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Christianity Today, July, 2007 |

Sorrow But No Regrets

My life in the troubled, redemptive church.

Christine A. Scheller | posted 7/25/2007 08:55AM

I'm not sure what to think about church anymore.

My home church, which just celebrated its 30th anniversary, is on its sixth pastor, and he is a gem. But the path to him was rocky. We gathered, just 25 ...

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Bob Coger

Posted: August 07, 2007 5:41 PM


What is the point of sharing all this negativity? My own experience in small churches for the past 40 years has been totally opposite. As a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and pastor in more than one small church, I have known only Godly men in leadership positions. There are plenty of wonderful small churches out there. Find one. Don't stay a victim.

Elias Geremew

Posted: August 05, 2007 2:57 AM

I believe all of us are suffering from the consequences and part of the problems of church. No one is to blame, let every one heed where they are going and be true to the life of God within. Let us not fall in to the Devil's trap of accusinig our beloved brothers in Christ. Le us be aware of our nature - that crucified carnal nature, its good or bad, deserving nothing but real death.... that we may not be surprissed if we see carnality here and there. Let us pray Maranatha to the Lord- We have longed to see Him and our hearts are aching to live in such a time as this. We are tired of our selves and of everything going on in the Church.

Pamela Chambers

Posted: August 04, 2007 7:44 PM

You know, I think if you've been in a church very long, you will definitely see the flawed human being...I've asked God many times, why He chooses to work thru such weakness, but that's where He can get the glory....we just don't have the ability to do what's right without staying close to Jesus in prayer and Bible reading EVERYDAY, and pray without ceasing- in all things, and it doesn't matter WHO we are... but we forget....church isn't about us, it's about Jesus...but we forget...it's also about learning to forgive- that's supernatural, and we all have to learn it over & over, God forgave us - we must forgive others so WE can heal and God is the ultimate judge, and He definitely chastises His children so we don't get away with anything, thankfully He loves us enough to do that, then hopefully we learn and increase in character....God bless the writer and heal her soul as well....God help America to get back to God and out of the show-business, leaders ARE held to a higher standard!

Karen

Posted: August 04, 2007 7:32 AM

I liked this article but the beginning paragraph was confusing. What did the author mean when she wrote, "Running up the stairs every week past shiny red trucks and perfectly aligned yellow coats felt like home". Was she at a firestation?????? Once into the article, I enjoyed it, but it was hard to understand the context of the authors situation in several paragraphs. Just a little tip from a readers point of view. I did love the final four paragraphs. Choosing to believe good and focusing on it rather than negative is always best. Let your mind dwell on these things... whatever is true, whatever is noble,. etc. Phillippians 4:8 God's principles are always the best for us! The church is full of us foible humans living in our sin filled world. I heard a great quote today, "When I found Christ, I lost religion." It's only on Christ our solid rock that we can stand. Blessings!

Blessing

Posted: August 03, 2007 1:54 AM

Thank you for sharing this article for it will help a lot of people, at times we need to learn to wait until God plants us in the church where our destinies will be birthed, and on the other side he will also allow us to see the curruption of this present evil age for His divine purpose, in order for us to make a difference. The book of Hosea will make sense when you read it. i thank God almighty for your right heart attitude in the experience, it is to grow you and your family, God is an investor, never come to a point whereby you are standed to find a church to fellowship, be guided by the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Where God leads, He will provide. God has seen your heart desires and where He leads you, He will provide, in Jesus name!

Mary R.

Posted: August 02, 2007 7:52 PM

When our fellowship broke, it touched many people especially my husband. I stayed home for many months waiting. Then decided to go into a fellowship. My husband stays home and I go to church. I have chosen this because I need fellowship. It is never easy to go without your husband. It has been several months now and things have not changed. Like the other person said I go to worship my Lord and Savior. And continue to praise Him for who He is in my llife. A sacrifice of praise will be received by Him who knows all things great and small. In our weakness, He is strong.

kck	Posted: August 02, 2007 6:17 PM


Satan will do whatever he can to mislead followers of Jesus Christ. Keep praying to the Lord . Stay away from evil doings and keep the faith.

joshua akello

Posted: August 02, 2007 8:08 AM


please pray and let god open for you the door of heven and the you will know tha this for the devil. may god give you avision even. to move with any ministry that you can do weather to help children or to preach the gospel. and if you still have heart to serve the lord you will see god doing . good things in your life.

