10 o’clock, I’ll be there! I consider it a normative part of the Christian life to gather with others and partake of the Eucharist… The gospel is proclaimed, sins are forgiven, prayers are offered, all in the company of fellow believers…
I remember how God rebuked Israel and no longer wanted their sacrifices until their heart changed, sacrifices being one of the central activities when they gathered together.
When people now gather and regardless of what is read/taught or sung during “worship,” the RNC operatives assert control over “fellowship,” demanding obedience or risk the wrath of Fox news labels, I wonder, what is the point of attendance?
It’s like now that the “Jesus stuff” is over with, let’s get back to our anger, fear, $, etc., what we really worship.
You can’t genuinely focus on the words and life of Jesus in the Spirit while simultaneously whoring after another gospel.
For the record, I took a lifelong oath to the constitution and served it in 9 countries, and suffer daily from my service, so I support everyone’s rights therein (association and gov involvement), but just as I don’t want in one ministry of any religion subverting my gov (read history), I expect, rightly so Christian churches to at least be honest if they’re leaving their first love and starting a new religion.
At least be honest about if you’ve chosen another shepherd.
Also, I’m very thankful for the remnant who’ve been standing firm in this fight for decades now – Michael, some CC pastors I’ve known, those no longer full time/paid positions, and many across the faith.
We have many differences that are honest, but I believe you’re reward will be great.
To be in the presence of His people, hear the Gospel and receive His Body and Blood despite my sin, shame and brokenness is why I will be there this afternoon. I am seeking Him there despite my lack. I am a beggar looking for crumbs of Mercy.
I have not darkened the door of a church in a long time. 10+ years.
I take that back, for a few AA meetings, but I have not attended a service in 10+ years. Even for an AA meeting, it feels hyper strange.
There are some friends who keep wanting me to go to church with them. I know the church well because I took care of their main and satellite buildings when I was doing HVAC. I watched a service on YouTube once. Rock and roll concert followed by a spiked hair skinny jeans pep rally “sermon”, followed by some slow sad songs and an alter call, and out the door with some more rock and roll. There is no way in hell I am attending a service there, but I am polite when I decline the offer.
The services there seem to make them happy. I don’t argue with them when they tell me about the sermons, which are designed to make you feel like you can take on the entire planet.
There is literally no appeal to church for me anymore. I might be slightly interested in a home group some day, but those turn to politics and buildings and sound systems… and then I split… as was the case for the last Acts 29 plant I briefly attended.
Yes 🙌
My undisturbed and peaceful time of worship!
Also, to hear the Word and someone else’s view point, as well as to greet part of my Christ family.🤗💕🙏
Thank you, Michael. I’m grateful for you and ALL here in this community, past and present. If a misfit like myself can find a home, then there’s a safe place out there for every one.
Michael,
I don’t know because I’ve been praying for decades now, which has taught me an unexpected lesson.
I wasn’t prepared for the realization of how angry, over time, this has made me.
At first I focused on how pastors were asking for a milestone, but obviously no one is making me attend, or stew on the RNC propaganda – now I just quietly leave when it begins.
Then, I realized I was angry at Jesus because he chose for me to be in this time. It took me a long while to accept I missed the Jesus movement, in it’s entirety.
So, to answer your question, I just wait for the few times when truth outweighs $ from the higher tithers, and guard my heart and continue to pray, with barely a mustard seed, at times, I wonder if I mean my prayers anymore.
At times the loneliness, and having to pretend within the church is crushing.
I will go to the ACNA church that is about 12 miles from me in the next town North of us. My wife may go or she may watch online. It has been many (13) years since we left CC and as I have mentioned before we have attended over 30 churches since. It has been a journey and candidly I would prefer to stay home and watch online. Having said that however, I still feel that it is the better choice (if possible) to attend a service. I do desire to honor Christ and so I go. I am ministered to through the fellowship (the people are lovely), teaching (always solid) and Eucharist (so powerful). I am still getting used to things as they are and find myself with a feeling of something missing. I don’t know what it is though I think about it much and at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter to me. It is possible that the feeling of something missing is simply the Lord removing the veil from my mind, heart and eyes to the fact that things are not as they should be and not as they will always be, nor are they as it was intended. I therefore take great comfort and solace in the reality of the Resurrection and the coming fulfillment of, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
‘I therefore take great comfort and solace in the reality of the Resurrection and the coming fulfillment of, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
UnCCed: Man, those are some goooood words and well stated.
