Church

[paul]

"Mat"

So often I see Christians who will go half a world a way, spend two weeks ministering in 3rd world conditions, come home saying it was the greatest experience of their lives, but will never committing to a local church that did not offer the "newest" of music and a coffee shop in the lobby.

Mat, because I am one who takes many overseas on mission trips, ( we leave monday with 48 people to the Philippines ) let me respond to this portion of your post.

I am in agreement with your assesment with a disclaimer. No one can be more concerned with the local church than I. Maybe as much not not more.

One of the purposes of taking people on these trips is to help them become aware not only of the needs in the world and how they can contribute to help mankind, but also to help them see that they are a part of a body ( community of believers ) and to understand that when one rejoices we all rejoice and when one hurts we all hurt.

Also to help our youth realize that the world does not revolve around them, MTV, XBOX and Disney World.

Our desire is that when they return home they will embrace those experiences and see that what they have done overseas is as needed here at home and will become involved more and more in the local body.

Now to my area of frustration, In so many cases these people are not facilitated into the local body. They desire to do more...but the local leadership must help them learn how to transfer those expereinces to the local level. I can share examples all day of both sides, where those returning so helped change their church for the better that the pastor sends his leaders with me yearly. Others where the people returned and sat and did nothing.

While I agree whole heartely that the reason people may come to church to is that their needs are met ( certinally that is a part of why the church is there for ) and I agree completelt that it is a place to share our giftings and talents, I am in 100% agreement that we also come to worship our Lord and Savior, there is more.

When reading Paul's letters to the churches one cannot miis that fact that Paul looked at the church as a community of believers. It is a Christian community, it is a family, where all things were in common. While the latter has changed since Acts, the principle has not changed.

Today christians are so disinfranchazied with the church and one another. We meet once maybe twice a week. Many do not ( especially in larger churches ) ever meet or see each other outside the four wals of the church. We are dis-connected from one another and the only community we have is on sunday morning.

Church is more than just a place to worship God, more than just a place to serve, more than just a place to exhipt our talents and giftings, more than just a place to have our needs met. It is a family and a Community of Like Minded Believers living in the present, working in the present waiting for the culdamation of the everlasting hope of Christ Return. That Community is not confined to the four walls of the church, but if there is a strong bond a strong family they will be drawn to church

[Dr. Ron]

Paul, you are so right about this.

We are using our small groups as a way to remedy all that. To assimilate people into a small group.....sometimes kicking and screaming...lol

We hope to eventially have all missions and local outreach performed by each small group. We see tremendous potential.

Keep up the good work my friend. We shall meet someday.....

[Dr. Ron]

Kenya,

I understand where you are. You are dealing with a real issue called "burn-out" It happens to people who have been in a situation of stress for long periods of time.

You are in a church that your dad loved and gave his life to. It is doubly difficult for you to see someone else in that pulpit. No guilt about that.

With your "burn-out" compounded by your physical issues, I would be shocked if you were jumping up and down to go to church......especially if it is just to carry on for others. Sometimes the word "sabatical" is used to describe a break from responsibility and stress and allow the body and the spirit to rest and recuperate.

What you describe is not from being "hurt" (no offense dolfan) .....he and his family seem to have gone into that same situation of carrying the load a long time.....What you are describing is total exhaustion.....mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Remember, it was Jesus who taught us that sometimes we just need to "come apart" for a while .....or we might just very well "come apart".
Just let the pastor know you are suffering in this way, and the true shepherd will be compassionate to you. I know I would. I have two families on "sabatical " right now. We still talk weekly and they send their tithes and yet, they are having nothing but family worship at home for 3 months. The kids, of course, are still involved in youth group....but they are re-charging their batteries.

Hang in there girl......