Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Should we leave our church? | Matt 18:17 | samnlucysmom | 191729 | ||
My husband and I are doing a study on the spiritual condition of a church congretation. We have been thinking of leaving our church due to many reasons (there is no pastoral staff-they've all resigned in the past 6 months, absense of community, and a prevailing presence of pride amongst the body) but we don't want to do so in a rebellious or angry spirit. We think the way to know God's will for us in this matter is to search the Word for scripture to test the condition of our church. We have been reading in 1 Corinthians 1-4, Ephesians 4, 1 Timothy 2-4, and Titus. Our problem is that we feel we both struggle with scripture understanding. Is there anyone who can help us with words of wisdom or pointed passages that we should be reading to help us with this journey? | ||||||
2 | Should we leave our church? | Matt 18:17 | Parable | 191730 | ||
Before you decide to leave, you might attempt the procedure for addressing problems outlined in Matthew 18:15-17. This passage is about discipline with an individual, but perhaps the process applies equally well to the congregation and the leadership. That is, "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector." |
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3 | What if it's just a feeling I get? | Matt 18:17 | samnlucysmom | 191745 | ||
I'd like to thank you for your response Parable. I am still somewhat confused. What if my problems aren't with any one specific person, just a general feel I get when I walk through the doors? Are you saying I should go to each congregation member and tell them that I don't feel like they care about me or anyone else in the church? Or should I go to each deacon and tell them I don't think they've done a good job of preparing the church for hardship because they're not reaching out to the congregation they're supposed to be leading? Honestly, I don't know where to start! This is why I just thought it's a pride issue for me (they really just won't listen to me because I'm young)and I need to work it out in my heart with the help of His Word, and see how the Lord will lead me. | ||||||
4 | What if it's just a feeling I get? | Matt 18:17 | Parable | 191746 | ||
Your welcome, samnlucysmom. I agree that your feelings probably reflect as much about you as about your church. Given that, perhaps it would be helpful to consider your purpose for being there. Each of us is called to be discerning: "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." -- Philippians 1:9-11 One path of action would be to make your concerns known, by speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). You could talk with the senior pastor or pastor who is charged with congregational care, or you could talk privately with individuals to see how they feel. How others respond will likely tell you what you need to know in order to decide what you will do. In any case, prayer, counsel, fasting and waiting for the Spirit's lead would be good ways to prepare yourself for whatever the next step may be. Ultimately, you will have to decide what is the right thing to do, and then do it. |
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