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Finding a new home church advice needed - 11/9/2009 6:56:02 AM
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Tomok
Posts: 14
Joined: 11/9/2007
From: Canada
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Earlier this year our little church folded because the pastor who started it left to go to another church. This happened very suddenly and was not expected. He, having started the church and with few attendeesi felt the best thing was to bring closure to the church. Very sad for all those who went there.
Now some months down the line myself and my wife still haven't been able to settle into a new church. I think for myself one of the reasons is that I loved the old church - the people I mean not the bricks and mortar - and therefore am struggling to find a place where I'll be just as happy and importantly involved in activities. I accept that no two churches will ever be the same and they all have issues and that no church is perfect.
We've visited a few but nowhere has really grabbed us. Our previous pastor has said we are more than welcome to go to his new church but I'm not too sure if it's good to follow the pastor - afterall it was his calling, not ours, to go. And secondly having been to his new church a few times over the months I don't feel this is 'our' church to be. It's also across town and not in our community - which is important to me. If I look around our community then there are a couple of churches that are the evangelical/penticostal emphasis as our old church but I have issues here. One is small and I don't feel, having been there that there is much meat on the bone from a sermon point of view or can see where we would fit in. The other church we used to be members of - before we went to the last one - and we left because of an issue. Don't get me wrong here we left on good terms and with their blessing but now I don't think we (probably more me than my wife) could go back because I'm sure the same issue would raise itself again.
So what - apart from pray - can we do? A friend said it was ok maybe to flit around for a few months but we seriously should get into a church and not be out of church fellowship for too long. It's already been over six months and if I'm honest I'm wondering if we will ever find one. I should point out that my wife would be happy to go to the old pastor's new church but I really don't want to. Maybe I do have to look outside my community and resolve that I have to work within someone else's community. Perhaps we have to look at changing denomination - although I'm not sure this would be good.
I feel lost at the moment and unhappy that I'm not experiencing the fellowship a church family can bring. I don't doubt God knows how I feel at the moment but I'm wondering what the next course of action should be. I think we should be pro-active in this as opposed to just sitting around hoping and waiting.
Constructive advice would be very welcome.
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RE: Finding a new home church advice needed - 11/9/2009 8:15:28 AM
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rcjames
Posts: 6741
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
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Since you state your sincere love for your bothers and sisters from your old Church which certainly indicates a good Spiritual bond; I would suggest gathering with them regularly and praing together for guidance in where and how to serve the Lord.
There is always the possibility that God has raised up another leader in that group, but the person just does not fully realize that yet.
Possibly you.
Thanks
RC
edoted for spelling
< Message edited by rcjames -- 11/9/2009 8:22:23 AM >
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Finding a new home church advice needed - 11/9/2009 8:56:54 AM
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Tomok
Posts: 14
Joined: 11/9/2007
From: Canada
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Thanks RC - I had already thought that as I was in a overseer role within the church. I initially wrote to all members and asked them if they would like to stay together and see where God leads us and to use our home in the first place until such time we may be able to afford to rent a room/hall.
I had 2 replies only - both from young people who were not interested in doing this. I received no replies from any of the rest. I took this to be an answer.
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RE: Finding a new home church advice needed - 11/9/2009 9:01:46 AM
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rcjames
Posts: 6741
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Tomok
I had 2 replies only - both from young people who were not interested in doing this. I received no replies from any of the rest. I took this to be an answer.
Need I remind you;
(Mat 18:20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Finding a new home church advice needed - 11/9/2009 10:23:11 AM
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Tomok
Posts: 14
Joined: 11/9/2007
From: Canada
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Thanks for reminding me. Are you advocating that my wife and I just start? I have to admit I wasn't really thinking along those lines. I could really do with fellowship and therefore was thinking along the lines of another church. Apart from the initial thoughts I spoke of earlier I hadn't considered this train of thought you have.
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RE: Finding a new home church advice needed - 11/9/2009 11:39:50 AM
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rwe2156
Posts: 2807
Joined: 4/19/2005
Status: offline
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Been there, done that. Its a kind of wilderness experience,
but be confident that God will lead you out on his timing.
My advice: Patience, prayer and seeking God's will.
I put this on the same level as getting married. Enter cautiously
and perform due diligence on any church you plan to join.
Get hold of their bylaws and constitution and study it. Interview
the pastor and get a fix on his doctrine. Find out how teachers
are chosen, etc. IOW find out if they are commited to be a biblical
church or not.
Remember — your commitment it to Jesus Christ FIRST, then a church second.
Seek first the kingdom of God.................
I don't know if this helps, but just be patient and keep visiting churches.
That's kind of interesting, too, even trying another denomination can
be enlightening experience.
_____________________________
The Truth is between the tensions. The "contradictions"only reflect our lack of understanding.
So we choose sides. God help us.
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RE: Finding a new home church advice needed - 11/9/2009 1:12:20 PM
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rcjames
Posts: 6741
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Tomok
Thanks for reminding me. Are you advocating that my wife and I just start? I have to admit I wasn't really thinking along those lines. I could really do with fellowship and therefore was thinking along the lines of another church. Apart from the initial thoughts I spoke of earlier I hadn't considered this train of thought you have.
I am advocating that God's Children get together worship, pray, and seek God for direction in how to pursue their Christian walk and worship; and to not let numbers be your guide; let God be your guide.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Finding a new home church advice needed - 11/9/2009 1:55:10 PM
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allisonbrett
Posts: 837
Joined: 5/29/2008
From: A bit north of the Big Chicken
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We continue to search for a new church home. I hate feeling so disconnected with a church family. Though we are able to keep up our spiritual life in various ways we need to find where we belong to enjoy the fellowship of other believers. We are facing some major life changes and so need a church family. I guess all we can do is explore new churches and pray.
_____________________________
Allison
A work in progress so please be patient, God is still working on me. Ouch, it sure is painful!
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RE: Finding a new home church advice needed - 11/9/2009 4:14:13 PM
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Lea_3
Posts: 300
Joined: 3/7/2006
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How long does it typically take before people are able to find a new church home? As in a place where they have seriously prayed and thought about?
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RE: Finding a new home church advice needed - 11/10/2009 3:29:46 AM
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cwb
Posts: 143
Joined: 1/15/2007
From: Eastern NC
Status: offline
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Any church that preaches the Word of God, and not the news of the world, is a good church...
_____________________________
We are to do the will of God from our heart. Eph Ch 6 v. 6
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RE: Finding a new home church advice needed - 11/10/2009 4:22:33 AM
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Tomok
Posts: 14
Joined: 11/9/2007
From: Canada
Status: offline
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Thanks for your support. In answer to Lea_3, I guess until God says yes.
Patience is sure needed here - thanks Alison.
And like you RC i've never been in the numbers game - so point taken here - thanks.
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