Are Christendoms Sheperds any Better than Witness Sheperds?

by gumby 31 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  FlyingHighNow

  Our church will bring communion to you from every service it is served at if you are ill or depressed and cannot attend. We also have Stephen (Lay) Ministers that help care for those that need it. Mother Val told us that marriage is a legal arrangement that men first came up with. She told us that if we decided to take that step, that she would only be officiating for the State of Michigan. She said we would be the priests.

  On Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday, she and Father Mick washed and kissed the feet of anyone that wanted them to. We asked her why they do it. She said it's because they are there to serve us. And in their case, they really mean it.
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  gumby

  Thanks for the replies folks......but yer makin me feel like damn bastard oddball now! You all got luvins and the Gumbastard didn't get a call

  I must say this. When I attended, I only wanted bible truth from the platform. No cookouts for Gumby, no weekend socializing, no friends I hung with from there, no participation in good deeds at christmas time, in other words......all I did was attend Sunday School and the sermon....that's it. I needed to find truth first and that was ALL I was concerned with.

  I couldn't get "into" the social church thing till I knew truth....so I really didn't have close friends. I DID however give a testimony with old flame there. He and I told our whole story just before communion that evening. All new me. I commented during Sunday school alot. Most all knew I was a former witness. I was friendly as you see me here.....without using the word bastard however

  Anyways, others liked me, I was no weird odd guy, so i'd say it must have been the little old fashioned church I was in..... (they played the freakin organ for the songs it was so old fashioned) as for the reason for them not following up on me. It was rather a "me right attitude" church and just a tad self rightous one to boot, so perhaps this was the reason for no luvins for Gumby.

  So then, I'm not here to take away from christendoms leaders and members caring for one another.....just relating my experience

  Luv me
• 

  FlyingHighNow

  Gumby, you should try one of the more liberal Episcopal Churches. They believe God's grace is for everyone, Jew, Muslim, etc. etc. They have gay priests and bishops and well, Mother Val would love you. I know she would.
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  jgnat

  Anyways, with Christendom, attending this or that church is not a life or death decision. If Christendom A is not as loving as you wanted, there's always Christendom B down the street.
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  FlyingHighNow

  This is the welcome from St. Mark's website. It's the reason we chose to check them out. We didn't expect more than people going through the motions. We were sure wrong. And pleasantly so.

  Newcomers

  We are delighted to welcome newcomers to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church!
  
  We are delighted to welcome newcomers to St. Mark's Episcopal Church!
  
  Many of our parishioners came to St. Mark's as young people or adults. Some were already Episcopalians; some were even new to Christianity. From wherever you have come, we welcome you on your spiritual journey.
  
  Our parish includes young and old; wealthy and those of modest means; black, brown, and white; gay and straight; married and single; and those with children or not. Our parishioners come from the city, the suburbs, and more rural areas of West Michigan.
  
  We celebrate and embrace the diversity of St. Mark's parish. Everyone is welcome!
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  aniron

  Near to the church I attend is an old building empty for many years. During this past week a young man, in his mid 20's, he had got inside and had fallen through the floor and was killed. Whether it was an accident or he jumped no one is sure.

  Four of his friends turned up at our church on Thursday night during a service, they sat at the back of the church. If you had seen them your first thought would have been that they were coming to cause trouble. But they had come seeking comfort and maybe answers. The Pastor who should have taking the service spent over 30 mins talking to them. While the rest of us carried on singing worship songs. Then some of the younger member of the church spoke to them. During a break in the service they joined the rest of us having a cup of tea/coffee. After the break and before the second part of the service 3 of them left, one stayed. He later came to the front to be prayed over.

  We were not there to condemn, but to comfort.

  I wonder how the "shepherds" of the JW's would have handled the situation?
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  Shining One

  >I attended a baptist church for about 3 or 4 years and quit when I began to question christianity and the bibles message. Never one call from anyone. How bout you? Are christendoms sheperds any better than dub sheperds?
  Gumby
  
  Were you fairly regular and did you make any friends? There are a lot of factors involved. The Baptists do not have 'elders' in name. Biblically, it is the same church office as a bishop, pastor and overseer. There was no pastoral visit or calls?
  Pastors are generally not interested in hunting someone down to find out what their particular sin is! Most that I know can barely handle most of the priority visits. Unless the church had deacons who did visitation you may have 'fallen through the cracks'.
  Anyone in a church that is loving will help you out if requested. They do not want to be nosy and scare you off or appear coercive. As Christians, we are somewhat responsible four our maturing in the faith (1 Cor. 3) but then again some churches are not very good at this. Its a real 'mixed bag' out there. I will be happy to help you out anytime, just IM me.
  God Bless,
  Rex
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  lovelylil

  The one I attend is very loving. Lots of stress on grace and not works. And I enjoy the fellowship before and after. It is so different from the KH where it was so stuffy. I really feel encouraged when I leave and you can feel the love there. It is not fake like at the KH. I live so far away though that we only get there about 2x a month. I always get emails though from some of the members just to say hello and see how we are doing in our "neck of the woods". I think it depends on the church. Some are more loving than others.
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  gumby

  Me thinks everyones forgotten I'm a non bible believin, heathen, pagan, non born again, nutsack shinin kinda guy....sheesh, I ain't lookin to join a church.....but thank ya all kindly for the suggestions.

  My point wasn't that I' was stumbled right out of "the lord". I came to my non bible beliefs through much study and drawing my own conclusions, the baptist church I attended only moved me to explore that field as the more I studied the bible, the less it rang true for me personally.

  ShiningOne.....rex baby,

  Were you fairly regular and did you make any friends?

  You've been naughty and didn't read my posts here.....now did ya?

  There are a lot of factors involved. The Baptists do not have 'elders' in name. Biblically, it is the same church office as a bishop, pastor and overseer.

  I don't know what baptist church you attended, but mine had elders. The pastor had his own role .

  Gumby
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  aniron

  Some people say they "attend" church when they mean they "may" go on a Sunday sing a couple of hymns, listen to a sermon and are out before the last Amen has been said. Probably don't even know the ministers name.

  I have known people who called themselves "regular" churchgoers because they went at Easter, Christmas and for anything special in between.

  My attendance is not regular, because of my work rota. Attended last Sunday and will this Sunday, but will miss next two Sundays. Sometimes can missed up to 4-5 Sundays in a row. The Pastor knows about my working. But will get a letter asking if everything ok. Which I don't think is bad out of a congregation of 250.