Why Do You Go To THAT Church?
I was off last Sunday and spent some great time with my family.
Early Sunday morning I found myself driving around with my son, Jett, and we passed several churches getting ready to start services and a few letting out.
I’m a people watcher so I really enjoyed watching people interact in the church parking lots.
We passed big churches, little churches, formal churches, casual churches, contemporary churches and plenty of traditional churches. I was honestly amazed at all the different choices people have in churches.
The question I kept asking myself all morning was “why”. Why do they go to THAT church or THAT church?
Do they have a friend at that church? Do they love the pastor? Is it the church they grew up in and they can’t imagine going anywhere else? Are they sold out to the vision? Is it the children’s programs, the worship, or maybe the student pastor? Maybe they’re passionate about the outreach happening there?
So will you help me out. I’m curious, why do you attend or even serve on staff at your church?
They gave me my faith, and no matter how much time I give back to them through tech/worship/oversight teams, I can never repay them for that. Doesn’t hurt to try though
x
It’s where I ‘got it’….it’s where I ‘get to ‘ watch others ‘get it’ too…..
it’s whole mission drives me……well He drives me I hope and the mission sounds to me like His so…..
http://www.shoalcreek.org
I first attended my church as a visitor, at the invitation of a friend.
We felt “at home” and enjoyed the “excitement” in the air.
People seemed to be truly HAPPY unlike many of the long-faced Christians we had been with for so long.
We noticed how all “classes” were friends, the rich AND poor. People loved, not just tolerated each other.
The Pastor was knowledgeable of not only the scriptures, but world news as well. He was very approachable and humble.
The church is HUGE in reaching out to the community not just with words, but deeds as well.
We were GROWING , faith increasing, and hope was restored while attending, so we made a committment to be a part of this great fellowship of believers.
Because God called me to plant and pastor our church.
Revolution Church
I’m near downtown Houston and left the larger churches for a small inner city church. I want community. I’m tired of the show and health/wealth messages. I want a place where the seniors know my kids’ names. I don’t want Sunday School b/c Sunday morning is the most segregated time of the week for a family. We teach our kids the Bible at home. And I want the Truth from the Bible in the message from the pulpit. We are starting to grow. This church almost died and most small inner churches did with our mega church craze. Last year we had about 20 young people in their 20s join b/c they wanted to get back to the basics. We had at least 18 baptisms of new believers. This is large considering we have about 100 on Sunday morning. People are looking for the Truth and real community.
The people, the passion, the preaching, the vision…I love our church’s vision statement – “Meeting people where they are…Moving people to where God wants them to be.” Lot of Meeting and Moving happening in Lititz, PA!! I Love my church!
http://www.lgbc.org
I attend my church because the gospel is laid out every single Sunday. I just started attending in August (because it’s close to my home and most of my friends attend it) and love that no matter which Sunday I brought a visitor/unbeliever I can be assured that he would hear that he was more sinful than he dared to believe but more loved and forgiven than he ever could have hoped. Plus I need that reminder too–as much as I can articulate the gospel I constantly struggle to believe and live as if I believe it.
We joined our church because it feels like being with family, like we are home when we are there and any time we are with people from our church. The pastor is real and preaches not only the Word but application of the Word and how it is relevant to today. We just love the people, the passion, the vision, everything about our church. And to see our children getting saved, worshipping and serving is an even bigger reason we are there.
when people ask me what i love about Nashville, my church comes to mind. I never knew it was possible to want to hear a sermon every day and get involved – because i feel like i am getting so much from it. it is important to give back. The preacher is unlike any i have ever heard. The gift he has to be able to reach a congregation full of people ranging in ages and life experiences is a true touch from God. I am blessed far beyond words to be a part of my church. I wish someone new could come with me every time i am there. God knew exactly how to change my view of church and i am undeserving of how much He has taught me through the congregation, volunteers, staff and pastor.
I love my church! There is such an amazing heart to go hard after God, and hard after people who don’t know him yet… and the best reason; it isn’t a churchy place! Just people being real with God and each other as we all get closer to being fully devoted followers of Christ.
I go to my church because it’s big, and I don’t have to talk to anyone unless i want to. I don’t know anything that goes on behind the scenes. After my last church split and my dad started a new church, I have preferred to just sit in the back and blend in, rather than get involved and risk getting hurt again. Lately, though, I’ve been wanting to be more involved, so last week I signed up for a Bible study class. That’s a big step for me!
I was actually thinking about it this morning. When we were looking for a church (and a new city to move to), our current church wasn’t what we had in mind. For a change, we wanted to go to a large church. In fact, we had chosen one and thought we knew where God was leading us.
Then I met my pastor through my blog. He asked us to come down for a weekend and just meet everyone and see how Legacy felt. After one weekend, we knew it was for us. It wasn’t what we wanted (a small church) but it was what we needed. And it was all about the people. The people are openly friendly and welcome everyone. To this day they are our greatest asset. People tell us all the time they keep coming to Legacy because of the people and how welcoming they are.
I go to Cross Point because I quite enjoy the preaching
Really I don’t feel as much like I am being preached to, but more like I am attending an interesting class. Also because the staff and community seems pretty accepting. I like not worrying about what people are going to think or about what to wear to church. It just seems like people aren’t so judgmental.
The one thing I don’t like, though, is that I feel lost in the crowd and anonymous, which I guess is mostly my fault because I’m shy. So, while I really enjoy coming and listening to the message each week, I do lack the feeling of a “church family.” Nobody would notice if I stopped coming.
I think the easist and truest reason is that I feel God there. I’ve been to churches before where I didn’t feel God anywhere in the service, for whatever reason.
I actually really prefer the small church familiarity, which our church had for many, many years, but is passing as the church is growing so much. It’s exciting because it allows for more opportunity, and clearly more people are being touched each week. It’s a bit sad as well though because it’s not as “homey” if you will as I like. I’m still figuring that one out.
I love our pastor because he is a fabulous Bible teacher, and he teaches the Word each and every week.
I love our music minister because he is a fabulous musician who readies my heart for the message each week.
I love the people because they truly have a heart for God.
The main reason I attend Crosspoint Community Church is that it is BALANCED. A healthy mix of community, discipleship, and evangelism. Love it!
my family just moved to the Richmond area of Virginia and are now in the process of determining which church to park themselves in each sunday.
There are a few things I look for in each church, that I look for even without hearing the sermon. I look at their involvement in missions, worldwide or communally. I see how long the program has been in place (if that information is available)
I’d prefer a sermon to be based on the bible, with actual scripture read– so that’s something I pay attention to also.
I look to see how they all interact with eachother. Are they really actually happy to be there? Are they happy to see one another? Is “community” exemplified?
Is God being glorified, or are shnazzy preachers and musicians?
and then I see how easy it is to get involved in the church. And then I see if this might be a good place for me to get fed and to be God’s hands and feet through.
(great question, Pete!)