Liz Ijoma

Posted: August 02, 2007 6:34 AM

The truth be told.. Yes as we al search for the Lord, we wonder into church that simply hurt us more than the secular world does. Here in Africa, it is no different. 'Sorrow but no regrets' as we come across churches that simply makes us wonder with sorrow and amazement. But in the midst of it all, we can have no regrets, for the Lord had warned us and what is most important is that the Holy Spirit lives within us and will guide us through it all. Our faith is to be in God and Not churches. When Jesus said 'upon this rock I will build my church' He referred to Peter and not a physical rock and a physical building. It is simply to press on as we fellowship in Churches that will rise and fall and rise again, yet learn the lessons form our experiences and theirs to share with our family and friends. every experience brings us closer to God so no regrets...and remember tat satn prowls around to tempt all men who love God. It is well. Hallelujah

margit kieslich humes

Posted: August 01, 2007 5:11 PM

everyone has to be careful and watch out, because there are many falt prophets on the way. to my husband happened a bad thing at church,the pastor was a lyer, i had no idea from free chruches because i am katholic and our pastors are controlled from the staate of germany.my husband is bubtist and he went to a church in germany to an american church which called them selves the soal winners. soon as i saw a paper from them that only the soal winners would come to the sky,i knew my husband was sitting on a wrong place. dont get me wrong,but noboddy can tell who is comming to the sky as only god,there was more going on,i dont want to talk about it anymore,because i dont care if catholic or bubtist, i do care for a true pastor and not a pastor which want to have a good living from other persons money. i only know that our pastors get paid from the staate from germany and i do thing that is the best way and they do live under the same standard like normal people.they dont want a big house

*****

Posted: August 01, 2007 10:28 AM


This is so "right on." Time and time again I've seen the same things. The hypocrisy in the church is a terrible thing. But somehow Jesus and his love for our terrible, fallen state is what keeps me going. Bravo to Christine for speaking up.

KJV	Posted: August 01, 2007 10:11 AM

I can relate very well to this article. It's sad, but true that there are leaders that get too big in their heads that they take advantage of innocent by-standers. God's trying to get us to get our eyes off of people and our focus on Him and Him alone! We have to live for God and not man. The Bible says to take heed that you stand lest you fall. None of us are exempt. I am very blessed now, that God has moved me to a wonderful church with a respectful, wise and God-loving pastor. He is never alone with any woman, unless his wife is in ear-shot. I can respect him for that and he does not hold back the truth from us, either. He preaches the Word just like it is. Sometimes, God has to bring us through different situations to help someone else out of the same situation. Keep standing for truth and look around you to help others in the same predicament. God can and will use you and your husband - maybe even to counsel pastors and leaders that have fallen!

Sign of times

Posted: August 01, 2007 9:28 AM

I too have suffered from the bureaucracy of CHURCH in today's world and the apathy is getting even greater even at the Servant's level in our area .....we must press onward and be as Christ like as possible not allowing any of this to stifle our salvation or eternity with Jesus....I chose to look at it as I feel the HOLY SPIRIT himself has taught me , when I go to church I go to WORSHIP GOD not the man in the pulpit nor the congretation sitting and not to put the Servant in the pulpit on a pedestal as he is not the one who died for my sins nor bore stripes for my healing .. Every church denomination has some kind of problem it is your choice to get involved in the problems or to worship the CREATOR through it all ..... Help me to do all the things I should do, and to discard those that would keep me from you , help as I struggle through each daily chore, and as my strength falters please give me more ......Thank you Jesus for saving my soul and making me whole.!

SAD AND CONFUSED

Posted: August 01, 2007 7:51 AM

I found this article very interesting because right now I am battling with myself for leaving a church where I have invested a lot of time, money and love. Satan is really getting hold of churches all over the world. I am in Africa, and sexual sin has broken out in our church. Our pastor was accused by his wife and several others of having extramarital relationships. The problem is that he does not admit it, although he was seen by his wife and several other people at odd hours with different women. I believe that we should support our brothers and sisters in prayer when they fall into sin, but are we expected to do so when they do not admit to their sin? By not admitting to the sin, another sin is added to the already existing sin of ADULTERY. LYING! Does this not affect the congregation that sits under the covering of this pastor? Is the pastor not defiling the word of God, by touching HIS holy book while he is unclean and has not confessed his sin? What do you think?

