prayed they all may be as one, or 1 Cor. 1:10 where it speaks of being of the same mind. Not a whole lot follow that.

I've been in a lot of churches but must say very very few people who have become friends and we've done things together outside of church, unless I already knew them. In fact I think I could count on one hand people I've met in church and become friends with and done things outside of church.

Let me see: one...... two........ (wracking brain here..)
Three. That's it. And only 2 of those 3 really became good friends. Then I could list maybe 3 -4 who we've gone out to eat with once or twice.... can't really count that as becoming freinds....
I've been in churches for 22 years.
Restoring "ONE MIND" is what is needed. Let's all work toward gently correcting those who are walking outside the teachings.

So many want to believe what they want to believe and disregard the rest and it really doesn't work that way.

A sin is a sin is a sin. Heck, I can't even find anyone who can show me where Jesus gave permission to kill a human anywhere in NT scripture, but wow, so many want to hold on to their unsubstantiated belief.

I thought I would try and see if we could all conform our thoughts to this one EASY misrepresentation (based on no scripture to substantiate this belief) and then move on to the next fairy tale of Pop Christianity and I'm still stuck on the same, most basic, teaching of Jesus days later.

How do you help people who in the black of night keep insisting it's daylight. I feel so sorry for Jesus and His sacrifice and those who sacrifice their soul because they don't want to know the truth. It's so sad.

My God enlighten us all.

God Bless.

[rocklife]

Restoring "ONE MIND" is what is needed. Let's all work toward gently correcting those who are walking outside the teachings.

Don't you find this is easier said than done?

When I follow Jesus teaching about gently correcting a brother in sin, from Matthew 18:15 prayerfully, Jesus says if a brother sins, go show him his fault in private, if he repents you have won your brother.

Many times, a brother is won over. But also almost just as many times, you will start to see a wolf in sheep's clothing. The word "judgmental" is often spewed out.

I have not experienced gently correcting others to be easy.

But it does need to be done, Jesus mentions that. I've read and heard from church leaders they also don't interact too much with the congregations, especially as outlined in Matthew 18:15 and corresponding verses. I dont say we have to take it literally 100%, but we do need to follow it prayerfully. especially more than it has been