As for me, I’ll go because I think gathering for corporate worship is a good example for our kiddos. It’s also good for my wife to be there. In short, I go because it’s good for the other members of my family.
But for me: I’m so discouraged by church that if if I didn’t have them in my life, I’d probably not go. I’m just so done with it. I’m probably wrong in my way of thinking but that’s how it is right now.
I attended every sunday for most of my life. Going through the wash cycle, rinse cycle, spin & spin again during the collapse of our routine & subsequent sense of alienation with church attendance and many/most christians has been burdensome. Few have ever asked us why we don’t go and fewer still have listened to our story. Yet, I’m not opposed to going–and have attended some occasionally. I’m always scouting out the territory, asking questions, listening or overhearing people’s feedback on various places. The politicizing of many assemblies has been a turnoff. The push for numbers at all costs has driven me away from others. I can deal with marginal teaching–I did for years at a large CC–but the crass appeal to feel-good faith is intolerable. I’m theologically/ministerially trained and experienced and have the desire to serve, but shouldering the yoke with most ministries is anathema. Perhaps a parachurch position is a better fit for me–something outside the camp with other misfits and curb-kicked souls.
Sadly, no, I will not be going… Haven’t for several years now.
Used to attend regularly with the family, but some time back the Pastor retired early, and a lot of changes happened with the new one. Many people have left, many new people have come in, and the attitudes of service and fellowship have waned to almost nothing. It’s basically just a social club at this point.
We’re in a smaller town so options are limited for other churches. We miss attending, but the depth and warmth are mostly gone from the group. But they suddenly have money to spend on projects…..
I’m going in the sweltering heat here in inland SoCal. We attend a smallish church that came from the merger of two others last year. I lead the Welcome Team and we try to make sure everyone gets greeted at least 3x before getting to their seat. It wasn’t that way on our first visit two years ago- we were totally ignored- but the Lord sent us here and we were determined to make sure no else felt unwanted, so we volunteered to do this. It seems to be working. Now the old timers aren’t just friendly with each other- they’re noticing the newcomers too. Church ain’t perfect, but it’s family.
Hi.
I am blessed to be in a fairly healthy, growing church, and it’s rare that I don’t attend (I’m either out of town or ill). I’m very involved and I love it. So, yes, I will be there to worship in Spanish at 9 am and enjoy communion with them. Then, I go to the children’s department and teach the 4s (some of my kids from the Spanish congregation are also there). I’m there a couple of times during the week, too. I know that many are not as blessed. My area has some fairly stable churches to choose from in different sizes. The majority of them have fairly stable congregations (that is not true, however, of the local CC congregation).
Michael,
Good thoughts about guarding what we have. I think we learned from COVID that some things don’t need to be said from the pulpit, or if they do need to be said, they need to be said with love. Our current senior pastor can be a bit strident expressing his opinions, but he has been much more careful since we lost some key people due to some things he said. It wasn’t a mass exodus, but it was also common during COVID. Pastors/churches weren’t doing it right for most people. We had people leave who thought he was too this, and others who thought he was too that (on both sides of the spectrum). The church didn’t open soon enough; the church opened too soon. He hasn’t changed his convictions (he is a fervent Trumpeteer), but he has not been presenting that in sermons. And, he has a right to his opinions. We get excellent sermons (he is a good, insightful Bible expositor) and he has made it his goal to work with everyone (including our wonderful Spanish congregation where many have gotten into the country in many different ways). Our elders reflect a variety of different approaches to life and are multicultural, and he works with all of them. So, it’s a blessing and something to be kept constantly before the Lord so that we can do the work of the kingdom in our area.
