Christian Living
Dear GOD what has happened to your church?
Throughout my walk with GOD, I have been given a burning desire to be deep rooted in a congregation, in a church if you will that truly loved and served GOD. One, that would see the needs of all people, the widow and of the fatherless. In the last 6 years the LORD has taken me into each corner of the United States and many, many parts in between, as well as central america and canada. He has showed me the plight of the starving, the homeless, and the spiritually dead. He has showed me the faces of ones that as their eyes would open you could see how they starved for any sign of love and hope from GOD. Yet, Christians from all denominations will speedily walk by these people, not offer a word or even a dollar, when we have several in our pockets.
I have been so blessed to have been given so many desires to love, teach and provide for these people, yet with so much opposition from the church. Lets see I have heard, that’s a great idea, but it would stop there. I have heard if it is GODS will it will be done, and each time I hear this, my insides cringe, because evidently no pastor, or even church member has the same bible that I have, nor do they understand that this is what the CHURCH IS supposed to be. I have been told that I needed to lay down my own agenda and chase after the vision of another man. (personally, I would have no problem with that one if I saw them that truly sought to please and serve GOD and not chase after vain conceit and more of worldly possessions) Our pulpits is being filled with a mans vision and agenda and the will of GOD has taken a back seat in so many cases, not all but in way to many.
Let me give you an example, in the old days when an alter was built unto GOD, it was a pile of stones. Now it is million dollar projects, and trust me this is just a remodel cost of many churches that I bid on the heating and the cooling. This would not be so bad but the money could be used to house the homeless and teach them to be productive in society again. But these buildings serve no vital purpose, only for a show, a show to draw more people to get more money so they can do it again. And they still are not making a life changing impact on the communities around them. The congregations are growing, but high numbers does not mean GOD is being served.
Pastors are living in houses that cost 200,000 dollars and more, driving cars that cost more than the people they preach to make in a year, starting all kinds of programs crusades, television ministry, and so on that cost big money yet have no money to help people, why is this? And truth be known these programs are not making the impact GOD has intended, yes bringing more people, but numbers are no good if you are afraid to let people know, hey look you need to personally seek after the face of GOD so much you have time for nothing else. What good is a million dollar building, if our high dollar pastors does not encourage people to pursue GOD always, to seek HIS revelation knowledge and walk according to it, to get off our lazy greedy duffs and be in the presence of the KING OF KINGS. These phrases may come spitting from pulpits all over yet without conviction from the pulpit because most pastors do not live it, nor do they push it.
Churches have become so political in nature we have adopted mans ways of finding a pastor. I remember applying once for a position in a church, and they said we are giving a house, paying all utilities including phone and cable and the pay is $60,000 per year with raises each year. I told them if you are going to give all that I would come for 25 a year and we could do more in the community with the rest. Needless to say I did not fit into their way of thinking. I am not insinuating pastors should not be paid for their work, but I am saying in so many cases they are making serving GOD out to be a profession, a way to make money for themselves creating their own legacy, instead of walking in the calling to glorify GOD and only GOD.
I would seriously recommend that each member of the family of GOD go up to our pastors and say I would like to see the financial statement of the church. And see where the resources are going that are coming in, making them accountable. Any organization that has a 501c3 (not for profit status)(I would not recommend any servant of GOD to participate in the 501c3 program for many reasons) is obligated by law to disclose all financial dealings to all who ask, without delay.
There is much more that could be said, and each topic above could even be expanded on much more. But my question remains the same, dear GOD WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOUR CHURCH?
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Keep praying friend and offer yourself as a vessel to be used by God and keep asking our Providential God to open doors where you can make a difference. I too have seen terrible things and walked away from many Churches and seek God's face constantly to serve Him...now He makes it possible for me to serve Him on the streets, in my office etc. Perhaps look outside your Church in being a light for Christ - remember there are more people out of the Church than in....you can take Jesus to them. I go to Church too, but stay away from it all....I independently serve Christ wherever I can....God bless Trudy
It is sad this fits so many churches. There are many it does not fit, and I am glad the church I attend has its financial statements available for all to see. My pastor has a small salary, preaches the word of God intently, we do what we can with the limited funds we have. Ours is not a big church. However, that does not mean big churches are all like the ones you describe. Yet, again, you have hit on the truth, and that is a sad commentary to have to make. Let us pray God's real church congregations will stand up and be seen, heard, and felt in our communities. My pastor says it is time the church leaves the building after services to go into the communities. Too many seem to leave the church in the building. Thanks for sharing. Thomas
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