SDKinWaco

Posted: August 01, 2007 7:45 AM


Jesus warn believers and so did Paul that there would be many false prophets that would even decieve Gods very elect.

FM505

Posted: July 31, 2007 11:50 PM

Yes to jay...! The church did not fail Mrs. Scheller and the pop culture did not invade their gathering. It is the same everywhere - people living their lives each day. When we find the courage to confront ourselves and seek the grace of God thorough our blessed Savior Jesus Christ and embrace the Holy Spirit, our lives are uplifted and the rigors and temptations of the world are more easily put in the back seat. Love and Peace.

Okie	Posted: July 31, 2007 6:09 PM


I appreciate that you have not given up and are continuing on in your journey. Your article serves as a reminder to all of our responsibility to cover our churches, and our leaders and pastors in prayer to strengthen and support them!

Pastor Bob

Posted: July 31, 2007 1:23 PM

As a western male I must take exception with Tortoise. We are not the root of evil in the church. The generalizations made about Jewish versus western males may have some kernels of accuracy that apply to some but certainly not all males. The reality is that plenty of western male pastors practice servant leadership. I think conquering pride and rebellion is done on an individual not generational scale. Perhaps the yeast is not a pagan non Jewish history. Could the yeast be your regular garden variety sin? If we are thin on real belief we at least have developed a thick skin. the underlying sense of superiority I sensed in the posting cause me to think Tortoise should take a long hard look in the mirror before casting the proverbial stone at the western males endangering Christianity.

jay	Posted: July 29, 2007 6:18 PM


Thank you all for the humble and humbling comments. We all surely fall short and better take refuge in no man (prince) Ps118:8-9

tortoise

Posted: July 27, 2007 6:08 PM

The pastors I have encountered have either had little faith or just enough to prevent themselves looking for trouble. There is a crisis in the church and we must examine where it comes from. I believe it comes from the Alpha-male phenomenon where adult males want dominance in a hierarchy and when they reach senior pastor level they feel like the Alpha bull in a gorilla pack and assert their dominance to the detriment of their humility and reliance on Jesus. This is the yeast (impurity) of having a pagan non-Jewish history. The Jews largely work as a group and society and have one-another in mind when they work, proud of their group heritage. They serve one another. But western males have the gentile attitude of dominating the group. So their pride and rebellion is still strong and fresh. Pushing for dominace they are thin on real belief and would easily push aside their godliness. They did not have individualism knocked out of them by centuries of leadership in Israel by the Father.

Paraclete

Posted: July 26, 2007 4:19 PM

All to painfully true. It hurts, it confuses each one of us. I pause to reflect however, on the Saints and Children of God I have met though through out the years. Some who I would never have expected it of, have proven to be pillers of strenth when the rest of us have stumbled in confusion. Others who had served so well and so long have found themselves floundering. We tend to forget, we are all, both pastors and parisioners, mere mortals. Each of us must always remember that we are imperfect vessels. For which reason we must always lift each other up in prayer and emotional support. We expect to much of our leaders when we ask them to think for us without our imput. We ask to little of followers to expect them to follow with out providing direction as well. It has been heart breaking and bewildering to me, to see a brother or sister stumble and fall. All to often they leave the Church, never to be heard from again. Though it is our responsibility to welcome them back

psych chaplain

Posted: July 26, 2007 9:04 AM

I felt great sorrow in reading your article.I appreciate your honesty and faithfulness. There is however, a great sickness of the soul within Christianity that the church does not want to address. We still treat the shameful "slouching toward Gomorah" of church leaders as isolated events in the face of epidemic decline. I believe that part of our healing must come from an acknowledgement that the Christian church is not well and take decisive measures to excise this "cancer" from our body.

WGL	Posted: July 26, 2007 8:20 AM


You put words to similar experiences, bringing clarity and recognition for the need to release. Thank you.

Kevin

Posted: July 26, 2007 7:24 AM


I too have been burned multiple times by flakes and frauds in church leadership. It is noteworthy that Jesus' greatest enemies in the New Testament came from the ranks of the religious leadership. The apostles, on the other hand, did not sign on to a career in "ministry" but to a life of self-denial and dedication to the One who alone is worthy of our unreserved trust.

Tracy Gibson

Posted: July 26, 2007 6:26 AM


Your article brought tears to my eyes, especially since I was with you at the Middletown, NJ church. This article is a help in my healing process more than you know. Thanks. Keep writing and being used of the Lord to bless us with your insights. Praise God!!

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