I’ll be there. I have this concern that once one stops attending, the inertia keeping you from going back would be immense. I could get used to a quiet morning at home on a Sunday, or out hiking if the weather is good.
pray for wife and I to find a community of believers to get with. It’s been a while and COVID and politics have been hard to get around. I work some Sunday and we are open to meeting with other believers at non-traditional times and days.
I have had the deepest conversations with the ministry and lay leaders of my church than I’ve ever had in 29 years….almost all are trending very well.
The older I get, the more I appreciate people who’ve been hurt by others and keep going….with the Lord and with others in the context of the local church.
I went this morning. I love my little church. We have folks of all ages and walks of life. About 30 percent are university students. Everyone from young families to old farts like me love on them. We have many who have graduated and decided to stay rather than going back to their hometowns. Doctrinally, we’re kind of reformed-lite. In all my years, I’ve never attended a church where almost everyone sings out. They even let me lead once in a while, and hearing everyone from kids to older folks singing hymns as if they were the latest chart toppers is so refreshing.
Just saw this, I was too busy yesterday and didn’t look online. Yes, I went to church today. We had a good time of worship and I talked more about the glory of God and our response.
I’m looking to leave our church next year, I feel that it’s time. We are growing again, but I have learned over the years that we can experience growth and also decline so quickly.
There is a ACNA start-up happening close by, which I am giving thought to. Anglicanism has a few practices that might not be a good fit for me such as the up and down during worship and drinking from the same cup. Covid turned me into a germaphobe. I’m also not inclined to call someone Father, particularly when they are younger than our two sons.
There is also a Friends startup, but I’m pretty sure I know more about Quaker spirituality than the pastor. I think they would do better by being what they are, a non-denominational evangelical church.
We’ve been churchless since covid other than a Christmas at a local Lutheran church (which seems about dead) and an evangelical church for two Easters. I can’t in good conscience return to our CC since they went political over lockdowns and spending who knows how much $$ on attorneys to fight the state. I’m also “butt hurt” as the kids say since I volunteered my time and money to help parishioners during covid. “We’ve got it covered.” Yeah, right… they spent hundreds of thousands on cosmetic upgrades.
I recently met a woman online (not a romantic deal) who’s inviting us to her church, and small groups. I’m not averse to church, but to small groups. That’s on me. Accountability, perhaps? In CC for the last years, my kids preferred to stay with me in service rather than going with the other kids. Now they’re teenagers. I not sure they’d like youth groups, and I’d rather do it like a high church: there’s no reason why kids need to eschew the service and go to youth groups.
Don’t feel like joining up with pastor worshiping posers to sing pop music and hear trivial teaching while paying for the privilege of being degraded from the pulpit by a spiritual authority figure.
You can ask the priest at that local ACNA church to see if he allows intinction for the Lord’s supper if you are worried about drinking from the same chalice.
Our ACNA does both, directly from chalice and intinction. Also, as far as the standing and kneeling… There are many in our little church that can’t kneel and therefore remain seated. I injured my knee a few months ago, and am still unable to join in in the kneeling, standing, etc.… It has been no big deal at all.
Question…are you going to church tomorrow?
10 o’clock, I’ll be there! I consider it a normative part of the Christian life to gather with others and partake of the Eucharist… The gospel is proclaimed, sins are forgiven, prayers are offered, all in the company of fellow believers…
Duane,
I knew you would be there. 🙂
The more I study the more I see that being involved in a community of believers is baked into what it means to be a Christian.
Yet, the church itself has never been more problematic…this is something we need to have conversations about here.
I remember how God rebuked Israel and no longer wanted their sacrifices until their heart changed, sacrifices being one of the central activities when they gathered together.
When people now gather and regardless of what is read/taught or sung during “worship,” the RNC operatives assert control over “fellowship,” demanding obedience or risk the wrath of Fox news labels, I wonder, what is the point of attendance?
It’s like now that the “Jesus stuff” is over with, let’s get back to our anger, fear, $, etc., what we really worship.
You can’t genuinely focus on the words and life of Jesus in the Spirit while simultaneously whoring after another gospel.
For the record, I took a lifelong oath to the constitution and served it in 9 countries, and suffer daily from my service, so I support everyone’s rights therein (association and gov involvement), but just as I don’t want in one ministry of any religion subverting my gov (read history), I expect, rightly so Christian churches to at least be honest if they’re leaving their first love and starting a new religion.
