Church hopping

HeDied4U

HeDied4U

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Received a pretty good article this morning concerning church hopping. Thought I'd share it here and see what your thoughts on the subject are. Article comes courtesy of Crosswalk.com

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Church Hopping

Dr. James Emery White

A man approached one of our Guest Services volunteers and asked,
 
I'll admit, I've been guilty of this. Not so much nowadays, but back in my Charismatic days, I would often go to different churches just to get the "thrill" or the "goosebumps." I can certainly identify with the excuses the author listed for hopping. When my wife and I got married, we did church shop, to find the place where we would best fit in. I don't consider that time as hopping, because we were searching for a place to put down our spiritual roots, so to speak. It took a while, but we finally found a good church to call home.
 
That article was dead on in many ways, from nailing the "consumer" mindset, to identifying those that choose to shun accountability, just a really good article.  If only the "hoppers" would read and take heed.
 
I have changed churches this year, but it was a carefully considered change of commitment from one denomination and church community to another set that was a better doctrinal and cultural match.

Just being honest with myself that I was no longer sufficiently in agreement with AoG's doctrine, and was tired of dealing with the cultural and political baggage of conservative evangelicalism (the Santorum campaign was the last straw), and so it was time to move on.

I do occasionally visit other churches, not out of restlessness or looking for anything in particular, but just liking to see how others do church.
 
Going to a church for a Sno-Cone isn't church-hopping.  It's just stupidity.  Possibly the worst way to start an article, even if he has a good point to make. 
 
Ransom said:
Entice goats in the door with Sno-Cones and other swag, and you shouldn't be surprised if they come to think that's the capstone of your "worship."  I'd say it's the same not only with crushed ice treats, but emotional worship music, pastoral antics (of either the Ed Young Jr. or Jack Hyles variety), bus-kid bribes, drawn-out altar calls, and any other spectacle you can care to name.

A pox on all their houses.
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A laurel and hearty AMEN to that. 

 
Izdaari said:
I have changed churches this year, but it was a carefully considered change of commitment from one denomination and church community to another set that was a better doctrinal and cultural match.

Just being honest with myself that I was no longer sufficiently in agreement with AoG's doctrine, and was tired of dealing with the cultural and political baggage of conservative evangelicalism (the Santorum campaign was the last straw), and so it was time to move on.

I do occasionally visit other churches, not out of restlessness or looking for anything in particular, but just liking to see how others do church.
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This echoes what just recently happened with me and my family.
 
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Is that.... no it can't be ...:o













.
 
JrChurch said:
Commitment, service, loyalty, roots.  Church hoppers miss out on developing those qualities.
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I agree it's best to commit to one home church and be loyal to it. For that reason, my recent change of denomination and community was not done lightly.

However, nothing wrong with visiting others on occasion.
 
Izdaari said:
JrChurch said:
Commitment, service, loyalty, roots.  Church hoppers miss out on developing those qualities.
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I agree it's best to commit to one home church and be loyal to it. For that reason, my recent change of denomination and community was not done lightly.

However, nothing wrong with visiting others on occasion.
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Getting ready to make such a change.  I'm NOT looking forward to it.
 
Let's not forget the control freak pastors who describe anyone and everyone who leave their churches as "hoppers."
 
Aviator said:
Let's not forget the control freak pastors who describe anyone and everyone who leave their churches as "hoppers."
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Or sinners.
 
HeDied4U said:
Aviator said:
Let's not forget the control freak pastors who describe anyone and everyone who leave their churches as "hoppers."
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Or sinners.
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Lol been there done that left a church after nineteen years and now I am labeled a church hopper there.,,funny thing is the majority of members left there (about a 1/3 of the size it had  about ten years ago) are all transplants, yet they aren't Hoppers, they are truth seekers LOL
 
HeDied4U said:
Aviator said:
Let's not forget the control freak pastors who describe anyone and everyone who leave their churches as "hoppers."
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Or sinners.
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Young pastors are starting to hop themself.  I know one in particular that got a church as teen pastor, barely got settled in and started to get to know everyone, and got a better offer and turned in his notice.  It happens at all levels.  It's the way it is now in business as well.  There is no such thing as loyalty anymore, just every man for himself. 
 
I go to a different church every Sunday.
I wonder what advice the writer in the OP would have for a full-time RVr and what category he would place me in.
 
FSSL said:
I go to a different church every Sunday.
I wonder what advice the writer in the OP would have for a full-time RVr and what category he would place me in.
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Instead of circuit preacher, you are the circuit parishioner.  8)
 
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