Comments on: Why are People Leaving the Church? http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/03/why-are-people-leaving-the-church/ Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:55:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: tscott http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/03/why-are-people-leaving-the-church/#comment-4082 tscott Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:53:14 +0000 http://reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/index.php/2007/03/11/why-are-people-leaving-the-church/#comment-4082 Could this be people( even families) and communities of people who are following the Spirit of God in their hearts and lives? We're probably going through a transition, and not one similar to that in Europe in the 20th century, or the 16th for that matter. In the Old Testament the people are required to go to three festivals. You could read them and observe them for years and not understand the spiritual meaning. So there is one called Pesach, or Passover, or Easter. Christians get the spiritual meaning of being saved, and have explored the meaning in many different groups. Secondly there is Shavuot or Pentecost. Christians understand having God within...at least they do on many arguable levels. Then there is Sukkot, or Festival of Booths, or The Ingathering. Christians have practiced this in bible studies, classes, support groups, and house churches for centuries, but the spiritual meaning is not as understood....you leave the institution to prepare. Could this be people( even families) and communities of people who are following the Spirit of God in their hearts and lives?
We’re probably going through a transition, and not one similar to that in Europe in the 20th century, or the 16th for that matter.
In the Old Testament the people are required to go to three festivals. You could read them and observe them for years and not understand the spiritual meaning. So there is one called Pesach, or Passover, or Easter. Christians get the spiritual meaning of being saved, and have explored the meaning in many different groups. Secondly there is Shavuot
or Pentecost. Christians understand having God within…at least they do on many arguable levels. Then there is Sukkot, or Festival of Booths, or The Ingathering. Christians have practiced this in bible studies, classes, support groups, and house churches for centuries, but the spiritual meaning is not as understood….you leave the institution to prepare.

]]> By: Becky http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/03/why-are-people-leaving-the-church/#comment-3990 Becky Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:01:44 +0000 http://reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/index.php/2007/03/11/why-are-people-leaving-the-church/#comment-3990 Could it be the non-truths that they are teaching in the churches? Like, everyone goes to heaven or hell. Doesn't Psalms 37 talk about God's purpose for mankind to live on earth? And if everyone goes to heaven or hell what is the resurrection all about? Could it be the non-truths that they are teaching in the churches? Like, everyone goes to heaven or hell. Doesn’t Psalms 37 talk about God’s purpose for mankind to live on earth? And if everyone goes to heaven or hell what is the resurrection all about?

]]> By: Jeff http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/03/why-are-people-leaving-the-church/#comment-141 Jeff Fri, 16 Mar 2007 15:58:39 +0000 http://reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/index.php/2007/03/11/why-are-people-leaving-the-church/#comment-141 I think all of the above contribute, but I think it goes deeper. The lack of real commitment and support is the main reason. Close, supportive, relationships are what the chuch is supposed to be about. The church is meant to be a family and all that involves. It means sometimes there is bickering and disagreements, but when the times get tough they are there no matter what. Churches welcome families until those familes are put on the potters wheel. When times get tough we've seen the church (different local churches) turn away from or even turn on those families. The damage is devastating. Many drop out and the kids watch all of this and wonder if there is any point. The emerging church is partly a reaction to the lack of real commitment and compassion found in most traditional churches. People want a safe, committed place to call home. They want a church family they trust. I think all of the above contribute, but I think it goes deeper. The lack of real commitment and support is the main reason. Close, supportive, relationships are what the chuch is supposed to be about. The church is meant to be a family and all that involves. It means sometimes there is bickering and disagreements, but when the times get tough they are there no matter what. Churches welcome families until those familes are put on the potters wheel. When times get tough we’ve seen the church (different local churches) turn away from or even turn on those families. The damage is devastating. Many drop out and the kids watch all of this and wonder if there is any point.

The emerging church is partly a reaction to the lack of real commitment and compassion found in most traditional churches. People want a safe, committed place to call home. They want a church family they trust.

]]> By: C Michael Patton http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/03/why-are-people-leaving-the-church/#comment-140 C Michael Patton Thu, 15 Mar 2007 17:16:09 +0000 http://reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/index.php/2007/03/11/why-are-people-leaving-the-church/#comment-140 Makes perfect sense to me. I agree with both of your comments. I do think that the most radical voices are the loudest. This is often unfortunate. What do we do? Speak louder? Get on Jay Leno? Makes perfect sense to me. I agree with both of your comments. I do think that the most radical voices are the loudest. This is often unfortunate. What do we do? Speak louder? Get on Jay Leno?

]]> By: Seeker006 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/03/why-are-people-leaving-the-church/#comment-139 Seeker006 Thu, 15 Mar 2007 16:45:56 +0000 http://reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/index.php/2007/03/11/why-are-people-leaving-the-church/#comment-139 I I

]]> By: bpratico http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/03/why-are-people-leaving-the-church/#comment-138 bpratico Tue, 13 Mar 2007 12:48:42 +0000 http://reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/index.php/2007/03/11/why-are-people-leaving-the-church/#comment-138 I wrestled with this for several days and offer <a href="http://sojournhuntsville.org/devblogs/bob_pratico/2007/03/12/10_warning_signs_your_church_is_becoming_irrelevant" rel="nofollow">10 Warning Signs Your Church Is Becoming Irrelevant</a>. Bob <a href="http://sojournhuntsville.org" rel="nofollow">Sojourn Huntsville</a> I wrestled with this for several days and offer 10 Warning Signs Your Church Is Becoming Irrelevant.

Bob
Sojourn Huntsville

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