What issues would cause you to no longer be a member of a local church. to seek out another church?

Reminds me of hearing John MacArthur state that soon after Graduation, a Seminary classmate of his wanted to know if he was willing to preach at his church, as an opening for a pastor just came open now/ John and his wife traveled out there, and he went to preach and "let it rip" when done, the Elders and his friend came up and asked him to stay behind to be a pastor there, but suggested make his sermons shorter, as His sermon just preached was over 4 hours long
I can tell you and all reading this that the attention span of any person is about 20 to 30 minutes. After that, the mind wanders and luch begins to call louder and louder.
 
Where it get really Overkill though is when word of faith fraud are collecting private jets and villas and many in their church collecting food stamps and welfare, NOT against those who need to rely upon those things, but think their leadership is really into "filthy Lucre"
I agree 100%!

Those people are an afront to God!

There is NO ONE, NO ONE that needs a jet plane, much less 2 or 3 to travel from one venue to another! I am all for Christians having income and money. However, I am not for any person to live in a manor that is above and beyond those people who pay his salary.

Secular business is very different than church. Secular business works on profit and stock evaluations and jobs depend on performance.

Personally, I would be embarrassed and humiliated if I lived in a 5 million dollar home from people who gave their tithes and offerings to the church I pastored when some or most of them lived in mobil homes on social security!
 
I don't want to make a new thread... unless this takes off... so I think it sort of fits in here anyways.... because it's about church in a round about way.

I just saw a short little video where a Christian was ranting about the fact that in Nova Scotia... they have applied a NO GO zone into the woods/hiking/provincial parks/FIRE BAN due to the amount of fires that are burning. Could be fined up to 25,000. dollars if you are caught walking
on the trails until the fires are under CONTROL.

In my eyes.... THIS is a PRECAUTION. If you don't go in the woods... you can't START a FIRE. SIMPLE SIMPLE.... Just STAY out of the woods for a time.... NO big deal. THAT is how I see these things. but......... NOPE...... the video ( which I can't find... it's one of those SHORTS )... has declared that this is another apocalyptic SIGN of the TIMES.... we are being controlled and our rights have been taken away.... BLAH... BLAH... BLAH.... BLAH.

GOOD GRIEF.... This angers me... it DISGUSTS me because I don't believe this fear and negative NELLIE about every little inconvenience is appropriate.... ESPECIALLY for a CHRISTIAN.

Sorry guys... but I just don't see a lot of GOOD things happening with today's CHURCH.
Allow the whiners to go ahead and hike in the woods during a rampant forest fire, but make the permission contingent upon the understanding that there would be no rescue efforts should they fall into trouble--they are on their own. That won't impinge upon their freedoms but will not make them a burden upon society.
 
I do not think what you have said is "harsh". I do however think it is short sighted and I do not say that to be confrontational in any way. The idea of women not speaking in church actually comes from 1 Corinthians 14:31-34. From chapter 12 through 14, is all about "correction". Paul wrote it to correct the practice of "speaking in tongues" and how it was being sone out of order. Read verses 31-34 and you will see that Paul is giving instructions and says..."And you women are to remain silent in church" He is not saying women can not speak in church, but he is saying that women "Can Not Speak In Tongues" in church!

Second thing to note is that women in that say were not educated. They were not taught at all so therefore were unable to teach the men. OK. Then as far as owning 2 cars or boats or motor bike or 2nd homes as the church seeing you not being humble, that is not Biblical. I do understand what you are saying, however what happened to God blessing those who bless him and NO I am not a Word of Faith believer. When we give to God and He blesses us, there is nothing wrong with owning those things. I agree that there are those pastors and members who DO NOT pay a tithe to God and own those things but the question then has to be if they are actually Christians at all.
Where it get really Overkill though is when word of faith fraud are collecting private jets and villas and many in their church collecting food stamps and welfare, NOT against those who need to rely upon those things, but think their leadership is really into "filthy Lucre"
Reminds me of hearing John MacArthur state that soon after Graduation, a Seminary classmate of his wanted to know if he was willing to preach at his church, as an opening for a pastor just came open now/ John and his wife traveled out there, and he went to preach and "let it rip" when done, the Elders and his friend came up and asked him to stay behind to be a pastor there, but suggested make his sermons shorter, as His sermon just preached was over 4 hours long

I can tell you and all reading this that the attention span of any person is about 20 to 30 minutes. After that, the mind wanders and luch begins to call louder and louder.

