Hi Convallaria, 
I've experienced a church like that but moved and am looking for a local church again. Like you I long for that kind of church again and it isn't easy. Been through some hard experiences with some churches too and although none were unbiblical, they had overbearing people in them and my husband clashed with them. Strong personalities often have a hard time submitting to one another. People can fight over the nuttiest things such as what color the new cushioned seats for the church should be. Or the songs that should be played. Who should be the choir directer and how the money should be spent. Deacons fighting with deacons., Pastor trying to keep the peace. Strong personalities can ruin a church over such tiny unimportant issues.
As I look back on it, they were issues that were more about what we used to call "the old guard" who didn't want any change vs the new families that had children. clash clash. When it came to doctrine, people usually stood together. Now that I'm older I could care less what color the chairs are or who sings what or if someone insulted me or hurt my feelings. We take ourselves far tooo seriously and have to be big enough to influence by example. Those older Christians we were around as young families were just very immature "old" Christians. But at the time were sooo annoying to our life. We let things get to us. And as I look back made mountains out of mole hills.
But there were some fine loving believers in those churches that were loved by all and you could count on them to always put God first. They never got involved in disputes about seat covers although they were voting members of the church they chose their battles but we hardly saw them in any battle out front in arguing. A few of the members stormed out of meetings with such anger after standing up in a meeting declaring the "biblical" reasons for their choices about this or that and how all should have come to the same conclusions if they were led by God. And then how the pastor would pray for unity and love and that would settle many down.
People are people and as long as we are on this planet people will do the same thing over and over. Human behavior can only be changed and transformed when it submits to the Word and is changed supernaturally by the HolySpirit. And it seems to take time and we have to stick with it as the changes take place from the inside out with each other.
It's hard to look for a church when many of the churches around my area are already established and have families who have been there for years. In many ways I feel like an interloper or something. But gotta keep pressing on and keep looking. I hope you find a church too convallaria. Since God wants us to be in a local fellowship, He will surely make a way and lead us to the right one.
I've experienced a church like that but moved and am looking for a local church again. Like you I long for that kind of church again and it isn't easy. Been through some hard experiences with some churches too and although none were unbiblical, they had overbearing people in them and my husband clashed with them. Strong personalities often have a hard time submitting to one another. People can fight over the nuttiest things such as what color the new cushioned seats for the church should be. Or the songs that should be played. Who should be the choir directer and how the money should be spent. Deacons fighting with deacons., Pastor trying to keep the peace. Strong personalities can ruin a church over such tiny unimportant issues.As I look back on it, they were issues that were more about what we used to call "the old guard" who didn't want any change vs the new families that had children. clash clash. When it came to doctrine, people usually stood together. Now that I'm older I could care less what color the chairs are or who sings what or if someone insulted me or hurt my feelings. We take ourselves far tooo seriously and have to be big enough to influence by example. Those older Christians we were around as young families were just very immature "old" Christians. But at the time were sooo annoying to our life. We let things get to us. And as I look back made mountains out of mole hills.
But there were some fine loving believers in those churches that were loved by all and you could count on them to always put God first. They never got involved in disputes about seat covers although they were voting members of the church they chose their battles but we hardly saw them in any battle out front in arguing. A few of the members stormed out of meetings with such anger after standing up in a meeting declaring the "biblical" reasons for their choices about this or that and how all should have come to the same conclusions if they were led by God. And then how the pastor would pray for unity and love and that would settle many down.
People are people and as long as we are on this planet people will do the same thing over and over. Human behavior can only be changed and transformed when it submits to the Word and is changed supernaturally by the HolySpirit. And it seems to take time and we have to stick with it as the changes take place from the inside out with each other.
It's hard to look for a church when many of the churches around my area are already established and have families who have been there for years. In many ways I feel like an interloper or something. But gotta keep pressing on and keep looking. I hope you find a church too convallaria. Since God wants us to be in a local fellowship, He will surely make a way and lead us to the right one.
Hi again Ladylynn
I know what you mean about the seat covers...LOLOL! Unfortunately while everyone is fighting about stuff that is unimportant, people with real problems can be overlooked...as has been my experience periodically. The overbearing attitude is like a bullying thing, which makes me think there must be major spirits at work there causing problems.
One gathering I went to, I was involved in the worship team, singing and playing my guitar. One morning, a lady who thought she was really something as a singer stole my microphone from in front of my face while I was in the middle of singing, presumably because hers was not working.
She gave me a lift home after the service, and all the way she kept asking me if I was ok, prodding me to say something, because she knew she had behaved outrageously. I remained silent except to say I was fine, but I knew in my heart that the Lord had seen what was happening.
By and by the woman decided to leave the group for some reason, and suddenly I was promoted to worship leader, lol. I don't think promotions belong in the church really but it demonstrated to me the truth of that verse, that those who exalt themselves shall be humbled, and the humble shall be exalted. It reinforced my trust in the Lord that He sees all and He acts on behalf of His children.
I have exhausted all avenues for fellowship locally, except the obvious one...which is that there are people who live in my immediate community who need to hear the word of God and see it in action. I am approaching retirement and wondering what the Lord has in store on that front!
Life is never dull
Amen we have to keep pressing on!!