We attended a church for 12 yrs only because that is where dear hubs grew up, where we married and where our girls were dedicated…however, God has recently pointed us away from there. We are now attending a church that is much larger and our girls LOVE the youth group but hubs and I have not yet had a chance to get plugged in. So, I still feel as if we are in the in between stage….hoping to feel at home soon!
Moving to Nashville from California 1 year ago, I did my research prior to landing. In the past I attended Central in Las Vegas, The crossing in California. I wanted a church where I could relate to the music, community, and serve with a warm smile. Crosspoint makes me feel connected to the community and God. Pete has the ability to draw both young and old with his humor and way of teaching.
@sara, I’ll be praying for your healing. I know getting hurt by a church is a very real possibility. Any organization that involves people is certainly imperfect and loaded with potential to cause pain. At the same time I know how life giving a healthy church can be.
Sounds like you’re on the right track. Hope you’ll take the risk soon.
I attend Cross Point because it is where God has called me to be. Every time I’ve thought about looking at another church (whether I was bored, doing research or manufactured a reason to be hacked off in my head), going never pans out.
I absolutely believe in the vision of Cross Point. I appreciate the fact that the staff and elders strive to maintain a balance between personal growth for the individual, involvement within the church body, and outreach to a wider world.
I love the fact that all of the staff are very approachable and open to working with the members on different projects or areas of ministry. This means a greater number of ways people can get involved: locally or internationally.
Someone may not be able to go on a mission trip because of a job, kids, or whatnot but they can support missions by either direct sponsorship or eating chili at the cookoff.
Or maybe they help paint at Preston Taylor homes for an afternoon. Or they help with Wheelwright. I am blessed and fortunate to be a part of a church where our reach with God’s love, grace, and truth isn’t just local – it is regional and international. While it is impossible for one church to meet every need that it is presented with, I know Cross Point as a whole does everything it can and teaches its members to do more on their own (like the small groups that serve at the mission for example.)
I am personally looking forward to working with Pastor Ricky on small groups and material for new believers. I almost can’t wait to see how God will bless and grow that part of Cross Point over the next year or two. It will be amazing!
Anything is possible. Nobody is perfect. Everyone is welcome.
Living my life with that in mind keeps God’s grace and His power at the forefront.
I go because of the community. I think I used to go because I felt that was what I supposed to do. It felt more like a chore. Then I found CP Nashville and I really got involved. When CP Dickson started I honestly felt like it was a chore again…I wanted to go back to Nashville (totally selfish, I know!). Then I found community. IT is life changing. I am going through highs and lows with a group of people that want to walk those paths with me. When done right, I believe community is what can allow the greatest change in people and can be the thing that outsiders see and want to experience.
It’s the presence of God that makes a building ‘church’. I’ve been in a church where God was silent; I’ve been in churches where He dwells. And the people? God knows where our hearts are with Him. He sees the single man committed every Sunday to greet people at the door – and you see Jesus in him; or, it is the man who serves by growing vegetables in fields, harvesting them, and then selling them in the church parking lot, all proceeds going to missions. You see God in Him. Where God may not be is the front row, where people are worshipping the music, the pastor – and not Him. Have you seen that? Too many attenders fall in love with the pastor, the preaching, their surroundings – and forget their first Love. Have you seen them? He is who we pursue, not a particular church or congregation. God never leaves, never lets you down, never forgets us. People do. I’ve been there – twice – where the leadership let me down. And then I had that ‘aha’ moment: I was worshipping them and not HIM. I got it, now
1) the Lord moved me from KY to be a part of this church plant, so it began as a matter of obedience based on His direction and a unique connection to what this group was doing.
2) it is the first church i’ve ever been able to get behind the whole vision and heart… not because it’s perfect or has it all figured out, but because it’s the Bride striving to be all God created her to be. i once heard someone describe being a change agent in an existing church and in a church plant as the difference between steering a cruise ship or a barge, and steering a row boat. i love this row boat deeply. and if one day it turns into a barge, i trust Jesus to make us ready and equipped, but i kind of like row boats. =)
3) our pastor is a “normal guy” whose giftings and calling just so happen to make him the leader of our church. he is humble and unassuming and is constantly seeking to be better at what God’s called him to. as a staff member, i am so grateful to serve along side someone who loves the Bride and is committed to seeing her cleansed and functional.
thanks for this question. i think it’s great to have to answer it often bc it inevitibly will remind us of why we do what we do.
Because I’m the pastor?
Seriously, God has me here. I work for Him and at His pleasure. Glad that now is a time of great joy with the church I pastor. Hope His plan doesn’t call, as it has before and did throughout the Scriptures, for me to go to a people who right now I’m not even sure I would like.
(Did I say that?)
I moved last year from a large traditional church to a larger non-traditional church because I kept sensing God was doing mind blowing things that I was not seeing where I was. I definitely get blown away now by all God is doing through the church I serve in now…the salvations, baptisms, tithing and financial freedom, the outside community that is touched in practical ways with food, clothes, disaster relief, etc.
I began attending my church because it was affiliated with my college, and a number of my profs and fellow students went there… and I found a great group of believers. More recently, we still attended because we loved the pastor. Great,humble, dedicated preacher! (Sadly, our elders have asked for his resignation due his lack of “administrative / management ablilities”. So we have lost a great preacher and are on the search for a new pastor again, and much of our church body is hurting over it all.) Here’s hoping for a better year!
Because my dad is the pastor- and he is the best!
This is a fundamental question we keep asking! Why do people go to a specific church? Why do they come to GP? What will keep them coming. We always need to be aware of the reason people are in and out. Thanks for sparking some great conversation.
One main reason… I love how the church I attend has no ‘label’ as to what kind of ‘christians’ attend. Not Baptist, Methodist, Penacostale, COC, it doesn’t matter. People can have there own reasons as to why they believe they have to attend a Missionary rather than a General Baptist church. I think it is kind of funny. If every ‘type’ of church were to put everything aside and focus on what is most important, I think we could reach alot more people. We say christians then downgrade a church thats successful a few miles down the road, which shows true colors. We (christians) are present through many denominations, and the simplist thing as playing music with an instrument can be argued. So, basically, I love how we put everything aside and welcome anyone from any denomination and anyone still seeking the lord.
I am currently looking for a church and I am looking for a place that has child care at each service (I have a 2yo and 4yo), that has lots of music, and that makes me want to come back.
I love the small church near my house but they don’t have child care at the 8am service and if I don’t go when I wake up I tend to get excuses not to go… But I am working on that
Followed a “holy discontent” for reaching folks who are “far from God” in our community. We’ve been part of a joyous work of planting a church in a small community. Not doing things “as we’ve always done them” which is allowing us to be out of the box for Christ.
I went to Cross Point after visiting several churches. I had experienced my “marked change” and needed a church family. Of all the churches I visited, I felt most at home and alive at Cross Point. Can’t wait for the new member classes to start and to get involved!