Good morning, Major and YeshuaFan;

Good stuff while enjoying my good morning coffee in lowly California. lol!
I was also reading the latest in our Golden State how more and more are unhappy and continue to move out of our state. Much, much prayer is needed. 🙏

My wife and I were tempted in 2022 to move to St. Louis after performing a wedding there 3 years ago. If anyone is familiar with St. Louis we visited the famous Gateway Arch and an old Church called Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France. We realize all cities have their problems but there was a peace especially where we stayed at a b&b (paid by the wedding party.)


I agree with Major's post and good explanation in 1 Corinthians 14:31-34. It would take another thread and more detailed teaching regarding woman of God in the Church, then and now.

But the "confrontational part" sadly still lives on between congregants (at times their ulterior motive) and their Pastor's (at times his defensive) explanation. I was the spectator of more than one incident and had to intervene between a couple of others. This is never good.
😞

Pastors who are truly called into ministry realize it's not a service that will get them rich. I am aware of Churches that have deep pockets, additional income from preschool, classes, etc...and can afford a higher salary but for most, Churches govern on a budget of God's money (as our Church did) allocating money for ministry, missionaries and more.

When YeshuaFan mentioned the 4 hour sermon made me chuckle. Did the congregation actually stay for the whole message?!? Egads!

I observed the Churches I visited overseas had longer sermons up to 2 hours. Here in America I also observe most sermons are 20, 30 and 40 minutes because of the attention span.

God bless you all.

Bob



 
Good morning, Major and YeshuaFan;

Good stuff while enjoying my good morning coffee in lowly California. lol!
I was also reading the latest in our Golden State how more and more are unhappy and continue to move out of our state. Much, much prayer is needed. 🙏

My wife and I were tempted in 2022 to move to St. Louis after performing a wedding there 3 years ago. If anyone is familiar with St. Louis we visited the famous Gateway Arch and an old Church called Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France. We realize all cities have their problems but there was a peace especially where we stayed at a b&b (paid by the wedding party.)


I agree with Major's post and good explanation in 1 Corinthians 14:31-34. It would take another thread and more detailed teaching regarding woman of God in the Church, then and now.

But the "confrontational part" sadly still lives on between congregants (at times their ulterior motive) and their Pastor's (at times his defensive) explanation. I was the spectator of more than one incident and had to intervene between a couple of others. This is never good.
😞

Pastors who are truly called into ministry realize it's not a service that will get them rich. I am aware of Churches that have deep pockets, additional income from preschool, classes, etc...and can afford a higher salary but for most, Churches govern on a budget of God's money (as our Church did) allocating money for ministry, missionaries and more.

When YeshuaFan mentioned the 4 hour sermon made me chuckle. Did the congregation actually stay for the whole message?!? Egads!

I observed the Churches I visited overseas had longer sermons up to 2 hours. Here in America I also observe most sermons are 20, 30 and 40 minutes because of the attention span.

God bless you all.

Bob



Why are people leaving California?????

Average price of a home is $800,000.000.
State income tax is 13%......................................................................(Fl. Tx. & Tenn....0.)
In 2023 alone, 533 NYSE companies moved out of Calif.
Everything burns.
Regulations straggle business.
State and local govt. are inept.
 
Why are people leaving California?????

Average price of a home is $800,000.000.
State income tax is 13%......................................................................(Fl. Tx. & Tenn....0.)
In 2023 alone, 533 NYSE companies moved out of Calif.
Everything burns.
Regulations straggle business.
State and local govt. are inept.
Hi Major,

I just heard a video of Jack Hibbs telling his congregation that a law is about to be passed (maybe) that is horrific. It says that someone can just sign a form, on line or else where, with no details and then go to a school and request a child to come out with them. The school does not have to inform the parents. Jack Hibbs says that if this law comes into effect, he is encouraging the parents to leave California.

