My wife and I left the small town church we had attended for decades a year ago because the clerical hierarchy was successful in changing our doctrine to suit the tenets of the progressive liberal culture of our time.
We have settled at another church in our town where the pastor unapologetically preaches from the Gospel every Sunday.
However, we miss the friends we had at our former church.
We realize there were those we would only see on Sunday, or church functions, because our paths did not cross otherwise during the week. Now we rarely see them at all.
This has created an empty space where previously none existed.
We must go to church to worship and be with our Christian friends every Sunday. Nothing else can fill that space.
This is such a common story now, I am sorry you had to go through it. I pray that over time the pain of that departure (necessary as it was) will be mitigated by the new chapter at this new church. Be thankful that the Word in its fullness is proclaimed there because contrary to perceptions, that’s a rare and increasingly rarer thing in North America.
I saw this X post this week too. It corresponded with me asking a retired friend if I could join him at his church. He responded, “I take every July off each year. I do so much for that church I just need a break.” I was disappointed to say the least.
A few years ago the local Mennonite pastor gave his church a “sabbath” from all ministry activities and meetings. No youth group, no feeding the poor, no vestry (or whatever they call it). It was one of the stupidest things I ever heard a pastor trying. Needless to say he was gone the next year. Even Mennonites have a limit.
I’ll close with Martin Luther’s explanation of the Third Commandment:
The Third Commandment
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.
Thanks for the post, Anne. We are grieving here in Texas. Regarding going to church, “The Divine Service,” a post from Joel Ellis, really speaks to what happens when God’s people gather. It really made me think, and affected the way I approach corporate worship.
Maybe a congregation is big in service but low of funds; the regular minister and his family need a break; and his congregation sent them away. But did not have money for a substitute?
I heard during Covid, lots of tithes and offering dropped a lot.
Also, pastors have extended families, kids who need attending, and charity and agape, begin at home, living it out. So these come to mind.
I grew up hearing people criticized for preaching but not living it. So, great! Take the family on vacation!
My husband and I get tired of a yearly sermon on their « plans », which some churches fo.-?
I don't necessarily 100% agree with this one. I do think churches should take days off, not the church triumphant, nor the church universal, no... they never slumber nor sleep. But individual organizations? Yes. Folks can be guests at other churches for a week, to spread the unity of the body. But no pastor and no servants are meant to be robots. They are meant to rest, and rest often. And if that requires a full break for a week, then sure why not?
Thank you for your compassion for those who are suffering in Kerrville. You should know that a local church is hosting the families waiting for word of their children. Members and staff are there around the clock, listening, praying, grieving. Little enough, but still offered up. Other churches offer respite for first responders.
I can only imagine what Jesus would say if the Synagogue closed on Saturday so the Rabbis could take a break. Playing loose with one of the commandments, especially from the first table, is not faithful shepherding. “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”
I was a bit befuddled by "eschaton," until I looked it up and then I was really befuddled: "day at the end of time following Armageddon when God will decree the fates of all individual humans according to the good and evil of their earthly lives."
For churches with many younger people, Sunday services around holidays can be very lightly attended due to so many congregants traveling to visit family. I trust that the 1828 Church leadership did what they considered was best for their church body. I probably wouldn't have encouraged them to use the word "Sabbath" to describe not having church services, but, from how they are described, they are proclaiming the Gospel and exhibiting the fruit of the Kingdom. My personal preference would have been for an elder or deacon to show up and open the building and lead a time of singing, prayer, and reading the Bible rather than being "closed for service." (no pun intended)I would be sad if someone had made the effort to come to church and the building was dark. As for small, "organic" gatherings in homes, It is too easy to forget to include "lurking" individuals who wouldn't invite themselves to a fellow congregants home. Amos 3:3 "Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?"
Our college town church experienced lighter attendance this morning, but we had a praise filled and nourishing service with teaching from John 13 about Jesus washing feet at the Passover Supper (doing the lowliest of the lowliest) after the crowds hailed Him with Hosannas. We enjoyed connecting with our church family over a potluck "breakfast for lunch."
