Are you spiritually well fed?

LisaC

LisaC

I'm here to spin the moral compass.
Okay, here is what I have been pondering this morning. How do you feel after you leave church? Do you leave church with an excitement about what you have heard or do you simply run out the door to get to the restaurant before the other church goers? I have a few friends who seem to leave their churches excited about what they have heard on Sundays. They seem to be refreshed and renewed. They go to two different churches, but both say the same thing - they didn't realize that they were missing something in their walks until they came to their new church homes.

Me? After missing church yesterday because of a stomach bug, I realized that for the first time in a very long time, I got more out of watching Andy Stanley for 30 minutes on TV than I have gotten in actually going to a worship service. I missed my little ones and they always bring a smile to my face in Sunday School, but I didn't miss sitting through an hour and 15 minutes of something that doesn't make my relationship to Jesus seem special. Ugh!
 
As you know, I don't attend church, but the answer is no, I am not.
This is due to my not doing the things that help feed me spiritually.
It is very similar to being hungry and deciding that the best thing to do for that hunger is to avoid food or any place that I would normally get food.
I have no idea why I do this, but I occasionally do.
Thank you for the topic, it hit home.
 
In all seriously (no kidding around), it sounds like it's time to go. Instead of dreading the decision though fully embrace it with the excitement of again being filled of the Spirit. I say this from relatively recent experience, it was a long time coming for us but when we finally made the decision we knew it was the right one for us. We still love our old church and often think of it and our friends there, we just know we are now where we are meant to be.

But to answer your question, when I leave church I'm excited from church and for the food we're about to eat.
 
If you're not spiritually fed by your church, you should spend some time thinking about why. It could be the church, it could be the pastor, or it could be something within you. Speaking for myself, I know it's easy for me to fall into a habit, go to church on autopilot, and be so automatic that I don't let anything in. It's also possible for me to go to church too distracted to focus on God.

I don't know you, but before you start looking at other areas, look within yourself. Make sure you aren't the obstacle. And, it goes without saying, pray about it and see what God has to say.
 
Madea said:
Don't you have a new pastor?
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No. Our pastor's last week is next week. I just never realized that I was unfed until yesterday when I realized that the only thing I missed about church was my little ones.
 
Waski_the_Squirrel said:
If you're not spiritually fed by your church, you should spend some time thinking about why. It could be the church, it could be the pastor, or it could be something within you. Speaking for myself, I know it's easy for me to fall into a habit, go to church on autopilot, and be so automatic that I don't let anything in. It's also possible for me to go to church too distracted to focus on God.

I don't know you, but before you start looking at other areas, look within yourself. Make sure you aren't the obstacle. And, it goes without saying, pray about it and see what God has to say.
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This is exactly what I was wondering (and it's why I asked)!!
 
You've been struggling with this for some time now, correct?

I, if it were me, would ask Holy Spirit to shut/open some doors, open up applicable scripture to the situation, and for undeniable guidance. (I'm sure you've already done this, but those would be my first steps)
 
deewee said:
You've been struggling with this for some time now, correct?

I, if it were me, would ask Holy Spirit to shut/open some doors, open up applicable scripture to the situation, and for undeniable guidance. (I'm sure you've already done this, but those would be my first steps)
Click to expand...

I've been stuck on this step for some time now, too. This is the first week that the thought of not being fed actually hit home for me. Maybe God is preparing my heart for a new pastor or a new church - I don't know.

But, it also made me wonder if this is a normalcy for some.

And, let me add that our current pastor was not there this week - he took a few weeks off before his final sermon next week.
 
It seems like it was several months ago, but I remember a point our pastor made that stuck with me. His sermon was about worship, corporate worship with fellow believers and what our role should be. I don't remember word for word but I know I felt like a selfish person when he was finished.

One of his points were that many Christians (myself included) felt like they were not being "fed". Maybe they felt that way all the time or would just dismiss one Sunday service because they didn't get anything out of it. He said it was his opinion that we all had it backwards. He said we should attend to worship and praise God, not seek something in return. I had never looked at it from that perspective before.

If a pastor stands and delivers a message, and this part is important, from the Word of God, then it WILL speak to someone in need.

But all that said, I do believe God wants to use everyone in a place where He knows you, your church family and the lost around you will benefit from...spiritually. In my case, it's difficult for me to worship anywhere the Word is not read and expounded on by the pastor. Nor would I do well in a church that didn't offer salvation to the lost in each service.
 
