Talking with a friend who needed counseling, she said it cost her about $60.00 per hour; some go so much higher, do the quality and the price reflect the worth of the advice? What ever happen to Granny on the porch, or the church? Churches receive more money than any one business without giving a “product “ Other than a feel good , save my soul, I am better then they, My way is the only way, I can do wrong Saturday night and get right Sunday morning by the Blood of …….
Pray three times a day, and many other rituals of different faith, ( I am not excluding any faith practice, our children are having problems around the world , but here ( U.S.A) is our problem.
lease tell me why churches are now having full families on the payroll,
DADDY-PASTOR/MAMA-PASTOR/SON-PASTOR/ DAUGHTERPASTOR/ and now even SISTER/BROTHER/ETC. PASTORS.
Do you remember the time when Preacher children were known not to want to be like their father? Now that the church is in big money business it’s has become a family business. What is the purpose of the modern day church? Why are we in more trouble than ever with our families, our young adults and our mothers going “rogue”?
As for Granny on the Porch (my new granny title) they are not on the porch many are working, talking care of grandchildren and, yes, some are in the gambling casinos…….
thank you so much Lisa, that helps a lot. I know he tried to blame me for so much stuff, but like I told all of his family and mine none of that added up to a divorce. I do realize it's his needs, it just hurts so bad to think how many years he's
How funny....i only very recently (within last week) read the coconut oil articles on the web. (100 uses, 80 uses etc.) so i bouht some and ordered some from amazon. (Im a stockpiler.)
Have started trying some of the uses. I tried using it a
I think church is a place where we can feel reverence for God and find our own spiritual path to express in our day to day life.
Churches became big business when they were supported beyond their needs. As a legally recognized charity they are supposed to give to the community, not hoard their wealth. But no one feels comfortable going after a preacher or church for its practices.
Of course, we might remember that charitable donations drop off with the economic tides. Believe me there is less in the plate when there is less in the pay check. And of course, this doesn’t even address the constant flood of information taking people away from what the church offers. They are competing with entertainment in big cities.
I might like to turn your question around a little…..what do you expect from your church. What do you think it is meant to supply in your own needs? Where is the modern church falling short of the mark fulfilling some of your expectations?
God bless, J
My “church” is where ever people dwell to “worship or meditate in harmony, I had been a member of a certain church for 34 years not missing a sabbath except for having babies and a one time illness after my second childbirth. I no longer feel the desire or the need to go to church anywhere, i am in a personal ministry to serve and help others , my “tithe” go to the community or those whom I see need help. I can and do occasionally “visit” a church for different reasons, never to gain in business or personal wealth.
As far a where is the modern church falling short in many areas, one : The teaching of God being a favorite to one group and not another…..We all get the sunshine and the rain, God does not divide …man does.
The biggest issue is many big churches being “funded by the government” therefore politics have a great influence over the community via the church.
I expect nothing from a building of people, my expectations are met and fulfilled by my interrelationship with God and Oneness, leading me back to the light of which I came from and where we all shall return.
In other words ,I am a free spirit and a parcel of the whole, I hope this does not come off as not believing in the gathering of people ….many people need it I did at one time , so to each his own,I just think that many should pay tax and join the rest of the corporate world as a business.
Peace Health Wealth and Love to you J.
In the Catholic Church the priests are not allowed to marry, which is a real bone of contention for me.
Why the heck not?
I’d much rather take advice from a person who’s experienced what family life is like than some guy who “learned” about it in books.
I also have a real problem with the reasoning of why women can’t be priests. No one has ever been able to explain that one to me.
The news have been full of stories about physical and sexual abuse at the hands of priests and nuns in the past few years. And those are the stories we hear of. Many are too ashamed to even admit they were victims.
It is very noticeable, most of the priests left today are old, some should be retired but they have to keep on because there just aren’t enough priests to go around.
Wouldn’t it then make sense for the Church to come out of the dark ages, let priests marry, let women be ordained.
I’d go back, as it is now, I keep the faith by talking with God, through Jesus and Mary several times a day.
The only time I attend a church service is either for a Christening, marriage or funeral.
I attend for the same reasons too…. and you have some valid points on family and priest.
