tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212741399857110313.post6283719641944534646..comments2024-03-11T11:13:12.066-05:00Comments on Homeschool and Etc.: "Under New Management"Happy Elf Mom (Christine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15047347624037697311noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212741399857110313.post-50870978968143910122009-07-18T17:52:32.859-05:002009-07-18T17:52:32.859-05:00I agree with Bonnie. I've seen people leave b...I agree with Bonnie. I've seen people leave because there was not as many "programs" to get involved with. We have kids with special needs in our church and you know what? They're just as precious as the doctor in the church who hugely tithes. My pastor emphasizes on that. He's talked about it on the pulpit. Every single person is precious whether they are a huge tither or none at all. He says anyone who would try to take someone down for a cause like that, their "tribe" should decrease. I love the atmoshere in our church. We don't have a lot of programs, but we are all there for the same reason. To hear from God.Virginia Revoirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12426979985073932937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212741399857110313.post-54346053930723736262009-07-17T10:50:05.415-05:002009-07-17T10:50:05.415-05:00Ganeida, I have BTDT. It would be nice for strugg...Ganeida, I have BTDT. It would be nice for struggles to be acknowledged in a non-patronizing way. <br /><br />Bonnie, I think sometimes it is also because we might define "church" differently. If you're just looking for a place to hang out and "fellowship" (sorry!), you're going to jump ship for the next place with the better program or more dynamic speaker, etc. or where your friends are going.<br /><br />Anonymous, I've heard of these "tiers" from various other folks. And if I were to mention "this" church, I'd hear that that's where the rich people go. Or "that" church is where the black folks go.<br /><br />What is sad is that it is true. BUT there is a history behind it. Actually, the "black" church was here first, and so it gets to be called "First Baptist Church." When the white people wanted to go to a Baptist church, do you think they settled in under a black pastor? <br /><br />Nope.<br /><br />"Second Baptist" is a few blocks away. It is still segregated, but no one (of course!) would tell a white person wandering into First Baptist that he is unwelcome or vice-versa. I think we segregate ourselves, and I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable busting into First Baptist... maybe it is just me, but I would feel like an intruder. That's "their" space, and I don't belong.<br /><br />Maybe it is wrong of me to feel that way, or maybe that's a way that we practically respect the boundaries of others without speaking of the boundaries. We worship the same God! :]<br /><br />Zimms, I positively loathe church shopping. You HAVE to go with a critical spirit and evaluate every stupid word spoken at the new church for a while. Not that I don't listen and evaluate for myself anyway... but... you know what I'm saying. You don't want to wake up three years from now and realize you're suddenly a Mormon. :]<br /><br />Luke, I like that definition. I think that serving in a church can be a very important ministry. Honestly, it is the only time Elf and Emperor can see other children, and I know that they are not easy little Sunday Schoolers sometimes. :pHappy Elf Mom (Christine)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15047347624037697311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212741399857110313.post-574004974370092382009-07-17T09:50:01.015-05:002009-07-17T09:50:01.015-05:00I really like this definition of why Churches exis...I really like this definition of why Churches exist: The purpose of church is to equip the saints for ministry.<br /><br />And it is an excellent place to practice ministry too before you step out and try to do it elsewhere.<br /><br /> ~LukeLuke Holzmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07799632321310461828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212741399857110313.post-82438379987713252332009-07-17T08:59:36.371-05:002009-07-17T08:59:36.371-05:00We are "in-between churches" right now. ...We are "in-between churches" right now. We attended the same church for 10 years and then changed to a cell church. Then someone in that church wanted us to leave and so we did.<br /><br />I don't particularly care to church hop, but if your needs aren't being met then it is time too. Also the first church we went too welcomes everyone and never, ever mentions the bottom line. The pastor has a paid full-time job. So they just need enough to pay the utilities, etc. We only left because there wasn't a nursery and I never was able to sit through a service and hear the teaching.Zimms Zoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07671798321373854716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212741399857110313.post-86308291663498430082009-07-17T06:51:57.681-05:002009-07-17T06:51:57.681-05:00Churches in my town are in different tiers sociall...Churches in my town are in different tiers socially. The top level churches in the social food chain are older and established and more like country clubs. We spent four years at one and, even though we have the income to swim with the social sharks, we did not have a sense of belonging. They did not see them as building people up spiritually. Their Bible studies were more like devotionals, and their youth program was basically entertainment with a teeny tiny message. Sunday school was like being in a sitcom: battle between the sexes and competition to see who could come up with the best zinger. They were a church that was all grace and no truth.<br /><br />Last winter, we left the church, disgusted at the final straw with their youth program. We purposely avoided the top tier churches because we suspected it would be more of the same. We are now at a church that does not have the wealthiest, most prominent families in town, and we love it! At first, I was concerned about them being legalistic because they do take God's word seriously but that is not the case. It is a nice balance: grace and truth, walking in such a way as to avoid "anything goes" mentality and legalism.<br /><br />The oddest thing to me was how offended people in our church would get when you left their church. They have called my husband a couple of times, "Hey, we have a new youth pastor! Changed your mind." They are miffed when he tells them we are very content where we are. I will never go back to their church, and they have no idea why. If I told them, they would not get it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212741399857110313.post-71779262747855417462009-07-16T18:21:21.287-05:002009-07-16T18:21:21.287-05:00From a pastoral perspective I just want to say tha...From a pastoral perspective I just want to say that it gets really frustrating when people leave a church (not directing this at you--I swear) because they aren't getting their needs met. I don't even mean spiritual needs--people church hop for really stupid reasons. We have always been the first to support people who find what they need spiritually some place else--for that very reason you mention. We are all the body of Christ. But it gets old when it comes down to really petty stuff.<br /><br />That being said--I am so glad that you seem to have found a church where you and your children are better supported. I loved your post a few weeks back about one of the ladies who helps with Elf's (?) class. As far as the bottom line business--you should never have to worry about that. Churches shouldn't be keeping score about input or output. I am sure that your family adds to the church in ways you don't even realize.<br /><br />Blessings to you!!! BonnieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212741399857110313.post-92204564463808884462009-07-16T16:04:51.727-05:002009-07-16T16:04:51.727-05:00You know what I can't stand? All the Holier t...You know what I can't stand? All the Holier than thou types who go round thinking [& saying behind your back] poor so & so; she has to put up with [insert your own problem here] How dare you pity us! We get to learn things about God's goodness & grace you will never know with an attitude like that! And it's so patronising. And it is incredibly hurtful. And it doesn't *share one another's burdens* the way we are meant to. And then I get snarkey & behave in unChristlike ways too. *sigh* Not easy, this being a Christian lurk.Ganeidahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17176246964466185315noreply@blogger.com