Misunderstandings

Misunderstandings happen all the time. You say something and it can so easily be taken the wrong way. Sometimes the reason they are is that the other person really does not hear what you are saying, because they are forming an opinion in their head to come back at your statement.



Recently we made the decision to change churches, same denomination, just a different one in the area. it has been the BEST decision we have made in a long time. The former pastor was approached as to why but with only one statement made..he interrupted and went on and on about how disappointed he was, how we were letting him and the church down, etc etc. For almost 20 minutes he went on ..never letting our reasons be explained.



Now the reason (the one and only that he knows) is being told and people are not hearing the real one.



A small issue was the music. Being in our 50's and growing up in church we love the hymns. I also love the praise and worship choruses and new contemporary music also. But there is a trend now to throw out the old and only use the new. That is a big mistake. The hymns are full of doctrine and maturity and spiritual meat. The new are nice but most lack the meat of the gospel that the church needs today.



Many elderly people also in the church have paid the price or sacrifice to build the buildings and establish the churches, and they are left out of the worship service by throwing out old. There MUST be a happy medium folks!



That was one issue. But the main reason was the pastoral leadership. We have been through some hard times in the past two years, but when we talk to the pastor, he just shrugs it off and basically says.."Get over it!" Since when is that a proper answer when someone is hurting? Being in the ministry for over 30 years I know that compassion is something every pastor and Christian should have. It is a gift from God when you know him.



Being of a certain denomination also, dictates your churches belief structure. for two years we have attended and not once did we hear our basic beliefs preached. That is important for a congregation to know what and why you believe certain things. WE feel this is vital to our church. Spiritually we were dry. NOt that God can't be with you, but when things are hard, you need affirmation from the pulpit..not beaten down with Works that you should and are not doing.



It is the purpose of the pastor to spread the word of God on the table for us to partake of, to nourish our souls, to be challenged and to grow. Beating up the people will accomplish nothing.



I feel the purpose of the church is to bring others into the kingdom. It can be done through many avenues and activities. But when a pastor says , "I don't care if they ever come to church"

that bothers me. Just why are we doing what we are doing if not to build the kingdom. These are issues that I feel are important, and they are lacking so much in the old church.



We attended another church on one sunday, and the presence of the Lord was SO close that I could not hold back the tears. God was filling my spirit anew. Then He said to me as clear as he can.."THIS is where you belong!" In the past few weeks we are getting involved, growing refreshed and renewed. I am singing in the choir and loving it. And we even do hymns and new songs and it works wonderfully together!



All the misunderstandings could be cleared up IF people would LISTEN and not be quick to judge the reasons. Listening is important especially from pastors.