Didn’t want to read anyone elses post before I answered this. 1. The “church” is not a building. 2. Jesus said “I will build my “church”. 3. The Building” would be made out of “living stones/flesh”. HUMANS THAT HAVE BEEN REDEEMED. It is big business!!! It is a machine to control people and money flow. With all the money being put into the machine in this country, no one should be hungry! If very “redeemed person would feed their next door neigbor after taking care of their family first, we would be doing the work of GOD, “whatever you do to the less of these, you do unto me, JESUS. It is entertainment, show and upmanship with titles. With a pay check without catching the 7:15am train/plane/bus or whatever. 2 COR. 9:6-7. They have made the people of God goods, 2 PETER 2:1-3, EXPLOITED, PEDDLING THE WORD OF GOD FOR PROFIT! Jesus said my/your body would be HIS TEMPLE when I am redeemed, saved, born again, when HE comes to live in me!2 COR 6:16, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory COL 1:27 NASB. The redeemed together anywhere/everywhere to do the works of GOD. No brick and mortar needed! Why the homeless are not living in the buildings? Why own all this property to make money off of everything? Is this the way JESUS worked? check and see/read. No big me or little you, but sister and brother together. There are no titles just ministries, elder,pastor,deacons, ect. But that as been hijacked and by males and females to be a distortion of the body of CHRIST. If I or you need to help someone, don’t need to give to a building/church, just give it to the person, using wisdom that GOD will get you. Get rid of the middle person. We have a mediator already and HIS name to JESUS, THE CHRIST! GOD sees in secret/the working and intent of the heart HEBREWS 4:12-13. THANKS FOR THIS POST. As I Read It
I. I agree that the church is the people….who call the building “The Church”
2. Jesus did say he would “build the church”…….flesh/
agree on the hijack
I give personally after 34 years of letting someone else give for me….at times unfairly done
Thanks for response
Perhaps you’re looking at or going to the wrong churches. If you keep your eyes on humans (instead of God), when they stumble or fail, you’ll fall right behind them.
It’s not the name over the church door that will get you to heaven.
I am doing neither, my eyes are defiantly not on humans…..and I don’t follow others without giving it some though and personal soul searching. I am not trying to get to heaven,,,,
The organization of religion tends to solidify the beliefs that are contained in that particular organization. Hence, so many denominations.
And, of course, all religions are man made. Yes, man not woman. That is why the disparity in the application of the rules.
If the purpose of your religion is to get to heaven, what happens while yet on earth? Must we wait for some special attention and ‘suffer’ through life?
Many people see their religion as a celebration of their spirituality. Seeking God can be found within or without the church. Sometimes offering a quiet, contemplative space for the communion with God helps us define our own spirituality. And then, for many, nature is God.
God bless, J
well said Spirit…..God is with me , in me and …………. and if we can’t see some God in everything, we cannot see God ….all is
I second your emotions!
A beautiful sunrise or sunset.
Butterflies flitting about so daintily.
A baby’s smile. A child laughing.
Waves crashing on the shore.
Sitting on the porch at my cottage and listening to the birds sing and the bees buzz.
Watching the brook babble on by as my husband catches speckled trout that will later be our dinner.
These things bring peace to my heart and make me say a heartfelt Thank You God.
That was so nice to read, thanks.
the modern day church, religion, edifice is to make money, and to keep people in line, and this has not changed since the rule of the roman emperor constantine. It is a political tool, nothing more. What makes a true church is the gathering together of people with the Spirit in them, gathering to praise God and each other, disregarding the voice from a pulpit is the smartest thing anyone can do, but allowing the Spirit to speak through you, allowing your divine spark to light the path for others, this is what my church is. I often fail, I often fall short, but, the divine spark raises me up and keeps me trying. Therefore, I do not and will not adhere to any man made religious organization. I am, we all are the "church", every thing in existence is God’s and therefore His church. Even Jesus said that Peter was the rock upon which he would build his church…. a man, flesh and blood, not a brick, not the beginnings of a building. Humanity is God’s church.
Actually the modern day church has moved totally away from Constantine and his rules. The focus is less on money and more on spirituality. It is found everywhere in church. There are also churches founded with volunteers – no one gets paid.
Some churches have even returned to being a moving factor in the community with good works. But the church is actually the people who attend and belong, not the building. What wonders can be done when a group of caring people gather!
The dogma and theology of old is giving way to the self culture of spirituality. Sometimes I wonder if this is such a good idea. We can seek our own spirituality and forget that it is meant to be service to others.
We can get so self absorbed we forget to be a moving force in our community and our world. Who is first at any disaster all over the world? Who is there to help everyone pick up the pieces of their lives? Who is there with the aid for those suffering?
God bless, J
Well, I can say I am, myself, without the benefit of some religious organization. My medical expertise and the ability to get to these places, without the benefit of support from some church is how I give back to humanity. I see a man or woman that asks me for a handout, and I take them for a meal, and give them a few extra dollars. I volunteer at several free clinics…. not because some religious organization tells me I should, but because I know it’s the right thing to do. And frankly, as for churches giving up dogma, I’ve not seen that. I’ve seen people gathering together in a basement or a derelict building for the purpose of supporting one another spiritually, but this is a free gathering and beliefs that vary are respected. Not so when I go into a "church" where the plate is passed, BEFORE the sermon is heard. NO, I still say religious organizations are all frauds.