I go to BBC because I feel connected there … to God, people and the mission of the church. There is a goal to push as many people OUT the door as possible – to serve God where He leads them, instead of hiding in a single community at the church building … and I think that’s an integral part of our faith – connecting others to Him, not just thinking of ourselves.
Also – worship is worshipful with a blend of traditional and contemporary which works amazingly well for our family.
I go to (and am now on staff at) http://www.gatewaychurch.com. I go there for three reasons, in order of priority:
* God called me there.
* I believe in the work we are doing. Lives are being changed.
* I am free to be my true self there. I have authentic community.
we got to vfc because we pastor it…
and we love everything God is doing there and we love the peeps…
For me the answer to your question is not a short one. Quickly though, let me tell that I feel that there is only one reason that I would belong to any Church; that is only if the need for my Spiritual evolution, growth and development are met will I be comfortable calling any Church my Church Home. If you read my blog page named “My Path” you will see a more detailed answer to your question. I don’t think anyone should go to any Church they don’t absolutely love going to. If anyone goes to any Church because they feel that they’re supposed to, or they have to, it is my opinion that they’re going for the wrong reason. The following link will take you directly to the page: http://inspiredpenman.wordpress.com/my-path/
I have alot of reasons but here is the short version. I was asked to be a part of the planting team for our church back in ’98. I didn’t really want to lead worship again but God said do it so here I still am almost 11 years later.
I was an attender BEFORE I was technically a staff member and I love my church because…
– it’s very open to growing in worship and there is a sweet Spirit present with us as we worship each week.
– the people are friendly and casual and have a great sense of humor
– there are lots of people at the beginning of their journey with Christ and they are excited!
– we are committed to the priesthood of all believers and allow students, men, women, etc to serve, to lead, to share, even to baptize. I love that – seeing a man, a woman, a teenager, etc serving communion together or seeing someone baptize the person that they led to Christ.
– they are very supportive of women in ministry.
– they are concerned with those outside of our church.
– most of all, I suppose, this is where God has placed me and called me to be. This is my church family regardless of all the stuff we’ve been through.
We helped to start our church because our town didn’t have a church. We wanted people to have AN option.
Well, I left the church we had belonged to for years because they got a new associate pastor who stood up on Holy Family Sunday one year and announced that the divorce rate in America was so high because women worked when they should be staying home with their families. I was a SAHM at the time, but I had worked for a number of years when our oldest kids were young, and I really got hot under the collar over that homily. This guy was about 28, too, so I was surprised at his perspective.
We then chose the church we have belonged to for about the last 7 years because of the pastor there, who really had a great heart and connected with every member of the congregation in a very sincere and caring manner. Also, the music program there is phenomenal and we loved the way it added to the services for us.
@Rebekah Walker, Don’t you ever forget that!!!
I feel that I have been to every style and now I am back home again. Hard to “saddle back up.” Again, been through seminary, interim pastored, pastored, church group pastored, yada, yada. Visiting/Going to a church 30 minutes away from time to time. I don’t know what I think about the church or church setting. Sounds like you have things bouncing around in your head too. I don’t know why we do the things we do or end up where we do. Some of it I feel is out of control. Thanks for the time Pete. God Bless.
Because I recognized the truth and the validity of the Church which Christ founded: The Holy Orthodox Church. The church which all other demoninations and traditions schismed from!
God called me and gave me the vision for our church. I call it an extreme honor to serve Him where he has me!
We joined our church because we felt that’s were God wanted us. The thing that drew us there was the big sign outside announcing they would be doing the 40 days of purpose study. My home church was doing this study and getting a lot out of it and we wanted to check it out. Being new to town it was nice to get to know people in a small group setting and start building relationships. I think being connected and involved is crucial. You need to feel that you belong, have a place to fit in and be used.
I love this topic because I have to say if circumstances were different I probably would never have thought about the concept of looking at different churches… not because it’s a bad thing but because it simply wouldn’t have occurred to me. In my small hometown you grow up in the religion of your parents and stay that religion for the rest of your life. There was one Catholic church in my hometown, and when I went to college I went to the Catholic church on campus. And so did my friends. Branching out never occurred to any of us as an option.
I have loved getting to listen to different sermons online, learn from other bloggers I’ve met about their worship experiences and expand my own knowledge. I love my church and if I could leave my house I’d be thrilled to worship with my community again, but I would also be excited to attend other churches and see what the different experiences hold. That probably won’t happen, but I’m getting to do that online, which is great.
Never let it be said that good things can’t come from bad situations.
I’m a church people watcher, too. I never thought about it until I read this post, but I actually have made up elaborate stories about every church in my immediate vicinity and the people who go there, based on what I’ve seen while driving by. I think it might stem from a very church-filled upbringing. Or incurable weirdness. Hmm.
I go to a very small country church that is 30 some miles away from my house. I never could have imagined myself going there, as I tend to like big churches with incredible music/worship, and thriving children’s ministries. But, my mom goes to this church, which is pastored by my childhood pastor, and asked us to go along with her. I went twice, once for a grand opening celebration, and once because my grandma was in town and I wanted to go to church with her. After these two times, we were getting ready to move, and the pastor called me. He wanted to know if we had enough help moving (we didn’t), and if we would like some additional help (we would!). On moving day, the pastor and 6 other people from the church showed up to help us move. Some of these people didn’t even know who they were going to help. Anyway, that made a pretty big impact on me. I could see that these people cared for each other and helped each other in life. I liked that! So, my reasons for attending my small church are community and sharing. And, I also have tremendous respect for the pastor.
For way too long we attended the church that I grew up in, mainly because we wanted to be in church and it was familiar. God started telling me that I needed to be in a different church. My husband wanted a church with an early service, so we picked three and wrote them on a list. The first church felt just like our home church, in a not-s0good way. The second one just felt like home. I had a friend that went there and she helped us with finding Sunday school classes and the nursery. After that first Sunday, we knew we had hit the jackpot! We loved the pastors, the nursery and everyone we met made us feel welcome without pressure to do anything other than be there. Because of that it’s been much easier to serve and attend in ways that feel right for us. It has made our lives so much better and made me feel so much closer to God and see Him more in our everyday lives.
We are in a season of change and one of those changes is changing churches. God is leading us to a new home and it’s exciting and a little melancholy. We have been at our old church for over 10 years. It’s no longer a place where we can grow. Hard to leave friends, but the Spirit is moving and where we have been visiting I can only describe as oxygen. We can breathe in the Spirit there. He is all over the worship and praise and I can feel God pulling us together as a family, as husband and wife and that is what this new year, this new season is about. Completed restoration of our family. It’s all very exciting. Why did we pick this new church? Because there is oxygen there. The Spririt breathing and feeding and empowering and healing. Good stuff!
