The issue is very often not the pastor but other people in the church who make unreasonable demands, are judgmental, or downright nasty. This does happen.
I live in a wealthy sorta town and I only moved here to get away from old drug friends and I’m christian but I can’t find a church where there are people like me everyone has something in common and I’m a broke joke
I've quit going to church and just started reading my Bible and praying most every morning instead and have grown in my understanding and closeness to God 10-fold, if not more. God has also worked within me A LOT since leaving the church and I am much more obedient to him as a LORD of me (not just me doing my own thing and wearing “Christian” as a nametag). I had attended charismatic, fundamental, and community churches for more than 20 years with little or no growth. Getting information straight from the Bible (which is the only complete source of Christian truth), accepting God’s word in whole (make sure to check all Bible passages before it becomes my doctrine), and making Jesus the one I follow and obey (not a church or pastor) is the best move I’ve made in my walk with God.
@Caleb King "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." Psalm 1:1
@Caleb King As AW Pink points out in “Studies in the Scriptures”, April, 1932, ref Hebrews 10:25: It is not, “Cease not to attend the assembly,” but, “forsake not,” abandon not the assembling of yourselves together. It is not the sin of sloth or of schism which is here considered, but that of apostasy. If a professing Christian forsook the Christian churches and became a Mohammedan, he would disobey this verse. But, for one who puts the honour of Christ before everything else, to turn his back upon the so-called churches, where He is now so grievously dishonoured, is not a failure to comply with its terms. full study at www.eternallifeministries.org/pink/STUD-432.pdf -pages 6 & 7)
Is not only in church that we can gather, when we visit one another and fellowship today that can also be seen as gathering of one another. So when I quite going to church I benefit more by reading the word of God than Church ceremony and their human doctrine
Well, we are supposed to read the Bible even if we do go to church. The church I am a member of is on fire for God. The pastor breaks everything down & speaks truth. Find yourself a church that does that & become friends with other families there. It's about community and having a family..Church is important but going to a bad church is not. I have attended both..great churches really make you feel different when leaving..they make you feel convicted, hopeful, joyful, etc. Not just "good". I'm trying a new church today since I moved & hope to settle in with one that loves God truly and His word. I am also a devote Christian and have been reading my Bible alone since I was 16. If you find a good church, your attitude will change. Not all churches are prosperity ones.
It has been a blessing to watch Pastor MacArthur's leadership in this time. It is time for people to stop living in fear and return to worship together in person. Thank you, Pastor MacArthur, for your faithfulness.
Where in the Bible do you have groups of 200 people gathering and singing aside only one person, a self-alleged shepherd (pastor), has the right to do all the talking? Jesus is the only true shepherd. All the other self-alleged pastors and priests are false shepherds and churches led by them (other than a newly planted church served by missionaries) that demand to have a pastor are no less disobedient than the OT Israelites demanding a king. By measure of John MacArthur here, John the baptist and even Jesus were out of line. I’ll side with Jesus and John the baptist instead of John MacArthur.
This is so convicting for me. Just because my pastor may not be as great as Pastor John doesn’t mean I shouldn’t encourage him, offer to pray for him, or support my church in its ministry. Thank you for posting this!
Problem is there are so many churches that dont have any real fellowship. Sunday and possibly some mid week thing. No real community and no opportunity to build each other up. Sit in a pew for an hour, watch a man practice his "gift" and then leave. That is not "church".
Especially if you are a single woman...there is no fellowship, no relationships, no service, no caring. Social distancing...not the choice of any single person but simply the reality we have been dealing with.
O how I long to be in +part of the Congragation of the Rightious, I sing so loud. There are No sound Churches near, I am homebound nursing my dear husband. But I praise God through modern media for all contact He brings me. O cherish your Church family.
Many churches are becoming indiscernible from a fraternal type atmosphere that simply pushes a culturally capitulating, feel good, perpetual happiness and prosperous message. Anyone who dares talk of the harsh realities of sin and focus on calling sexual perversion, abortion, race baiting etc. what it is. THESE people are the ones treated as divisive. God's Word takes a back seat to friendship with the world!
