Posted on 10/20/2024 6:31:48 AM PDT by Patriot777
It is early Sunday morning, here in The Piney Woods of East Texas. The birds are calling out to one another to greet the cool of the new day. Another beginning of a day of life here at my home, where lack of rainfall has turned the landscape straw-yellow and crisp, and the trees from the stress of drought and the relentless high summer temperatures have caused the oaks and ash trees to begin shedding their leaves.
Burn bans are in place, but I know God is Faithful. Rain is coming to the thirsty land. He answers prayer.
Today I would be looking forward to attending church. I would be, except for the confusion I’m facing with the current situation I’m encountering with being part of a church body. In that, discussion of the requirements thereof.
What if you’re one of those with one of those disabilities “you can’t see”? I’m disabled, but I’m not in a wheelchair. I would be without the medication that keeps my legs from jerking from what feels like electric shocks. I’d be dead without the life-saving medical implant that keeps my stomach from purging itself violently every 30 or so minutes on-cue. My beloved husband, disability is starkly visible. Weight loss, tooth loss, emphysema are the daunting tasks of the day. And the pain he refuses to discuss.
My beloved husband needs surgery, which we cannot afford. $16,000 out of pocket, then a payment plan. He does not qualify for Medicaid, Indigent Health Care, and await a response from Social Security. It takes time.
But this is not about a plea for funds. Not that. But for prayer.
Like I said, I would continue going to church. But I don’t qualify for that “next step”—-membership. Which I would so much like to obtain. That richness of the fellowship with other believers in Christ Jesus. To attend Sunday School.
But in the churches I’ve visited and would like to join, a barrier of constants has reared its ugly head. Because I’m disabled, and as well my beloved, who has completely lost interest altogether in attendance (dissolution), I cannot fulfill the requirements of membership. Not according to them. Thus, I can only attend a church service. And then go home.
Not available to do this or that, help out at the church, use my talents the Lord God has richly blessed me with? Go on outreach or mission trips?
I can witness Christ. I can reach out and pray for a lonely, sad grocery store employee.
You see, if I can’t “check the boxes” next to all these requirements of church membership, you can’t be a member. You won’t be assigned a Sunday School class. Church functions? Pretty much an outsider, who no one wants to get to know. If you don’t want to get torn to pieces by an ugly stare on what should be a beautiful Sunday, don’t avail yourself.
Yes, I’m upset, last night I was heartbroken. My beloved was beside himself. What do you mean, if you aren’t a bonifide member of a church, you can’t go to Sunday School? That’s crazy!
When I was a kid, and then a teenager, my parents attended a non-denominational church. The Holy Spirit flooded the place. People were healed. My dad from a horrible upset stomach problem. Folks were accepting Christ in droves. Attendance grew exponentially. It moved to a larger building. Had to, because it started in a large motel business gathering room upstairs. They called it “The Upper Room”. Membership was those who came to church. There was children’s church, youth group, the adults had their group. No jacket required; no ‘tribunal’ to go before, no papers to sign. You went to church to praise The Lord, to worship Him. To fellowship with other believers!
I learned the Jesus really, truly loved me. Despite the loathing I felt toward myself, every time I dare look in a mirror. Being severely mentally ill can have that effect on you. Having been abused as a child can have that effect on you.
Now, you’ll “feel the love of Jesus” if you meet the requirements of that church. Otherwise, hit the door after or before service. No Sunday School for you. Back out into that cold world. And indeed it is that cold.
I need guidance. Advice. Am I wrong? I’ll repent. Am I accurate? Where will I be accepted in the beloved in this day and age?
For now, my church will be the beautiful sun, the cool of the mornings each day, the beloved fellowship and love between my husband and me, the birds singing, squirrels chattering, a steak on the grill, laughter, and the joy of knowing that no matter what transpires after Election Day, OUR GOD REIGNS. (And yes, I’ll be voting against tyranny and evil and FOR a Constitutional Republic).
Bump for later
I’m sorry, I’ve never learned what “Bump for later” means, please forgive.
Thank you.
I have never heard of such a church. Our church allows anyone to come to Sunday school. Even if you are not a church member, everyone is treated with love. I suggest you visit some other churches.
