There is too much worldly competition for humans attention to entice them to come to services at a meeting place these days.
There are too many ways to play to societies need for getting something in order to come and participate in corporate worship.

I asked this question in a Bible study a while back and still have not gotten a clear answer.
When did religious/congregations begin paying a preacher to preach the Word of God? I mean money given because he preached yesterday, today and promises to preach tomorrow kind of pay?
Was it when we decided we had to have more than one church, different denominations, differences of opinions on the Word?
Because it would seem to me that satans battle to divide and conquer is alive and well. I am not talking about a one world religion as is predicted. I am talking about some denominations denounce parts of the Bible because it is to harsh. Or certain denominations want only to preach the love of God not the righteousness and judgement of God. Others want to focus on the prosperity and the power of God to destroy your enemies and yet don't want God to judge them.
Or others proclaiming that God wants to make them a god and they will get to populate their on planet with a bunch of little gods just like them. Or a religion that says that if you commit a sanctioned act toward anyone that does not agree with their teachings that they will be rewarded handsomely in their death as well as their afterlife.
I am not saying that we should not witness to others, but what is our motive for doing so, and what is our reason for urging others to testify?
I think that ctmqb is correct that politics of church is the reason that we don't have more youth in church. Ulterior motives seem to be the reason why things are done the way they are. Which in turn waters down the message of the Bible and inserts humans far to much into the salvation process.
We as humans don't have as much to do with salvation as we like to think or say we do. That is why, ministers leave for better paying churches, that is why salvation doesn't seem to actually have stuck. When the minister leaves so do the youth or the adults. We (humans) take the credit for things we do not have control over.
God is not honored at all. Dynamic leaders should be held accountable to the Word of God, not the politics that shuffles everything in order to get the results.
Those resluts being money, new buildings so the congregation will expand and programs inserted to accomadate everyone and more money coming in because the congregation likes all the trimmings and we can spirit ministers away from other places because we have got it going on. Who is the inspiration behind all of it?

When the Word of God convicts men that realized their leadership is cause for them to be held accountable for the way that God's message is presented. Then when it is not adhered to and the congregation wants them to shut up and not hold the minister accountable for the lack of preaching the whole consel of God, not just the parts that are palateable, then it is time to leave such a church behind. God is no longer the leader or inspiration among those claiming to be ministers of the Word.

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Kendra

S Edwards...

Thanks for the great comments. I've always said that it won't be Satanism or some kook religion that deceives Christianity. It's going to be a form of Christianity that appeals to man's needs and flesh as opposed to sacrificing those needs and flesh for the glory of God.

Seems that is exactly what we are seeing occur today.

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Brent Riggs - Author, teacher, mentor, online business expert
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My only real gripe about today's music is how shallow a lot of it is. It's not so much the music, what style of music... it's that most of it is written for man, to get man into worship "mood", to enhance man's worship experience.

Older music and hymns seem to have something substantial to say about God, rather than using the 7-Eleven formula (seven words sang eleven times to create a mood and atmosphere).

The other gripe I personally have about "worship music" today is that a LOT of preachers, pastors and personalities use it very effectively to get the crowd in the mood and frame of mind they desire to get the message across (often about prosperity or sensationalism).

Yes, I know that does not apply to all users of contemporary worship (my church uses it). But we should also not IGNORE an obvious problem either.

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Brent Riggs - Author, teacher, mentor, online business expert
riggsreport.com | brentriggsBLOG.com | brentriggs.com | seriousfaith.com | brentriggsPHOTO.com | brentriggsSTUFF.com

Let's face it, the majority of peole want to be entertained, whether it be sports, music or church. Most have forgotten why we go to church and that is to worship the one true God.
I guess you can just call me old fashioned, but I believe God is Holy and we should reverance Him and His house. I remember "tent" revivals in Kentucky as a kid. I have watched "church" evolve into many things, seeker friendly being one of them. There is nothing wrong with trying to build God's church, the problem often lies with the motive.
As far as music, I am somewhat bias in that reguard. I am in a gospel group. The songs we sing are mostly original and are intended for ministry not entertainment. We choose our songs on the basis of Christ, heaven, salvation. Again, we DO consider it a ministry and take it very seriously. We represent God. I especially agree with Brent...songs of truth are indeed timeless. and the Holy Spirit will use it.
I have no clear answer to the "problem' of the churches that use all the fads to get people to come. It just seems to me that they were not needed in times past, so why do people think we have to have them today??? Maybe we are spoiled and in too deep with entertainment and self.Ya think ????

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http://www.simpletruth-simplyput.com

Brent,
Very well put, and yes "ironic" is indeed the correct word to use here.
I again like to use 2 Timothy Chapter three on "perilous times " It is one of my favorites. Sadly, it reads like the six o'clock news. We are indeed living in those times.
There is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom here. I hope everyone will take the time to read it. Most probably know it by heart.

2 Tim 3:1-16
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Sorry I took up so much room. Again, the Bible shows it's self true. I especially like the last verse. Scripture = truth ...period.

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http://www.simpletruth-simplyput.com

What I wonder is if 1) "church" as we practice it today is really what God had in mind (it's so routine and professionalized) and 2) does "church" as practiced today create passive spectators for the most part who get "led" in worship (and yes of course, many are participating, many are not), and then focuse on on man for the remainder of the service.

Without judging it, I wonder how it compares to the first generation church that was an informal small group, with no routine, where all equally participated and there was no professional leaders?

These are things I think about alot...

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Brent Riggs - Author, teacher, mentor, online business expert
riggsreport.com | brentriggsBLOG.com | brentriggs.com | seriousfaith.com | brentriggsPHOTO.com | brentriggsSTUFF.com