You can find church that speak harsh on sin look at the legalistic churches and groups. If your pastor has no passion for pastor like John macarthur then you too will be the same!
Janet Eaton - Find a Reformed Church. You will hear doctrinally sound music, and you will hear the entire Word of God preached. It won’t be all fluff, the social gospel, sin never mentioned, etc. God willing you will find a good church, and be spiritually blessed!
@Some Winters The problem is that he is a very good pastor and maybe he is reluctant to admit that he is the exception among thousands of lukewarm if not apostate pastors...
They simply do not know how bad it is. These pastors, God bless them, have no clue what is really really going on out here for those of us desiring to gather with a faithful, physical church body when THERE ISN'T ONE TO BE FOUND. I have asked God for a church body to meet with for years and years. I am willing and desirous because we are told not to forsake gathering together. Yet every time I venture to go to another church house the Lord seemingly shows me to, it turns out I am there only to witness sleepers and idolaters and false doctrine and scorners and fleshly, insecure, idol shepherds earning salaries with their families holding staff positions and congregants eating donuts and drinking coffee and arranging pot luck and game nights. And no one is worshipping God, in my opinion. It seems they are just jamming on guitars and drums to popular songs with tambourines and colored lights shining on them. It's a production, a show. Somebody provoke me to good works, pleeeeze!! I'm doing the best I can here, completely alone in this world, but for the Holy Spirit. I'm getting ready for Jesus and no one cares to do it with me. But you know what? I only have eyes for Jesus, anyway, so I've grown accustomed to walking and talking with Him by myself. I do minister to people on-line and when I get groceries, and I pray for people. Perhaps this is what my lot is. I just want to please the Lord. I wonder if maybe we are reaching a point where the church body is being thinned out and genuine believers are to gather together more "in Spirit." I think so much of the genuine believers I used to know from 20 years ago. I miss them so much and pray to run into them before the rapture, just to see them and talk about Jesus again. Oh my goodness, to have a human to talk about Jesus with, and serve Him together in these last days, would be glorious.
Did Jesus roll the stone himself, or did he ask Martha to do it? Or did the group of men who carried the paralysed man in Luke sit down and wait for Jesus to get to them? I say these to show that faith is demonstrated by action. In looking for a good church, pray that you may discern by the Spirit and not merely human judgment. The Spirit of God does not make us lazy, or gullible, or stupid.
I left what had been a good church but left when the new pastor attacked me personally from the pulpit for believing that my kjv1611 bible is the inspired word of GOD and he was supported by the deacons. Afterwards I began to study the scriptures deeply especially the end times and the soon return of Jesus Christ, I enjoyed bible study with many believers from other churches even though their churches were not baptist. I have since found that there are many bible believing saints from many churches. I did this for a few years. I then moved to another city and finally found a true bible believing church, Thank GOD.
Some people like to use the excuse " I can do the same thing at home" (read the bible, pray) but they don't. My spouse is one of them. I understand that there is a lot of church hurt or different reasons why people do not go to church but as Christians we should not be living the Christian life alone. We should fellowship with people who share the same core beliefs, encourage one another and learn about God's word collectively.
I am in a similar dilemma. I am in Thailand and have found a small "church" that uses a pre-programmed slideshow for the sermons that seem to be geared towards children. I feel I need a more mature church with a much stronger pastor. There are only about 6-people in this "church" (if we go, my wife and I) and it had not grown in years. It seems to me if God wanted this "church" to grow it would, they fact it has not bothers me and I don't think this is the right place for me. Anyone?
I can’t get the true word of God and I’ve visited countless churches the last year. I’m 61 and grew up in church. I know the word of God and up until a few years ago the word was being preached
“You either go to church or you don’t go to church and that’s not an option.” Christians need to get out of the church system mindset and realize the believers are not bound to meeting in a church building but can assemble anywhere at any place at anytime.
