gijoe
08-20-2013, 05:53 PM
If you want to be challenged in your christian journey, I encourage you to read: "Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus" by Kyle Idleman. You (like me) may find you are more of a 'follower' than a 'sold out', 'totally committed' follower of the Living Christ.
If you are happy with your religion, no sense in reading. You are probably quite happy with the way things are.
If, however, you desire more of Him, and sense there is 'more' than 'religion', you are right. You can experience a 'relationship' with him.
__________________________________________________ ______________
This said, I am feeling spiritually 'bankrupt', and deprived, here in the land of pleasure in The Villages and surrounding area.
I continue searching for, but have not located the following in a Church in this area:
- A Spirit-filled body of believers, that desire to foster a sense of "Community"
- A church that has dynamic, uplifting, peppy, engaging contemporary worship
- A church that has 'oversight' connectivity which helps to ensure the teachings are well grounded in the Word of God, and which requires 'accountability' to Godly biblical principles and practices
- Small group fellowships as an outreach of Sunday worship services to encourage personal growth and development and individual SERVICE or giving of each member for the benefit of others
I have visited several churches and find 'elements' of some of these things, but not a mix of all of these characteristics....and yes, I have experienced these things, which have helped foster my spiritual growth and development.
IF there is such a SPIRIT FILLED Church here in the area, or within a reasonable commute, I would like to know what it is.
At the sake of "torquing people off" - okay, nice way of saying "****ing people off", I will name a couple of places:
One large local church - has typically good messages, but the music SUCKS - big time. This of course is from my prospective and my personal experiences - at several locations around the country.
Another smaller church with a larger sister church in Ocala - has VERY good music, and pretty good messages - from my brief attendances. I did not experience a sence of friendliness, warmth or inclusion or an 'invitation' (overt or covert) to connect with anyone - unless I choose to attend one of their monthy introductory meetings at the Ocala campus. From discussion with one of the pastors, I understand they are a completely 'independent' group, without oversight. Not a bad thing, as long as they preach Biblical principles, and don't go 'astray' in teaching or theology.
_______ Assy. of God (better that I don't identify) - has dedicated and committed attendees. Twangy music and well meaning but BORING messages. I sense, but didn't hang around long enough to find out, that this may have been somewhat of a 'leagalistic' group of believers, with lots of 'do's and don'ts"
If you are happy with your religion, no sense in reading. You are probably quite happy with the way things are.
If, however, you desire more of Him, and sense there is 'more' than 'religion', you are right. You can experience a 'relationship' with him.
__________________________________________________ ______________
This said, I am feeling spiritually 'bankrupt', and deprived, here in the land of pleasure in The Villages and surrounding area.
I continue searching for, but have not located the following in a Church in this area:
- A Spirit-filled body of believers, that desire to foster a sense of "Community"
- A church that has dynamic, uplifting, peppy, engaging contemporary worship
- A church that has 'oversight' connectivity which helps to ensure the teachings are well grounded in the Word of God, and which requires 'accountability' to Godly biblical principles and practices
- Small group fellowships as an outreach of Sunday worship services to encourage personal growth and development and individual SERVICE or giving of each member for the benefit of others
I have visited several churches and find 'elements' of some of these things, but not a mix of all of these characteristics....and yes, I have experienced these things, which have helped foster my spiritual growth and development.
IF there is such a SPIRIT FILLED Church here in the area, or within a reasonable commute, I would like to know what it is.
At the sake of "torquing people off" - okay, nice way of saying "****ing people off", I will name a couple of places:
One large local church - has typically good messages, but the music SUCKS - big time. This of course is from my prospective and my personal experiences - at several locations around the country.
Another smaller church with a larger sister church in Ocala - has VERY good music, and pretty good messages - from my brief attendances. I did not experience a sence of friendliness, warmth or inclusion or an 'invitation' (overt or covert) to connect with anyone - unless I choose to attend one of their monthy introductory meetings at the Ocala campus. From discussion with one of the pastors, I understand they are a completely 'independent' group, without oversight. Not a bad thing, as long as they preach Biblical principles, and don't go 'astray' in teaching or theology.
_______ Assy. of God (better that I don't identify) - has dedicated and committed attendees. Twangy music and well meaning but BORING messages. I sense, but didn't hang around long enough to find out, that this may have been somewhat of a 'leagalistic' group of believers, with lots of 'do's and don'ts"