I’ve discovered that truly born again Christians as a result have some strong commonalities with other born again believers through the Holy Spirit. It’s completely different than sitting down with complete strangers.
@@kathleenwharton2139 correct! I’m in agreement that we need to serve the community! I was just differentiating that while the Church serves the community, the Church is not made up of the community (implying a mix of believers and non-believers).
Yes, I love serving so much, I end up serving at multiple churches over the last 18 years- mainly in childrens ministries- Sunday school, VBS, Youth rallies, summer camps, etc. other areas too. Really- one can not serve enough. Another thing one may not realize- when and after serving, you realize how rewarding it can be. Still, as stated below, I am not able to use all my gifts at the church I am attending and it is stalling my membership. going to have to worship at other churches in the area.
Your ways of serving sound very familiar to me! It truly is rewarding. Serving becomes a blessing in ways you don’t imagine. If your gifts aren’t needed in your current church, (assuming you enjoy this church and want to stay), is there a local ministry elsewhere that you could put those gifts to use and still stay plugged in at the church you attend?
What’s really sad Is some of these American pastors of these mega churches should be ashamed of themselves. If they knew who the meek and the humble out of the 8 billion people in this world are they would change their tune.
I have an idea, how about we use the gifts of the spirit. This way we can let God use us to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ. Use it in ways to change their lives, without talking about buying gifts or anything from a material building. Truly serving God comes in many forms.
@@raymondcramer393 absolutely! You get it! The gifts of the Spirit are precisely how we serve one another. Each of us is equipped slightly differently with those gifts to serve in different ways. I covered a few of those ways in the video (none of which cost monetary value, only a willingness to serve). Some people commenting on my first video were attending their local churches, but not finding ways to meet others. This video was to give them ideas on how to plug in and get to know other believers. However, there are many areas that lack local churches with sound doctrine, so this can just as easily be applied to the Church community of brothers and sisters in various functions beyond the local church walls.
Great video, I just watched all three parts and found them all to be quite engaging and uplifting. God bless you, and I hope you continue to build this channel so that you are able to reach as many people with this message as possible.
it is a great subject- serving. and using your gifts. agreed. However, what does one do when one tries to use/offer their gifts and are either shrugged or ignored? It seems, Scripturally, it would be wise to seek another church where ones gifts can be used.
That’s a harder question than one might think! I’ve been in two churches where my gifts weren’t needed, but, I still felt led by God to stay. I’m usually using gifts of teaching, but in those circumstances God drew my attention to other areas I could serve. Both of those churches were very small and not in need of serving in ways that I usually would, however they both served as extremely important seasons in my life. And actually, this channel was birthed out of my need to teach while I waited patiently on the Lord to move our family to a church that would fit our family best. It’s funny because at the time I was using it to teach my local friends in other churches as way to connect, but God had other plans. So, my advice is to begin with prayer. God might need you there for unexpected reasons, or he might be shaping you for what comes next. But, if that’s not the case, but perhaps your hands and gifts are needed elsewhere.
That is a hard topic you’ve touched on! I’m so sorry if abuse is part of your story. That sounds incredibly hard. I would recommend some Christian counselling for those heart issues. Though I’ve not been abused within the church, I have been hurt within the church. I think the temptation is to runaway and isolate yourself. What I have found helpful is clinging to God and his promises, counselling, and reaching out to just one good friend I can trust. I pray that your wounds would heal, and that God would send you one good friend with a gentle spirit and a firm faith foundation to walk with you in our journey.
I feel like I don't fit in at church because I don't. And that's a real problem because there is no authentically christian life outside of the community Jesus created. As you say, we are created for community. Churches like the one you speak for and I go together about as well as turnips and watermelon. You just can't combine them into anything palatable. I've served at all levels from sweeping floors and cleaning toilets to the pastorate. I've been loved and celebrated. I've been loved and cast out. I've been told I'm the most christian man someone has ever met. I've been called an enemy of the gospel by people whose opinion mattered to me. My testimony reads like a bad christian melodrama. After a lifetime of interaction I've finally accepted that there's no place for me, at least not in the kind of christianity you embody. This last part is hard for me to say because I don't want to hurt you. I watched all three videos in the series so far and never heard anything I've not heard multiple times before. Why is that? Does it trouble you? It would trouble me, and that's why I don't fit in at church.
I was trying to find soldier of Christ, 1st Century church, body of Christ but am left wanting! They are Christians only in church! No one is worried about me!
I agree! I was trying to find a 1st century, soldiers of Christ type of Christians but so far they all left me wanting! Like somethings missing. The spirit of community and actually caring OUTSIDE of church, for other Christians. I am left with the feeling that no one truly cares in Jesus sense of the word! They are only Christians inside the building and they have clicks, do social and some spiritual practises like bible study, prayer but you'll never get a thank you or a phonecall. You'd be in the hospital-they wouldn't know!
I grew up in a Church of Christ, but now have membership with a Baptist congregation. There's not a lot of difference in the two, mainly minor differences in worship/belief. I think the Catholics are possibly in error regarding some practices, but I sometimes use those testimonies (Fatima, Guadalupe, etc.) in a jail ministry I participate in. I see the hand of God in those events and thus I do not subscribe to the idea that such evidences should not be shared, particularly if they might enhance someone else's faith.