Before any decision, I must check my relationship with God, am I ongoing asking for His presence in my life? Then when He confirms He is, I then ask what do you want me to do? I've been baptized 17 and a half years, have I've done this the while time? No, it really started in the last week of 2017 where the Holy Spirit convicted me and I again have my life to God and as I've developed a life of prayer when God began to truly direct me. Then He confirmed that I should continue to go where I'm attending church, I've visited other churches but this is where I must be for the time being.
Blessed are those who have not soiled their garments. Always makes me think of somebody pooping in their pants. Maybe that’s actually what they meant metaphorically. I agree with what he says but the problem is it’s hard to find a good church now that is centered on the word faithful to the word and you won’t know if they are faithful to the word unless you’ve been there a while and that’s when you discover that they are not faithful to the word they have strange doctrine and you’re driven out because they’re not gonna change so it’s either stand or bad teaching or leave..
Ken Zeier But on the other hand if I were going to Joel Olsteen's church I'd leave immediately. The man never opens his Bible. He never reads from it. Oh sure he holds it up every once in a while. I call him the feel good teachers.
Hebrews 10:24-25 New International Version 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. John cherry picked this and left out the spur one another and encouraging one another. When do you ever see that going on in any of John's videos on RU-vid?
My answer is always the same "I can't go to something that I am - I am the church, the body of Christ of which He is the Head! Church is not a building so I can't go to it!
@@suem5213 go and read your Bible, if you have a decent one. Colossians 1:18, Colossians 1:14 & Philemon 1:2 having church in a house. Church is the body of Christ of which He is the head - it's not a building. You go to an assembly or fellowship that's not playing with words - there is vast difference between Christ & a building. There are over a 1000+ denominations all claiming they are right & which join their "church" but under Grace we are ONE IN CHRIST. Galatians 3:28.
Paul Kruger Did I say we the people aren't the church, the body of Christ? Neither does John MacArthur argue that point. Anyone that's a believer knows that. Like I said you're playing with words. If you want to call the church bldg something else be my guest. We call it "going to church" and we'll continue doing the same. Good day sir.
@@suem5213 and will repeat I cannot go to something that I am! I also note you said nothing about the 1000+ denominations I commented on - I suppose that's also playing with words! So what does John MacArthur have to say about tithing?
Any church that teaches different gospel other than what the Holy Bible says is an antiChrist ...God bless pastor John MacArthur for continually standing firm about your belief and faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ no matter what the cost is amen.
Jesus is the gospel. He is a human being, not a set of words or doctrines or theology but a real living person to connect and interact with. who is alive with a real body right now. Anything that doesn't point to a relationship with him is not pointing anyone in the direction of 'the gospel'
We are the church We as people make the diffrence not a physical buidling . As long as we congregate in the word of God we are the church . You can be at church with your next door neighbor. We need to come together and learn that we as Gods servants can take the church where ever we go. This is like saying we can only pray to God at church if we can pray and God hears us everywhere we are we can be a church anywhere we are. And we only need to be loyal to the word of God.
The only issue is the infiltration of false doctrine tied to the Word. It’s so hard to stay in a place where there’s a “new” Jesus being taught. I agree about the pettiness of human conflict not being a reason to leave! Some people left before he finished that the Word has to be honored.
Since I’ve been saved I’ve gone to 3 different churches and they each try to pressure me into participating in other things besides Sunday service. My husband isn’t a Christian and he doesn’t like me going to church at all. I’m the sole caretaker of my daughter as well. I try to explain this and they don’t understand so I stopped going to church. I’m still not baptized, I’m so sad about it.
The Bible says, “Bad associations spoils useful habits.” Going to church, surrounding yourselves with fellow shameless hypocrites, turns seemingly good. Christians in to enablers…
Salvation through faith alone isn’t scriptural. While there are many passages that emphasize the importance of faith, there are also many passages that emphasize repentance, keeping the Commandments, and doing the will of the Father. The only passage in scripture where the words “Faith alone” appear together are in James 2:24 “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” Gob bless!
People don't go to Church because they are lost and undone without Christ. They always find something wrong with the Church but see no fault in themselves. Number 1 reason admitted or not!
