What do you think of Cville churches?

Curious to see what you have to say about your church and other area churches...

The fact that there are so many churches and denominations shows the complete disintegration of religion and it's very foundation. Most churches in C'ville are nothing more than a small group who insists on being the 'house band' and nothing more.

Churches are nothing more than gathering places for building contractors, real estate reps and funeral directors.

Tell me how you really feel.:)

You seem like the "Church of the Forest" kind of person...while it's perfectly ok for you to pursue your spirituality in whatever way you prefer, it's not particularly beneficial to tear down something that might work for someone else. Your comments are not without merit - but there are many people who get something out of church.

The only church I've heard about on this site is Vonda Bishop Ministries. I'm curious to hear about the others.

I don't mean to say going to church isn't beneficial for some. As for the "Church of the Forest", I'm not sure I know what you mean.

I do think there are too many around this area proclaiming their 'ministry', blah, blah, blah! I also see too many singing and wailing in the name of 'profit'.

Although I no longer attend 'a church', I have ventured into the local Methodist churches and as a child went to the 'Baptist' church. I won't go back. The Methodists took my membership away because they couldn't get 'regular payments'(tithes) and the Baptists scared the 'hell' out of me.

Don't forget about the Church of The Holy Sheep Feeder. The pastor is a piece of work.

There are too many churches out for the $$$$. All should pay property taxes because there's a church on every corner here in town seems like. Churches are a good business. Must be some good money in religion. Pay us on Sunday and we will save you a place in heaven.

Amen Amen Amen All these churches around half empty. The members couldn't get along so they go build another one, and so on and so on. They just can't agree who Jesus is or God. Sounds like politics, huh? We think the Middle East is NUTS, DUH

I fell sad that you all have presented such a negative view of our churches. Count me as one who gets a lot of good out of my church - I llok forward to services and always leave feeling better than when I arrived. Several of our churches do a lot of community good. A group of teachers tutor - for FREE - in an after school program at another church. If you choose not to believe - or at least not to participate in organized relgion, that's certainly your right. But don't put down those who do. I can't imagine that anyone was actually turned away from the Methodist church for not tithing. I'd need some proof of that!

I used to go to the Peoples Temple but the punch tasted funny.

spirituality is a wonderful necessary ingredient in the universe.
conregating and testifying is strictly for those who need to lean on others and bare witness in a group setting. if it works for you, then by all means enjoy.
but leave the rest of us be thank you.

newsjunkie wrote:

spirituality is a wonderful necessary ingredient in the universe.
conregating and testifying is strictly for those who need to lean on others and bare witness in a group setting. if it works for you, then by all means enjoy.
but leave the rest of us be thank you.

Was someone inviting you to their church?

I, too, got a letter 25 years AFTER I was no longer a member of the Methodist telling me what a good member does to support the church and that I had not been a very good member (read dollar signs)....pretty much those words. Let's just say it didn't endear me to the church.

Pretty Lady: At last count we have 109 churches to choose from so I don't think you'll have any trouble finding one suitable to your needs. And there is a church you might like to visit some time. It's the little brown church outside of Brookville. There's quite a bit of history to it...and, oh yeah, someone is bound to tell you about the murdered girl found behind there many years ago...but that's not the history I am referring to. It is along what used to be the underground railroad for slaves and still has the holes built into the walls (upstairs where the blacks used to have to sit) for sticking a rifle out to protect themselves during services. It's unlocked and unattended during the day. There's an interesting feeling when you sit there in the quiet as though every board of wood could tell you stories.

newsjunkie wrote:

spirituality is a wonderful necessary ingredient in the universe.
conregating and testifying is strictly for those who need to lean on others and bare witness in a group setting. if it works for you, then by all means enjoy.
but leave the rest of us be thank you.

Very well said N.J.

Religion and its practice creating belief of a supreme power has destroyed and built many civilations. Look at our world today and see its influence especially in the middle east. Shame several don't embrace the following statement.
"One thing that religious teachings, that is of great benefit for human kind, is the development of a religious conscience."

Get It Right, I can't offer any proof, but I did receive a card from a local Methodist church. It basically said we can't afford to have you as a member taking up space when we need other people in here who will pay. It was so impersonal.
I'm sure there are plenty of decent churches in our area and I don't mean to pick on the Methodists, but I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

newsjunkie said it best.

Want to find a good old fashion church!
Here's your sign:
Look what the Church has, such as in their wealth of material things. Then look at what the Preacher/Rev/Pastor/etc drove up in or drives in general. Then check out the residence. Does he he a job that will maintain his own family & their needs without money from the church. That my friends will open your eyes to a key finding of a good Pastor/Preacher/Rev/etc. Yes taking up collection from members at church isn't wrong to help pay for the heat & electric bills and so on. But I'm just saying, enjoy what you do is spreading the word, then spread the word with out nonchalantly passing the collection dish around to basically beg for money. The most important thing to remember is that just going to a dwelling of a building being a church does not mean you are better when we have the book (Bible) to read & refer to. Not being in the Lord's house to hear his Gospel from a Preacher doen't condemn us it's their for congergating with others, a worship house, etc. Most churches will have members thinking they are on the up and up & dress fit to kill to mock of their wealth & fear off members to intimidate. What ever happen to the old fashion church days? Ask and Ye Shall Receive... When a church is in need of repairs or such you will hear kind members volunteer to do & help. Now days you hear... The Company says it will be 5K for materials but repair not including labor. In a way, it gives us thoughts on how the Amish do, they are there come one come all to help, no questions. WoW have times changed. Sorry I didn't mean to offend anyone.. Just wanted to say this to air out my stuffy head. Please don't be offend, religion IS a touchy subject as well as politics. God Bles each and everyone.

Ooppps I also forgot to add...
Let's not forget the peoples who will run to a Church to ask for assistance in money or food!
Yeah, I know...
Happens all the time, but they use the churches as a getting place to get what they want & you never see them again till the next round. The sad thing is they are not even members of that church. Then they go on down the road to the next church & play the same sad story on them and then you read their name in the paper for what ever reason... hum something to think about I guess. Just another system probably known to them as the Church System as to the Welfare System. Sorry again I don't mean to offend anyone, just saying to air out my stuffy head again. God Bless all.

Ever notice that services end with a group prayer then 2 minutes later they'll almost run you over trying to be the firt one out of the parking lot? Curious behavior.

newsjunkie wrote:

spirituality is a wonderful necessary ingredient in the universe.
conregating and testifying is strictly for those who need to lean on others and bare witness in a group setting. if it works for you, then by all means enjoy.
but leave the rest of us be thank you.

For once I agree with you. You left wing nut lol lol lol

One time many years ago several groups of developmentaly diasabled were sent in groups( with a staff member) to churches that were listed on their social history. There were 8 churches. At least 5 to 6 high functioning children of God would go to these churches (supervised )every Sunday morning. After approximately the 4th to the 8th time these children of God went to the church a representative from 6 of these churches came to state that they could no longer have these people in their congregation. When asked why, the representative said "the congregation was afraid of these people and didn't want their children around them. " Everyone of these representatives and the congregations need to know that these children of God already have a place in heaven but I wonder if each of those congregations have a place in heaven.Turning away people because they were a little different. That's all it took for me to see what organized religion can do for mankind. Spirituality is wonderful but man made rules suck. Oh yes this did not happen in this town but I wonder if under the same scenario what would the churches do here?