I go to “that” church, which is Calvary Chapel Port St. Lucie, because I love the pastor’s teaching. I knew upon my first visit that would be “my” church. We have made lifelong friends there and will go there until we no longer can. It’s our home away from home. Never in my life have I felt more accepted, more loved, and more real authentic Christian friendship than I have since joining this church.
Heidi Reed
I am there because my husband is the pastor (lol). Actually we are there because that is where God sent us. And now that we have been there a little while we understand why. They are a small group but they love big, and they are so ready to do more and be out in the community. Marc and I feel like God has been preparing us for this day (and we didn’t even know it…lol).
They value the fringe more than the center.
Well.
First off, I am a college student. I’m at school for a few months, home for a month, back at school for a few months, home for a few months, and then back to school. I go between two churches this semester (last semester, it was three, but the third changed the times of their services and I can’t make the new times). Due to the fact that I’m not around a church for more than a few months at a time, I cannot formally serve in either church (well, I could, but I don’t want to commit to something and then when I leave, have to have people scramble to cover what I was doing). I go to the church at home because I’ve been going there all of my life, and before me, my family has attended that church since it started. I’m not entirely happy with the church (not an issue of doctrine, but more an issue of the church being stagnant), but when I’ve prayed about it, God has told me to stay there, so for now, I’m staying. When I’m at school, I go to the church that my advisor (for our on-campus Christian group) preaches at. I go there because I know that God speaks through him and that he is committed to the ministry of his church. That church is in a shore town, so during the months that I attend, there are very few people there, but the ones that do come are very loving. I’ve visited his church during the summer and it is definitely thriving. The third church that I don’t attend in this current season of my life, I found that church freshman year of college when I mentioned to someone in our Christian group that I didn’t have a church to go to, so they picked me up and took me there. I learned a lot from that church, but it’s not my time to be there right now.
However.
The Church is just simply believers. At school, I’m involved in an on-campus Christian group. I’m involved with them because at the time, they were the only Christian group on campus. They really reach out to freshman, and that is when I became involved. I’ve stayed with this group because it is through this group that God has blessed me with people and situations that have literally changed my life. My friends from SCF were there during the trials I faced freshman year, and are still there today, when God is just doing amazing things.
In addition to attending church services and being involved with the body of believers on campus, I listen to different pastors online. Technology is wonderful.
When we moved to take care of my husband’s parents, I started looking for a church. Here is a post of how I found my church…http://theresa162.wordpress.com/2008/11/15/are-you-a-partner/
For me it is alot of the things you mentioned. Kid’s Programs, Worship, Pastor and his Messages, Sense of Community, Able to Hold onto the Partners while Gaining New Believer’s. Pastor Bill says that we are mobilizing an army of Christ Followers. He is an amazing speaker!
Going off of Bob’s reply that is the exact reason I feel so blessed to be attending the church we go to (Reality) Jesus is most definitely the center, the leadership stays rock solid and accountable and we keep it simple, and the worship is just that worshipful. Thank you for letting me share my grateful heart for my church family!
When I went to church, I went to the church I was raised in. When I go back to church that church will more than likely be where I go back to. I was raised there and I think it would be hard to go anywhere else.
I pastor at a small church in Notre Dame country. I was working as th associate pastor when the lead pastor moved on to another ministry. I was asked to take over and we felt this was the right move for us. Preaching the word to challenge and encourage people is my passion. It is near our home and all our family and fits us well. We have fallen in love with the people. They have a desire to grow and be like God. They want to share this faith with their friends and family. It is exciting to be a part of something like that. When God does the work great things happen and we get to enjoy the ride.
Because it has become my home, and the people in it my family. Together we love and worship God, trying our best to follow Him.
Hello Mr. Pete,
what a great picture of Christ Anglican church in Stellarton Pictou County Nova Scotia Canada. Stellarton being my hometown but Christ Church not one I have attended. in the picture you can see the grave yard but what you cant see is the cenitaf behind it, located on Foord Street. November 11th service is held there.
Stellarton a great town to grow up in and many churchs to choose from. My church is Sharon St John, United church of Canada.
I havent answered your question, just very happy to see a pic from my hometown.
Have a great day Mr. Pete
Jennifer
I am part of two “churches.”I am part of the International House of Prayer (IHOP) and I work for a small local episcopal church on Sunday mornings. I love both places because the people there are like family. We laugh together, we cry together, we pray together, we go deep in the Lord together. Both churches are home – the people there are family to me.
I can’t imagine two better church families for myself right now. They aren’t the church I grew up in, but they are perfect for me now, where I am in my life.
I love my church! I’ve been a church goer since the 6th grade and I”m somewhere around a hundred now! I got so burned out with churchy stuff…the programs, the building funds that last for years on end, the pack a pew Sunday, the list of things if you don’t do you can’t be a “member”…I really thought I was done with church, then I walked in His Hands Church and low and behold there’s a thousand plus other burned out church goers! The don’t have a “must do list” and they love you right where you are. And people are changing!
When you asked this question did you expect such emotion form everyone?
I love CP! I know God wants me there and I know He is going to use me at CP somehow. I came there only knowing 1 person, so it wasn’t b/c my friends went there. I feel like the messages speak to all age groups and they are “real” and not sugar-coated! I also love the freedom to worship however you want. I love the sense of commuinty at CP and it has an amazing kids program-so I can totally see myself raising my family at CP!!! The only other thing I would love to see is more diversity—maybe that’s how God will use me at CP
I first started going to my church due to a friend inviting me. I was “church shopping” at the time and thought why not. So, the first church we went to was this one – and my two daughters said this is the one – we don’t need to go to another church – this works for us. So we kept going – not only because they said – but because I knew that I could grow in this church. I could establish a more solid foundation.
Funny thing is – 1.5 years later, while I am still attending, I have not move my membership from my old church that I grew up in.
It’s funny…my husband I come from different church backgrounds. I was born and grew up Catholic and later in life came to a relationship with the Lord and started going to Christian non denomination churches. He grew up in Australia as the son of Salvation Army Officers. So when we got married and he moved here we had a hard time finding a church. Salvation Army churches are traditionally neighborhood type ministries. So my husband was used to going to church down the street from his house. I had come to know and love churches (especially in Nashville) churches with lots of programs and awesome worship complete with big band and cream of the crop singers. We stumbled upon Crosspoint because a co-worker and I went out after work and we were sitting there just chatting about life and I told her we wished we could find a church. The neighborhood churches that look like your picture Pete…weren’t getting it. And, she said why don’t you visit mine. I really almost blew it off but mentioned very casually to my husband and he said “let’s try it”. He timed the drive (remember it was a “rule” not to drive past eight churches in your own neighborhood) and it was like 15 minutes. The sermon was very inspiring about careers. I was almost afraid to mention how much I liked it…but then my husband said he liked it. And, he talked about the sermon for the rest of the day. We agreed to go back for the duration of the “series”. By the time Christmas Eve service rolled around (of which we invited friends) I felt like we had found a church. For one, I couldn’t stop bawling throughout the service I was so moved and my husband has testified to many it was the most INSPIRING church service he’s ever attended in his life. Did everyone feel that way? Who knows? But I know the Spirit of God was there. And, although we aren’t ready to sign on the dotted line we go to Crosspoint because I believe God led us there.