Has anyone else heard of this?
 
Major I can understand why you think I am being short sighted, even if I disagree. However, the Lord knows what is in our hearts. Living in excess might not be a sin; it might also be a blessing from the Lord himself. The fact is many pastors do not help others in need when they know they can, because they believe they deserve their "spoils" from their "works". That to me is not right, and I cannot respect or attend a church where this kind of behavior exists. Yes, I usually stay silent because I believe it is scriptural. Sometimes it proves too difficult, therefore it is definitely time I take a break from this site.
 
Major I can understand why you think I am being short sighted, even if I disagree. However, the Lord knows what is in our hearts. Living in excess might not be a sin; it might also be a blessing from the Lord himself. The fact is many pastors do not help others in need when they know they can, because they believe they deserve their "spoils" from their "works". That to me is not right, and I cannot respect or attend a church where this kind of behavior exists. Yes, I usually stay silent because I believe it is scriptural. Sometimes it proves too difficult, therefore it is definitely time I take a break from this site.
I do not think you are short sighted and if it came across that way I apologize deeply. I just did not agree with your ideas.

My wife and I actually own a home in Fl. and a vacation home in NC. We have two cars and have no income concerns.
THAT is not because we fleeced the church but simple because we lived a frugal life and saved our money and as an only child, I inherited my parents home. To me, that was the blessing of God.

However........You are correct in that there are some Pastors who do not help those who need help. I agree 100%! I for one and I tried to express this but I guess it did not come out right.

I have no idea whatsoever how a man/woman can own a jet airplane, or 2, own 3 homes worth millions, and then drive through West Virginia where people are starving and can not buy paint to paint there homes!!!! THAT is excess beyound comprehension!

BUT.........I can not lay all the blame onto those Pastors who fleece their own people. Those people who see the excesses, the planes, the million dollars homes and Mercedes Benzes cars and gold faucets are the ones who gave them the money to buy those things and continue to finance them. For what?????

It is about time that we stop blameing the people who fleece others and blame the people for trying to get SOMETHING for NOTHING.

These lying, fleecing Pastors promise Biblically ignorant people that if they give to God then God will multiply that gift or as they call it.....
"A SEED OFFERING"! It is the lie!

This whole "Prosperity Gospel"..."Name It And Claim It"....."Seed Faith Giving" is nothing more that a Ponzi scam.
 
Hi Major,

I just heard a video of Jack Hibbs telling his congregation that a law is about to be passed (maybe) that is horrific. It says that someone can just sign a form, on line or else where, with no details and then go to a school and request a child to come out with them. The school does not have to inform the parents. Jack Hibbs says that if this law comes into effect, he is encouraging the parents to leave California.

Has anyone else heard of this?
He is correct. It is Assembly Bill 495.

It allows complete strangers, and nonrelatives, to take custody of minor children, away from parents, and make all kinds of important decisions, including medical and mental health, for children. It applies to every child, including children of U.S. citizens. It goes far beyond what the authors claim is the goal, and it allows a complete “person” or stranger to take custody, enroll or change schools, and seek medical or mental health care.

The bill passed the Assembly in June and is now in the Senate. It is a forgone conclusion that the LIBERAL Calif. congress will pass it and there is NO doubt that Newsom will sign it.
 
My father who was a minister said the same thing, adding with what the seat can endure.
Another thing to consider for those "pious" people who say that real believers should be able to sit and listen for 2 or 3 hours........
there is a thing called OLD AGE that catches up with everyone.
Our blood sugar begins to drop and we need to eat something.
Our bladders fill and we have to get rid of something.
Our legs begin to stiffen and circulation decreases.

A preacher that preaches for an hour or two does not care for his people and is more concerned with finishing a sermon he plagiarized than he is about the health of his people.

AND........look at any church. I would esitmate that the Elderly make up 60 to 70 % of the membership.
 
It was the pandemic. I rode the pandemic out in a rural town of 12,000 people. If I had been in LA, my autoimmune disease likely would have flared earlier and I probably would have been yet another misdiagnosed statistic.
Well, I am very glad that you did.

Have you taken the immunization shots. My wife and I have taken one every year and we have not had a problem.
 
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