As a woman founder of a church that is rather a sweeping statement and can offend those who truly care. Those who meet in church basements as you call it are following their heart in their own religious practices. And in many of them, with volunteer staff, the plate is not passed before the service is offered.
No organization is needed to actually help the suffering. I agree with that statement. But when a larger organization (the Salvation Army has been known to be the first at any disaster all over the world) puts its resources to helping rather than gathering money, they can make a mark in the world picture.
We talk about and even at times practice the natural laws. One of those is cause and effect. For every cause (thought, word, deed) we send out we will reap an effect. Imagine then what a collective consciousness for good can accomplish!
I have seen some of the old churches open themselves to new ideas. Healing is one of the most fascinating of these ideas. Not only the church but the hearts of those in them are opened to understanding something beyond themselves. Healing is a wonderful way to reach others in love and kindness.
God bless, J
Spirittalk….I understand where you are coming from and I believe many “church groups ” who meet in different places as you are very sincere, and this is their ” road map” to their spiritual journey through that religion, I feel as we mature, we need less and less instructions, ans we become the catalyst to help others on that journey, I have respect for you and your Maison in life,
Be blessed A. Fayette
I have to ask……where are all these caring, giving people? And where are they finding those they wish to express this giving and caring upon? Where to they meet each other?
I know life is full of opportunities. But because of our need for protection of self, we are inclined to be a little cynical of actually being open to everyone we meet on the street.
Given a place of gathering the needy and giving will meet up. It is just in the atmosphere of the service. Just a thought………
God bless, J
All religious organizations are frauds? Well, you know what they say about generalizations, right? I know people who think that all doctors are out for the big bucks and don’t care about their patients, but I believe that while some probably are, the vast majority enter the field of medicine from a deep sense of compassion and a desire to help.
I think it’s the same way with religious institutions. Some ministers are there for the ego trip or big bucks available to one of those mega-church leaders, but I think most are called to ministry for pretty much the same reasons most people study medical science – compassion, a desire to help, and a belief system that has meaning and value for them.
Truth in advertising: I say this as a transitional deacon preparing for priesthood. *s*
Thanks for your response,I have not been a “fixture”; within walls of a Church building; in over 16 years….. I have much faith and conversation,with GOD and the Universe. I am an activist who could use her certification to minister, but I have always been in the ministry of helping others and learning more how to make my journey harmonious. The certification is there to allow me to enter prison to help women….when that time is right.
my home is my church, my temple, my earthly heaven. That is why i need peace in my home because it is where i am most comfortable. I have built it to my specifications and it is where i love to be. I pray here and do everything that i love here. Only those people that i trust and care about come into my temple. And if you do not behave, you cannot return. Although raised Catholic i ask a lot of questions about the church’s teaching and man made rules that most of the time do no apply to them. Hence, i have stayed away because i am not a hypocrite. If you really think about it most churches act the same way. They have a control issue, want money all the time and the pastor/priest/rabbi drive a top of the line car, while you drive a toyota corolla, if you are lucky. That alone should raise some eyebrows. Talk to God directly, why do you need an intermediary? Furthermore, be kind to others, help out when you can w/o being taken advantage of, and be a good person, that is all you need to feel good about yourself. Be your own priest.
Good place to have church, I too believe your home should be for only those that you aare in balance with…..
I love my church. Raised Catholic, I left the church when my diocesan paper ran an article on the revisions to canon law that mandated my full faith and assent to *teachings* of the church, specifically the male-only clergy, and celibate, unmarried priesthood. Further, the article stated, excommunication for failing to accept such teachings was automatic, without the action of the bishop!
Hold the phone, jake! I couldn’t believe my eyes. So I was automatically excommunicated for daring to think that JP2 might have missed the boat on Vatican II?? Well, I went to church and received communion anyway – just because I was unwilling to allow JP to deny me the sacraments b/c of a bloomin’ opinion I held.
My personal feeling is that the church has as its purpose to assis members to discover and nurture their relationship with the spirit within them, the spirit of Creator — and then to get out of the way. The last place I’d think any minister would want to be is **between** someone and Creator.
Modern church…well. The churches that are booming seem to be the ‘We have the only truth there is!’ variety. I’m sorry to see that, as I believe that the truths that have meaning for us vary from person to person, and that is as it should be since we are all unique and at different points in our journeys.
My spiritual home these days is a tiny old Catholic denomination that is founded on the two great commandments and ‘whatsoever you do to the least of these, you do to me…’ (Mt. 25). I like it because it is founded on love.
Thank for your response, you make a lot of sense in your analysis of giving people space to connect to GOD ,