Do you think Two Church services a month is enough?

[Pragmatist]

Originally Posted by Michlow

However, if I am being perfectly honest, most of the stories I have heard from those being raised in church, don't exactly give inspiration. I am not saying that it therefore doesn't matter. I am just saying that being raised in church is certainly no guarantee that one will continue to live for God.

As someone stated earlier in the thread, what you teach and live at home is critical. Just bringing your kids to church doesn't work.

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by Pragmatist

As someone stated earlier in the thread, what you teach and live at home is critical. Just bringing your kids to church doesn't work.

Well I don't, nor will I ever have any children, so thankfully its one less thing for me to worry about.

[MrsMcD]

Originally Posted by Whole Hearted

Bro. Copeland has the greatest church in GA. He is a revivalist.

That's just your opinion.

[COOPER]

Originally Posted by Michlow

Well I don't, nor will I ever have any children, so thankfully its one less thing for me to worry about.

Oh too bad, sorry.

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by Whole Hearted

Oh Brother Tim Copland an old friend. We are out of the same church. I know all his family. He is one of the greatest preachers in Pentecost.

Originally Posted by Whole Hearted

Bro. Copeland has the greatest church in GA. He is a revivalist.

Like I mentioned previously, I have only visited his church once, and it was to hear Ruth Rieder/Harvey speak. I have never heard Bro. Copeland preach, nor even met him. Though, I have heard that he is very conservative.

[Whole Hearted]

Originally Posted by MrsMcD

That's just your opinion.

and this is just your opinion. Old paths would agree with me.

[Whole Hearted]

Originally Posted by Michlow

Like I mentioned previously, I have only visited his church once, and it was to hear Ruth Rieder/Harvey speak. I have never heard Bro. Copeland preach, nor even met him. Though, I have heard that he is very conservative.

You own it to yourself to hear him either in person or get a tape. He is awesome. He preaches many conf. and Camp Meetings.

Originally Posted by Michlow

LOL, he has nothing to do with my church attendance or lack thereof. My comment about UC's was my not so subtle way of telling Whole-hearted to bug off.

Secondly, the church I DO go to is technically in another city as well, there is a ALJC in the city I live in, but though I have visited, I have never attended.

Thirdly, I have a valid reason for not wanting to go to church. And it is just that, I don't want to. I have nothing to prove to you, or anyone else. Not even the Pastor of the church I "visit" twice a month. You know him. He is a great guy, and the best of any of the Pastor's I have had (and there were some...not so good....). And his is a good church, the best of any that I have ever attended. But we don't see eye to eye on a vast array of issues, some that are important and some that are not. We get along well, and I have absolutely no issues with Him or that particular congregation at all. It really is a great church.

Alot of my issues are with the modern church model, and what I feel is a wrong focus of said modern church. I also disagree with a lot that is taught, i.e. tithing as a NT requirement, the separation between clergy and laity, the need for a church building and the incessent programs, fund-raisers etc., being "preached at" rather than searching the scriptures together, the drive towards entertainment and emotionalism, the view that the Pastor is THE absolute and supreme spiritual authority, and the prevelant view that the church organization is equal to God.

That's alot to try and reconcile AND still fit into an Apostolic church. One could say almost impossible.

Notice all the times in this post you said "I" or "my." It seems to be all about you. There's no doubt that the "modern church model" is primarily man-made tradition and that there is a lot of wrong focus in the modern Church. Many of your specific complaints are valid complaints. There's only one problem: Christianity is not a democracy; you have no rights, no sovereignty, no say whatsoever; you are required to obey GOD and you do not have the right to withhold yourself from the rest of the body of Christ when His word has specifically said not to forsake the assembling of yourselves together. You are required to find out from God where in the body of Christ HE would have you and what your specific place is in a local assembly of believers (whether that local assembly meets in its own building, in a rented storefront, in someone's house, in a cave, or whatever). Go to God and have Him tell you where you are to go.

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by COOPER

Oh too bad, sorry.

Thanks Coop.

It took me many years to deal with the hurt of that, but I have learned to just look on the bright side. (All the things I won't have to worry about, for one!)

Besides, I have this plan. When I am in my 50's, I will "adopt" some parentless people in their 30's and thereby have grandchildren. (Which they say is the best part anyway )

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by Chan

Notice all the times in this post you said "I" or "my." It seems to be all about you. There's no doubt that the "modern church model" is primarily man-made tradition and that there is a lot of wrong focus in the modern Church. Many of your specific complaints are valid complaints. There's only one problem: Christianity is not a democracy; you have no rights, no sovereignty, no say whatsoever; you are required to obey GOD and you do not have the right to withhold yourself from the rest of the body of Christ when His word has specifically said not to forsake the assembling of yourselves together. You are required to find out from God where in the body of Christ HE would have you and what your specific place is in a local assembly of believers (whether that local assembly meets in its own building, in a rented storefront, in someone's house, in a cave, or whatever). Go to God and have Him tell you where you are to go.

Ok, for the 80 millioneth time, I don't think that reducing my attendance to twice a month is considered forsaking.

Other than that, I only partially disagree with the rest of what you said. Christianity IS in some part a democracy, at least it is between people. God is the ultimate authority, but try and find 2 people who can agree on what God is saying. I AM trying my best to do what God is telling me to do. But it is a work in progress, and I can only take one step at a time.

ETA: you mentioned that I said "I" alot. I fail to see the problem with that. I can only do what I feel God wants of me. I am not arrogant enough to think that I know what is best for everyone. I can only worry about me. I'm sorry if you think that is selfish, or self-centetered.