Hi Mark! It’s great to hear from you. I felt the same when I first started looking for a church. I went to one that mostly entertained. Me and my husband both didn’t like it. When we walked into our church we felt God’s love there, through the message as well as the people there. Once our church grew and expanded I felt like it changed a lot.
Thanks for sharing your story. It’s a blessing to hear from you. Have a great week:)
t responded to you sooner. I look forward to reading your articles and, in due time, your next book.
I could not agree with you more on what you wrote in this article. One of my first experiences in a church, when I came to Christ, was in a place that sought seemingly to entertain and fit in rather than draw us into a deeper relationship with God. They had some sort of rock band that seemed to play more often than not throughout the service. I donâ€t really recall any preaching nor sermon – looking back. One chap near me had his hands raised high into the air or, alternately, was fly some bizarre flag. I remember feeling fairly uncomfortable about the whole experience. I actually questioned if it was me that was out of place – now I realise I wasnâ€t.
That particular experience actually put me off churches for at least a year. They did at least forewarn me that they were “charismatic†or as they coined it “happy clappyâ€. I realised, pretty quickly, thatâ€s not what I wanted. I didnâ€t, and donâ€t, want to go to church to be entertained. Not once and not ever. I want to hear the word of God. Fellowship of course is great, and I do very much treasure it in my current church, but it is most assuredly not the reason I go. If they started feeling they needed to entertain us I doubt I would remain. As it stands I am where God intends for me to be. A loving, supportive and close church dedicated to biblical fellowship and teaching. It has welcome, with open arms, my father and my two youngest sons. They all feel comfortable there.]]>It’s truly wonderful to see you back “in action†again. I am truly sorry I haven’t responded to you sooner. I look forward to reading your articles and, in due time, your next book.
I could not agree with you more on what you wrote in this article. One of my first experiences in a church, when I came to Christ, was in a place that sought seemingly to entertain and fit in rather than draw us into a deeper relationship with God. They had some sort of rock band that seemed to play more often than not throughout the service. I don’t really recall any preaching nor sermon – looking back. One chap near me had his hands raised high into the air or, alternately, was fly some bizarre flag. I remember feeling fairly uncomfortable about the whole experience. I actually questioned if it was me that was out of place – now I realise I wasn’t.
That particular experience actually put me off churches for at least a year. They did at least forewarn me that they were “charismatic†or as they coined it “happy clappyâ€. I realised, pretty quickly, that’s not what I wanted. I didn’t, and don’t, want to go to church to be entertained. Not once and not ever. I want to hear the word of God. Fellowship of course is great, and I do very much treasure it in my current church, but it is most assuredly not the reason I go. If they started feeling they needed to entertain us I doubt I would remain. As it stands I am where God intends for me to be. A loving, supportive and close church dedicated to biblical fellowship and teaching. It has welcome, with open arms, my father and my two youngest sons. They all feel comfortable there.
]]>Hi Cheryl! Thanks for reading and for your comment. I agree with you. But I really don’t think it is working. When I first walked into my church sixteen years ago, I felt the love of God there. That’s what drew me in. They were a smaller church at the time, and they didn’t have a bunch of entertainment. They were just loving people ministering God’s Word. It was a nice change from the partying lifestyle I was coming out of. Most people that are coming to the Lord aren’t seeking to be entertained. They had enough of that in the world. They are seeking truth. They are seeking change. They are seeking help.
Thanks for sharing! Blessings to you:)
Amanda
I missed your posts too, Kerry! I have to head over there soon to check it out:) Thanks again for editing my book. I am so excited to see it out soon! You’re a huge blessing:)
]]>Hi Jeannie! I’m so happy to be back:) Thanks for your encouraging comment. May God continue to fill you with His Spirit! God bless:)
]]>Hugs,
Kerrry ]]>
Thanks, Ann and Steve! God bless you both:)
]]>Ann ]]>