September 28, 2007
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Christians inviting Christians to Church Proselytism?
Why is it that many saved, born again, Christians always want to invite other saved, born again, Christians to visit their church? And I am not just talking about once a year or to a special service but like everytime you see them. Is it because they think that your church or denomination is wrong and their church is the only one that is right? What is up with that?
If we spent that kind of time and effort trying to get our unsaved friends, and loved ones to go to church with us, just think how many more people would be going to heaven.
Comments (9)
Good post! Just some thoughts… Honestly, I feel that it is rare for people to just go and find God in any church. For me, and maybe I can speak for countless others, it isn`t even a matter of finding as if completing the search for good. The heart of the task is a matter of consistently seeking Him out. We can`t know Him in all His ways until we stand before Him. My search for Him started from far beyond the doors of the church, and in ways that are so awesome and amazing to me still and forever. My own desperate cry from brokenness and lonely despair was what showed me the temple. My heart was that temple and that is where God really is. It`s gotta start there. With that, I can seek Him through other ways also, like the church. Anyway, I`m not a believer of denominations and the whole “my church is right and your is wrong” nonsense. I`m a believer in Jesus Christ who loves each and every one of us!
Kevin
Hmmm, interesting thoughts. There are a few reasons that I might invite a fellow Christian to my church. One, if they are not getting fed, or flat out not going. Two, if they were contemplating leaving their church and wanted to find a new church home. Or three, if I was dating one and we got serious enough to want to talk about going to the same church… or even just to invite him sometimes. Oh… and if they were moving to my area! Other than that, (besides special occasions that you mentioned) I agree that it’s not right to try to pull another Christian away from their church.
I have some of my youth that will say they did not come to service because they went to another church, a friends or relatives. I think it is a big problem for smaller churches who cannot offer the “entertainment” that larger churches offer. I have tried to stress the importance of commitment and community at our church so that youth will come consistant and the group will grow from at least a commited core; yet manytimes it seems my pleas go unanswered and I have yet to see a core. Oh, and sometimes some students start to get serious, only to be taken or shipped off because of divorces, whther to grandparents or the house of the father and mother. Actually, that is a seirous problem with consistancy at church when some youth are in and out of town every other week and may or may not come even when they are in town.
From there point of view, I am guessing that (1) There unsaved/unbelieving friends do not want to come to church or (2) They do not act like Christians outside of church and their friends do not know they are Christian or care.
just thought I would add some insight (if you could call it that?)
Daniel (doubledb)
I understand what azhiker was saying about your relationship with God being more than just the church, and it has nothing to do with denominations. Denominations and I’m right and your wrong mentalities only cause division, and that is what the Devil wants. But we have to realize that we are all part of the Body of Christ, and that all of our giftings and callings work together for the benefit of all.
And that is just fine Shorty. I was just talking about this all the time stuff. I hate it!
Doubledb, trying to get people to go to your church through entertainment or activities or programs, in my opinion is just plain wrong. I understand what you are saying about building a core and I agree but I call it Discipleship. The Bible says that we are to train up a child in the way that he should go so that when he gets older he will not depart from it. So if you do that, and bring up Disciples, and people that know how to seek God’s face for themselves then when they move away or something happens they will know how to trust God, and walk rightly themselves. It is not about numbers, it is about relationships and that goes way beyond the church walls.
I agree with you Derek… but in replying to your comment on my site. I plan on staying for a while and God has not called me to go yet. Right now, I am trying to find some different teaching methods and such. I think true faith and trust sometimes are staying even when things get tough. Sometimes there sis a time to leave – but I do not think I am there yet (or God has led me there yet)
Daniel (doubledb)
When I was into Witchcraft I got tons of invites & offers for rides to various Churches. I am currently Church less & unable to find a ride to the Church I was attending in the past. I find this amazing as the Church has 800-1000 members but their is no one that lives close by who can give me a ride according to the Church secretary who remembers who I am from the past. I am also perplexed by the fact that a very close friend of mine who gets on me for not going to Church doesn’t offer me a ride to the Church where they are attending which is a block away from the Church that I was attending in the past where my close friend & I met at. I recently had to explain to this friend that just because I am not attending Church at this time that I haven’t put God out on the curb.
Sue, that is true. I hate to say it but I am ashamed of the way that most churches operate these days. I think that it is a sign of the times, the Bible says that in the last days that the love of many will wax cold. I am sorry to hear about your experience but know this, God knows your heart and the heart of those who have mistreated you and he will judge us all accordingly. If you continue to seek him in your everyday life, pray, worship, and study his word, he will lead guide and direct you to the Church or Body that he wants you to be a part of and he will provide a way for you to get there.
I have not stopped by your site in a while. Just wanted to say hey!
Personally, I think if a person is going to church, and is perfectly happy going there…. that’s awesome! I don’t try to drag my family members or friends to my church, just because I think it’s the best.. (and I do) ..if they are happy and getting what they need from their church, God bless them! Personally, I am exceedingly content in my current church and no, I don’t want to visit yours either! LOL
I’ll let you know if I’m ever looking. :-p