When you take the "church folk" out of the church house...

[OleJ]

I went on an outing with some fellow church members to eat at a restaurant the other night. Now, when I'm at church, I notice the individuals act a certain way. They "sang da mess outta dem songs" in the choir, quote scripture, tote their Holy Bibles around, they jump, shout, and can outdance Shirley Caesar. But, all of this seemed to fade away while at the restaurant. I've heard of the following taking place so I know it's nothing new under the sun, but these folks were discussing the worldly things they like to engage in, the normally pius talk was almost gone, except the occasional tidbit of how "Rev. so-and-so" can tear it up on Sundays. There was even underage drinking and possible drunkeness taking place within the group. Then they broke into song, singing both secular and gospel songs (with alcoholic beverages in hand) loudly. That didn't look right and I didn't sing along. I just shook my head. Now, I'm not trying to be a "holier than thou" type of person, but to me, when a Christian group goes out into the world, we ought to be beacons of light upon the land, you know, let our light shine. I don't think adopting the world's standards looks good to God, or others. What's your experiences with this type of stuff?

[Keys410]

Honestly, we are accountable for our individual lives. When seeing these types of things I really don't like to comment cause I am looking from the outside. God knows what that persons heart is when really all I can see is whats happening on the outside. Be blessed

[gtrdave]

My pastor gave a sermon last week titled "The difference between a Christian and a Disciple".
I think it deals with the very thing you described in your post and something that is a very real issue in the contemporary churches of America; everybody puts on the "Christian" show on Sundays but lives like the devil the other 6 and 1/2 days of the week.
Jesus called us to be "disciples" (Matt. 28:18) and he didn't tell us that it was a temporary assignment or that we could wear it like a hat and take it off whenever we want.

Still, we gotta extend grace because not everybody is as mature as some folks and it's up to us older solid-food eating believers to be mentors to the babys that are still on milk. 

[Keys410]

My pastor gave a sermon last week titled "The difference between a Christian and a Disciple".
I think it deals with the very thing you described in your post and something that is a very real issue in the contemporary churches of America; everybody puts on the "Christian" show on Sundays but lives like the devil the other 6 and 1/2 days of the week.
Jesus called us to be "disciples" (Matt. 28:18) and he didn't tell us that it was a temporary assignment or that we could wear it like a hat and take it off whenever we want.

Still, we gotta extend grace because not everybody is as mature as some folks and it's up to us older solid-food eating believers to be mentors to the babys that are still on milk. 

I can dig that...

[sjonathan02]

I can dig that...

I KNEW thatcha could!  movie reference, anyone; movie reference?

[evangelist215]

Honestly, we are accountable for our individual lives. When seeing these types of things I really don't like to comment cause I am looking from the outside. God knows what that persons heart is when really all I can see is whats happening on the outside. Be blessed

Honestly, I would've called it because we are each other's keepers when people don't keep themselves...you know people sometimes need others to be accountable to. In any case, use wisdom in how you address the situation....ya mean?

[gtrdave]

Honestly, I would've called it because we are each other's keepers when people don't keep themselves...you know people sometimes need others to be accountable to. In any case, use wisdom in how you address the situation....ya mean?

'zactly and 'zactly.

[OleJ]

I'm looking at it from this perspective. What will others, potential Christians think when they see us? I know people heard them singing gospel loudly, so they must have been able to deduce from that that we were a church group. It's one thing to have a drink in public, it's another to get drunk. I mean, it's hypocritical stuff that we blatantly do that keeps people away from Jesus, and it's a sad thing.

[Keys410]

Honestly, I would've called it because we are each other's keepers when people don't keep themselves...you know people sometimes need others to be accountable to. In any case, use wisdom in how you address the situation....ya mean?

Oh no doubt...

I KNEW thatcha could!  movie reference, anyone; movie reference?

I'm no good at this stuff lol

[Khristeennah]

Interesting.. As soon as i get out of church. i get in my car and turn it to a station. I than listen and sing to Walk It Out, Party Like A Rockstar (T T T Totally Dude), and many more!!! Everybody lives a DIFFERENT LIFE outside of the church house!!