While I'm all for service I don't think you understand just how bad it is in the churches. As you are a woman you apparently haven't suffered the violence and hatred of the hired hands and worthless shepherds. Things in my area at least are so bad. I have been no more able to persist in a church than the early Church could have served the sanhedrin. This is not just speculation, this is personal experience. It's a special blessing you have received to not yet be exiled from the institutions of men.
@@FaithLikeAMustardSeed In 41 years of attending various churches with various denominations I have never once experienced abuse of leadership, nor have I ever been mistreated or felt inferior for being a woman. I have always been treated respectfully, and, when I make the effort to plug in, it has never returned void. There are cruel people both inside and outside the church buildings. Such as the realities of living in a world tarnished by the stain of sin. As I addressed in the last video on who the Church is, it’s imperative to remember that not everyone in a church building is a born again believer and fellow brother or sister in Christ. The incredibly disappointing portion is when you come across individuals who give lip service, but bear no fruit. Statistically speaking, there will be more of these types in a church building than there will be true believers. Their deception is what stings most. If I recall, you are one of the ones who lives in a spiritually dark place? So perhaps the church buildings are best left alone. But, maybe there’s an active Christian ministry serving somewhere close by that might be an in to actually serve God within the Church community, and connect with fellow believers who are actively walking out their faith? I gave a few suggestions in the video of outreach style ministries that might be in your area to check out.
@@thebackyardmissionary I'm still searching for local fellowship. And my point about you being a woman was actually the opposite, that you have been treated better because you are. The feminization of the churches has destroyed them and any man who doesn't become a simp is kicked out. Then the likes of Mark Driscoll comes in to scoop them up with the opposite rhetoric. Obviously the fact that so many churches are lgbtq testifies of the malignancy of this.
@@FaithLikeAMustardSeed Ah, I see. Thanks for clarifying. So, if I understand correctly, the cultural influences (feminist movement being one of them) have invaded your local churches? I live in Canada, so while we are neighbours, our cultures do seem to have some notable differences. I’m in a particularly conservative part of Canada, and in a more conservative church where good men are still gate keeping what’s coming through the door. It is a gift, and I am well aware of that. My being treated well is likely because men are still gentlemen where I live.
@@thebackyardmissionary I could say a lot about the direction the spirit of the churches has gone but it's a plain fact that men have left (or been run out of) the churches in large numbers. The evil one has used the same strategy to undermine society as a whole. Paul didn't even allow women to speak at church nor even eat with sexually immoral and now look at the churches.
My Husband is a Pastor of a small Baptist church. So many come and don't plug in....those are the most unhappiest at church. Those who come and serve and get involved with ministries are the happiest. Some want to just come and hear the sermon, but they never help.
@@thebackyardmissionary Yes!!! And the consumers are the ones who say the most," We need growth! "....but they won't help with anything. Meals, outreach events, SS classes.....the consumers complain but don't help.
@thebackyardmissionary we talk about the role of Christians. We want church to be a place that people WANT to go to, not" I have to go to church ". We thank people who do participate....we make a big deal of outreach events. I think really encouraging those who do participate and thanking them helps.
I believe in Jesus Christ, but I disagree so much with Christians that it's getting to a point where I just have to exit the Christian religion. I'm speaking a totally different language than these other Christians. I don't think Christians are studying and thinking the New Testament closely enough.
I’m a Christian who grew up within Protestant circles. In the past year I’ve been doing a lot of studying. Going back to the Greek, early church fathers and church history. I have found that what I am seeing in my study does not match what I see in churches today….much to my surprise, I align more with the Eastern Orthodox doctrines. My faith journey is heading in that direction. Wherever truth leads, I will follow.
I'm sorry but this simply does not work when you are an older (over 30) single adult. Churches (especially Baptist) dislike, yes dislike singles. why? i don't know. First of all they will prevent you from serving in the first place (they will make up some excuse why you can't do it, and no I am not making this up) I have a masters degree from a seminary and it is basically worthless, since I am still single (not my choice, God just has not blessed me with a wife yet) Churches WILL not consider you at all for any position when you are single (from my experience) that is not speculation I have been told that many times to my face that I would not be considered because I was single. (I guess they whited out the first half of I Tim 3:2 out of their bibles) Now getting to fellowship, that simply does not happen either. a single person goes to a new church and they get ignored, singles have had it they are leaving in droves don't believe me? look it up! we singles 30 and over now account for nearly 1 in ever 3 people in the U.S. the Church better get it head out of the ground before its too late! or its in for a very rude awakening. (closed doors)
People have different reasons for desiring Christian fellowship. Some are surrounded by unbelievers and want Christian company. Others are alone, disabled, elderly, all kinds of reasons, who don't get out much and would love to chit-chat 5 minutes even. I myself came to the Lord a year ago. I got rid of my non-Christian friends to come out from among them. I had one friend left, and she died 3 weeks ago. I have attended this church all this time, go to Bible study, participate in charitable activities, attend Sundays, go to the women's brunches, etc. I would love to just go to lunch with someone but they're too busy. We need each other; no man is an island. Sad the world would accept me before the church does.
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