Post by alwaysonajourney on Jul 9, 2023 4:23:26 GMT -8
I've been told that I am selfish, and prideful and need to repent. Most people don't get that much in my face. But on the forum that I recently left, I was told those things in private. And on another Christian forum that I'm currently on I've been told that I'm selfish. I really don't know what to say to people who come up with this stuff simply based on my internet writings. But I will say this, I have my experiences and therefor I have my reasons as to why I conduct myself the way I do. I bring this up as part of the Church issue because I want to talk about how things have changed.
Dad and I have been in conversations over this many times. He shared about how when He was young Pastors would call on people. Pastors literally tried to visit people and try and get them to come to Church. I know a pastor can take this too far. For example, I have heard of Christian Cults that have tried to take over people's lives. But contrast that with the direction that my local Churches have gone to.
In more recent years, I have heard Pastors preach that you get out of Church what you put into it. Again, they can take this too far. Not everyone is naturally outgoing. And not everyone that gets forceful is well accepted for doing so. We don't all have the same personality, and abilities, is what I'm saying... I attended a Baptist Church that I liked the preaching so much that they could of converted me to Calvinism. So why didn't they? Because they were not loving. They did nothing to help bring a person like me into the fold. In fact we made more of an effort to try and make friends, then they did! It was really sad, my parents and I attended that Church more faithfully then many of the members did, and we did so for around 19 years total. We came into that Church with no friends and left that Church with no friends. In fact, after the main pastor finally retired, and the newer guy took over. The newer guy actually said, that if you can't be involved with this Church then get out. I felt that was a bit harsh, but I guess He was right. So we went back to try an old Missionary Church because the theology matched better with what we believed as a Christian family.
After attending this Missionary Church for a Month so, we asked about joining a small group. The pastor "tried" to find a small group for us, but they all told him they were full. He got up and tried to tell them that wasn't right but nothing got done about it. My parents started attending a class on prayer. It met on Wednesday. I couldn't attend because I work second shift. So I bought a small audio recorder. My dad took it with him and recorded the lessons for me. Some of the people realized that we were recording them, and wanted CD copies. So I had to start making CD copies of it. Even after doing that, and attending for 2 years, we left with no friends. My point is, what you put into Church is not necessarily what you get out of Church. Some places just will not accept you. One of my mom's friends. By the way, my mom has some female friends that she made many many many years ago, and some were made at work. Anyways on of her older friends, from back in the day when there was a Missionary Church group that accepted her, told her, that, that Church is one of those that "Your either in or Your out" Those people like who they like and don't like who they don't like.