The church my family attends has no youth group (my kids are the only ones there!), the pastor's sermons are basic and uninspired, and the Bible study my wife attends is monotonous. For these and other reasons, we have decided to find another church. We are not set on any denomination (we attend an Episcopal church now, and we know we don't want the Assembly of God-type worship). I plan on calling and possibly setiing up meetings with pastors of the other churches in our very small town.
Do any Christians have suggestions or advice on how to break off our realtionship with our current church (I have coffee with the Pastor almost every Saturday) and how to find the church that is best for my family? Any specific questions I should ask?
A thousand thanks in advance.
(Sadly, I must write this: please, no atheists writing derogatory comments. My wife, children, and I love science, and are not so ignorant as to be swayed by petty, half-informed pseudo-science.)
2007-11-14 09:42:51 · 7 answers · asked by Jonathan 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I was raised Roman Catholic and attended Church of Christ Bible school. My wife and children were just baptized this past Holy Saturday, so we are not hung up on any denominational nit-picking. We just want a good church that preaches the Gospel.
2007-11-14 09:45:29 · update #1
I certainly understand your feelings, as we have shared this same ill two years ago.
You have a good right to visit other churches in the area if you like. If your church (or doctor, or barber, or mechanic) doesn't meet your expectations, you can ask others about thier church and find out why they stay there. If they have good reasons (aside from "we always went there") then give them a try on Sunday.
My previous pastor did not take a personal interest in anyone. He still doesn't, so many people felt a cold reception both left before and after me. Yes, it is scary.
If you are unsatisified, uninspired, uninterested and unfulfilled with your church family/pastor/building, then by all means visit other church families. If you bump into the present pastor and ONLY if he asks, tell him that you are not as pleased with his church as you were when you first started attending. You need more than they can or will provide, so you are searching for another.
Questions to ask, of course, might include the active ministries they have, Bible classes, resources/library, music, fundraisers and what service your family might find most comfortable to visit.
Please do not skip church all together! It would be better to visit a church that is nearby and unknown than to stay home and give up on the Lord for that week. Afterall, He isn't going to give up on you for a week, or a day.
Peace to you always
2007-11-14 09:59:34 · answer #1 · answered by joe_on_drums 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only thing that I can suggest is that you call and attend a couple churches that might be of interest to you and your family, find out if they have the ministries that you all are interested in and then go and when you are where God wants you to be then you will know. Tell the pastor at the current church that you feel God is leading you to in a different church and that is that. If he is a good pastor and friend, it is not that you are with his church, but connected in a good church, even if it is not his. Good luck with this and God bless you
2007-11-14 17:54:47 · answer #2 · answered by Ama A 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My wife and I just changed Churches. I was honest with our old Church, and I told them they didn't meet our needs with no hard feelings. We are all still friends, and we meet at times. Calling other pastors sounds like a good idea. Most Churches have good web sites also. God Bless.
2007-11-14 17:51:38 · answer #3 · answered by Robert S 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Be honest with your pastor about your concerns. There is no reason to break off being in fellowship with one another. If your pastor really loves you, he will be open to the fact God may be moving you to another place of worship.
It really comes down to being sensitive to the Lord where He would have you be a part of. May the Lord bless you.
2007-11-14 17:49:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My personal choice is the UU church. Just start visiting churches, and when you find one you like just meet with your preacher and explain why you are leaving, just leave out the basic boring sermons, just explain there is not youth programs for your children. He should understand and if not then don't worry about it as long as you are nice about it.
BB
2007-11-14 17:50:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would start by being honest with your Pastor. Tell him/her your concerns and explain why you feel that your current church isn't the best option for your family.
2007-11-14 17:48:21 · answer #6 · answered by Sxeptomaniac 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are instructed to seek the House where the Creator choose to place his name and then when we find it, we must go there.
Prophecy also says that (Isa 2:2) in the Last days He will establish His house in the Chief of the Nations and all congregations will eventually flow to it.
Surprisingly no one seeks the truth or even believes in prophecy. Seems that people are content with living in deception and the tickling of the ears when they know deep down, they do err..
Seek.
2007-11-14 17:51:58 · answer #7 · answered by YUHATEME 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