The Imperfect Church

[TheNerdworm11]

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[jennyyang1984]

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[khadijagwen]

They have such narrow viewpoints on what it takes to please God (Allah SWT). Ever wonder where the Trinity idea came from; whose idea it was? Did you ever actually LOOK at the documents? Did Jesus say that he was God? Of course not. But in America Christianity has gotten so bizzare and fixated that I finally gave up on it.

You will only listen to me long enough to start thinking about what you are gonna say; so you end up not listening at all. Did you ever dig deep inside?

[Scriipto]

@khadijagwen Salaam wa alaikum, This sums up everything I would want to say :D I assum you are a muslim since you said Allah (swt) ?

[khadijagwen]

@Scriipto Wa Alaykom Salaam: Yes, I am an American Muslimah convert to Islam. I have to say American because if you talk to some of the Middle Eastern Muslims, doctrinal dogmas creep in that Muhammad PBUH did not say; like the 72 virgins, and the "slay the unbeliever" thing is waaaayyyy taken out of context. I was Christian for over 30 years and am well aquainted with scripture passages being taken out of context. LOL

Ma Salaama

[Scriipto]

@khadijagwen Salaam, yeah I understand what you mean, I was raised a christan but never really believed then I found Islam, alhamdulilah (: And I must agree about to out of context thing, it's ignorant and it makes Islam look bad. But you know, we just have to do our duty and inshallah we will be in paradise (:

[khadijagwen]

@Scriipto I really try to be a peacemaker because that is what I think Allah SWT has set for me to do. Yet at times bitterness from the past sneaks up on me, and catches me unaware. It is not good when I criticise Christians, because I put myself in the same place as those Christians who were so awful to me. My stepfather was Amish of all things and I now live in Ohio. The more I learn about the Amish and Menonites, the more I see the similarities between that and Islam.

[khadijagwen]

I was Christian for over 30 years, my children went to Christian school, I served constantly, I loved God with all my heart. When I had a problem, they threw me out. Everytime I see a church, or someone talks about the love of Jesus, I get mad.

[MissDia97]

@khadijagwen Most traditionals (Christian or Catholic) are like that. My family had something similiar happen to us at a private Catholic school and church. Mom dropped us off wearing pants and they didn't like that. There's nothing immodest about that, right? The pants weren't even skinny jeans! But no, they didn't like that. And that's just one of the probs. But we moved on, and right now, I'm going to my third school. We're still Catholic and didn't let others get to us.

U shouldn't either.

[sockmonkey6]

It's great that you believe in God & that you pray. It can also be wonderfully beneficial to find a healthy church community, with friends, to share your spiritual journey with. God lives in community with Himself as God the Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit. The Blessings which God experiences within the Beloved are also available to you. God has gifted you in a unique manner and would love for you to share your gifts with fellow believers. Be blessed and be a blessing as you continue your journey.

[sockmonkey6]

Being a "Christian" won't get you into Heaven no more than being Muslim or Jewish will. You DO need to have faith in God, and believe that He sent His Unique, One of a kind Son, Jesus, to show us the Way back to Father God. Christ-followers are a reconciled people living in a redeemed community. We may be still working through our issues but the work Jesus accomplished on the cross made it possible for us to live a victorious life and have authentic relationships within our church community.

[MissDia97]

@sockmonkey6 yeah, but you also need to:

1. follow the Ten Commandments

2. be charitable

3. pray (the original prayers not the new junk people came up with

4. be kind

5. do penance

6. fast

7. go to Church, or if there isn't a real ordained priest near u, say Mass prayers at home (like I do)

8. and more.

Well, that's what Catholics are supposed to do. I'm Catholic.

[sockmonkey6]

This is a great question! God created Hades (Hell) for Satan and the 1/3 of the Heavenly Hosts (angels) who joined forces with him in his rebellion against God. Hell was never the intended destination for humans. God created the planet Earth for humans to live on. God created us to join his loving family voluntarily. We are not a bunch of mindless drones created to do His biding. He has given us the gift of free choice. If we do not want to have a relationship with Him then we don't have to.

[sockmonkey6]

Part 2: God made a way for us to get back into relationship with Himself and that is through His Son, Jesus. Jesus is the only the Way back to Father God. If we chose any other path or medium then we can't be reconciled to God. The only way not to end up in Heaven is to chose not to return to the God through Jesus, His Son. You don't have to go to church in order to make it to Heaven. The only thing needed is to believe that Jesus provided you a way back to the Father's heart. It's that simple.

