What should I be looking for in a church?

[aron]

Originally Posted by GuestM

This is about control. They have no intention of listening to you. They want to wear you down, or gain something from what you say that will give them an advantage. Worse than that? Well...I don't know these particular people you're dealing with, but I know this behavior, and it's kind of psychic vampirism (for lack of a more Christiany way to say it...sorry).

But I'm serious.

People who are emotional manipulators MUST FEED ON EMOTION. They must engage with you and interact with you to maintain hope of control. As long as they can rile you up and keep you on the defensive, even if you are resisting them, they are still, ultimately, controlling you.

They cannot do that if they don't have access to you.

I agree. Don't feed them your soul. Just disengage.

They are not there to learn from you & grow. They manipulate others to please their all-too- human masters.

Pick up a HWMR sometime and look at the outline. Full of need. "We must" and "We should" and "We need to".

[Kevin]

Lord, where would I go?

[aron]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Lord, where would I go?

Jesus had no place to lay his head. Why should you? Are you a sojourner or not?

His home was in the Father's will. Where is yours?

If you solve the Jesus Puzzle the Church Puzzle will sort itself out right quick. But don't look for answers to the first puzzle within the second one. Remember your LC experience - that should prove my point.

[byHismercy]

Hi saints!

I find myself in the same place, of needing to go on with the Lord and needing a church....but not altogether trusting my own discernment and judgment....but I want to look away unto Jesus forgetting all that, trusting Him to lead me to the right place!

But I wanted to share Justin Peters name with you. You can find him on youtube....his ministry has been blessing me greatly, especially coming from the deception and error of the Local Church...

Justin Peters likes to expound on the bible verse by verse, but he also speaks the truth in love regarding errors in todays churches.....and false things....he really hates the lie!

Anyways, bless all the dear brothers and sisters as they seek to continue on in the fellowship of Christ!

Dear Kevin,

I would recommend T Austin Sparks. He has easily the best writings that I have come across. He is no longer alive. You can get his books cheap on a Kindle or Amazon. I get them on my Kindle for like $1. He is clear and shows great understanding of scripture. He has lots of love that comes out in his writings. I also find got questions.org to be a helpful site. I will try to remember to keep you in prayer.

[HERn]

Originally Posted by byHismercy

Hi saints!

I find myself in the same place, of needing to go on with the Lord and needing a church....but not altogether trusting my own discernment and judgment....but I want to look away unto Jesus forgetting all that, trusting Him to lead me to the right place!

But I wanted to share Justin Peters name with you. You can find him on youtube....his ministry has been blessing me greatly, especially coming from the deception and error of the Local Church...

Justin Peters likes to expound on the bible verse by verse, but he also speaks the truth in love regarding errors in todays churches.....and false things....he really hates the lie!

Anyways, bless all the dear brothers and sisters as they seek to continue on in the fellowship of Christ!

Hi byHismercy! I really like small groups, because it's there that people really get to know me; and I like group meetings in homes. For some folks small groups are their classes on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening, and that's great. But, my wife and I benefit from the more intimate setting of a small group in a home. It's there that people get to know me and others learn how I share Christ's love and whether I am an open person or not. There is lots of diversity in Christ's body, I think the Holy Spirit will help you feel comfortable in the group that you would thrive in. It's OK to visit and talk to people, and if you find a pastor/shepherd that you can easily talk with, that would be a great plus. I'm glad you're seeking and have not given up!

[byHismercy]

Originally Posted by HERn

Hi byHismercy! I really like small groups, because it's there that people really get to know me; and I like group meetings in homes. For some folks small groups are their classes on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening, and that's great. But, my wife and I benefit from the more intimate setting of a small group in a home. It's there that people get to know me and others learn how I share Christ's love and whether I am an open person or not. There is lots of diversity in Christ's body, I think the Holy Spirit will help you feel comfortable in the group that you would thrive in. It's OK to visit and talk to people, and if you find a pastor/shepherd that you can easily talk with, that would be a great plus. I'm glad you're seeking and have not given up!

Thank you, HERn! I appreciate your sweet encouragement. For so long I completely believed into the Lee lie about his ministry being the only place to find truth, light, and love. Now that it is revealed to be a hoax, I am beginning from scratch....I spent my whole adult life, 20 plus years in the Lee group. It was not too long after I received Christ that I met this group.

Naturally, knowing how easily one can be tricked(everything I see now in the Lee ministry was hidden from me) I guess it is time to move forward with discernment! And I really look forward with antipcipation to sharing in all the portions from each and every saint....Praise Jesus, Himself our portion!