At least be honest about if you’ve chosen another shepherd.
Also, I’m very thankful for the remnant who’ve been standing firm in this fight for decades now – Michael, some CC pastors I’ve known, those no longer full time/paid positions, and many across the faith.
We have many differences that are honest, but I believe you’re reward will be great.
To be in the presence of His people, hear the Gospel and receive His Body and Blood despite my sin, shame and brokenness is why I will be there this afternoon. I am seeking Him there despite my lack. I am a beggar looking for crumbs of Mercy.
I have not darkened the door of a church in a long time. 10+ years.
I take that back, for a few AA meetings, but I have not attended a service in 10+ years. Even for an AA meeting, it feels hyper strange.
There are some friends who keep wanting me to go to church with them. I know the church well because I took care of their main and satellite buildings when I was doing HVAC. I watched a service on YouTube once. Rock and roll concert followed by a spiked hair skinny jeans pep rally “sermon”, followed by some slow sad songs and an alter call, and out the door with some more rock and roll. There is no way in hell I am attending a service there, but I am polite when I decline the offer.
The services there seem to make them happy. I don’t argue with them when they tell me about the sermons, which are designed to make you feel like you can take on the entire planet.
There is literally no appeal to church for me anymore. I might be slightly interested in a home group some day, but those turn to politics and buildings and sound systems… and then I split… as was the case for the last Acts 29 plant I briefly attended.
UnCCed,
Good word…how do we fix it?
Reuben,
I think the future starts in home groups…
JoelG,
It makes me very happy that you’ve found a home…so important.
Yes 🙌
My undisturbed and peaceful time of worship!
Also, to hear the Word and someone else’s view point, as well as to greet part of my Christ family.🤗💕🙏
Thank you, Michael. I’m grateful for you and ALL here in this community, past and present. If a misfit like myself can find a home, then there’s a safe place out there for every one.
Michael,
I don’t know because I’ve been praying for decades now, which has taught me an unexpected lesson.
I wasn’t prepared for the realization of how angry, over time, this has made me.
At first I focused on how pastors were asking for a milestone, but obviously no one is making me attend, or stew on the RNC propaganda – now I just quietly leave when it begins.
Then, I realized I was angry at Jesus because he chose for me to be in this time. It took me a long while to accept I missed the Jesus movement, in it’s entirety.
So, to answer your question, I just wait for the few times when truth outweighs $ from the higher tithers, and guard my heart and continue to pray, with barely a mustard seed, at times, I wonder if I mean my prayers anymore.
At times the loneliness, and having to pretend within the church is crushing.
UnCCed,
I’m grieved by your situation and the situation in general…it’s simply not supposed to be this way.
Perhaps we are the beginning of something new…
Elena,
Always good to see you and glad to know you have that Christian family for support…
I will go to the ACNA church that is about 12 miles from me in the next town North of us. My wife may go or she may watch online. It has been many (13) years since we left CC and as I have mentioned before we have attended over 30 churches since. It has been a journey and candidly I would prefer to stay home and watch online. Having said that however, I still feel that it is the better choice (if possible) to attend a service. I do desire to honor Christ and so I go. I am ministered to through the fellowship (the people are lovely), teaching (always solid) and Eucharist (so powerful). I am still getting used to things as they are and find myself with a feeling of something missing. I don’t know what it is though I think about it much and at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter to me. It is possible that the feeling of something missing is simply the Lord removing the veil from my mind, heart and eyes to the fact that things are not as they should be and not as they will always be, nor are they as it was intended. I therefore take great comfort and solace in the reality of the Resurrection and the coming fulfillment of, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Uncle Buck,
Well said…especially this:
‘I therefore take great comfort and solace in the reality of the Resurrection and the coming fulfillment of, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
UnCCed: Man, those are some goooood words and well stated.
As for me, I’ll go because I think gathering for corporate worship is a good example for our kiddos. It’s also good for my wife to be there. In short, I go because it’s good for the other members of my family.