Liberty and freedom. It’s not a top down bureaucracy like a “Nanny State”… where a person is expected to conform and parrot the Pastor (or be considered “dangerous” and a “rebel”). More acceptance. They let the Holy Spirit do the work and are relaxed. (People will hear that and think my church is apostate… like if you don’t “police people”… well, insane lawlessness will break out! Actually, Jesus breaks out in the hearts of those who love Him when the people at the top get out of the way and take their hands off… and just forge a vision and release born-again Christians to Christ-centeredness.)
Grace.
@jennifer leblanc, What are the stinking chances of that. I pick a random picture of a church in Stellarton Pictou County Nova Scotia Canada and it’s your hometown.
These blogs sure make the world small.
I retired from a staff position at a large church in my town but was called within a couple of weeks to help a small church with its cell group ministry. I’ve been involved with this wonderful ministry for two years now and love it.
It’s like you read my mind or something
I’m on a “church search” this year. I was raised catholic, attended one church (and their school) for 27 years. Moved away – baptized my son catholic at the church in town, became episcopalians because we liked the church and my husband was baptized there. Moved back to CT – went to the “other” catholic church; my son made his 1st communion there. I haven’t been to church is probably 3 years and want to go back but don’t know where to go. I want to feel something more than I feel at my catholic church. Any thoughts?
Been @ my church for 3 weeks just joined the staff as Young adults and college pastor. I love the pastor he has a huge heart for the lost and unchurched as I do. I came from a church of about 2500 to this church which is about 150. Totally different but good… feels like a family… loving it can’t wait to see all the God has in-store.
Interesting post and great question.
First, I currently don’t attend church. However, I did attend “Bible” college, and served on the staff at 2 different churches (not at the same time or even in the same state).
Second, I have attended church for many different reasons. As a child, because that is what my family did from my earliest memory on. As a college student because it was required. As an adult because I feel a bond and companionship with the other members of the congregation. This is also partly the reason I do not currently attend church… I moved up north and can’t say that I connect with people the same as I did in the south.
I now have a 5 month old child and am looking for a church because I believe it is a good moral and social environment for a kid to grow up in. I am also looking to connect with other like minded people here in my community.
Not trying to sound super spiritual, but the honest truth is, I go to my church because I believe the Lord led us there. The circumstances surrounding us getting there are quite complicated and weird, but we (my family) walked in the direction we felt we were being led in. There were many times that I questioned why I was there, but now as I look back over the last couple of years I can see that God was using me there to serve, but he was also allowing them to stretch me in some ways that will be beneficial in the coming months.
I love my church, I am totally sold on our vision, I love our friends there, our community group, our pastor, and many other elements and environments that make up the church at greenbrier. We are not perfect by any means, but neither am I
One morning when I was still drinking and had attended Cross Point inconsistently for about 5-6 weeks, my kids woke me up and begged to go to church. That was the day I realized CP was our home. When I was a kid, my boring church of christ was the last place I wanted to be, and here I was two decades later with three (2,6 & 12) kids begging me to get out of bed, hungover, and go to church. That’s why I believe God speaks through our children, you just have to listen to them. Thank you, Kidz World/Stuff!
Last July, I left the only church I ever really knew – was ever involved in (deeply involved).
I started the hunt for a new church, but it wasn’t an easy task. When looking for a church what are the right questions to ask to know if it is the “right” one. I still don’t know the answer. I will say that the reason I attend my current church is they “get it”. They know that the purpose of the church is outside the walls of the building. It’s not for me or about how I feel about things going on inside the walls, but about getting out into the world (locally and globally) and making a difference for Christ. Love God, Love your neighbor. They get it.
We belong to a very small church in our very small town but have recently begun to attend another church in a nearby town (in addition to our “home” church). It’s bigger, more contemporary, the pastor is very real and not stuffy, and we feel very welcome there. But we’re having a hard time leaving our home church. We are fixtures in this small town. People will talk. (Why should I care??) Another issue is the denomination, if you will. Home church is Lutheran, I was baptized Lutheran, but to join the new church would require new baptism (it’s Baptist) and part of me is fine with that and the other part doesn’t want to negate my original baptismal sacriment. Would it? Consequently, we end up being uber-churched every weekend. The desire to attend the new one (usually on Saturday) and the loyalty and committment to the old. How long can you lurk at a new church before actually joining? We even volunteer at both. It is a conundrum. I just pray we make the right decision and few nasty words are slung if we decide to leave the old. If I lived closer, Cross Point would solve my problem
for us it’s a little bit of it being the church where my husband grew up, but mainly it’s our sunday school class. over the years we have become each other’s support. we aren’t exclusive. we welcome anyone in with open arms and we are just as mindful to help them when needed as we are of the ones of us who have been together for 10+ years. even though there are great things about our church if it weren’t for the support and friendship of our sunday school class we would probably find another one.
As Tevye would sing;
“Tradition!”
There, now you’ve got that song in your head!
My husband and I go to C3 Church in Orlando, FL. I love it….it’s such an open community where everyone is welcomed- just as they are- and everyone is loved! Just an awesome community of faith where people truly love Jesus and others!
For the first time in a long time I really felt welcomed. The vision to go and share the love of Christ with the community. Our pastor will not put up with gossip or any kind of strife that could divide the church. It feels like home!
We go to Crosspoint because it feels like home. Our community group is like family, we love the worship services (music, sermon, awesome videos, song at the end, etc), and we believe in the vision. Pete, you seem like you really “get it” as far as what it means to live a life for God and pastor a church. I also love that I can invite my friends to church and they will hear the truth, find a way to apply it to their life, and not be bored to tears. Finally, we love the service opportunities and the ability to occasionally worship with LHM men on Sunday nights. God is moving at CP and we are excited to be a part of it!
We go to Oakbrook and my husband is on staff at Oakbrook because it’s full of authentic people, will to talk about the hard stuff and run after God together.
I am currently looking for a church in Greenville SC area…but the church I attended back home was amazing. Anyone in the Syracuse NY area that reads this and is looking for an awesome church go here http://www.northsideonline.org the pastor is an amazing teacher, the worship is breathtaking, the people are welcoming and non judgmental, god-fearing, bible believing!!!
we started attending NewSpring when we received a mailer that asked “considering divorce?” and yes, we were strongly considering it at that time. my husband, the introvert and non group person that he is, attended the first Sunday in the series without me knowing. We attended the rest of the series together. Half way through we KNEW that God was moving us from our current conservative/traditional/hymn singing church of under 500 were we knew at least half of our “church family.”
