Is there any hope for the modern church system? or is it time for Christians to

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   celafoeposted 11 years ago

   Is there any hope for the modern church system?  or is it time for Christians to leave it.
   
   With the modern church system drawing people into their private kingdoms instead of the The person of Jesus Christ is there any hope for  a change in them.   Its all about their "church", money, and loyalty to their "church".   This is exactly what scriptures warn would happen.
   They have become social clubs catering to those who are committed to them and not wanting to upset anyone, which is the opposite of Jesus.

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   CraftytotheCoreposted 11 years ago

   I understand what you are saying.  I have felt the negative side to this in my own personal life. 
   
   Here's my experience.  Quickly after starting a new church with my family, I thought making friends would come naturally.  Instead I was immediately shunned by the many cliques.  In fact, walking down the red carpet one day to find a seat, a long-time neighbor jumped out of her seat and made a point of telling the entire church body she didn't believe I was a Christian.  Ironically, her husband led me to Christianity when I was 7 years old. 
   
   Approaching a long-time veteran of the church, I asked them if they could recall a specific Bible verse pertaining to a situation I was going through.  To my dismay, they had never heard of it and couldn't even figure out how to find it.
   
   In talking with the pastor, I realized this wasn't the Church for me.  While they did teach from the Bible, the folk there weren't applying it to their lives.  Instead, they were all perfect human beings driving fancy cars, inviting elite individuals to their homes for lunch and excluding those they looked down upon.  That's not the type of Church I want to belong to. 
   
   Is that what you mean?

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      this is not what I was asking but sure makes the point of the need for the question.  thanks

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   dashingscorpioposted 11 years ago

   To be honest one need not attend or belong to a church to form a relationship with God. No one needs a "middleman" to pray.
   Churches are "big business" and often are "networking" opportunities for business professionals. In some instances the church attempts to use their financial resources to influence political decisions. 
   Long ago they stopped being an "out reach" to (sinners) . Jesus hung out with the people who were at the "bottom" of the societal ladder (whores, the downtrodden, and the sick). Can you imagine taking a group of people like that to church today? Instead of the members making room for them they would either stop attending that church or insist on (banning) these people from not only entering the church but also from loitering around it. Today church is for people whose "souls" have (already) been saved. Sinners are not welcome! LOL!

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      the only thing i would say differently is -- todays church is for those who are devoted it it and its social benefits and not to Christ alone as a Christian is to be.   belonging to a modern "church" does not make one a Christian.

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   Sri Tposted 11 years ago

   Some churches are teaching practical advice for better living. The teachings of Jesus do in fact work, but most people are not being taught how to use the exact spiritual laws. Any problem can be solved if the teachings are used correctly. Those who are fortunate will belong to a church that can demonstrate miracles and the power of Jesus. The churches that can do that will be packed and will make a lot of money anyway.

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      that sounds good but i have not found it to be true.   most of the money people want the pomp and foolishness and dont want to be reminded of their sin, just want a feel good message.   THose desiring real truth are usually not the affluent

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      Sri Tposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The scriptures advise people to let go of the past, including sins. In other words, forgive and forget it. The scriptures say  people can have abundant health and riches. That is one of the messages of Jesus. And expect miracles. Life is joy!

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      sriT--please give  me the scriptures that say what you do and the name of your bible.   there are none in my bible

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      Sri Tposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      John 10:10  I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do.

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      you do understand that this scripture is talking about spiritual riches and not money?         the name it and claim it like copeland and hagan distort this scripture for gain.

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      Sri Tposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      What about doing that same works that Jesus did, and greater works. He did multiply the fishes and loaves. So we can do that too, according to him, if we believe in him. Lets do the greater works!

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      great idea if our motives are as pure as His.   Doing it for the benefit of others, not for ourselves as todays leading preachers and most others do

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   taburkettposted 11 years ago

   Churches like any other entity possess a lifecycle. When the lifecycle is good, they persist, when the lifecycle is bad, they die. Christians supporting the good lifecycle persist, those that do not don't.
   These are the last words of David:
   “The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse,
       the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High,
   the man anointed by the God of Jacob,
       the hero of Israel’s songs:
   
   2 “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me;
       his word was on my tongue.
   3 The God of Israel spoke,
       the Rock of Israel said to me:
   ‘When one rules over people in righteousness,
       when he rules in the fear of God,
   4 he is like the light of morning at sunrise
       on a cloudless morning,
   like the brightness after rain
       that brings grass from the earth.’
   5 “If my house were not right with God,
       surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant,
       arranged and secured in every part;
   surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation
       and grant me my every desire.
   6 But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns,
       which are not gathered with the hand.
   7 Whoever touches thorns
       uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear;
       they are burned up where they lie.”

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      this has nothing to do with "churches"  This was about him as king-- about civil authority and in America today we see the fruit of an anti-God heathen (mus-slime) dictator wannabe

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   Deepes Mindposted 11 years ago

   Christianity itself means to have a personal relationship with Christ. Each relationship is unique in that each person is unique and gets what they need out of the word. The organized church system today does not allow for such individuality among the people. The modern system today imposes rules and a set structural guideline that it feels everyone should follow for salvation (loosely based on the bible at times, but mostly as according to what agenda that system wishes to push). This has led to the development of a mob mentality that everyone within that system adopts in an effort to say that they are right and everyone outside of that system is wrong. It is this mentality that actually is not only turning religion into an exclusive club, but also straying away from the true essence of what religion should be, IMO. IT is time for the dissolution of the modern, orgizational system so that people can get back to the true meaning of what belief in God should be: a personal relationship and philosophy.

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      correct ,  I would say one thing different.   Christians should all pull out and LEAVE it for those that that actually belong in it.   Then God will judge it.  As long as there are Christians trying to change it from within  it will remain

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      Deepes Mindposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I can agree with that statement. Leave it for those with the mob mentality that don't want to think for themselves

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      CraftytotheCoreposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You spoke to my heart Deepes Mind!  This is exactly what my experience was that I was talking about above in my post.  It hurts me to see this happening in churches where people turn against the wisdom of truth.

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   Michael-Milecposted 11 years ago

   There's hope always as long as the people repent of their evil ways, reject the Satan's mastership , turn to living God accepting  total package of the redemption.
   As far as modern churches , they consist of the " membership " the people who need to leave them in order to have chance to think for themselves, and hopefully to reach the first step , repentance.

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      amen brother
      The problem is that the leadership will not allow that, that's how they got in the mess in the first place, self serving leadership, drawing people to their "church" instead of to Christ.

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