But for me: I’m so discouraged by church that if if I didn’t have them in my life, I’d probably not go. I’m just so done with it. I’m probably wrong in my way of thinking but that’s how it is right now.
UnCCed: I just read your latest reply (my previous one was in regards to your original reply).
Man, on a deep level, your thoughts and struggles echo my own in a great many ways. Thanks for being so transparent.
I attended every sunday for most of my life. Going through the wash cycle, rinse cycle, spin & spin again during the collapse of our routine & subsequent sense of alienation with church attendance and many/most christians has been burdensome. Few have ever asked us why we don’t go and fewer still have listened to our story. Yet, I’m not opposed to going–and have attended some occasionally. I’m always scouting out the territory, asking questions, listening or overhearing people’s feedback on various places. The politicizing of many assemblies has been a turnoff. The push for numbers at all costs has driven me away from others. I can deal with marginal teaching–I did for years at a large CC–but the crass appeal to feel-good faith is intolerable. I’m theologically/ministerially trained and experienced and have the desire to serve, but shouldering the yoke with most ministries is anathema. Perhaps a parachurch position is a better fit for me–something outside the camp with other misfits and curb-kicked souls.
Sadly, no, I will not be going… Haven’t for several years now.
Used to attend regularly with the family, but some time back the Pastor retired early, and a lot of changes happened with the new one. Many people have left, many new people have come in, and the attitudes of service and fellowship have waned to almost nothing. It’s basically just a social club at this point.
We’re in a smaller town so options are limited for other churches. We miss attending, but the depth and warmth are mostly gone from the group. But they suddenly have money to spend on projects…..
I’m going in the sweltering heat here in inland SoCal. We attend a smallish church that came from the merger of two others last year. I lead the Welcome Team and we try to make sure everyone gets greeted at least 3x before getting to their seat. It wasn’t that way on our first visit two years ago- we were totally ignored- but the Lord sent us here and we were determined to make sure no else felt unwanted, so we volunteered to do this. It seems to be working. Now the old timers aren’t just friendly with each other- they’re noticing the newcomers too. Church ain’t perfect, but it’s family.
Does anyone know Pastor Robert Trohon from Tennessee?
Michael,
Can you please help me find Pastor Robert George (Guy) Trohon from Tennessee?
Hi.
I am blessed to be in a fairly healthy, growing church, and it’s rare that I don’t attend (I’m either out of town or ill). I’m very involved and I love it. So, yes, I will be there to worship in Spanish at 9 am and enjoy communion with them. Then, I go to the children’s department and teach the 4s (some of my kids from the Spanish congregation are also there). I’m there a couple of times during the week, too. I know that many are not as blessed. My area has some fairly stable churches to choose from in different sizes. The majority of them have fairly stable congregations (that is not true, however, of the local CC congregation).
love,
You’ve been looking for that guy for years.
I have no idea who he is or where he is…last I see he was in Nicaragua…
fil,
You and your wife would be massive assets to a church…
Owen,
There are way too many people in similar circumstances…I wish I knew how to fix it…
EricL,
Being the change you hope for…good on you…
Linn,
I’m so blessed that you’re plugged in… and that it seems to be a blessing to you.
I hope the people there are careful to guard what you all have…
I plan on going tomorrow morning.
Grace EV Free in LA Mirada.
Michael,
Good thoughts about guarding what we have. I think we learned from COVID that some things don’t need to be said from the pulpit, or if they do need to be said, they need to be said with love. Our current senior pastor can be a bit strident expressing his opinions, but he has been much more careful since we lost some key people due to some things he said. It wasn’t a mass exodus, but it was also common during COVID. Pastors/churches weren’t doing it right for most people. We had people leave who thought he was too this, and others who thought he was too that (on both sides of the spectrum). The church didn’t open soon enough; the church opened too soon. He hasn’t changed his convictions (he is a fervent Trumpeteer), but he has not been presenting that in sermons. And, he has a right to his opinions. We get excellent sermons (he is a good, insightful Bible expositor) and he has made it his goal to work with everyone (including our wonderful Spanish congregation where many have gotten into the country in many different ways). Our elders reflect a variety of different approaches to life and are multicultural, and he works with all of them. So, it’s a blessing and something to be kept constantly before the Lord so that we can do the work of the kingdom in our area.
