The purpose of this blog is to start a conversation regarding the churches in Brantford. It is not about bashing them and in fact, in that regard this blog will be moderated and offensive postings or comments will be deleted. There are simply a number of fairly mature Christians who are not fools and yet for one reason or another are without a church and cannot find one that works for them. In my case for example, my pastor died and the denomination chose to close the church. I know a number of others who are checking out local churches and some who said that they had to go out of town to find a church. Many of these people have been faithful supporters of local congregations for years. My own experience in Christ goes back almost 40 years and I've made some observations regarding the changes I've seen. Oddly the brothers and sisters who are seeking, are reticent to say why and yet by the very fact that they are looking, demonstrates that their previous fellowship let them down.
I guess what I hope to see here is a conversation among seekers not so much about what was wrong in their churches as much as what should be. If you are seeking then what is it that you are seeking?
later.....................dave
When my wife and I became disillusioned with the church we were attending we also decided to "shop" for another one. We didn't "know" what we wanted just what we didn't want. We tried a few and left a few. The church we ended up at and are still attending was the one that when I walked throught the door one Sunday jumped at me and shouted "You're home!" God spoke this to me in no uncertain terms.
ReplyDeleteWe were welcomed by everyone and I could really feel His presence all around me.
We needed a strong worship, a strong teaching and everything else that went along with it. We still feel that this is a home and we have a very strong family as well.
If you are still looking you will be welcome to join us anytime at Grand Valley Christian Centre.
I'm a little hesitant to post this... I'm NOT completely satisfied with my church. I want more of God. More and more and more. I want God first, last, and middle. Less talking, more worship. I want to be uncomfortable. I want to be uncomfortable just sitting in a pew (or a chair); I want to be uncomfortable remaining silent; I want to be uncomfortable remaining as I am. I want to be stretched. I want to grow. I want Holy Spirit FIRE. I don't want chaos and everyone doing their own thing, but I DO want an environment where God is free to move - where He doesn't have to fit in with our programs and our schedules. Does such a church like this exist in Brantford? Can God use me to make the church I go to be more on fire? This is the question I'm struggling with currently. We all know change is needed. But the hows are proving more difficult. Maybe we should all be praying for a mighty outpouring of God's Holy Spirit to come and burn us with His passion.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little hesitant to post this! While I appreciate Cherie's desire to see more of what she has been taught about Holy Spirit Fire the truth is that most Christians have a distorted view of revival. Revival is never about the outpouring of gifts of the Spirit. It is about deep conviction and heart wringing repentance for our sin. It is about sinners hearing His call and answering it. It is the time when the church remembers that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. In the church itself the gifts are not the main event. The gifts are there to assist in the real work of reconciliation with Christ, and the Holy Spirit mediated, purging of our carnal natures that hinder Christ from living through us and expressing His nature and purpose as the church.
ReplyDeleteA lot of churches today think worship is what it is all about but a lot of this is party time or even self worship. Real worship as Michael Card points out stems from our woundedness. It recognizes our lost condition, our worthlessness and inability to save ourselves and it celebrates God's worth.
Want to change your church? Pray for the leadership to be filled with cleansing fire until they fall on their knees and repent and begin to pray for souls. Don't say a word, just pray.