Understanding God's will in a decision

[NewCreation435]

I am trying to make a decision about my church home and if I should stay at the church I joined before the pandemic started. A part of me feels like it is not really meeting my needs or beneficial for me to continue going there, but I am not aware of where I would go that would be better. I have been praying about it and don't hear any clarity at all from God or direction from Him. I get bored to death at the sermons because the pastor is so repetitive and seems to say the same things every week and the music is not really something I like either. The people are nice when you are in the building, but nobody reaches out to people who don't show up at church. While it is a growing church it seems that is mainly based on the pastor's personality and that he is a very friendly guy. I'm trying to understand what God wants me to do in this situation. Is it possible that it doesn't matter to God where I go?

 

[MoreCoffee]

I am trying to make a decision about my church home and if I should stay at the church I joined before the pandemic started. A part of me feels like it is not really meeting my needs or beneficial for me to continue going there, but I am not aware of where I would go that would be better. I have been praying about it and don't hear any clarity at all from God or direction from Him. I get bored to death at the sermons because the pastor is so repetitive and seems to say the same things every week and the music is not really something I like either. The people are nice when you are in the building, but nobody reaches out to people who don't show up at church. While it is a growing church it seems that is mainly based on the pastor's personality and that he is a very friendly guy. I'm trying to understand what God wants me to do in this situation. Is it possible that it doesn't matter to God where I go?

There is a useful book called "Decision Making and the Will of God" which may be helpful, but it is old and possibly only available from a big book retailer.

Decision Making and the Will of God: A Biblical Alternative to the Traditional View: Friesen, Garry, Maxson, J. Robin: 9780930014476: Amazon.com: Books

Decision Making and the Will of God: A Biblical Alternative to the Traditional View [Friesen, Garry, Maxson, J. Robin] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Decision Making and the Will of God: A Biblical Alternative to the Traditional View

www.amazon.com

 

[1689Dave]

I am trying to make a decision about my church home and if I should stay at the church I joined before the pandemic started. A part of me feels like it is not really meeting my needs or beneficial for me to continue going there, but I am not aware of where I would go that would be better. I have been praying about it and don't hear any clarity at all from God or direction from Him. I get bored to death at the sermons because the pastor is so repetitive and seems to say the same things every week and the music is not really something I like either. The people are nice when you are in the building, but nobody reaches out to people who don't show up at church. While it is a growing church it seems that is mainly based on the pastor's personality and that he is a very friendly guy. I'm trying to understand what God wants me to do in this situation. Is it possible that it doesn't matter to God where I go?

Do you think it might be a cult? Many churches today are cults unknown to all but the well-studied.

 

[Albion]

I am trying to make a decision about my church home and if I should stay at the church I joined before the pandemic started. A part of me feels like it is not really meeting my needs or beneficial for me to continue going there, but I am not aware of where I would go that would be better. I have been praying about it and don't hear any clarity at all from God or direction from Him. I get bored to death at the sermons because the pastor is so repetitive and seems to say the same things every week and the music is not really something I like either. The people are nice when you are in the building, but nobody reaches out to people who don't show up at church. While it is a growing church it seems that is mainly based on the pastor's personality and that he is a very friendly guy. I'm trying to understand what God wants me to do in this situation. Is it possible that it doesn't matter to God where I go?

First, we have to think that it DOES matter to God "where we go" to church.

Next, there is the question of where, exactly, that could be.

In order to get a handle on your problem--which is a very common one--we need to address some preliminary matters. For one, is the church you currently attend the "right" one for you as concerns doctrine and worship practices? You didn't mention any problems or misgivings in that area.

If it is not this but just the quality or style of the pastor and the people in the congregation, the obvious answer would be to try another congregation of the same denomination or one very similar to it.

There is nothing wrong with doing that, and, then, you would either find what you are looking for or conclude that it's not available in your town or nearby.

In either case, I look forward to your reply.

 

[NewCreation435]

First, we have to think that it DOES matter to God "where we go" to church.

Next, there is the question of where, exactly, that could be.

In order to get a handle on your problem--which is a very common one--we need to address some preliminary matters. For one, is the church you currently attend the "right" one for you as concerns doctrine and worship practices? You didn't mention any problems or misgivings in that area.

