Subject: A pastor who is there? |
Bible Note: I agree with Hank because I experienced something similar, but not completely. I had been attending a small church for well over a dozen or so years. I really was quite happy being there, everyone was like family. I loved watching children grow into teens, and the teens grow-up and get married and start families. When there was tough times, sickness, or death, the church family was there giving enormous support. It was very comforting and comfortable. That is why I was very surprised when I felt God leading me to a really big church. I could not understand it, I liked where I was and I loved the people. But He made it very clear to me that He wanted me to start attending this other church. I questioned Him alot. I even bulked at obeying Him, I was very confused and I, at first, refused. I told Him, that I would not be comfortable in such a big church because I would feel so lost, so unattached, I told Him I needed a church family". He very clearly asked me something that kind of floored me. He asked me what I thought heaven was going to be like...He made me realize that heaven is going to be very big with a big "family". I obeyed Him. I love my new church. I have grown spiritually by leaps and bounds in ways that I could have only done at this church under this particular shepherd who is teaching me so much of God's Word. I have seen more souls saved (praise God!)in the relatively short time I've attended the big church then I ever did the smaller church (in fact, at the smaller church, there was rarely alter calls). In addition, I am now in another "family" that is growing the more I get involved. My spiritual needs are being met in ways that I would never have imagined possible. Now please do not misunderstand me, I am not making a stand for big churches over little churches. What I am stating, however, is that we need to go where God wants us to be because He alone knows where we will grow. There is afterall only one "Church" and He is the shepherd. There may be many camps, with different heavenly assignments, but there is only one church. One other point. When I moved on to the other church, I was very hurt and confused with the way some of the people from the small "church" family treated me. They more or less "shunned" me (but many did not). Point: If someone you know feels the leading to change churches, accept it, understand they are being obedient and don't make it difficult for them, and most especially don't stop loving them. |