My wife and I left the small town church we had attended for decades a year ago because the clerical hierarchy was successful in changing our doctrine to suit the tenets of the progressive liberal culture of our time.
We have settled at another church in our town where the pastor unapologetically preaches from the Gospel every Sunday.
However, we miss the friends we had at our former church.
We realize there were those we would only see on Sunday, or church functions, because our paths did not cross otherwise during the week. Now we rarely see them at all.
This has created an empty space where previously none existed.
We must go to church to worship and be with our Christian friends every Sunday. Nothing else can fill that space.
This is such a common story now, I am sorry you had to go through it. I pray that over time the pain of that departure (necessary as it was) will be mitigated by the new chapter at this new church. Be thankful that the Word in its fullness is proclaimed there because contrary to perceptions, that’s a rare and increasingly rarer thing in North America.
I saw this X post this week too. It corresponded with me asking a retired friend if I could join him at his church. He responded, “I take every July off each year. I do so much for that church I just need a break.” I was disappointed to say the least.
A few years ago the local Mennonite pastor gave his church a “sabbath” from all ministry activities and meetings. No youth group, no feeding the poor, no vestry (or whatever they call it). It was one of the stupidest things I ever heard a pastor trying. Needless to say he was gone the next year. Even Mennonites have a limit.
I’ll close with Martin Luther’s explanation of the Third Commandment:
The Third Commandment
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.
Thanks for the post, Anne. We are grieving here in Texas. Regarding going to church, “The Divine Service,” a post from Joel Ellis, really speaks to what happens when God’s people gather. It really made me think, and affected the way I approach corporate worship.
Maybe a congregation is big in service but low of funds; the regular minister and his family need a break; and his congregation sent them away. But did not have money for a substitute?
I heard during Covid, lots of tithes and offering dropped a lot.
Also, pastors have extended families, kids who need attending, and charity and agape, begin at home, living it out. So these come to mind.
I grew up hearing people criticized for preaching but not living it. So, great! Take the family on vacation!
My husband and I get tired of a yearly sermon on their « plans », which some churches fo.-?
I don't necessarily 100% agree with this one. I do think churches should take days off, not the church triumphant, nor the church universal, no... they never slumber nor sleep. But individual organizations? Yes. Folks can be guests at other churches for a week, to spread the unity of the body. But no pastor and no servants are meant to be robots. They are meant to rest, and rest often. And if that requires a full break for a week, then sure why not?
Thank you for your compassion for those who are suffering in Kerrville. You should know that a local church is hosting the families waiting for word of their children. Members and staff are there around the clock, listening, praying, grieving. Little enough, but still offered up. Other churches offer respite for first responders.
I can only imagine what Jesus would say if the Synagogue closed on Saturday so the Rabbis could take a break. Playing loose with one of the commandments, especially from the first table, is not faithful shepherding. “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”
I was a bit befuddled by "eschaton," until I looked it up and then I was really befuddled: "day at the end of time following Armageddon when God will decree the fates of all individual humans according to the good and evil of their earthly lives."
For churches with many younger people, Sunday services around holidays can be very lightly attended due to so many congregants traveling to visit family. I trust that the 1828 Church leadership did what they considered was best for their church body. I probably wouldn't have encouraged them to use the word "Sabbath" to describe not having church services, but, from how they are described, they are proclaiming the Gospel and exhibiting the fruit of the Kingdom. My personal preference would have been for an elder or deacon to show up and open the building and lead a time of singing, prayer, and reading the Bible rather than being "closed for service." (no pun intended)I would be sad if someone had made the effort to come to church and the building was dark. As for small, "organic" gatherings in homes, It is too easy to forget to include "lurking" individuals who wouldn't invite themselves to a fellow congregants home. Amos 3:3 "Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?"
Our college town church experienced lighter attendance this morning, but we had a praise filled and nourishing service with teaching from John 13 about Jesus washing feet at the Passover Supper (doing the lowliest of the lowliest) after the crowds hailed Him with Hosannas. We enjoyed connecting with our church family over a potluck "breakfast for lunch."
One of these days I’ll get there. But in the meantime. A lovely post.