"If you're not part of our vision, then there's no point being here". I thought all I needed to do as a christian was to believe and be baptised. This church like people to attend small groups where they live locally, but I hate groups! I just like to go to this big church on Sunday, as I can remain anonymous and can sit and receive the teaching, without having to join in any other time. Do you think I should still go and ignore what they're saying or what?
2006-09-14 23:37:21 · 23 answers · asked by Say It Like You Mean It 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think you should find another church. I am also christian and have a hard time finding a church that will let me go and worship like I want to, not like they tell me I have too. Good luck
2006-09-14 23:42:12 · answer #1 · answered by smoothsophie 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to go to small group if you are not ready for it. If you have been benefited from Sunday sermon, you should continue to attend this church-- continue letting God to speak to you, just as you are doing.
I hope you can see that there is nothing wrong to stress vision and call for commitment. Church of Jesus Christ has a mission on this earth and she cannot fulfil it if her people are not committed. I believe this is what the church's leadership trying to do.
Yet the other side of truth is not everyone is in the same season. Some are ready to move along, others are not. This is reality.
I would suggest you first ask God for the purpose of your life and Him to lead you to the church He wants you to give and receive -- a place to grow. Before you hear from Him, please stay where you are. Church-hopping often lead to disillusion and disappointment. And it is no good for you.
How to identify your comrades if you don't know what you are here for?
2006-09-15 00:32:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The purpose of Christianity is relationships. At small groups the gift within can flourish. Are you not attending small groups because of a fear of people knowing you. Small groups help people grow into the fullness of Christ. In Acts 2 you see the church meet from house to house. Jesus himself also spent time with the multitudes but for real ministry and effective disciplining he spent time with the 12.
Keep going to church while you mull over this change in direction.
2006-09-14 23:50:59 · answer #3 · answered by CK1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the elders are making you feel that way, you should first of all bring it up with them. Let them explain what they meant, it may have just been a challenge to see how committed to the church you all are. Biblically Jesus came to establish churches where people would get together in fellowship and build each other up. If you don't feel like being that involved maybe you should talk it through, or try a different church.
2006-09-15 02:01:39 · answer #4 · answered by good tree 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are comfortable there, I would go. I am like you in that I don't want to join groups. But, if this church starts getting into "clicks" because you are not in a group, then maybe find another one to attend. The message of a church should be the subject of God/Jesus, not joining things that make you uncomfortable.
2006-09-15 00:45:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you feel happy in this church, then yes you should, but if you feel uncomfortable, then i don't think this is the church for you, perhaps you could try another church, where they will accept you as you are. We were going to a church similar to yours, but we felt that we couldn't commit ourselves as we would have liked and so we decided to go to another church, where we are now very happy, the important thing is that you want to follow the Lord and receive good teaching, I will be praying for you that he Lord will lead you on, either to another church, or that He will help you to feel a part of the church you are now going to, all according to His will for you. God bless you.
2006-09-18 01:16:52 · answer #6 · answered by katiessupernan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, just go to a big church where you can sit and listen to the teaching without anything else required. There are plenty of them. They probably would prefer you drop a few dollars in the basket when they pass it around, but movies cost more, so you may as well.
2006-09-14 23:48:53 · answer #7 · answered by Smiley 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus said that all those saying Lord Lord will not enter into the kingdom of God. luke 13:24 says exert yourselves vigourously to get in through the narrow door.
john 3:16 says those exercising faith will be saved
ephesians 5:2 says go on walking love
matthew 10:22 says he who has endured to the end is the one who will be saved
james 1:22 says to become doers of the word not hearers only, decieving yourselves with false reasoning
matthew 28:19,20 tells us our commision from Jesus we should be doing
james 2:24 says we are declared righteous by works, not by faith alone
hebrews 12:1 says run with endurance the race set before us
james 2:17 says faith without works is dead
hope that clears up the situation for you, but apply those scriptures to all the churches to find which is doing, not hearing only
2006-09-15 00:06:23 · answer #8 · answered by iamalsotim 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd talk to someone at the church about how you feel. You'll get one of three responses: Fine, go away, we don't want you (hopefully not), no problem, maybe we could find something small for you to do/no biggie, don't worry about it (most likely), or maybe some good advice on another church more suited to your needs. I'd definitely bring up the concern, though--and you're very thoughtful for doing so.
2006-09-14 23:43:11 · answer #9 · answered by angk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Church and being a Christian is all about fellowship. The reason why they have small groups (We call them cellgroups) is to get to know each other more intimately. If you don't want to, you don't have to, but you will isolate yourself even more, and an isoldated deer in the wild will be eaten by a lion. (Same with us)
2006-09-15 00:26:50 · answer #10 · answered by weeroppadc2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