I have spent most of my life travelling, and my experience is that if you attend a church for a while and then go elsewhere, either in town or out of town (most of the time out of town) then no matter what efforts you make to stay connected the church totally disconnects from you. I thought that was true until I ended up staying in one place for 3 years, and then we got to know a lot of people, and then again left due to work, and were away for 7 years and most people stayed in touch with us and included us, then my wife died suddenly, and now all I hear is how far away I am. OTher far away people dont' hear that. Meanwhile I've heard from local people that if you go to another local church they as a policy cut you off and don't talk to you anymore.They say this is biblical but I dont' think so.It's like is your brother no longer your brother because you move?If your sister moves, aren't they still your sister?What makes you not a part of a church, just moving on doesn't ?????THANKS
2007-04-05 16:37:15 · 15 answers · asked by on_the_move4ever 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Scripture references would really help - thanks!!! this is a big issue for me, and help is really appreciated. thanks
2007-04-05 16:37:52 · update #1
oh, it's obviously best if you can stay in one place, I know that, but that hasn't been my life ............
I'm not everyone else, I've had to do what I've had to do. It hasn't exactly been my choice all the time. I didn't really want to go through all the layoffs, etc.. All kinds of things..
2007-04-05 16:39:14 · update #2
I dont' make demands of anyone, I'm extremely quiet.
2007-04-08 06:30:59 · update #3
Dunno.
2007-04-13 14:22:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dear, I am sorry for the loss of your wife.
If a church is casting you out because you have moved...that doesn't sound like a forgiving church.
We are called the body of Christ because the church is not a building...we the people are the church.
Connect to your local church and if you must move, reconnect in the next town you move to.
Heb 10:25
25 You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other...
NCV
Find a spirit filled, Bible teaching church...you'll be just fine!
Peace be with you.
2007-04-05 23:45:31 · answer #2 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that it is "biblical" to cut off a person who is no longer attending a local church. But it is human nature. As your interact with a person is reduce (by distance, absence, etc) so is your though of and concern for that person. That is true of any group. When people have transferred out of my work location to another, my relationship with them usually decreases.
Since your wife's death, as your needed for that local church increased? Are you making more demands on it that they are finding difficult to meet because of distance?
If you are at a new location, there is nothing wrong with finding a new church at the new location that may be better able to meet some of those needs simply because of location. You do not have to stop being part of the old church just because you also become part of a new one - any more than you would cease to be part of our original family because you married into a new one.
You will be in my prayers tonight...
2007-04-05 23:48:06 · answer #3 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We're all brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Physical location shouldn't matter in terms of praying for you, etc. However, practically speaking, the church you are actively attending/tithing/serving at should act as your "immediate family", is how I think of it. I don't really think the Bible addresses the idea of moving around to different congregations...maybe it wasn't as big an issue back when the Bible was written. People didn't really get transferred around in their jobs, you know?
I don't think people should be telling you it's biblical to be cut off. However, it is important to be in a local fellowship of believers, and so I wish you the best of luck in finding a great local church family! (If you ever end up in NC I can recommend an awesome one...)
I am sorry to hear about the death of your wife, you have my prayers as a sister in Christ.
2007-04-05 23:45:03 · answer #4 · answered by Maggie M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The church is not just a building, I hope that you are aware of this, the Church or the body of Christ is a fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. I am sorry for the way that you feel that you have been treated, however keep in mind that the path that leads to destruction is wide, meaning that not all those that are attending will run the race to its completion, if you know what I mean. Check out that parable of the goats and the sheep, I think its in Matt. then seek out the sheep, pray that God will provide the kind of fellowship that you desire. And if you would like contact me and I may be able to help you in that area, as I have believing friends all over that would gladly welcome a brother in Christ.
Jeremy
2007-04-05 23:59:45 · answer #5 · answered by exodust20 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are the church the body of Christ when we believe. God
wants us to have a local church. We have people in our church
all over the world, who receive our Pastor's mp-3 messages
each week. They can't attend because they may be across the
country. We are all one church, the body cannot be divided,
even tho' denominations have done so. They should not cut you
off, I know moving is hard, but the Lord knows your situation and
people make mistakes, you are apart of the church universal.
Once you are in , you are in His body, you can't get out. Eph. 4:30.
2007-04-13 22:12:44 · answer #6 · answered by war~horse 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am truly sorry for your lost. Also know that GOD said no one or anything could separate us from his love. He knows your heart. Unfortunately some Church's' will say or do that. But i know and believe that all is done in His time and not ours. Do not allow negative things or wrong environments to allow you to feel alienated. God said the church is in us as he is in us. Continue to pray and have faith. It is my prayer that God strengthens you and encourages you so that you are able to find a true church home. A home where all is welcome. Because that is what he says. All things have a reason. And all things also have a season. When it is your season and God's Will you will find a true church home. Because you already have a Home in Christ Jesus.
2007-04-13 21:59:25 · answer #7 · answered by Jae 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The church is not brick and mortar it is the body of Christ. Read 1Cor 12-14. By one Spirit (Holy Spirit) are you baptized into one Body. (The Church of Jesus Christ) Make some real christian friends somewhere and keep in touch with them. They'll support you no matter where you happen to be.
2007-04-13 19:31:50 · answer #8 · answered by copperhead89 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about churches. You can choose to live your life by the Word of God (Bible) and still have a Christian home. I don't go to church because I've tried many and kept running into apostasy. Cutting people off because of their changing life circumstances is UN Christian and unloving.
2007-04-05 23:42:54 · answer #9 · answered by Nels 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is everywhere and it is not wrong to visit or join another church. If you move then you have no choice but to join another church when you cannot attend the previous one for whatever reason.
2007-04-05 23:47:11 · answer #10 · answered by JoJoBa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A loving Christian church doesn't cut you off because you change churches. A sect does.
I'm glad you found one church in your travels that keeps up the relationship with you.
Of course, it is a two-way street.
2007-04-05 23:46:24 · answer #11 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