If it is not this but just the quality or style of the pastor and the people in the congregation, the obvious answer would be to try another congregation of the same denomination or one very similar to it.

There is nothing wrong with doing that, and, then, you would either find what you are looking for or conclude that it's not available in your town or nearby.

In either case, I look forward to your reply.

It really isn't a matter of doctrine. Though I think the average Sunday morning sermon is too shallow and is boring to me. My mind wanders off and it is a little hard to pay attention. Especially when he goes off on a tangent and repeats the same things over and over.

 

[NewCreation435]

Do you think it might be a cult? Many churches today are cults unknown to all but the well-studied.

No, it is a mainline Baptist denomination and not a cult

 

[1689Dave]

No, it is a mainline Baptist denomination and not a cult

I'm Baptist but locally the Baptists churches are wide off the mark.

 

[Albion]

It really isn't a matter of doctrine. Though I think the average Sunday morning sermon is too shallow and is boring to me. My mind wanders off and it is a little hard to pay attention. Especially when he goes off on a tangent and repeats the same things over and over.

All right. And thank you.

Since it is as you have described, I would think that "looking around" is right and proper. Some people feel that to visit other churches and possibly switch memberships is a dishonorable thing to do, but it is not. Especially is it not that when your spiritual well-being is in jeopardy because of what are ordinary human shortcomings on the part of the pastor and/or people of the church currently being attended. It happens.

ARE there other churches in town that are similar to the one you attend now, BUT which might remedy the problems you have identified? Is the pastor a powerful sermon-giver and the congregation's members active in the community, welcoming to newcomers, and all else that you feel is missing at present?

I would strongly recommend that you at least visit one or several churches, if there are that many that look promising, and find out!

If none is any better, then some other answer may be the right one. If, however, you find that there is a good alternative among congregations, do not be reluctant to switch memberships. On that score, though, do not leap too quickly. Being a regular visitor for a couple of months can really settle the question for you as to whether the move would be beneficial or not.

 

[Josiah]

No, it is a mainline Baptist denomination and not a cult

IF the "decision" is between two parishes of exactly the same denomination with exactly the same doctrine.... then it MAY be that you in good conscience might change parishes.

But my Dad taught me this: "There are two kinds of people in the world: Those looking for greener grass and those making the grass greener." He said the first never find what they're looking for, and the second find themselves doing much good where they are.

But yeah... when I moved and needed to change parishes due to distance issues, it looked at two possible LCMS parishes - each close enough to enable active involvement. I chose the one that seem to most need my gifts and interests (where I could help; where I best could be a positive factor) and that seemed to be more focused on the Great Commission. Although the teaching were identical. As for the pastor, as long as he rightly teaches the word and keeps his life away from gross public sins - I don't think that matters much.



.

 

[NewCreation435]

All right. And thank you.

Since it is as you have described, I would think that "looking around" is right and proper. Some people feel that to visit other churches and possibly switch memberships is a dishonorable thing to do, but it is not. Especially is it not that when your spiritual well-being is in jeopardy because of what are ordinary human shortcomings on the part of the pastor and/or people of the church currently being attended. It happens.

ARE there other churches in town that are similar to the one you attend now, BUT which might remedy the problems you have identified? Is the pastor a powerful sermon-giver and the congregation's members active in the community, welcoming to newcomers, and all else that you feel is missing at present?

I would strongly recommend that you at least visit one or several churches, if there are that many that look promising, and find out!

If none is any better, then some other answer may be the right one. If, however, you find that there is a good alternative among congregations, do not be reluctant to switch memberships. On that score, though, do not leap too quickly. Being a regular visitor for a couple of months can really settle the question for you as to whether the move would be beneficial or not.

In the area that I live there are many options, maybe too many. I have been to several and have only been to one or two that I would have serious problems with doctrinally. Usually it is that I am just not interested in the style of worship or style of preaching that is offered. I think in reading through these posts it has convinced me that I need to try one or two other churches and keep looking.

 

[1689Dave]

If God determines the end from the beginning, then every decision every person ever made culminates in building that end and is predestinated by God.

 

[brightfame52]

If God determines the end from the beginning, then every decision every person ever made culminates in building that end and is predestinated by God.

Prov 19:21

There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.