[Furious Styles]

gtrdave hit out of the park. I think that we do have to acknowledge our own contradictions in our lives. There are some people preaching that but some of us ignore those words of warning. There is a way to address the issue. Sometimes you will be rejected amongst your peers. The harsh reality is that you have to get around people who are sensitive to the issues that you are. Allow the lord to use you as a light for a season and then seperate yourself from certain activities with them. There will be backlash but you maybe their only hope. No one knows there last time.

[nessalynn77]

No, it doesn't look good.

[changedman]

I went on an outing with some fellow church members to eat at a restaurant the other night. Now, when I'm at church, I notice the individuals act a certain way. They "sang da mess outta dem songs" in the choir, quote scripture, tote their Holy Bibles around, they jump, shout, and can outdance Shirley Caesar. But, all of this seemed to fade away while at the restaurant. I've heard of the following taking place so I know it's nothing new under the sun, but these folks were discussing the worldly things they like to engage in, the normally pius talk was almost gone, except the occasional tidbit of how "Rev. so-and-so" can tear it up on Sundays. There was even underage drinking and possible drunkeness taking place within the group. Then they broke into song, singing both secular and gospel songs (with alcoholic beverages in hand) loudly. That didn't look right and I didn't sing along. I just shook my head. Now, I'm not trying to be a "holier than thou" type of person, but to me, when a Christian group goes out into the world, we ought to be beacons of light upon the land, you know, let our light shine. I don't think adopting the world's standards looks good to God, or others. What's your experiences with this type of stuff?

A FEW THINGS:

1)  You went on a typical dinner with typical church folks.  Sounds pretty typical to me.  You can get away with it one time, but if you're CONSTANTLY found being in their company then you will put yourself under the limelight for questioning as well.

2) No one can outdance Shirley C!

3) PERCEPTION is everything.  If you go to eat at a restaurant and someone says they didn't care for the way Sister so-and-so sang a song, they are not talking about her...they are expressing an opinion that they are entitled to.  It is important to know when a person is actually being "talked about" to make sure we don't take something back the way it was NOT intended.

4) No one can outdance Shirley C!

[Keys410]

I do agree with the statment about having a drink but to get drunk is something different.

[OleJ]

3) PERCEPTION is everything.  If you go to eat at a restaurant and someone says they didn't care for the way Sister so-and-so sang a song, they are not talking about her...they are expressing an opinion that they are entitled to.  It is important to know when a person is actually being "talked about" to make sure we don't take something back the way it was NOT intended.

This is probably in reference to the comment about "Rev. so-and-so". They said they liked the sermons, hence the "tear it up", they didn't express any dislike, but I thought it was funny they'd say they like the sermons, but it's almost like they didn't listen to the part about drunkeness, lol. But it's funny that you mention them talking about folks. I just remembered that I've gone on another outing with this same group before. There was a girl there in our group, she had a VERY slim build, most of the girls in the group had a bit of weight on them. After she'd left the group for a moment, they came rolling with the insults, comparing her to Popeye's girlfriend, size negative, they were just guffawing and such. I didn't think it was called for. She never bothered anybody, but I guess they felt good picking on the weak. When she came back, they acted like they were her best friends. It eventually got too much for her as they starting insulting her to her face. Even seeking help from a clergy member didn't stop it, and she's no longer a part of the group, in or out of church settings.

Allow the lord to use you as a light for a season and then seperate yourself from certain activities with them. There will be backlash but you maybe their only hope.

As of lately, I've been distancing myself from certain groups in the church after true colors get shown (ya'll may remember the youth minister situation about a month ago). I'm sure they're probably talking about me behind my back because I didn't want in or to play along with their game(s), but I don't care. I'm working on my own soul salvation (yes, I stole that from a song, lol), trying not to be like the world the best I can, and I now see for myself how truly messy they are and why some of my other buddies don't hang around them. I know I surely don't want to end up like them. Good thing we've got forgiveness (cue the shout chords).

[nessalynn77]

I feel you OleJ.  I commend you on separating yourself from those activities and declining to participate.  I have experienced trying to hang in there when the Spirit was telling me it was past time to make an exit.  Eventually God began moving these people out of my life for me.  Trust me, it's worse that way.

[OleJ]

Thanks for the commendation nessalynn.

[youngmusician09]

Interesting.. As soon as i get out of church. i get in my car and turn it to a station. I than listen and sing to Walk It Out, Party Like A Rockstar (T T T Totally Dude), and many more!!! Everybody lives a DIFFERENT LIFE outside of the church house!!

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