Western Christianity

I am active in my local church and every Sunday there are people that leave early, usually right before invitation. It is really aggravating. Is this something that happens in other churches?

What happened to Western Christianity? When did we care more about being comfortable and less about doing what we're called to do?

DashingAmerican said:

I am active in my local church and every Sunday there are people that leave early, usually right before invitation. It is really aggravating. Is this something that happens in other churches?

What happened to Western Christianity? When did we care more about being comfortable and less about doing what we're called to do?

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The people at my church tend to come early, have trouble quieting down as the opening reading starts, and then about half the time we stay late because someone is celebrating a personal milestone (such as guns to garden tools (following in sword to plowshares) or the food drive or whatever) or there is some ministry that we are working on or just want to hang out. There's a lot of strong relationships there.

Slartibartfast said:

The people at my church tend to come early, have trouble quieting down as the opening reading starts, and then about half the time we stay late because someone is celebrating a personal milestone or there is some ministry that we are working on or just want to hang out. There's a lot of relationships there.

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There majority of my church is like that as well, it's just a small group, same people every weekend. I can't help but wonder why they come at all, if they aren't there to hear the whole message, but I suppose it is better that they receive some of it instead of none.

DashingAmerican said:

There majority of my church is like that as well, it's just a small group, same people every weekend. I can't help but wonder why they come at all, if they aren't there to hear the whole message, but I suppose it is better that they receive some of it instead of none.

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They probably have stuff going on or are conflicted. The best way to answer that is to engage with them and see what's up.

Church attendance is in decline. Interest in church is also in decline.

SNOWFLAKE said:

Maybe because an entire generation is starting to realize that church is not about Jesus and God, it is about what is sinful, who should be welcome in the church, and who you should vote for.

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I don't disagree, you see a lot of that in the Western church. Though, we are all sinful. I'm very thankful that my church leadership doesn't give their public opinions on politics, even if I personally believe, on a singular level, that you have to mix politics and religion.

As much as my pastor says, "In the same way that a hospital is for the sick, a church is for the sinners", it's something else entirely to get some of the congregation to act that way.

Too many "believers" have it in their head that "I've been saved and baptized and now all I have to do is go to church every Sunday until the end of my time" which is NOT what biblical Christianity looks like.

DashingAmerican said:

I don't disagree, you see a lot of that in the Western church. Though, we are all sinful. I'm very thankful that my church leadership doesn't give their public opinions on politics, even if I personally believe, on a singular level, that you have to mix politics and religion.

As much as my pastor says, "In the same way that a hospital is for the sick, a church is for the sinners", it's something else entirely to get some of the congregation to act that way.

Too many "believers" have it in their head that "I've been saved and baptized and now all I have to do is go to church every Sunday until the end of my time" which is NOT what biblical Christianity looks like.

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You got to me before I could edit my comment. I didn't want to offend the more religious types so changed some of my wording, but basically what I said is close to the truth.

What's "invitation?"

Loulit01 said:

What's "invitation?"

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If its anything like the churches I started out with, its when people to go up to pray at the end of the service because they feel convicted of some need or to become a Christian.

Slartibartfast said:

If its anything like the churches I started out with, its when people to go up to pray at the end of the service because they feel convicted of some need or to become a Christian.

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Thanks! I never heard of it. Guess they don't have it at Catholic mass.

Slartibartfast said:

If its anything like the churches I started out with, its when people to go up to pray at the end of the service because they feel convicted of some need or to become a Christian.

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ANY church I ever attended, and they were few and far between, was more about people catching up on the weekly local gossip.

Loulit01 said:

Thanks! I never heard of it. Guess they don't have it at Catholic mass.

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My ex-wife came from a Pentecostal tradition and it was a thing there.

The Protestant Reformation is what happened. Protestant churches are not sacred spaces for the contemplation and worship of God and people act accordingly.

DashingAmerican said:

There majority of my church is like that as well, it's just a small group, same people every weekend. I can't help but wonder why they come at all, if they aren't there to hear the whole message, but I suppose it is better that they receive some of it instead of none.

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IMO…..they are not really conscious of it but they want to be part of a tribe. Years ago my church availed themself of research of why people select a specific church……at the top of the list was having 2 friends. It was not about the sermons, specific beliefs, etc. It sounds easy to do but it is not easy to feel welcome in an established clique, tribe or church. I have been attending a church for 7 years but have not joined…..feeling like it would not be honest that if by joining they assumed I was in agreement with all aspects of their fundamentalism which among other things relegates women to a lower level…..never once allowing them to give a prayer to the church or allow them to be on the stage where the pulpit is. I go for communion and the sermon……the sermon to see if by chance anything is revelatory…..if not it inspires me to see the deeper message of the scriptures they cite. I have mentioned elsewhere on this forum if one realizes a personal connection to God it is time to give up membership with a church because all churches unwittingly seek to separate themselves from other churches and from those that are unbelievers…..

By the way this is odd that this appeared today. This morning two older JW ladies came to my door and I welcomed them. They asked if they could ask me a question and I agreed without hesitation. Maybe it is a standard question for them but they asked if I thought there would ever be peace on earth. I simply said that as long as the ego exists there will never be peace on earth. I think they were surprised that I had an answer. I then developed that thought somewhat …citing scripture. They were attentive and receptive. I applauded their dedication and wished them well…..I don’t think I was dreaming but I had the distinct feeling that they were uplifted. I felt good in never giving them a hint that I harbored any negative reaction to them. They were living examples of a faith that has welcomed them.

Loulit01 said:

What's "invitation?"

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Likely the misspelling of “invocation” (opening prayer).

Loulit01 said:

What's "invitation?"

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Its essentially a call to repent and accept Christ followed by the Altar Call.

Is the Invitation Biblical?​

Recently, there has been considerable discussion about the practice of extending an invitation at the end of a sermon. Here are a few contributions to that discussion that may be valuable.

First, we should recognize that the modern practice of the invitation originated in the 18th and 19th centuries through revivalists like John Wesley and Charles Finney. It was generally known as an “altar call” and took several forms, including the “mourner’s bench,” “anxious seat,” or “inquirer’s room.” This practice became more widespread after the Second Great Awakening. However, not all revivalists supported the front-row approach due to concerns about emotionalism, as seen with Dwight Moody.[1]

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DashingAmerican said:

I am active in my local church and every Sunday there are people that leave early, usually right before invitation. It is really aggravating. Is this something that happens in other churches?

What happened to Western Christianity? When did we care more about being comfortable and less about doing what we're called to do?

Click to expand...

What is "invitation?"

Okay - I saw the explanation by Vysky.