Disillusioned by Bombastic Church

[FatherOfIsrael]

Following a dramatic romantic breakup, I necessarily began attending a new church in January. I was a faithful attendee until about two months ago. Although the church is skyrocketing in terms of number of members and popularity, something did not sit well with me: The church is obsessed with its appearance.

Every other Sunday, the pastor requests that we dress in a certain way and hires professional photographers to take pictures of us. For example, three weeks ago, the theme was dressing like a celebrity attending a fabulous movie premiere. There was a red carpet near the entrance and a wall with copious logos of the church in front of which to take pictures (like celebrities do). Hundreds of people dressed up, and everyone was crazy delighted.

I am a student and cannot afford his themes. Although it is not mandatory to dress up and such, it is difficult to be taken seriously or to maintain friendships there if you have a consistent history of not complying with the church. I would let this slide if the content of his sermons was profound, but his sermons are unfortunately overly simplistic and hackneyed—although I must admit that they are flamboyant; riddled with camera, light, and sound effects; and saturated with modern, 21st-century, Hollywood effects and overtones.

I am contemplating leaving but have a subtle sense of guilt lingering in the back of my mind, despite having ardently prayed about this. Advice?

 

[Abdicate]

Peace. It's the only way I know how to find the correct path, just as Jesus said to the 70 He sent out to do the Father's work. He said:

Matt 10:12-13 (KJV)

And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.​

It works. Takes practice, just like faith, but it works. Peace and the lack of peace is what directs me when I choose the process. It's really the scientific method, provable to all that chance it.

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

Peace. It's the only way I know how to find the correct path, just as Jesus said to the 70 He sent out to do the Father's work. He said:

Matt 10:12-13 (KJV)

And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.​

It works. Takes practice, just like faith, but it works. Peace and the lack of peace is what directs me when I choose the process. It's really the scientific method, provable to all that chance it.

Hi Abdicate,
There is both good and bad in depending on peace. Some times we are called to do something and we may not want to and this will be a very peaceless time. Some times we wait for peace and we never do because we simply are to do what we know we should.

I know some who dont have peace about forgiving so and so - did God fill them with peace to hold this ought against them ? Just sayen !
Blessings
James

 

[CCW95A]

Following a dramatic romantic breakup, I necessarily began attending a new church in January. I was a faithful attendee until about two months ago. Although the church is skyrocketing in terms of number of members and popularity, something did not sit well with me: The church is obsessed with its appearance.

Every other Sunday, the pastor requests that we dress in a certain way and hires professional photographers to take pictures of us. For example, three weeks ago, the theme was dressing like a celebrity attending a fabulous movie premiere. There was a red carpet near the entrance and a wall with copious logos of the church in front of which to take pictures (like celebrities do). Hundreds of people dressed up, and everyone was crazy delighted.

Jas 2:1.. My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
Jas 2:2.. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,
Jas 2:3.. and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "You sit here in a good place," while you say to the poor man, "You stand over there," or, "Sit down at my feet,"
Jas 2:4.. have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

 

[Abdicate]

Hi Abdicate,
There is both good and bad in depending on peace. Some times we are called to do something and we may not want to and this will be a very peaceless time. Some times we wait for peace and we never do because we simply are to do what we know we should.

I know some who dont have peace about forgiving so and so - did God fill them with peace to hold this ought against them ? Just sayen !
Blessings
James

Well brother, that's the first rule of solving any problem: lie not to your own self. We must be at peace in all things, beyond our own understanding. If we rely on our own understanding, that's not faith, and you won't have any peace whether you're at peace or not, obedient or not. As I stated, we must practice, which makes us more sensitive to His will, but with each obedient tug, the softer the tug becomes, so that we can become more sensitive. Step-by-step, faith-by-faith, grace for grace.

 

[THALLON]

Following a dramatic romantic breakup, I necessarily began attending a new church in January. I was a faithful attendee until about two months ago. Although the church is skyrocketing in terms of number of members and popularity, something did not sit well with me: The church is obsessed with its appearance.
Every other Sunday, the pastor requests that we dress in a certain way and hires professional photographers to take pictures of us. For example, three weeks ago, the theme was dressing like a celebrity attending a fabulous movie premiere. There was a red carpet near the entrance and a wall with copious logos of the church in front of which to take pictures (like celebrities do). Hundreds of people dressed up, and everyone was crazy delighted.
I am a student and cannot afford his themes. Although it is not mandatory to dress up and such, it is difficult to be taken seriously or to maintain friendships there if you have a consistent history of not complying with the church. I would let this slide if the content of his sermons was profound, but his sermons are unfortunately overly simplistic and hackneyed—although I must admit that they are flamboyant; riddled with camera, light, and sound effects; and saturated with modern, 21st-century, Hollywood effects and overtones.
I am contemplating leaving but have a subtle sense of guilt lingering in the back of my mind, despite having ardently prayed about this. Advice?

