The Christians are coming ..well err leaving!

[GayatfootofCross]

" Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25

I am finding more and more Christians out there who stopped going to church.  But what can you do when the Church doesn't really see you as you are or unlove you and therefore there is no encouragement thus renders this scripture is made non effect.

As fabulous  as social media is (including this forum).. It does not replace face to face relationships where we enter together in a gathering place knowing we are loved and accepted as we are.

And that Love we get from the Father is shared among each other.  Real Connections are formed like  Paul speaks about regarding the Body of Christ.

Thank God for the Internet for shut ins or for people who are not welcomed or that live too far.

But there is nothing like looking into each others eyes and seeing Christ full acceptance and love for yourself as you are. Imagine  a building full of this Love. Manifesting God's Presence in a mighty way.

" There are souls perplexed with doubt, burdened with infirmities, weak in faith, and unable to grasp the Unseen; but a friend whom they can see, coming to them in Christ's stead, can be a connecting link to fasten their trembling faith upon Christ." Desire of Ages ..at the near end of chapter 30.

https://www.onebody.life/single-post/2018/04/02/What-are-Dones-dechurched-Christians-looking-for

What are Dones, (dechurched Christians) looking for

April 2, 2018

Sometimes Christians get to the point where they say, "I'm done with church," and then drop out of church altogether. This is happening so much nowadays that it has become a social trend. Sometimes the people who do that are called "dechurched," or "church refugees;" but the most common label they are known by is "Dones."

 

Usually Dones are deeply committed Christ-followers who are longing for more than they have found in the traditional church format. Normally Dones aren't walking away Christ or even Christianity. Instead, they are leaving the institutional church because they want more than they are finding there.

 

So why are the Dones flying away from church? What do they want? What are they looking for?

 

1) Dones want heart-to-heart connection with other believers. They are tired of being passive spectators and looking at the backs of people's heads in front of them. They want to really get to know their sisters and brothers in Christ. 

 

2) Dones are looking for encouragement and support. The Christian life is not an easy way to live and Dones have discoverred that weekly teaching that is often repetitive, doesn't prepare them to victoriously walk with Christ in daily life. They realize they need an atmosphere of mutual caring, interaction, and support. 

 

3) Dones are searching for usefulness. However, they realize that the typical church service has no need for them and no room for their input. They want to use the gifts that God has given them to minister to others, and they realize that they need interactive, hands-on training in using their spiritual gifts.

 

4) Dones desire spiritual experience. They don't want to be spectators watching a human being give a lecture about God. They want to be in an environment where the resurrected Jesus is free to move and work among His people. They are tired of seeing Jesus as a mere figurehead and want Him to be the literal Head of the meeting.

 

5) Dones are looking for equality in the body of Christ. They have experienced religious authoritarianism and are tired of high sounding titles and demanding leaders. They want the freedom to listen to God and then say/or do what He tells them to. They want Spirit-led meetings.

 

6) Dones want reality in worship. They are seeking more than the outward forms of ritual, programs, pious platitudes, religious entertainment, and/or liturgy. That's why millions of Dones are courageously obeying the Bible's words in 2 Timothy 3:5: "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power therof; from such turn away."

 

Author, Thom Shultz, sums it up this way: "The Dones are fatigued with the Sunday routine of plop, pray and pay. They want to play. They want to participate. But they feel spurned at every turn."

 

 

 

[JoeMo]

3 hours ago, GayatfootofCross said:

But there is nothing like looking into each others eyes and seeing Christ full acceptance and love for yourself as you are. Imagine  a building full of this Love. Manifesting God's Presence in a mighty way.

There are churches out there like that.  I feel like I attend one.  People feel safe to talk about anything - including their shortcomings.  Everyone in our church is flawed; and admits it.  We share problems with ourselves, our spouses, our kids, our besetting sins, etc.  It's called being "broken together"; and results in openness and willingness to call out for help when needed.  Sometimes praying for ourselves and others takes longer than the sermon.  Some people who visit are uncomfortable with such openness - especially in an SDA church - and they don't come back.  Others are drawn to it and stick around.  one of our members is even on the board of directors of a non-denominational church that caters strictly to those with "sexual deviancy" issues (i.e LGBQT's, etc) who want to correct or reconcile their social deviancy with their Christianity.

I use the term "deviancy" not as a judgement, but as a term used by many conservative denominations as a reason to exclude these people from fellowship.  It's the same for those who have chronic alcohol, drug, or tobacco problems.

I think some people confuse leaving "church" with leaving God.  Lots of people find Christian fellowship outside of the confines of a brick and mortar church.  I find spiriual solace with my brothers and sisters here at Adventistan.  I probably spend as much time here as I do in my brick and mortar church.

[GayatfootofCross]

Well being LGBTIQ person isn't something like having a problem with drug or booze problem. 

But there is a forum for that to debate.

Not here!

This is about accepting people where they are at

 

 

unless QUEER. Then please don't come to church unless you don't accept yourself as you are .. A Wholly Child of the King.

 

 

[GayatfootofCross]

2 hours ago, JoeMo said:

 

That is a very unique Church you have found. Masks unbolted! Love is served!