What is Evangelical Christianity

Comment

Comment by Chris Mills on February 24, 2014 at 1:14pm

Seek Ye First, You've left a very thoughtful and thought provoking comment.  I think the bottom line that you reached is that no church is perfect and that the leadership of the church follows God's leading to varying degrees.  They aren't perfect either.  It seems that if we are going to be happy attending a church, we have to flexible and forgiving.  Our responsibility is to God first.  Thanks for reading this article and for taking the time to comment.

Chris

Comment by Seek on February 24, 2014 at 6:31am

I kept seeing my own church in your points:

Professional quality music program
Advanced use of multi media
Programs for everyone in the family
Informal atmosphere
Constant emphasis on growth/change

I wasn't too sure on the others as  sometimes the sermons can be easy to follow and the pastor energetic, and other times not.  And the music only goes for the beginning prior to the sermon and is sometimes fast paced and at other times very moving with older songs.  Our church tries to provide for everyone so that people feel welcome.  The pastor views it as get them in the door so they can hear the Word and God can work on them. 

I haven't yet determined if it's right or wrong, but I do think all of it serves it's purpose....or God's purpose.  There are quite a few things within my church I'm not in agreement with and yet, we're never going to find the "perfect" church, and many hop from one to another because they don't like the preaching, the music, the lighting, the people...whatever the reason.  That's one thing my church doesn't budge on.  That if someone thinks the music is too loud, or too fast, or the lighting is wrong, etc. and they leave, that's their choice.  He says he's not here to please everyone with the music or sermons but to do as he feels led.  And I suppose that is between him and God as to how he feels led.

I do see a lot on growth, service and tithing...which are some of what I'm in disagreement on.  I think we can all get caught up in the entrepreneurial aspect at times.  But he's also not afraid to preach harder lessons as well.  I just wish the focus were more on the lessons and less on the growth, service and tithing.  Of course we need to grow, serve and tithe.  But let's not lay a guilt trip on people.  And then I wonder, is it the pastor who is laying the guilt trip?  Sometimes it can be that we're not serving or giving enough and God is trying to get through, and other times we can simply be under condemnation.  I know I was for a long time, and at times, I can still wonder.  I wonder, do I do enough, give enough.  And I have to realize the staggering number of members who do absolutely nothing in the church or neighborhood or anything.  And that may be who it is designed to reach. 

At any rate, I'm still trying to determine for myself my own walk and if where my  church is headed is lining up for me or not.  But until I feel led to go elsewhere, I can see some good and bad points in this type of church and I know there are good and bad points in any church.