[casey82372]

my christian church is the bomb there is always music intertaainment and fun acctivaties and we do not say go to hell if you dont believe in our rieligon so dont say that because my family takes this stuff serious

[albyva]

I believe.. Decided I'm coming to your church on Sunday.

[pataki21]

The "Imperfect Church" is NOT the promise of God. The promise which is promised us is: Eternal Life. The church has the ability to receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him but walk in darkness, we lie and do not DO what is true. You cannot us darkness to entice people into the Light-it's not scriptural and will not work. Your video dishonors the Bride of Christ and Jesus, Himself.

[blangus]

The promise of the church is also about the parousia, when all will be put right. Right now the church is comprised 100% of sinners, many of whom have repented. the depravity of man is such that we live in the tension of Romans 7. Honesty, humility and irony (our imperfection before a perfect creator) are our best attitudes as ambassadors of Christ. please refer to James 4:17 and esp. I John 1:8. If we don't confess our corprate erros we can never repent and be what we are called to be.

[pataki21]

The Imperfect Church is NOT the promise of God. The Promise which is promised to us is: Eternal Life. The church has the ability to receive the Promise of the Spirit through faith. God is light and in HIm there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him but walk in the darkness, we lie and do not do what is true. You cannot use darkness to entice people into the light-it is not scriptural and will not work.

[KaraWoman]

This is how my pastor began his series on The Church-

"Beginning in September: The Church. New Series-

She is God's plan on the earth; She is the apple of the Father's eye; She is cherished; She is beautiful; She is powerful beyond measure; She emerges triumphant; She is limitless in her potential; A harbor for the hopeless; She is the answer for the ages; She is called the glorious church- a bride for His Son. Don't miss this exciting new series."

[jgamom]

That is lovely and inviting (my kind of teaching series), but what CrossCurrent is offering is as well. This is not a watered down church by any stretch of the imagination. It is completely biblically based with tons of "meat" in the sermons. I attend this church, and the heart and the direction that the leadership is taking is completely in the the right place. This man is a gifted speaker who is called to love on the unlovely and invite everybody in. Please pray that it will reach many.

[KaraWoman]

Wow, I go to an amazing church in Orlando, FL and I was a little shocked to see this. Simply because it isn't the church with the problem- its the people IN the church who allow their sinful natures & flesh to take control in their daily choices, rather than to seek God's word and be obedient to it. My pastor is also currently preaching on the church, but what he has to say about it is totally opposite of the message I got from this video.

[jgamom]

I understand your dismay, but this is a series geared to draw people back into the church who have a distaste for the legalism and the hypocrisy that goes on. I am in agreement that the church itself is not the problem; and if you listen carefully to the video, you will realize that the pastor is saying the same thing. It is just put into a format that will draw seekers and disenchanted into a church that is friendly, allows people to come as they are, and will not sway from biblical truths.

[girl122]

You guys did great on the video.

[BrittneyLuvable]

this vid looks really good and its a good topic to talk about

its one of those things ppl keep hush hush even though it is a daily issue

[ViquiDill]

thanks for telling my story. this vid is really great. Disturbing and encouraging all at the same time.

the NO TRESPASSING sign is especially chilling.

you guys rock and I'm your fan for life.

<3

[blind2d]

Wow, good job guys! Looks great!

[9yrhunterjumper]

i really dont agree with this..i have never seen a single Catholic church turn away a non christian...they try to help them..

[Lukie99]

Where in the US are you? Some places are more conservative than others. The place you're living in may not be as prejudice and bias, but there are churches that are. The point is also not ONLY that a church may turn away non-Christians, but there are other things too like pouring money into ineffective programs and whatnot.

[KnuteFuzzbox]

watch the video again, and pay better attention this time

[Lukie99]

You should watch the video again as well, and pay better attention to what it's about and why it was made, and then go ahead and read the description if that didn't sink in the first time.

[9yrhunterjumper]

ineffective programs like what??? chastity? anti drug abuse? Christ teen(teaching teens more about God)? CCD/PSR?

[Lukie99]

"Simply put, most churches are a mess. They have a perennial tendency to shoot their wounded, bicker over non-essentials, divide over useless doctrines, pour countless dollars into ineffective programs"

Ask them, or find out for yourself without asking me?

[9yrhunterjumper]

thyeve never done that! u guys are psycho! beleiveing crap that isnt true!

[Lukie99]

Just cause your church haven't got bad programs doesn't mean the same goes for every other church out there.