Grey Colson said:
It seems like it was several months ago, but I remember a point our pastor made that stuck with me. His sermon was about worship, corporate worship with fellow believers and what our role should be. I don't remember word for word but I know I felt like a selfish person when he was finished.

One of his points were that many Christians (myself included) felt like they were not being "fed". Maybe they felt that way all the time or would just dismiss one Sunday service because they didn't get anything out of it. He said it was his opinion that we all had it backwards. He said we should attend to worship and praise God, not seek something in return. I had never looked at it from that perspective before.

If a pastor stands and delivers a message, and this part is important, from the Word of God, then it WILL speak to someone in need.

But all that said, I do believe God wants to use everyone in a place where He knows you, your church family and the lost around you will benefit from...spiritually. In my case, it's difficult for me to worship anywhere the Word is not read and expounded on by the pastor. Nor would I do well in a church that didn't offer salvation to the lost in each service.
Click to expand...

I understand that point, but I don't know that I necessarily agree with it (at least not without hearing his whole sermon). Maybe your pastor was just trying to make you feel guilty about his ineffective sermons, lol. :dunno

To me, when I am at church and being used, that is exciting to me and I generally leave feeling fulfilled. On the Sundays that I work with my preschoolers, I LOVE our time together. Some weeks, I may do nothing but change a few diapers, give them a snack, and maybe get in a Bible story, but I know that is where I'm supposed to be so I love serving there. However, I don't leave our worship service feeling that way - I generally leave there and almost feel like I can just check that off for the week.
 
LisaC said:
Grey Colson said:
It seems like it was several months ago, but I remember a point our pastor made that stuck with me. His sermon was about worship, corporate worship with fellow believers and what our role should be. I don't remember word for word but I know I felt like a selfish person when he was finished.

One of his points were that many Christians (myself included) felt like they were not being "fed". Maybe they felt that way all the time or would just dismiss one Sunday service because they didn't get anything out of it. He said it was his opinion that we all had it backwards. He said we should attend to worship and praise God, not seek something in return. I had never looked at it from that perspective before.

If a pastor stands and delivers a message, and this part is important, from the Word of God, then it WILL speak to someone in need.

But all that said, I do believe God wants to use everyone in a place where He knows you, your church family and the lost around you will benefit from...spiritually. In my case, it's difficult for me to worship anywhere the Word is not read and expounded on by the pastor. Nor would I do well in a church that didn't offer salvation to the lost in each service.
Click to expand...

I understand that point, but I don't know that I necessarily agree with it (at least not without hearing his whole sermon). Maybe your pastor was just trying to make you feel guilty about his ineffective sermons, lol. :dunno

To me, when I am at church and being used, that is exciting to me and I generally leave feeling fulfilled. On the Sundays that I work with my preschoolers, I LOVE our time together. Some weeks, I may do nothing but change a few diapers, give them a snack, and maybe get in a Bible story, but I know that is where I'm supposed to be so I love serving there. However, I don't leave our worship service feeling that way - I generally leave there and almost feel like I can just check that off for the week.
Click to expand...

Naw, he's a very good preacher and does a great job. He is the reason we joined because it certainly wasn't for the music progam at the time. That's better now as well. I think he was simply trying to convey the true reason we should be attending. That it's not about us.
 
Grey Colson said:
LisaC said:
Grey Colson said:
It seems like it was several months ago, but I remember a point our pastor made that stuck with me. His sermon was about worship, corporate worship with fellow believers and what our role should be. I don't remember word for word but I know I felt like a selfish person when he was finished.

One of his points were that many Christians (myself included) felt like they were not being "fed". Maybe they felt that way all the time or would just dismiss one Sunday service because they didn't get anything out of it. He said it was his opinion that we all had it backwards. He said we should attend to worship and praise God, not seek something in return. I had never looked at it from that perspective before.

If a pastor stands and delivers a message, and this part is important, from the Word of God, then it WILL speak to someone in need.

But all that said, I do believe God wants to use everyone in a place where He knows you, your church family and the lost around you will benefit from...spiritually. In my case, it's difficult for me to worship anywhere the Word is not read and expounded on by the pastor. Nor would I do well in a church that didn't offer salvation to the lost in each service.
Click to expand...

I understand that point, but I don't know that I necessarily agree with it (at least not without hearing his whole sermon). Maybe your pastor was just trying to make you feel guilty about his ineffective sermons, lol. :dunno

To me, when I am at church and being used, that is exciting to me and I generally leave feeling fulfilled. On the Sundays that I work with my preschoolers, I LOVE our time together. Some weeks, I may do nothing but change a few diapers, give them a snack, and maybe get in a Bible story, but I know that is where I'm supposed to be so I love serving there. However, I don't leave our worship service feeling that way - I generally leave there and almost feel like I can just check that off for the week.
Click to expand...

