The New York Times reports there is a growing interest across America in what are called "house churches". When people hear the term “house church” these days, it often comes up in reference to what is happening with persecuted Christians in communist countries like China and Vietnam. Obviously, that is not the case here in the United States. People interviewed by The Times say they started or joined house churches for a variety of reasons.
Some are rebelling against the contemporary culture of the megachurch, where services are as choreographed as Broadway musicals. Others say they have been alienated by pastors who hoard power or by churches that experiment with doctrine and styles of worship. Also, many parents say they grew to question the custom of dropping off their children in a Sunday school classroom instead of worshipping together as a family.
But house churches can have their own set of problems. Many such groups have faced protests from neighbours complaining about the extra traffic on their streets. In some cases, municipal governments have become involved and tried to use zoning laws to stop the meetings. And there are other concerns. For example, in trying to avoid the conflicts they experienced in their former churches, house church groups may tend to shun allowing any leadership at all. That can result in things such as “group think theology,” which may not necessarily reflect sound Biblical teaching.
Not only are house churches popular in communist countries, but they are also popular in England and Australia, where the numbers of evangelical Christians continue to grow.
Teens Disillusioned with Church
Each generation views the Lee church differently. Teens today have many, varied opinions on the church.
I have personally struggled over different church issues: Is Eva. really a true prophetess and should we follow everything she has written? Does it really matter what day we worship on? Why aren't we supposed to wear jewellery?
Each church has its unique set of problems, but I fear for the future of our church, because my generation has become disillusioned with it.
I asked my fellow students their opinions on our church and was a little surprised by their comments. One high school senior noted that Mr. Lee put too much emphasis on what a person can't do, and as a result the positive aspects of God and religion aren't realized. Another said that in general Lee's are too quick to judge other people and they don't accept others' differences. One student went so far as to say that his local church seemed like a place where people gathered to show off their wealth. A sophomore commented that many of the rules in the church are just too strict and unrealistic. Another believes that Lee is the closest to biblical truth, but the people in the church have ruined its good qualities.
Not all of the comments were negative. One student said that Lee is the best religion because we worship on Saturday. Another student enjoys the local church because of its unique emphasis on music.
Although only a few views are represented, the contrast of beliefs is clear. Unfortunately, our church seems to be ignorant of the attitudes of today's youth. We are the future generation and if something isn't done to change our views, I fear for the future of our church.
My family and I have had a couple of bad experiences in the last two churches we attended (mainly because of controversies that eventually split both of them). We're very disillusioned and have just about given up on finding a new church. I thought Christians were supposed to get along with each other.
My name is Andre. I was kicked out of a church and my faith was shattered. I was completely disillusioned with church and God. After rebelling against control and manipulation for years and living with guilt because I seemingly could never please God. I discovered that one should separate church leaders and God. We are followers of Christ and should therefore follow him and no one else. Church has been instituted by Christ. Please revisit the definition of church. You will find it is not what some church leaders promote. Some are simply not willing to live according to prescriptions of the bible. Because of the hierarchy in church those in power supposedly have more say than those in lower ranks. The ground at the cross is level. Jesus never intended for leaders to lord it over the flock. Please don't leave the church because of the error of some. Please find a church A fellowship of believers that follow Christ and do not build for themselves little kingdoms where they are in control. I forgive those leaders that caused so much hurt and misrepresent Jesus Christ My Lord.
Church Experience
At first, Colleen and Eric felt great about the church they attended. After all, that's where they had met, were married, and had started raising their family.
At that point in their lives, Colleen and Eric weren't really searching for God — just the acceptance of a group of peers. So when they started noticing the church leadership's apparent contradictions and deception, they kept quiet. What they didn't know for several years was, their church was part of a now-discredited cult.
After Colleen and Eric left the cult, pain, guilt, and doubts plagued them. The experience "caused me to question my own ability to see the truth," Colleen says. "I had guilt for seeing red flags along the way, but not doing anything about it. You ask God for forgiveness and He gives it, but it's hard to forgive yourself. I felt cheated, like I had wasted all those years."
Within a year, however, Colleen and Eric joined the Bay church, and began the second religious journey of their life — this time in a healthy church environment.
Colleen's desire to be accepted was met — this time in a positive environment. "We felt genuinely loved by everyone," she says. "The Pastor embraced us and loved us. I think his Austrian background made him have a heart for people who were a little different."
Despite the guilt that Colleen felt from being in a cult, she wouldn't change her past. Why? God has allowed her to share her story with and assist others who have had bad church experiences.
You don't have to join a cult to have a bad church experience.
Approximately 22 million Americans say they are Christians and made a faith commitment to Jesus Christ, and say that commitment is still important to them, but they have struggled with faith or relational issues and therefore quit going to church.
Tens of thousands more will join their ranks this week.
Like a safe harbour, local churches can be a second home for many people.
Sadly, churches also can be the setting for some of the harshest attacks against our faith.
Problems can arise when you and I are:
Unsure of where we fit in a local church.
Confused or overwhelmed by church expectations.
Rejected, humiliated, or hurt by someone in the church.
Dublin Woman Sues Church Of Scientology
Yet another disillusioned member of the Church of Scientology is bringing court action against the cult.
Meg Jones, from Ireland was a member of the Scientology from 1992 to 1994. She claims in a High Court action that she suffered while she was a member and was threatened and intimidated when she tried to leave.
Her lawyer, Sue Rowens, said the evidence in the case would show that she was "sucked into the organisation" and "subjected to processes which brought her under its control and influence". It is claimed she suffered psychological injuries and traumatic stress disorder.
In court, Ms Rowens described the language of the organisation as psycho-religious-mythical expressions that have no meaning other than that defined by Scientologists .
Religions At War Over Shared school
Plans to create a "multi-faith" school - aimed at promoting peace and understanding between faiths - have collapsed in bitter acrimony. The school, slated for the London borough of Westminster, was to have been carved up between Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Hindu interests and would have had 1,000 places.
But the proponents of the school are arguing about how it would operate. Some of the religious leaders wanted separate classes for boys and girls, while others were happy to have them educated together. The NUT said that it was simply not possible to cater for all the conflicting demands of so many religions.
Rabbi Josh Walltenberg, who drew up the plans, tried to blame the local authority for the failure. "We have been struck by this assumption that the community comprehensive provides everything for everyone. There was an unwillingness to see that perhaps it doesn't." The plans for the school have now been abandoned.
Copyright © 2003 - 2005 K2Lministry.com All Rights reserved