Prefer God
Love truth
Be kind
Jesus is living water,
the well of Bethlehem,
by the gate,
satisfying the thirst of David,
nearby the Siloam Pool.
Bump for later means he is putting in a reply so he can come back and read the post later.
It means he is posting on your thread so he can find it later on to read.
Exactly.
>> I need guidance. Advice.
For what it’s worth...
One Sunday in 2020 we went to our regular house of worship to find it shut down due to Covidism. (Note on the door; no advance warning.)
The very next Sunday we, along with about a dozen like-minded Christians, started worshipping at each other’s homes (occasionally breaking the law due to the number in attendance).
Now, four years later and long after the local churches got over their spirit of fear and resumed worship, we have continued worshipping at our “home church” in addition to attending our various “official” churches.
“...where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them...” — Jesus as recorded by Matthew (18:20)
~ Blessings and Healing in Jesus’ name ~
“I have never heard of such a church.”
Neither have I. I’m underwhelmed by the churches here - largely because many of them do NOT have a Sunday School at all. Or an evening service. Almost no social interaction. They all seem to be “Show up for the Sunday Service, then Split until next week” sort.
But I’ve never heard of a church requiring membership to go to a Sunday School or that wouldn’t allow a handicapped person to become a member.
In east Texas you can’t throw a rock without hitting a church. Must have looked long and hard to find one to treat you this way. It’s not normal.
We’re at a church that never closed, and never had mask requirements.
The pastor said publicly that he’s willing to go to jail over the issue.
For now, my church will be the beautiful sun, the cool of the mornings each day, the beloved fellowship and love between my husband and me, the birds singing, squirrels chattering, a steak on the grill, laughter, and the joy of knowing that no matter what transpires after Election Day, OUR GOD REIGNS. (And yes, I’ll be voting against tyranny and evil and FOR a Constitutional Republic).
Mal 3:16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In His presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared Him and always thought about the honor of His name.
Might be the real church.
What if you’re one of those with one of those disabilities “you can’t see”?
Ask people in your church “why are you here this morning?” Then listen with ears to hear.
I need guidance. Advice. Am I wrong? I’ll repent. Am I accurate? Where will I be accepted in the beloved in this day and age?
In areas like China, North Korea, Iran and Iraq and many other places Christians still meet in homes. Quite likely it will become the norm in Europe and the U.S. to meet in homes due to persecution and interference from the government. There is a church near me that has grown so big that the pastor has now taken on the title of Executive Director.
I don’t know what churches you have attended or where you are located.
But over the decades there have been scores of church members at our church who “just” attend worship (the main purpose of a church). They have been members in good standing.
And anyone who wants to can attend Sunday School, we get visitors all the time, even indigent and mentally ill, no issue whatsoever.
Look at the directory at naparc.org and see if any affiliated churches are near you. These are all Bible believing reformed churches with similar confessions who work together. If n my experience these churches are solid and none should hassle for any extra biblical reasons.
And the deacons should be assisting with the surgery if there are any funds! That’s been my experience.
It means that I wish to read what others write on this string.
You reference “church” , “attend church”, “church membership”, and etc. but are you actually referring to a local church with a name and location? If so, shame on them. The church is comprised of all the believers in Christ who have accepted him. This is why all believers are catholic (emphasis on little “c”).
With that in mind you should simply seek out other believers to join in fellowship no matter their specific dogma or theology. If a specific local church body will not accept you then find another. Even the most isolated locales in this country have numerous churches. Again don’t get hung up on one particular local church.
Meet with family, friends, or even newly met Christian acquaintances at home, in a park, or a restaurant. You will be having church.
Are you accepting of any church? Well almost any within reason? Catholic, Lutheran, COG, formal, informal, shorts, suits, drinking or dry, strict moral code or not, most of that has very little to do with the true church of Christ. Join one that accepts you but be accepting of it.
Last, don’t do the adjective churches. The more adjectives a church uses to describe, and isolate, itself they less accepting they usually are. Such as KJV only, independent, fundamental, Pretrib, amillenial, no drinking, smoking, movies…etc. It may be your heartfelt belief but it is isolating.
You’re going to the wrong church. Find a Bible believing one whose members will love you.
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