Policy question

[easternstar]

If I am having a problem with my faith -- struggling with my faith -- am I allowed to post here? I don't want to violate any forum rules.

 

[Deacon]

I'm not a moderator and have no authority to make decisions but we're brothers and part of the Christian family.
We who post on this board should be kind and respectful, displaying Christ's love to others, but often that is not evidenced in our posts.
Many biblical people struggled with their faith; life's hard and messed up.
Don't be discouraged, guard the faith you have.

~Be mindful of what you post, minimize personal information, an open posting board is probably not the best place to share personal feelings: what's posted here is forever.
~Value the faith you have, guard it, grow it. God is patient and kind.
~Pray your thoughts to God
~Read God's word, most of the psalms were written by people having similar struggles.
~Search out a mature Christian you can trust and share your thoughts - they've had such struggles too.

Rob

 

[Salty]

EasternStar
Are you currently attending a church?
Are you able to discuss this situation with your pastor?
If not is there a pastor of another church you could seek out.
And yes, Deacon gave you excellent advice

 

[easternstar]

EasternStar
Are you currently attending a church?
Are you able to discuss this situation with your pastor?
If not is there a pastor of another church you could seek out.
And yes, Deacon gave you excellent advice

I've not attended church regularly since Covid. The church I was going to then had its pastor retire and move; I was close with him -- a great guy. I visited a church recently but didn't return there. I really have nobody presently.

 

[Ben1445]

I've not attended church regularly since Covid. The church I was going to then had its pastor retire and move; I was close with him -- a great guy. I visited a church recently but didn't return there. I really have nobody presently.

We regularly have people drive over 45 minutes to get to church.
If your local church is 45 minutes away, because of geography, because finding a good church to be grounded in, it is worth the extra drive and cost.
I have known people to drive more than an hour.
You want to be grounded in truth? Find a church. It is important.

1 Timothy 3:15
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

If the church you find is opening up the Bible, God can speak to you there. God is able to use anyone. The question is not whether the pastor is right, though he should be. The question is whether your heart is right.
God used Jonah to turn a city. Jonah’s heart was not in it. He preached and waited for the city to be destroyed. God used a preacher who hated his “congregation.”
But the people were ready to hear from God.
If God can use a donkey to teach a man, God can use a man to teach men.
When you go to church, ask God to speak to you even if the church is not what it should be. And start praying for one that is.
Is in Scripture. Is praying. Is loving and serving God. Is loving and serving people.
But not having found one is not the time to stop looking. The gospel is described with the word fellowship. The BB is not fellowship enough. We are told not to forsake assembling. It was important enough to be specifically written into Scripture. It is imperative.
I don’t know what you are looking for in a church but if no one else will, I would be happy to help you find one. I’m sure there are people here who will. I don’t know what the official policy is on this, but if you would like some help in your search, I would be happy to give you some of my time. Private message would be better for location details. But if you don’t want my help, I won’t be offended either.

 

[easternstar]

We regularly have people drive over 45 minutes to get to church.
If your local church is 45 minutes away, because of geography, because finding a good church to be grounded in, it is worth the extra drive and cost.
I have known people to drive more than an hour.
You want to be grounded in truth? Find a church. It is important.

1 Timothy 3:15
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

If the church you find is opening up the Bible, God can speak to you there. God is able to use anyone. The question is not whether the pastor is right, though he should be. The question is whether your heart is right.
God used Jonah to turn a city. Jonah’s heart was not in it. He preached and waited for the city to be destroyed. God used a preacher who hated his “congregation.”
But the people were ready to hear from God.
If God can use a donkey to teach a man, God can use a man to teach men.
When you go to church, ask God to speak to you even if the church is not what it should be. And start praying for one that is.
Is in Scripture. Is praying. Is loving and serving God. Is loving and serving people.
But not having found one is not the time to stop looking. The gospel is described with the word fellowship. The BB is not fellowship enough. We are told not to forsake assembling. It was important enough to be specifically written into Scripture. It is imperative.
I don’t know what you are looking for in a church but if no one else will, I would be happy to help you find one. I’m sure there are people here who will. I don’t know what the official policy is on this, but if you would like some help in your search, I would be happy to give you some of my time. Private message would be better for location details. But if you don’t want my help, I won’t be offended either.

Thank you for your kind post, and generous offer to help. I'll be glad to accept help from anyone, so I appreciate it.
I have a severe low back condition that keeps me from driving long distances. Probably 30 minutes one way is about all I could take, but I'd rather have something much closer, especially since I'd like a church with a mid-week service. At this point, I'm open to any denomination, or non-denominational, but I prefer Baptist, or Bapticostal.
I'll PM you.