How would one determine which church to go to? There are 100's of denominations all claiming they are right, 1 Corinthians 1 tells us Christ is not divided & it is a sin to divide the body of Christ. Seek Him outside the camp (Heb.13:13)
I was on verge of leaving church with out previous pastor who was only there 2 years. He was a narcissist who was driving us crazy in sound booth. I work the video and hubby works sound board. I can do sound board too. Hubby has a paying job. I dont. Now we have a pastor for 2 1/2 years now and he’s a narcissist too who’s driving us crazy in sound booth. 😩 My husband has to work 2 Sundays out of a month and pastor is against working on Sunday. He wants hubby to change work schedule or get another job but hubby not doing it. Pastor giving him to January to fix his job situation. Hubby wrote me today saying how he’s telling pastor we’re stepping down Nov 1. Pastor had message me saying how he’s taking the reins and taking control to get it done. Good luck bro. Lol! You control freak.
Have any church said after the meeting with a sincerely true heart after the meeting to brothers and sisters "You that have not food or clothes for winter COME FORTH SO WE CAN HELP YOU with all the collect money? I would like to see that.😊
John your recommendation for becoming a part of a community with the requirements you mentioned is gold standard for Christians. Unfortunately it doesn't reflect the situation found in a lot of regional areas today. I live in a small regional town (3000 families) outside of a middle sized regional city- 80000 people. In our local area our churches reflect the following theologies. 1. N.A.R. the majority. 2. Extreme charismatic 3. Kingdom now. 4. Ephesus- Rev 2:1-5 extreme coldness. 5. Name it and claim it mixed with seeker friendly churches. 6.Catholic 7.High Anglican. 8. 2 Tim 3:5 9. Laodicean If I took my young grandson to a local church, either in our town or in the city close by, he would be led astray. Unfortunately your comments show a lack of understanding of what is really happening in regional areas, As you know we are living in the Laodicean end times where the real body of Christ is the remnant. Now you're probably going to get upset about this but we haven't been to an organised institutionalised church building for about 20 years and we are more on fire for the Lord Jesus today than when we went to the Ephesus styled large church in our local city. He has given us a ministry to the poor and sick and has provided all we need for it and we have seen spectacular answers to prayer, many of which have left us amazed. Your brother in the Lord. Royce
My church unfortunately supports women „pastors“... Talking with the lead pastor about it. Pray for him and me🙏 God bless all my brothers and sisters in Christ🙏
Hopefully you will be looking for another church soon. The Apostle Paul was clear about women being silent in the church. They are not to have authority over men. They can teach other women, and children, but are not to be Preachers, Elders, or Deacons...
@@silverfoxsmith8582 the pastor freaked out and shouted at another brother who had the same complaint as I. we left this place of spiritual entertainment. They should repent and give God the glory by being faithful to His Word.
What’s a bit confusing and i feel its not being answered, for whatever reason… is it a sin not to attend church? Now does the scriptures say that? Or does it say, the Word of God RECOMMENDS you attend a church, that even though you live a life following God, accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior and seek him by prayer, fasting, reading the word and when the opportunity arises to witness, none of that matters, because if you don’t attend a church you’re doomed. That’s what i wonder. GB
I’m just trying to find ONE church that doesn’t worship only on Sunday. I have been lead by the Holy Spirit to see that its a false Roman Catholic doctrine to worship only on this day and Christians have fallen into it as well. We should have services available EVERY DAY not just one day it’s one thing that has been so strong in me in my search for a church to go to. I have a bible study I am apart of every week so I gather with fellow sisters but I have guilt (mostly from other Christians) about not being apart of a bigger community. I can only find communities online. I still haven’t been able to find a church near me that I can go to any day of the week…
if your a new believer, you go to church to be shown how to live the Christian life and most of the time it may be you don't know the truth enough to know if the truth is being preached or not. You may grow but under the Pastors pace because of human laziness and we are urged to read the scripture that is presented to us and may not be establishing us in the fundamentals of Christianity. This is why people can be in church for 20 years and just learn how to do church but not grow in knowledge, understanding of the Holy Spirit. Tbh you go church and just develop a habit of dependency on Pastor and not God. I also don't believe in staying at home isolated as Pastor MacArthur shared. Maybe find a church like he said that is strong on bible teaching and prayer
PG Tips - NO, NO, and again NO!!! The Bible tells us to make a Joyful noise unto the Lord. 1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Psalm 100:1-2
I suggest you first discover what 'church' is then stay there; 'church’ is not man's perception. You don't go to church, but there is something about you that is 'church', you just need to discover what it is. I strongly suggest that believers sit down before the Comforter to be taught what 'church' really is. John MacArthur suggested that you are the church, you don't go to church, you take the church to a place (called church). ? Don't forsake the 'church' from gathering together with other 'churches'? John MacArthur also said, “Find a group of people you can love, and serve, and minister to, and be a part of it.” Does anything come to mind here? Now, that is something to really consider??
