tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422519585523562932.post2216789058997736633..comments2024-03-10T21:11:45.692-04:00Comments on Thoughts of a Sojourner: We Need Each Other & Blind LoyaltyMarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12218349188104332410noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422519585523562932.post-34696968394488849602009-01-07T14:02:00.000-05:002009-01-07T14:02:00.000-05:00And much of the "sermon" was stuff I need to work ...And much of the "sermon" was stuff I need to work on myself :-)Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12218349188104332410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422519585523562932.post-73247030537577330972009-01-07T14:01:00.000-05:002009-01-07T14:01:00.000-05:00Just in my opinion, and sure others could offer ot...Just in my opinion, and sure others could offer others, I think the main reasons for moving on is if you feel the church cannot further you spirtually, if there are major problems not being worked out, and sometimes the pastor is not what he should be - better to move on, than to stay and criticize. And I in no means was saying every person who moves on does so for bad reasons :-)Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12218349188104332410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422519585523562932.post-43058009673627432462009-01-07T13:53:00.000-05:002009-01-07T13:53:00.000-05:00I could say ouch to some of that--that was a good ...I could say ouch to some of that--that was a good sermon.<BR/> I am not saying anythng about your denominational problem--none of my business. <BR/> One of things we have done the last few years is jump churches. Since I left the church I had went to for 18 years, we have had a hard time finding a good place to settle. I would like some place where God comes, people are free to get blessed, testify, start another verse of song, where you get down and have a good season of prayer, etc.. Some of the little churches do that, but are just so sloppy with no organization (noone would think to study their Sunday School lesson so they wouldnt have to read it), and the big ones tend to be so formal. I am not totally happy with the one that I am at now because of the formality. ( I say that because I have told the pastor that,and we are still friends!) I fight such a battle, because I want my kids to see God move like I did when I was a kid, and yet I do want to go to a church where I can feel proud to invite someone to church. (proud--I am not talking about whether it looks rich or fancy--whether it is clean vs. filled with junk and some of it never cleaned for years. I am talking about whether they are going to be bored while the teachers, adult through childrens, read through the lesson.) It is hard to find such a church, I have found.But yet, I was raised not to jump churches--how can any church ever grow if people are continually jumping? You are certainly never very productive. My reasons for what I want in a church is not what you said, as far as being visible, being used, etc...--I have just found ways of being used for God outside the church, and I definitely dont care about being visible. I have refused jobs at the church I am at if they could find someone else to do them. I just want a clean, place where God is allowed to move. Yet as I told the children, there is never going to be a perfect church as long as I am in it!! I think it is time to stick for a while, and just pray for the church. Then although I say the good words, I think what if I lose my children meanwhile, if they dont ever really feel God enough to really want to know Him. I only have my kids so long. I guess, like John Wesley said, I need to get on fire so men will come to watch me burn, huh? Let my kids see Christ in me. I am sorry for rambling--I just have had a menagerie of thoughts going through my head. <BR/> My question is, do you think it was wrong for the people to leave who felt the pastor left no room for God to move? Did you think it is a good reason? What do you think is a good reason to leave a church? <BR/> You are right about needing each other. My sister in law used to be amazed about my church family--used to say it was like I had another family to lean on, like I had 2 families--of course, I did. I am a bad one for going right out that door after church anymore. It is not because I dont like everybody, cause I do. When I stay and talk, or reach out to someone, it is a good experience. Why do we do that, rush out the door??? dk Then when you have your own problems, you dont feel as if you have anyone to reach out to because you havent reached out. <BR/> Lastly, I do think there is a difference between between blind loyalty and plain loyalty. I wouldnt stick up for my family if they were wrong, however, I will always be there for them, and would never disclaim them.Christahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17545342504871579236noreply@blogger.com