We stay and volunteer at NS because we are SOLD OUT for those in our community. I can’t tell you how awesome it is to participate in what GOD is doing through NewSpring. God has not blessed us with children in our home as of yet (both in our 40′s) however it is a true blessing to be able to give back to the children in our community. Almost weekly I see our church body stepping up to take care of children through the foster/adoption process. It is a beautiful thing to see so many living out The Word outside of the four walls on Sundays.
Since the early ninety’s I’ve learned it’s best to go where God sends me instead of where I want to go. The Lord has moved me in and out of a few churches throughout the years because of “such a time as this” and believe me when I say, our spiritual growth and service to Him depends on weather we submit to His will or act upon our desires.
Because I am loved there (with all my baggage) and the church in turn pours love into the local community….(Liquid Church, Morristown NJ).
I’m having a hard time with this right now. We were in a church home that was an amazing community, with a pastor like I’d never known before. God was there. I never made it through a gathering without tears AND laughter. I was safe, and challenged, and loved, and moved, and improved! Even though I began attending alone (kids off in their classes), I was quickly surrounded by new friends who became like family. They even had a “Single Mom Saturday” where the pastor’s wife took us to lunch, a group of college women watched our kids, and the men cleaned and checked our cars! How much more loved could I be?
Then, through an odd twist, my adopted son’s bio-father and his mother started attending, and The Stirring ceased to be a place of calm for us. We’ve moved to (well, our small town’s version of) a mega-church. My children are fantastically happy there, and are learning so much. Even my ex-husband has noticed that the emphasis on character-building in our new church is working in our son.
But I feel a bit lost. The pastor is interesting, but I spend half my time wondering why his wife and kids aren’t in church. He’s more of a scholar than a preacher. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a very knowledgeable man, and I’m actually enjoying a book he just published, but I guess I like to be moved a little more.
I still listen to the podcasts from our old church. I’m still involved in two ministries at the old place, and I know that if I got involved with those in our new church, I’d develop more connections, but they just don’t seem to have anything that fits the schedule of a working, single mom. Morning groups? I’m at work. Evening groups? No childcare. Weekend groups? Non-existent. If my kids didn’t like it so much, we’d have moved on to another church by now.
So, I guess the point of this rambling post is that the only good reason I have for attending the church I go to right now is their children’s ministry. It’s amazing.
@jane, New Spring is a special church. Glad you’ve found such an authentic, Biblical, community.
i grew up in a very conservative church of about 220 because it was the church most of my family attended. it is funny that you pose the question because within 5 years before and after my high school graduation my home church is partly responsible for over 15 men and women being involved in ministry. however, many of us from that same group dread visiting the church when we go home to visit family.
i often wonder what has changed in us, the church, or both that has caused this feeling of dread…even though we all totally believe in the power and responsibility of the church in general!!
I’m going to this church in obedience to where hubby wants us to go. We have stayed within the same denomination, but just a newer community church – 5 yrs. old. I am wondering and open to what the Lord has in store for us. We don’t feel connected yet – only know two couples. But it’s not about us and our growth. We like the pastor and he preaches the Word – don’t always agree, but that’s ok. The members are all couples with young children. Maybe they need us as seniors. Maybe we’re here to mentor, nurture, encourage, support and simply love His people. Maybe just being obedient to this call will be exactly what we need to mature more in our faith. My heart wants to go to another group with which I have so much in common, where I feel welcome, where my gifts can still be used, where I am loved, respected and appreciated, but God had other plans.
@davefarris, that interesting. I would love to see you explore those feelings further.
I’m madly in love with the leader:). No really, over the past several years my husband and I have had the opportunity to “go” and serve as pastor of several churches (big, small, and everywhere in-between). Through much prayer we always go where God says and not necessarily where men might think is “the place to be.”
God has gifted each of us with such unique talents and I believe we need to find a place to serve Him not just a place where our grandma is buried in the back yard. Go some place where you’ll be convicted and actually grow in your faith rather than just attend church.
We enjoyed a weekend off this past Sunday too and we always love to go and visit different churches and worship as well as people watch. It leads to a lot of interesting conversations for the trip home.
Everything from the music, kids program, the staff and the pastor is absolutely fab. You all are doing an awesome job at CP!
I go to my church because they pay me. Joking! (But its how I found my church) All joking aside, when my wife and I decided to come to Las Vegas to interview, the main thing we were looking for was, “Does this church feel like a family.” We truly would have said no to the job offer if this ‘it’ element wasn’t there.
It’s a total God thing for me…we were burnt from our last church and went about 6 months in search of a new one. This meant my wife and I didn’t serve for a while, which in the end actually gave us some deeper God time to get our focus in line with His.
Then we went to an opening weekend at our current church….we walked out and we knew it was it. God opened doors for both my wife to jump back into serving where our passion is…and it’s been a great ride. Can’t imagine going anywhere else.
Our last church fell apart because the Pastor had issues with fideltity. We were out of church for over a year and then we found the one we are at now. The worship is incredible and my 17 yo fell in love with Jesus there.
The reason I attend my church, CedarCreek.tv , definitely has to do with the philosophy of the church. The goal of the church is to reach others for Jesus where they’re at, in a way that doesn’t attack them but makes them feel welcome at church and some place that’s relevant to them. Plus, as a church we don’t just have services and invite people in. We also make sure we are out in the community letting people know that we love them and we’re there for them. We’re starting a disaster relief group and we have a healthy food/clothing donation ministry. I absolutely don’t say this to brag about my church, but instead to show what can happen when the people of the church come together with the correct priorities. That’s what I think I love about my church the most, is that it seems to have the priority of obeying and carrying out God’s will as it’s highest priority, and are willing to follow that calling from God, even if it takes us out of our comfort zone.
@Jeremy, I love Cedar Creek Church. I have family in the area I’m praying will start attending. I know if I could ever get them there it would change their life. You guys rock. Keep up the great work.
I was going to St. Sebastian Catholic church in NYC (I was the world’s worst church organist, luckily for me most of the congregation was wearing hearing aids).
When I moved to Nashville (ten years ago) , the only person I knew in town (Kim Parent) was going to Bellevue Community Church. I went for a couple years and when you started doing the Wednesday night service, I started going to that. There was about a year when I didn’t go to church at all (not really sure why, it was the first time in my whole life).. but when I heard you had started your own church, I started going again. It was really considerate of you to move the church a block away from my house.
Pete,
I love your questions! I found you from Lindsey’s blog on redshirting kids. LOL funny & I thought it was cool you thought so too. I’ve been reading you ever since.
He’s Catholic (by previous marriage) and has moved all over. I grew up in a wonderful Episcopalian church here in ATL. My parents were active & I knew everyone. No other church feels like that one to me but it is not the same church either. Most of the congregation has moved away or passed away. So the only time it feels right is when I go back for a funeral.
We sometimes attend Christ the King in ATL and we are both comfortable there but not driven to get in the pew on Sundays.