The best part of church are the people. The worst part of church are the people. What happens when the majority of your congregation is either lukewarm or dry bones? I guess the only option is to find like minded strong in faith Christians and soldier on.
I understand what he's saying as far as Church hopping but when he says he doesn't like church hopping that's his personal opinion or that's his personal feeling they don't have anything to do with the individual that wants to go from church to church to church the church I don't think God or Jesus or whoever you believe in cares if you go from church to church because you're still in the midst of his name being spoken. So when pastor say I don't like this or I don't like that or I don't like this that automatically lets me know that that pastor which she said isn't perfect but Jesus was and God was so it doesn't matter what he feels
If your calling is to be in Praise and worship and your happy there, but the worship leader will not allow people in because he doesn't want to deal with people which he told me, do I stay in this church.
What if my country (Peru) has a mandatory lockdown ONLY on Sundays? As crazy as it sounds no one can leave their houses on Sundays but you can do normal life the rest of the week. We still watch our Sunday service online. Please pray for Peru.
What if I can't drive or have someone to drive me to Church? I'm on a limited income, and I can't take a cab. Is watching a good church broadcast on TV ok?
You sound so sweet. If the going to church represents a sacrifice you make, then maybe you can find some other way to sacrifice. Maybe there is something you can do for a neighbor or a family member, or even a stranger, to show real human kindness and to do good deeds, instead of going to church.
Peggy, I'm not trying to insult or be impolite. But can you read? If you can, read your bible. Pray, fast if you can. Seek Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind and body. And 2nd, Love thy neighbor as you'd love your self. That doesn't mean just your next door neighbor, that means everyone. Do these 2 things and you will see a huge difference.
Two commandments, Baptism and the Lord's supper, need both, can't do outside context of a local church. ~ Dr. James White Jesus says: “If you love Me, keep My commandments … He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me … If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” John 14:15-24.
Going to church will not help you! Sunday worship will not release you! Your only hope of shaking yourself free from Satan and the destructive mindset of the world is to follow the CHRIST WAY. The Christ Way is the WAY of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE and UNCONDITIONAL FORGIVENESS which Jesus personally followed and lived after full understanding in the desert - understanding which enabled Jesus to return to Jerusalem and embark on a new life of healing, teaching and control of the elements. But because the original teachings of Jesus are in direct opposition to the teachings of retribution and a vengeful God, Jesus was eventually crucified. Any other explanation of the crucifixion of Jesus is spurious and wholly untrue. Do not be foolish, leave the churches, and allow the doors of the churches be closed. Stand up with courage and demand that the old doctrines and dogma of Christianity be swept away to make way for the CHRIST WAY to be taught from the pulpits, introduced into your way of thought, words, actions and living. Have the courage to be a true disciple of Jesus and defy Christian ministers whose positions of authority bring them titles and preferments. There is a whole system in place - ready and waiting to adopt the TRUTH. But it needs conviction, courage and determination such as Jesus exhibited when on earth to bring about a complete turn around in worldwide thought. Again, I say, and let the true words of Jesus ring around the world - "He who has ears to hear, let him hear! He who has the understanding to help him believe - understand and believe - and act!" You have within your hands the means by which to move up onto your next level of spiritual evolution. USE THEM! Do not be afraid to let go of cherished beliefs which are neither sensible nor truly helpful.
