It sounds like you guys are doing the right thing.  Often when people come
up with an idea, leadership doesn't think it's so good.  Sometimes it's
because they are threatened by it.  Fortunately, there are churches out
there who do it right.  Smile.  And I agree with you Kathy, it is truly
amazing that the Lord still calls the church throughout the ages, his bride;
loves her too.

Vicki

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kathy Du Bois" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, January 23, 2005 12:55 PM
Subject: Re: [ECHURCH-USA] Right Church


> Vicki,
>          The church has always been hampered by the damage that people
> insist on inflicting upon it.  What is amazing to me is that Christ still
> sees her as His bride, even with all the flaws.  We all get bruised in the
> process as our sinful natures bump up against one another as we try to rid
> ourselves of them to become more like Christ.  Unfortunately, there are
> those who like their sin better than the becoming more like Christ part,
> but there you have it.  If someone else's sin can help you become more
> patient and loving, then that's not necessarily a bad thing.
>          Also, I agree with you that everyone should have a ministry in
the
> church, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it is the church's job to
be
> the creative party and come up with all the ideas.  When our people come
to
> us with an idea, we say, go for it.  It's amazing what a church can do
when
> it supports someone's calling rather than make everyone conform to a
> minority's idea of what the church, "should," do.
>          Oh well, enough of my soap box.  Who knows when I'll see your
> response to this one!  GRIN!  Did you know that it is 60 in Florida!
> Kathy
>
>
> At 05:41 AM 1/23/2005, you wrote:
> >Have recently been thinking that I have some what of a jaded attitude.
Was
> >just thinking last night of the years I have loved going to church and
felt
> >I was there for the right reason for the most part.  Oh there were those
> >times, that all of us have, of course.  but now I find it's difficult to
> >attend.  I've been attending a church for the last almost year and a half
on
> >a regular basis, and am not managing to fit in anywhere.  Though I love
the
> >sermon, and the music, and worship of the Lord, I seem to be just warming
a
> >bench.  I can do that much easier at home and have a cumffy chair in
> >addition.    Experiences with churches in the last couple of years have
> >caused me to search my heart to see if there is any unforgiveness for
church
> >leadership who really inflicted pain on me.    Having re-visited those
> >experiences, asking the Lord to show me any unforgiveness, I feel that
area
> >is settled as far as I can settle it.  But in a properly functioning
church,
> >should there not be a place of service for every member of the body of
> >Christ?    And what about the verses in Hebrews 10:24-25.  New Living
puts
> >it this way.
> >
> >Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good
deeds.
> >
> >And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but
> >encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming
> >back again is drawing near.
> >
> >I like that outburst of good deeds.
> >
> >We won't have that perfect church until heaven, but the church today is
> >severely hampered, and misses out because members of the body aren't in
> >their places erving, sharing their God-given gifts, ministering and being
> >ministered to..  I'm not just talking about the up front people that we
> >might see every Sunday like the pastor or the worship teams.  But so that
I
> >don't get on a soap box, wonder what others of you think?
> >
> >I'm sure glad that we can assemble here on the net.  The physical
assembly
> >is still, however, important.
> >
> >
> >
> >Vicki
>