I’ll be there. I have this concern that once one stops attending, the inertia keeping you from going back would be immense. I could get used to a quiet morning at home on a Sunday, or out hiking if the weather is good.
pray for wife and I to find a community of believers to get with. It’s been a while and COVID and politics have been hard to get around. I work some Sunday and we are open to meeting with other believers at non-traditional times and days.
Can anyone please pray? Thanks!
dan,
I have a list of folks with the same request…you’re on it…
I have had the deepest conversations with the ministry and lay leaders of my church than I’ve ever had in 29 years….almost all are trending very well.
The older I get, the more I appreciate people who’ve been hurt by others and keep going….with the Lord and with others in the context of the local church.
No indictment directed at anyone here…
Thank you Michael and fellow travelers!
I went and preached the message. I sometimes wonder if one reason I entered church ministry was to make sure I consistently attend. 🙂
Piney 😃
Dan, praying for you.
I went this morning. I love my little church. We have folks of all ages and walks of life. About 30 percent are university students. Everyone from young families to old farts like me love on them. We have many who have graduated and decided to stay rather than going back to their hometowns. Doctrinally, we’re kind of reformed-lite. In all my years, I’ve never attended a church where almost everyone sings out. They even let me lead once in a while, and hearing everyone from kids to older folks singing hymns as if they were the latest chart toppers is so refreshing.
Thanks CP!
CK! Sorry man.
Just saw this, I was too busy yesterday and didn’t look online. Yes, I went to church today. We had a good time of worship and I talked more about the glory of God and our response.
I’m looking to leave our church next year, I feel that it’s time. We are growing again, but I have learned over the years that we can experience growth and also decline so quickly.
There is a ACNA start-up happening close by, which I am giving thought to. Anglicanism has a few practices that might not be a good fit for me such as the up and down during worship and drinking from the same cup. Covid turned me into a germaphobe. I’m also not inclined to call someone Father, particularly when they are younger than our two sons.
There is also a Friends startup, but I’m pretty sure I know more about Quaker spirituality than the pastor. I think they would do better by being what they are, a non-denominational evangelical church.
We’ve been churchless since covid other than a Christmas at a local Lutheran church (which seems about dead) and an evangelical church for two Easters. I can’t in good conscience return to our CC since they went political over lockdowns and spending who knows how much $$ on attorneys to fight the state. I’m also “butt hurt” as the kids say since I volunteered my time and money to help parishioners during covid. “We’ve got it covered.” Yeah, right… they spent hundreds of thousands on cosmetic upgrades.
I recently met a woman online (not a romantic deal) who’s inviting us to her church, and small groups. I’m not averse to church, but to small groups. That’s on me. Accountability, perhaps? In CC for the last years, my kids preferred to stay with me in service rather than going with the other kids. Now they’re teenagers. I not sure they’d like youth groups, and I’d rather do it like a high church: there’s no reason why kids need to eschew the service and go to youth groups.
Captain Kevin,
I love the description “Reformed-lite.” I think that is what my church is.
Tried another church Sunday morning. Meh. The search continues.
Don’t feel like joining up with pastor worshiping posers to sing pop music and hear trivial teaching while paying for the privilege of being degraded from the pulpit by a spiritual authority figure.
pstrmike @ your 7:48 PM,
You can ask the priest at that local ACNA church to see if he allows intinction for the Lord’s supper if you are worried about drinking from the same chalice.
pstermike @ your 7:48
Our ACNA does both, directly from chalice and intinction. Also, as far as the standing and kneeling… There are many in our little church that can’t kneel and therefore remain seated. I injured my knee a few months ago, and am still unable to join in in the kneeling, standing, etc.… It has been no big deal at all.
Grace and peace to you as you look.
pastrmike,
“There is also a Friends startup, but I’m pretty sure I know more about Quaker spirituality than the pastor. ”
I have every reason to believe you are correct.
If you leave your church, will you stay in the same area?
We need to talk sometime soon. It’s been too long.