@@jonburrows2684 So do you take the Lord's supper ? Church as a building i agree, the building don't matter, however, you still have to meet people to make an "assembly" and take the Lord's supper together, by God's command.
False teaching is why you should move on. Truth is what you are looking for in a church. You and family can study, learn, sing and teach as well. I agree in a true church that teaches truth not based off of feelings, boasting or curses you if you do not find tithes a today standard. Offering with a giving heart is for today. Tithes is not and never been money. But a word given always somehow includes tithing.. Very strange.
JESUS is the only PASTOR. the word “pastor” attributed to a believer in the church of JESUS CHRIST is a misused. “minister” it is the appropriate qualification for a brother who has a God’s given gift. Besides that, We’re all Brothers and equally qualified before The Lord. Jesus commands us to love one another, that’s what makes His Church: BROTHERLY LOVE
That makes sense. The Bible refers to the Lord Jesus as the _"Chief Shepherd"_ and obviously only He can hold that title. Many churches use the same term _"head pastor"_ or _"lead pastor"_ illegitimately. That's telling of how they think. Anyone other than the Lord Jesus Christ shouldn't be called the head pastor over an assembly.
Ps that's fine if you have a church that preaches the word I'm sure he does not allow trunk or treat unfortunately I can't find one that is biblical in my city they don't give rides the congregation don't care I've called the church office they have an appearance of godliness but deny the power there of they are playing church I've called several Baptist churches it'd not the same as it used to be very few biblical churches across this country they are now very difficult to find
I did not leave church because of any problems with the congregation or leadership. I left because I no longer believed in the gospel. Lack of convincing evidence.
If the Pastor is spiritually abusive, than do what Matthew 18 tells you to do. If he won’t listen, then take the Elders and Deacons with you to speak to him. That is the Biblical formula for dealing with our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
This is a cop out and compromise! Not going to Church is better and more beneficial than going to a bad Church. Same as the compromise for voting for an official, well their both bad I'll just vote for the not so bad one! John is starting to disappoint people more and more.
GOD protects his people....... but will he protect the nonbelievers who enter buildings made with hands?.......If he does then their is no need for the gift of salvation
All Christian churches are now under the judgment of God. Revelation 18:4 God commands us to get out of the churches, that you receive not of HER PLAGUES. HER IS THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH ALL OF IT. IT HAS BECOME THE HABITATION OF DEVILS.
How about asking Jesus where to go, you can’t even get that right ? He is Lord, and knows where you are to be formed and fitted into the body of Christ, not one mention about getting Christ to speak to you, IS YOUR NAME EVE OR ADAM ?you should know better
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My church has hired a pastor who is an open socialist, my church has become " open and affirming" which means we listen to sermons on how the Bible's translation was wrong and being gay is ok , infact aperantly King David was gay. I'm about to loose my mind. But I guess I'll hang in there and keep praying.
@@ze1592 It's a Deciples of Christ Church. It used to be good old Protestant denomination. Ronald Reagan was even a member. Old hymns. Communion every Sunday. Now it's some kind of Marxist social engineering. Most of the original congregation is to old to realize. My family has been going there for over 80 years. My parents were married there. I was married there. Everyone of my family that passes is remembered there. It's not good. They even changed the words in the Doxology to remove "Father" referring to God because it may offend people.
Shawn McCuen I agree with the other post. Run don't walk to a Bible teaching church near you. This church sounds like it's a child of Satan. Remember that satan is not after the lost, he is after the Christians. It's important to him to make you fall. Get out while you can. Your church of yesteryear is gone.
Ask God to direct you to a good church. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18:4
Christians think Christianity is the only true religion... but if they were true "Christians" they would see the Unity of all the religions... and see God at work in all of them...
Jesus is the ONLY WAY into heaven. Believe that He is or you will die in your sins. He said, "I AM a jealous God and I will have no other gods before me".
the "god' you speak of is Satan, the god of this world. All world's religions work together to deceive mankind and push them to hell. There is only one way, one gate to God, one person trough which we can be saved, and he is Jesus Christ the son of God. Not buddha, not muhammad, not odin and thor.