We have good intentions but seem to have let laziness take over.
Because God calls me to do it.
I go to my church because it was the first church I had ever found that allowed me to be me.
I grew up in a traditional church (wont name denomination) and always felt that no matter what I was doing something wrong. I also felt that God was portrayed as a mean God, not a loving one.
When I moved to Nashville, I did not attend, nor had the desire.
One day my wife came and told me about a church that at the time was meeting in her school. I heard that people were wearing baseball caps and carrying their Starbucks in the doors. Being from Seattle I knew this could be it.
The first time I attended I loved the atmosphere. The pastor was not negative, he was funny and the music unbelievable. It set a new standard in my mind for what church should be. Not a place to go, but a place to desire to be.
I am a member and serve at my church because that is where God The Father wants me to be. He led me there and placed upright people of the flock in my life to mentor and disciple me. The pastor and I are about the same age and we are great spiritual friends.
What God has taught me about worshiping Him in his house is that most of what happens depends upon me. It is up to me to be prepared to do business with Him. Am I prayed up when I walk in the building? Have I prayed throughout the week for my pastor? Have I prayed for those I know who are struggling? Do I make an extra effort to make people feel welcome?
It is not up to me to criticize the preaching, music or programs. If I am truly walking in the Spirit, I get fed and I am able to overlook the shortcoming of others.
Satan loves church grumblers.
Cecil C
I just feel like after leaving the stuffy, judgmental, religious way of doing church as we grew up several of us have experienced a more authentic and real experience with relevant down-to-earth, and yet challenging, messages. Now that we have been exposed to this new refreshing way of corporately worshipping our God, it is hard to return to the older way. I do not mean to criticize the effectiveness of our home church, simply put, it just reaches a different tribe of people…which excludes many of the Timothy’s it helped produce. I will admit is a selfish mentality!!
Started because of the location … closest Baptist church to our home. Stayeed because of the people … love the staff, congregation and the community involvement. It’s a church were the pastor will say if you’re looking for a perfect church you’re at the wrong place …. we’re all sinners…. we will mess up but we are all family.
I go to the church I’m at because… well … I am the Pastor…
Pete…I would go to our church even if I were not on staff. You just know when God is doing some amazing things and you want to be a part of it! It is located in what some people may say is in a very dark place but God is allowing the LIGHT to shine in such a bright way! We have a saying…it is a church where it is “Okay not to be Okay!” Our family attends Central in Vegas!!
Who could leave a church who’s first pastor was Ken Graham?
people who proclaim, GOD led them to a particular church.. that’s great!!! remember it’s all about HIM, it’s not about us… it’s great to have a wonderful relationship w/ your church family & Pastor.. fellowship ref. to scripture… is a necessity, but AGAIN are we bookshelf christians, do we participate in functions/duties as members for recognition… or for the Only Reason… Praise & Worship, Giving Glory to the LORD,YOUR GOD,YOUR FATHER,, the latter is #1 ,all else is important, & follows in suit, IF IT’S NOT ABOUT SELF!!!!!
HATE MOGNERRING
BROKEN DOWN PSEUDO MINISTRY
5/8/2010
According to information, months ago, Mrs. Soh, Shin Ho unexpectedly assaulted at Dr. Ki Ok Cho in the church, shouting, “Why do come to this church and so on….”
The assault was so surprising to her from an unfamiliar member without any provocation. Thus, Dr. Cho was so shocked that shortly thereafter she was hospitalized with a stroke and is now paralyzed, a question lingers on if it was related with the emotional shocks.
How can any decent church member improperly assault an innocent church member without “any prejudice?”
Dr. Cho is a long time respected church
member, contributed so dearly to the church in many faithful ways. Mrs. Soh should find remorseful on her unwarranted, misled insult.
With Dr. Kil Chai Yim, Dr. Cho jointly endowed a scholarship fund for the church.
According to information, not so long ago, Rev. Chul Woo Chang often requested Dr. Cho to allow him to spend the endowment fund to pay for the choir.
She could not consent it as it was in violation of the donors’ will, the church rules and the State law. The pastor is obliged to protect such endowment accordingly.
But Rev. Chang made a public announcement in the church that he was not allowed to spend the fund to pay for the choir members, as if slandering the donors. Why the church needs to have a paid choir in the expense of an honorable scholarship endowment? Indeed the unnecessary public announcement was out of etiquette.
On Sunday, January 17, 2009, Yoo Dong Suck suddenly verbally assaulted me. Shouting, “Why do you come to this church? Don’t come to this church.” He was about to bodily attack me at the church entrance. He almost hit me unless his wife sensibly stopped him, My Natural response to him, “…this is my church…”
I did not have any social or church relations with him. We do not know each other very well. How he knew me as such. His attack seems to have originated from “a dangerous brain washing.” After it, I wrote him to learn if he was associated with the hate group who falsely charged my son and me as the mass murderers in order o steal church money. But he did not respond to it. His family is known to have a close relation with Rev. Won Tae Cha.
His hateful assault seems to be not isolated case as it was very similar to Mrs. Soh’s to Dr. Cho. He should rethink about his assault mentality. Recently his wife was promoted to a steward of the church.
On or around April 6, 2010, the church secretary called us to learn the address of Dr. Kil Chai Yim. I told her Dr. Yim has no more address as she is in the nursing home. The secretary wanted to have, at least, the phone number for the new address book of the church.
Dr. Yim is very actively dedicated lifetime member of this church. During her youthful years, she made good contributions to it. She raised funds for the expansion of the existing old building. Now nobody in the church seems to care about her in her old age anymore. Even the salaried pastors or the elders did not follow whereabouts in negligence. Is this a Christian ministry that we have in 89 years old this historic church? Isn’t this sadly dehumanizing ministry today? Is it a church’s way to treat the aged member as if “An old soldier fades away” as a trash. An alien pastoral culture ruined the traditional church life.
On December 16, 2009, at the Charge Conference of the church, there was a heated dispute between Rev. Chang and Mr. Suk Kyun Shin, then the Chairman of the Pastoral Committee, as Rev. Chang omitted the financial reports by the chairman to it in order to cover up the irregularities.
The issue was on the unauthorized extra payments to Rev. Chang for his Morning Prayer meetings, which was additional to the regular salary. (Other disturbing issue is the pastor’s residence in New Jersey far away from the church, beyond the high cost toll bridge, George Washington, if that is unrealistic). However, according to Ms. Sung Hi Rhim, new chairperson of the Pastoral Committee, the dispute had no basis at all. If that was the case, it is questionable why Mr. Shin had erroneously caused such public nonsense for the financial matters at the sane church conference. His chairmanship ended without a clarification of the mess. The chairperson should make “the nonsense a Korean sense clearly” to deliver us from the dummy church world.
