Do you think the church sermon is a good idea?

Question

I like the idea of church as a gathering point for people to worship God and discuss their beleifs with people that beleive as they do. The problem I'm having is that an entire church is really basing their religion on how a single person (pastor, minister) interprets that religion and it's teachings. The Bible seems to get vauge at points and could be taken different ways. Now, if your led to beleive a certain way by pastor for 30 years, and he retires, what do you beleive when his replacement comes in and starts going a slightly different direction? All of a sudden your confused as to which is right, or worse, if either one of them was right at all. I'm not looking to stir the pot, so to speak, but this is why I havent been to church in quite a while.

Answer 1

When God ordained Church, he did so for fellowship and growth. Church has become nothing more than what you stated, a place for mans ideals to be preached as gospel.

Where tow or more are gathered in his name.....

Youd be better of on a Bible study. I agree with you. I sont attend church for many of the reasons you stated, and find better Christian growth through Bible study, and like minded friends, and suprisingly here, on Yahoo answers. People ask questions that make me think, and force me to look up the beliefs I have and validate them. Strange I know, but true.

Answer 2

You'll probably find my answer interesting. In my church, people from the congregation are asked to give sermons (talks) each week. It's kind of nice not having to worry what will happen if the preacher moves away or dies.

As for being able to tell what is right and wrong, I say that you follow your heart and pray (with sincerity and faith) to God. If you feel like you need a church to attend, God can help you find the right one for you.

Answer 3

My brother. God gave you a mind. There are some things you have to read for yourself and let God speak to your heart about. I have never had a pastor whom I accepted everything they said. "Study to show thyself approved.......". Sometimes you have to go with your own instincts.

Sometimes the sermon is great in that it can uplift. Sermons can inspire us also. So they have their place. When I give a Sunday Talk ( I don't like to call them sermons) I always encourage people to read the scriptures for themselves and see what it says to them. I am open for discussion from them. It would be arrogance on my part to think that what ever I say is Gospel. It is a learning process and we all learn from each other. Even Peter and Paul disagreed on certain points. That is healthy, and can be a impetus for growth.

Answer 4

How many versions are there of the Gospel...4? Have you noticed each is differant in differant way? How many versions of Scraced Scripture are there...each is...expressed differantly by another branch of the faith.
God gave each of us free choice...free to follow and free to beleive...and each way we do so, defines each as to whom we are and what choices we make.
Priests change posts/parish's very regular...as does the bishop from time to time, if elevated to a higher office. Each replacement will understand/look at the Word differantly. If you think he is going a little to far approach him and ask. You will loose nothing, but you might regain what you lost.

+David

Answer 5

That happens quite frequently and thats why there are so many different denominations. I dont subscribe to any denomination, in fact if I go to church i go to a nondenominational church. One thing I do like about it, is the the Pastor does not teach "doctrine" we read the Bible, he speaks and gives his oppinion and SAYS "this is my opinion, read it for yourselves and see what it speaks to you" so I (and everyone elses there) is free to disagree or see something differently.

Answer 6

It never has worked for me. All I hear about is that I'm going to hell. Why go? What about those people who don't go. They never hear that they are going to hell.