Naw, he's a very good preacher and does a great job. He is the reason we joined because it certainly wasn't for the music progam at the time. That's better now as well. I think he was simply trying to convey the true reason we should be attending. That it's not about us.
Click to expand...

But it IS about our relationship with Jesus. I go to church to worship, to grow closer to Jesus, and to help others grow closer to Him. When one part of that suffers, then it will eventually have an impact on the other parts, right?
 
Given the circumstances; I think I would suggest giving it some time. Perhaps an interim pastor and eventually a new pastor will make things better.

In the mean time; you are resourceful enough to get your feeding somehow.
 
You're welcome to visit our church. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to hear GD, GC, or Rolltide sang (and to NOT hear me sing).
 
LisaC said:
Grey Colson said:
LisaC said:
Grey Colson said:
It seems like it was several months ago, but I remember a point our pastor made that stuck with me. His sermon was about worship, corporate worship with fellow believers and what our role should be. I don't remember word for word but I know I felt like a selfish person when he was finished.

One of his points were that many Christians (myself included) felt like they were not being "fed". Maybe they felt that way all the time or would just dismiss one Sunday service because they didn't get anything out of it. He said it was his opinion that we all had it backwards. He said we should attend to worship and praise God, not seek something in return. I had never looked at it from that perspective before.

If a pastor stands and delivers a message, and this part is important, from the Word of God, then it WILL speak to someone in need.

But all that said, I do believe God wants to use everyone in a place where He knows you, your church family and the lost around you will benefit from...spiritually. In my case, it's difficult for me to worship anywhere the Word is not read and expounded on by the pastor. Nor would I do well in a church that didn't offer salvation to the lost in each service.
Click to expand...

I understand that point, but I don't know that I necessarily agree with it (at least not without hearing his whole sermon). Maybe your pastor was just trying to make you feel guilty about his ineffective sermons, lol. :dunno

To me, when I am at church and being used, that is exciting to me and I generally leave feeling fulfilled. On the Sundays that I work with my preschoolers, I LOVE our time together. Some weeks, I may do nothing but change a few diapers, give them a snack, and maybe get in a Bible story, but I know that is where I'm supposed to be so I love serving there. However, I don't leave our worship service feeling that way - I generally leave there and almost feel like I can just check that off for the week.
Click to expand...

Naw, he's a very good preacher and does a great job. He is the reason we joined because it certainly wasn't for the music progam at the time. That's better now as well. I think he was simply trying to convey the true reason we should be attending. That it's not about us.
Click to expand...

But it IS about our relationship with Jesus. I go to church to worship, to grow closer to Jesus, and to help others grow closer to Him. When one part of that suffers, then it will eventually have an impact on the other parts, right?
Click to expand...

Sure, I agree and am not suggesting you are wrong or should stick it out and stay put regardless. It was just a different perspective than I had heard before. There have been plenty of times I thought, "That sermon just didn't do anything for me today," when I probably should have thought, "I bet someone really needed to hear that today."

I hope your situation either improves or the Lord leads you to a church that is a better fit. I've been down that road before. It took us a looooooong time to find the church home we are in now.
 
LisaC said:
Me? After missing church yesterday because of a stomach bug, I realized that for the first time in a very long time, I got more out of watching Andy Stanley for 30 minutes on TV than I have gotten in actually going to a worship service. I missed my little ones and they always bring a smile to my face in Sunday School, but I didn't miss sitting through an hour and 15 minutes of something that doesn't make my relationship to Jesus seem special. Ugh!
Click to expand...

Insightful. More evidence to moi that the Lord is moving in answer to your prayers. How it all shakes out will be interested to see.
 
I see the music portion (red book hymnal, btw) as my worship time. And the pastor's message as the message to each of us. There's generally something there for (most) everyone.

Just my .02

BTW, when we were searching for a home church several years ago, I left a church one Sunday and commented that I "didn't feel Jesus there". My answer was "bring [Me] with YOU". ;)
 
When we were visiting churches looking for a new church home some we attending had congregations which appeared as spiritually fed as concentration camp survivors. We visited most of them only once, and on one particular occasion we actually left during service.
 
I told someone once that the place where I go for spiritual food, that one day the table was kinda bare, his question to me, what did you bring to the table?
 
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