tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592262.post7858712934408098441..comments2024-01-29T10:28:23.734-06:00Comments on The Dawg Howse: Can I Bring Up the "C" Word?Darrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579856923781645517noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592262.post-62845033126888382692006-11-20T13:30:00.000-06:002006-11-20T13:30:00.000-06:00Ruth is having trouble with Blogger today (I know ...Ruth is having trouble with Blogger today (I know that no one else ever has trouble with Blogger) and she posted this over on Libby's site since she could not get it on mine. I brought it here for her.<br /><br />ruthrap said...<br /><br /> Libby, I can't leave a comment on Darrell' s, so I'm using you! You hit the nail on the head when you said people don't want to commit to God! I believe that's more what it's about than making a committment to a church..I think when one commits to God and totally seeks after Him, then the committment to church will follow. Low attendance at church has something to do with lack of committing to change in our lives and living up to a life that would exclude a lot of the garbage that we have let seep into it because we feel other things are more important than going to church and worshiping God! I really believe that if every one would do a little "soul searching" and truly be honest with themselves, they would quit coming up with lame excuses for not going to church on Sunday and face up to the fact that the blame lies on them and their hearts, not on the church or the pastor or who may have offended them in the next row at a service! I'm not pointing fingers or comdenming anyone for not going to church every time the door is open..that's not what it's all about, it's about showing gratitude and doing what we were created to do and that's worshiping God..plain and simple! I know what is is to stay away from church...did it for years and I know the reason why...it's because I didn't want to commit to God and didn't want to give up things in my life that had no business being there. I was wrong and I'll be the first to admit. All I can say is that the word committment to some sounds threatening and many are simply afraid of it..and with committment the first thing people think of is what they are losing not what they are gaining! When you commit to God there is much more to gain than to lose...it's just a matter of convincing people of that fact! That's our job and we sure have our work cut out for us as you well know!Darrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12579856923781645517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592262.post-52935071226587227042006-11-20T08:26:00.000-06:002006-11-20T08:26:00.000-06:00Phil, I see where you are going, but notice my wor...Phil, I see where you are going, but notice my words carefully: "committed to Christ and HIS church."<br />The problem for so many today is that they are looking for what the church is going to do for them, rather than realizing that they are in fact the church. The sad truth is that the vast majority of those who go to church are not asking questions like you ask, but rather they are just looking for a place to show up once in awhile to do their religious duty and to appease their conscience. They are in no way looking for a place to be involved in the service of God, but rather are looking for a place to be comfortable, have their needs met and not be challenged to become anything more. The 2006 American church is not interested in serving; they want to be served.Darrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12579856923781645517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592262.post-37151918634623284662006-11-19T21:42:00.000-06:002006-11-19T21:42:00.000-06:00I understand exactly what you are saying there, Da...I understand exactly what you are saying there, Darrell. But as one who is in the "pew" I would have to raise a few questions myself:<br /><br />1) What exactly does the "leadership" want me to commit to?<br /><br />2) Other than "proving my spirituality"--or lack thereof, why should I commit "more" to this local congregation? What commitment does this church want to make to me..in return for my commitment to it?<br /><br />3) Is this church really wanting to develop and maintain "community" as well as "commitment"?Phil Hooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14613170792920440824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592262.post-44343673840563720922006-11-18T15:53:00.000-06:002006-11-18T15:53:00.000-06:00What gets me is how some who have no committment t...What gets me is how some who have no committment to the church are the ones who complain the most, expect the most of the pastor and the church and takes up most of the pastors time on the phone or in meetings. How would the church respond if the pastors just showed up once a month but collected their compensation package each week?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592262.post-7439412246967294372006-11-18T14:54:00.000-06:002006-11-18T14:54:00.000-06:00How long would one keep his job if he showed up on...How long would one keep his job if he showed up only 20% of the time? Coming once in 5 weeks isn't even that! That % only covers 1 service per week. How effective could one BE on a job if he/ she showed up only 20% of the time? Yet people think "God's o.k with that. HE knows my heart!" Absolutely HE knows their hearts! They are sinful and NOT committed to God!Libbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06452689115839841493noreply@blogger.com