Change where I worship?

Gina, I can empathize with you. We were members of the First Hungarian Baptist Church of New York City for over 28 years. It is a small ethnic church in the heart of the Big Apple. In the sixties the membership was going down from forty to twenty (and that included visitors). Since the ABC-USA was instrumental in getting the building for the Congregation back some 80 years ago, they advised us to close the doors and recognize that we have arrived to the end of the road.

Some of the old timers were heart broken. They said that they do not know where to go. All their life they were coming to that church, and now they could not envision that the doors have to be closed. My wife and I were the only “young” couple, with two small children (both girls). I had a job offering myself in Florida, which I could not refuse. A rich businessman, who had interests in Paris, Athens, Atlanta, San Francisco, New York, and mid Florida, offered me a job. He left the salary requirements in my hands. He wanted me badly, but I told him that I would pray about it. He respected that.

My wife and I were praying fervently. Our two children were alone in the church, no one to talk to, and no one to make friends with. They only had old folks to contend with. But we had Sunday School for them, and during the week we took them to an English church where a friend of ours’ daughter (a Columbia University graduate) was teaching Bible for kids. When our children told their friends at school (and they attended NYC Public Schools at the time), they all wanted to come. We had a small Toyota Corolla station wagon. At times we had 11 kids stuffed in there, all with their parents’ permission and brought them to Bible school.

When the time came to give an answer to the gentleman, the Sunday before, I was complimented by an 85-year-old lady about the tie I was wearing at church. She was everybody’s Mom. A naturally charming lady. After the exchange of pleasantries, she asked me a direct question. “Bro. Halo, are you going away too? Because if you do, then we will have to close the door of this church, and we do not know where we will go!” Without any hesitation I answered, “No, Mama, we are not going away.” At that moment I just realized that the Lord answered our prayers. Our place was there in that small church where the Lord has placed us. On the way home I told my wife what took place at church, and she replied: “Darling, what ever you decide I will follow. If this is from the Lord then we will abide by it.” I loved her for that. She was willing to give up financial success and be faithful in what the Lord was providing for us daily.

The gentleman did not like my answer but he respected it. His eyes filled with tears and said, “I will leave this job open for you. If you change your mind, just give me a call and the job is yours.” It wasn’t easy to stay in a small church, which by all appearances was slowly dying. We started to work, invite, and adopt newly arriving emigrants who needed housing and job. Our pastor retired but the church ordained two of us with an other brother, to be elders and to carry on the work. The Lord blessed our faithfulness. In seven years (the Biblical number of perfection) the church membership tripled. In addition we had about 25 young people. We had visitation, nursing home, and radio ministry with lost of other activities for the youth. The work was so taxing that I recommended to the Congregation call a permanent pastor. At first they rejected the idea saying, that the work is going on so wonderful that they do not remember if it was ever better. But I insisted and they have finally seen the light. We have imported a wonderful preacher and leader from Transylvania (former Hungarian territory in Romania), who spoke three languages: Hungarian, English, and Romanian. He was installed on March 15, 1987 and he is still serving in there for the glory of God.

You see, Gina, the Lord does not promise gold at the end of the rainbow, but He says that He will be with us to the end. And all He requires from us in return is FAITHFULNESS in the place where He placed us. If you remain faithful, your children will see in you the joy of the Lord and they will be happy where ever you are. Do not look for large church with various activities but be sure to provide the basic Biblical requirements your children NEED. The Lord will take care of the rest, and He will reward your faithfulness! Hope that this will encourage you to carry on for the Lord, and your family.

 

Just a short addition to what has already been said- it is important for children to learn how to minister at the earliest age possible. If they don't do it when they are young, chances are, they will be willing to let eveyone else do it when they are older.

My vote would be to stick to it. God rewards faithful servants and churches. He isn't interested in big numbers.

 

Remember, What happens... When My people, who are called by my name, humble themselves and pray...

My church similarly decreased in numbers, but a change occurred. We began to earnestly seek the Lord. Then we too realized that we are servants of others. We needed to minister to others. Just as the above person wrote.

Start prayer meetings, breakfasts, cottage meetings, whatever. Get together with the others. Fellowship. Love one another and serve.

At times it hard being out of your comfort zone, but some times God calls you to do that. I would not leave the church. Hang in there, be faithful, and see what God has in store.

 

Gina, if the truth is to be compromised at another church, then the decision to leave should be a little clearer. If staying and hearing the truth is the option, by all means stay. But, there is no one on this board that knows exactly how you feel and what you are up against. We all have our own stories to tell, but I have been part of small churches all my life. The experiences I had, I wouldn't change them for the world. I too, was part of a small church that grew to over 1000, but I will say this, God was always true to be there either way, and I know you know that. Be encouraged, I will definitel keep you in our churches prayers.

FYI: I just began pastoring a small church; had 31 on Easter Sunday. It's easy as was reflected already to be ministered to, the real test comes when you are doing the minstering.

Godspeed.

 

Gina,
I cannot top the advice that bjh gave you I can only give you something that I recently read:
Acts 8:1
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
I think this can be applied to you and your situation. It is also quite interesting to me that it comes in the time of the fledgling church.


except the apostles.

 

BJH, That is a beautiful story.

 

Praise the Lord, Gina! We'll be praying for you and your family that Lord may show you what He requires of you in the "body" where He placed you. God bless!

 

I, too, have been involved in mission churches. Sometimes we (my husband and I)
had to make sure we coordinated our
absences with other people so that
SOMEONE could unlock the door, arrange the
chairs, turn up heat, etc. We
spent years doing this and learned a lot.

But, on the other hand, we don't do it now.
Sometimes it is time to go somewhere else,
and not all individual churches are meant
to go on in perpetuity. I think a key
is look at it first with a servant attitude
instead of just how will it serve me.

Karen

 

Gina, how are things going? I get that you are staying?

Be encouraged, there are those of us that are praying for you. You really can make "the" difference.

As for your attitude, we all should address ours: daily. good one to remember.

 

I've never seen this thread before. I'm puzzled as to how that happened

Anyhow, thanks for sharing these wonderful stories. Especially, Bro. Halo's story moved me so much that I found myself close to tears.

It's a true story and thanks to his faithfulness, I now have a church to attend.

[ August 31, 2001: Message edited by: webmaster ]

 

Gina,

Reading your post made me basically relive the feelings I had growing up as a teenager in a small church. I'm not suggesting that you leave or stay, but before you set your mind to a choice sit down with your children and ask them how they feel about it too. Find out if they are growing or suffering from being the only kids in thier age group there.

I was the only kid in my age group for years and years, I was also in home school and was very sheltered to the point of severe depression. I wanted to serve God but felt totally alone and I was suffering spiritually at the church I was in but my father refused to let me go to another church with a healthy youth ministry because it wasn't "his" church. It wasn't until an evangelist whom I didn't like and didn't agree with in most issues sat my parents down while he was in the area and told my father that I was being damaged as a teen because he could see that I loved God but at this church I was not growing but hurting instead. He told my father that he should be glad that the basic argument in our home was my wanting to go to a church with a youth group. At that point, my dad realized that his refusal to let me attend the other church was a big mistake on his part and he broke down and let me go.

I'm not sure where your kids are at with spiritual growth, only you and they can know that but please do not let them suffer due to the churches suffering. Yes youth can lead at an earily age but at the same time not every kid is ready for that position.

Gina, blessings on what God leads you to do I know you want to serve God and do whats right and only you can know what that is by praying and searching God out on this.

Blessings,
Sue

 

I do believe I have to agree that to stay is the right thing to do. You are being prayed for by many, Gina.

Agape,

Mike