I thought they were a myth but now realize that they're all too common. I go to a small church that is needing to grow. Most of the members are older. There's only 3 members that are young adults. A deacon named Dan(who also happens to be my landlord) my wife and I. We keep hearing from the older and more financially secure members how they want to bring in more young adults but they disregard the suggestions from us YOUNG ADULTS.

Basically they keep blowing money on big things like singers. They'll pay money to have a singer perform for a service. The problem being that these things bring in people the one time they are there.

Dan has suggested that many young adults don't come because our church busses in too many kids and the kids run wild. I agree with him. I have a one year old and if this isn't solved by the time he's older I'm going to have a hissy fit.

I've suggested several things(game nights, workout machines and treadmills, dinners etc etc) that MIGHT interest people to returning but our elders totally disregard what we say.

I'm growing very pessimistic. "Bob" became a deacon only after 6 months of not so steady attendance despite the fact that the other deacons had an issue with his wife not being a Christian but I've been there a year and my wife has been there with me but they have not asked me.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that "Bob" has a lot of money. I don't

Please don't think I'm jealous because I haven't been asked to become a deacon. I'm not. I'm just frustrated that we're given the task of growing the church but the ones telling us to do it are fighting us every step of the way.

If this is the kind of BS that happens in a small church in rural Missouri then I don't know what to do. What goes on in big churches? How bad is it? This is the 1st time I've ever really been involved in a church but I can plainly see that MONEY is what is running it. The members with money decide how it will be run. I'm so discouraged. (not with my faith but with "churches")

John Hagee is the only tv preacher I know is doing it right.
Yes, I understand the politics of churches. I encourage you to first pray, that you will be guided from the Lord of where to go and fellowship at.
Visiting other churches is good. Some good, some ack, some you visit once and never return. I just went through this my self. Finally found one. Sure it took time, but glad I did it.
But important, read your Bible, and know the truth your self.

ducktape, i understand what you are going through. Understand that dinners, raffles, bingo night, etc. is not what church is supposed to be about. It's supposed to be about growing in faith and studying the word of God.
I'm not a big fan of home churches because many people do home church and not really know what they're talking about over half the time. Same can be said about a small or big church. The problem is EVERYWHERE but the best thing you can do is pray and have faith.
God controls what is happening in your church and maybe you got to find out what is going on. is it a test of faith? prevention of growth for a reason?
Hang in there!

I've got to agree here ducktape.

I don't know how many church options you have in a small town, as far as your choices, but it sounds to me like the older, monied members are just putting out some fluff talk about how they "need" to take suggestions from young adults, just to hear themselves talk. Obviously, they have no intention of caring what anyone younger than methusela might have to say.

What I would do personally, is keep trying to give advice, call them on what they are doing. Bring some Bible verses in to show them what they are doing, if you are not afraid to rock their comfortable boat and if nothing changes over say the next couple of months, I'd split. By verses, I mean the money changers verse and something to that effect.

Time is too close to the return of Jesus to be wasting it on fools that put money over Jesus. Especially a place that is supposed to be His house of worship.

I know, our problem is the church is on a rural road with little traffic. In order to grow we 1st need to get people to realize that we even exist. I figure if we can get a few new people going there on a semi-regular basis that might be seed enough to bring in more. But to bring in new people sometimes you have to offer something besides just worship. I don't want our church to become entertainment but there's also nothing wrong with trying to do some things that will bring people in.

But I was probably too hard on the older members. They're good people and I don't know if they're putting money before Jesus. Personally I think a lot of it is that deep down they don't want the church to grow too much. They like their little rural church the way it is.

Maybe a gentle reminder that we are called to reach out into the community to bring in the lost would be in order. People often get comfortable, and forget that someone, once brought them as a visitor. May be an old fashioned ice cream social, and pic nic might bring in some new blood. Suggest that everyone dust off the old hand crank or elelctric freezer and make a gallon to serve. If they dont' want to do that, have a Watermelon Social. Get creative! I even attended an old fashion day, where everybody dressed in period clothing for an all day singing and dinner on the grounds. What fun we had, and new members too!

well...maybe their vision is not the same as yours?
personally, i like a small church.
it's more intimate. it's more personal.
quality over quantity is what im into.

I appreciate everyone's comments. I'm undecided what to do. Maybe I should quit worrying so much about what the "church" can do and focus more on what I can do. I'm just a bit frustrated and admittedly flew off the handle. I'm just passionate about it and want to do what I can to spread the word. I might be just expecting too much of myself, maybe I'm forcing things. God will work it out though.

Can I just say AMEN to Jack's first two posts?? Jack...sometimes you're such a HUGE kid...and then you go and prove how spiritually mature you are. Giving thanks daily for you.


DTH...one of the most difficult things to do, is to leave your church...but I totally agree that church is supposed to be about fellowshipping with others who will help you to grow in your relationship with our Father, and you them. If that isn't occuring, then it's time to look elsewhere. Very tough to do, but you'll be more happy, later. Of course, prayer first. Keeping you in mine.

ducktape, is the Pastor annointed? If not leave and find a church where the Pastor is annointed and teaches the whole Word of God, it doesn't matter how large the church is. I have gone to one that had 2000 and moved to Tx. small town where we may have 50 of all ages, but the Pastor is highly annointed and teaches the whole Word everytime, and we have great fellowship. Pray about it and look around God will lead you to the right one.

Hi,

Consider not being considered for a position in that church a blessing.
Did you stop to consider God IS talking to you? God builds a church.
If it is to grow then He will allow it...for men to grow a church is possible but then it is a church of men...not God. It seems that God is teaching
you and you are seeking a holiness and purity that is not present.

I was at a church once where the pastor was so intent on growing the
church that he built an ark and it never did float. I ran into him again
7 years later selling raffle tickets at the mall...during December...
appealing for membership.

He allowed elders he selected to direct the activities
of the church and lost the anointing...lots of people hung out there for
a while then drifted away because the Word was stiffled, the flesh
was not bowing, and he never did quit his daytime job.

These are the days...seek God first...you are the church.

Signet