At the same meeting I complained against the extortion lawsuits and about the pastor’s and the church officers’ blocking the official audit of the irregular finances from 2000 for almost two years. Mr. In-Taeg Rhim, a long time church financial officer, shouted at me that he would call the police in protest against my complaint. I responded to him, “Call the police, if they come here, they would arrest you first.” The audit can make our church Jesus clean.
Following the 89th Anniversary services, Rev. Sung Kook Michael Hahm offered “Red” benediction. He was former chairman of Korean American Coordination Council (KANCC) (Pro-North Korean org.) (See Visit to North Korea, by Suki Kim to learn Korean communists in U. S. A.).
All the events since the People’ Army trained Rev. Cha’s appointment seem to be reflections from the impure elements infiltrated into our congregation that clouded the sense of the human conscience.
Years ago, the former Rev. Sung Soo Hahn demonstrated in the midtown demanding the withdrawal American troops from the South. At the demo Mr. Oh Bo Young was very hostile to me in his opposing party. He was in the North Korea with other communist visitors from America, including the procommunist Rev. Yoo Tai Young who is a brother in law of Yoo Un Bong, who used come to the trial court in support of Rev. Cha, Steven H. Park, Young So Kim and other church members, including Mrs. Hahm – the trial was for the false mass murder charges against me and my son – the church financed extortion lawsuits – smart guys of this 89 year old historic church. It should be noted that Dong Jin Kim was one of the active members who sued us. He used to live with Rev. Cha. He is a related in-law of Rev. Chul Woo Chang. Now there could be more like those new members in the church.
The network of the complex ideological orientation should be looked into the church ills.
The Pastoral Committee is largely responsible for maintaining “this style of ministry with a high costs to date. It is too much hate based ministry to be Christian at all for so long.
Why the church waste resources for the disgraceful, wrongful ministry. The inept faithless leadership ruined our traditional church and destroyed our human relations in the church.
As all the events presented here matters with the personal integrity for the church affairs, the matters should be immediately cleared at an open meeting of the church for the clear understanding of the facts of the bankrupt faith and correct the wrongdoings without selling her history alone deceptively anymore.
By now we must reform the highly hate based ministry that misled the congregation for so long. It is about time the Pastoral Committee should be dismissed unless it actively reforms the pseudo church into the real faith based church.
Audit the abused finance and restitute the stolen funds, which will further guide how to clean up the mess.
The pastors come and go. But the congregation is the core force of any church, which should be alerted to have a confident pastor in good faith, not to commercialize it any more in any manner apart from the Bible at all. Enough is enough, Korean enough in this shame way. Please tell if this message is untrue. “When you see something, say something!”
Blessings. Chae S. Sone
Korean United Methodist Church and Institute’s not so sacret drama 에생긴교회연극입니다
UMC Korean clergy 중에는 교회규측과 예수님가라츠심을배반하고 가롯유다의복음을예수이름으로전하는거짖증거하는분들이있읍니다 Korean church leaders in New York and New Jersey should cloely examine this story help the church return to our Lord Jesus Christ.
교회규측을지키며교회재정을교회규측과 예수가라치심의따라가야한다고 주장하고
교회를 보호하려든이사장을 살인죄인범으로만들고 이사장이엿든 무죄한 교인을살인범으로만들고 그의아들까지죄인으로몰고 New York State Supreme Court 에서살인미수죄로 재판을하였읍니다 세번소송했는데$8,000,000,00 예수님갑보다훨신맣은 돈을요구한악한 목사와교회지도자들이,이런큰배상을요구한일이있읍니다
According to the trial judge F. Dana Winslow, someone from the Episcopacy deceived the Judge that the mss murder charges were church related. It was false because it was private lawsuit by Steven H. Park under the direction of Rev. Won Tae Cha, Young So Kim and others Bishop Park should know who deceived the judge.
Bishop Lyght learned about his crookedness and fired Rev. Cha to rescue the church because he was going to destroy the church. One Sunday there were only 24 worshippers during the court battles.
After many changes, Rev. Chul Chang 장철우 appointed to the church. When Rev. Chul Wood Chang 장철우 said on his inauguration day on the pulpit that “Rev. Won Tae Cha is my mentor.” Rev. Chul Woo Chang is stalling the audit of the church finance that would reveal the abused money by Rev, Won Tae Cha, but he is trying to protect his mentor, Rev. Won Tae Cha. 목사들이횡영한예수님돈을 회복하려는일을반대하는 이는교인의마음이업고 예수님을모욕하느사실입니다
차원테목사는 허위살인범재판소의 여러교우를응원자로 끄러어왓습니다 그중에는 최근의크게추모예배를드린 양우석장 Yang Woo Suck 노가당당이지팽앵이를 집고왔읍니다 한국기독교인들의더럽고
악한사실를볼수있는연극무대였읍니다
양장노는우리가족을모르는 우리교회와는낫서른 거리에서드러온장노인데 어더케 우리가살인범이라고아럿는지 그것은새빨간거짖말입니다 박히재 wife 는놑은신을신고 멋부리면서 남편을 응원하러큰돈을벌 기대로 읃식대고드러왔읍니다 못나니 korean 가롯유다들의악한연극이엿는데
이연극은 지금은장철우목사가합법적회게를 가로막고있어 아즉도
불법은게 속하고있읍니다 예수님에게낫을들수업이 korean shame 입니다 우리자식들에게무엇을가르킬수있을가요? For the church is like under the capitulation of the dishonestly organized Korean criminals. Remember many young people is dying now in foreign lands to protect our value system.
우리새로운 시대젊은신자들을지도하여이교회가도덕마즌예순님돈을하로속히회복합시다
Rev. Chul Woo Chang, Rev. Won Tae Cha 는예수님을바로따르지안코 바로가르치지도못합니다
결국이실패는Bishop Jeremiah J. Park에게큰책임이있읍니다 Let us pray God to rescue our church
from the evil and return to our Lord Jesus Christ. We need the consciensious churcch leadership.
REFERENCE IN WEBSITE
1.기독교뉴스 > 교계소식 > “늦은 비의 부흥을 사모하는
2.뉴욕한인교회 88주년 창립 기념 음악회 가져 전문 음악인이 기획한 첫 음악회 [2009-04-05 22:09
3.기독교뉴스 > 교계소식 > “늦은 비의 부흥을 사모하는
4. How to save our church from the money scandals?
5. 기독교뉴스 > 교계소식 > “늦은 비의 부흥을 사모하는
6. Houston Korean church in turmoil
7. Steve H. Park’s false murder charges against me and my son and …in order to steal the church money
8. Dear Jesus! I am the Korean Bishop Jeremiah J. Park. What can I do for you in this …
9.A petition to Bishop Jeremiah J. Park to recover misused Church money … Now, Bishop Jeremiah J. Park must and others.
10. 예수님 나는 Korean Bishop Jeremiah Park 입니다 나는당신을 위해 이 Christmas 와 새해 에 무엇을 할수 있을까요?
12. Park profanity Deposition doc 3.6 14 doc