I think the pastor is trying to break people out of their mundane frozen mindset. I wouldn't mind going to his church, does he have a superhero dress up sunday, i'm coming as iron man, hahah.
A lot of people are simplistic and are at church for entertainment, if they were honest, could they handle deep things about the nature of God?, revelations on the end?, and demons etc etc etc.
Some Christians you only have to tread on their toes once and their off to another church where "god is leading them".
Love is an active doing word for me as a Christian, if other Christians fail to be my friend its no big deal, God calls me to talk to others at church and love them and overlook their
weaknesses even as God overlooks mine.

 

[Smiler]

Following a dramatic romantic breakup, I necessarily began attending a new church in January. I was a faithful attendee until about two months ago. Although the church is skyrocketing in terms of number of members and popularity, something did not sit well with me: The church is obsessed with its appearance.

Every other Sunday, the pastor requests that we dress in a certain way and hires professional photographers to take pictures of us. For example, three weeks ago, the theme was dressing like a celebrity attending a fabulous movie premiere. There was a red carpet near the entrance and a wall with copious logos of the church in front of which to take pictures (like celebrities do). Hundreds of people dressed up, and everyone was crazy delighted.

I am a student and cannot afford his themes. Although it is not mandatory to dress up and such, it is difficult to be taken seriously or to maintain friendships there if you have a consistent history of not complying with the church. I would let this slide if the content of his sermons was profound, but his sermons are unfortunately overly simplistic and hackneyed—although I must admit that they are flamboyant; riddled with camera, light, and sound effects; and saturated with modern, 21st-century, Hollywood effects and overtones.

I am contemplating leaving but have a subtle sense of guilt lingering in the back of my mind, despite having ardently prayed about this. Advice?

John 4:5,20-24.
Jesus had been speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well, and had compared their places of worship.
It doesn't matter where we worship, as long as our worship is sincere.

 

[Cturtle]

Following a dramatic romantic breakup, I necessarily began attending a new church in January. I was a faithful attendee until about two months ago. Although the church is skyrocketing in terms of number of members and popularity, something did not sit well with me: The church is obsessed with its appearance.

Every other Sunday, the pastor requests that we dress in a certain way and hires professional photographers to take pictures of us. For example, three weeks ago, the theme was dressing like a celebrity attending a fabulous movie premiere. There was a red carpet near the entrance and a wall with copious logos of the church in front of which to take pictures (like celebrities do). Hundreds of people dressed up, and everyone was crazy delighted.

I am a student and cannot afford his themes. Although it is not mandatory to dress up and such, it is difficult to be taken seriously or to maintain friendships there if you have a consistent history of not complying with the church. I would let this slide if the content of his sermons was profound, but his sermons are unfortunately overly simplistic and hackneyed—although I must admit that they are flamboyant; riddled with camera, light, and sound effects; and saturated with modern, 21st-century, Hollywood effects and overtones.

I am contemplating leaving but have a subtle sense of guilt lingering in the back of my mind, despite having ardently prayed about this. Advice?

Have you figured out why you feel guilty? Guilt is something from the enemy, not God. I would say if your not being fed there...search for somewhere new. Because if your not going to the church God desires for you to be at...then you won't get what He has for you

Blessings

 

[loriT]

I agree with Cturtle on that. I had a friend that was going to a church and she said she could hardly stand to sit through the worship service and felt bad that she felt that way. I asked her if she ever considered that maybe it was Father who was putting that uneasiness in her because she wasn't supposed to be there. She said no she hadn't considered that. Not long after that she left there and found a church that she loves and is growing at, praise the Lord!

 

[enigmadi]

Sometimes God doesn't answer our prayers when we think we need it. Remember that God has your interest foremost in His heart. And He's the only One who knows His plans for you.
Regarding your growing unease, the Holy Spirit leads this way. I have found sometimes it is a quiet calm, other times it is a strong "nudge". I'm learning to listen...
As for the "focus" of where you are attending, consider Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. "
Finally, consider that the guilt is a tool of satan. As Christians, we fight daily against those things which takes our focus of God's love and promises.
Prayers for the peace that passes understanding.